Melissa Evans
Content Writer, GroupTogether.
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Because EOFY staff gifting shouldn’t require a tax law degree. Here’s your guide to thoughtful employee gifts under $300 – minus the compliance panic.
By Melissa Evans
Last updated on May 28, 2026
As the End of Financial Year (EOFY) approaches, countless Australian businesses are scrambling to find the perfect way to thank employees, clients and teams for their hard work throughout the year. But alongside choosing the right gift comes another headache-inducing question: what do the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) rules actually entail?
The good thing is there are several EOFY corporate gifting options that may qualify as FBT-free under the ATO’s minor benefits exemption rules. Here’s what employers should know before choosing staff gifts for EOFY 2026.
Some of the best EOFY gifts for employees in Australia are practical, flexible and easy to distribute across teams. For most businesses, eGift Cards remain one of the simplest EOFY staff gifting options – they allow employees to choose something they actually want while keeping administration manageable. Win, win.
FBT-free staff gifts are gifts that may qualify for an exemption from Fringe Benefits Tax under ATO guidelines. One of the most commonly used exemptions is the “minor benefits exemption.”
Generally, a gift may be exempt if it is valued under $300 including GST, provided infrequently and considered unreasonable to treat as a fringe benefit – so don’t go gifting an employee every month if you don’t want the ATO to release the metaphorical hounds! Employers should always review current guidance or seek professional tax advice for their specific circumstances. Don’t worry, if you’ve got a question, chances are someone’s already asked it!
eGift Cards can potentially be FBT free if they meet the ATO’s minor benefits exemption criteria – emphasis on potentially. Keep in mind, FBT treatment depends on how the eGift Card is provided, its value and the frequency of gifting – in most cases, eGift Cards under $300 given occasionally to employees may qualify. According to the ATO, occasionally is defined as infrequently and irregularly. Vague, we know. But if you stick to gifting during special occasions rather than, say, monthly, you should be safe.
The minor benefits exemption is an ATO rule that may exempt certain employee benefits from FBT if each benefit has a value under $300 including GST.
The exemption also considers factors like how often benefits are provided and the total value of similar benefits throughout the FBT year. This is why many employers aim to keep EOFY gifts below the $300 threshold.
There are plenty of EOFY gift ideas that fit within the minor benefits threshold, including:
Flexible gifting options are often popular because they work across different teams, locations and personal preferences.
eGift Cards simplify corporate gifting while giving employees more choice and flexibility – that means everyone benefits. Instead of trying to select one physical gift for everyone, employers provide a gift employees can use in a way that suits them personally. They’re also easier to distribute to hybrid and remote teams, making them a practical option for businesses with employees across multiple locations – so basically most businesses in 2026!
The AnyCard is the Queen of flexible gifting – recipients can mix and match with over 100+ retailers. The freedom to choose is what makes this gift perfect for corporate gifting, especially when you don’t know everyone like the back of your hand. But it’s not just good for recipients, it’s good for the gifter too – the entire process is streamlined and automated, meaning all you have to do is add in a few names and a delivery date. And…done!
Thoughtful EOFY gifts can help employees feel recognised and appreciated at the end of a busy financial year. Even relatively small gestures can contribute to morale, team culture and employee satisfaction – that’s right, you don’t have to move the moon to make your staff smile, sometimes a $10 eGift Card to their favourite coffee shop will do the trick.
Businesses should always refer to the Australian Taxation Office for the latest guidance on Fringe Benefits Tax and minor benefits exemptions.
The ATO outlines everything from limits to exemptions here: https://www.ato.gov.au/tax-rates-and-codes/fringe-benefits-tax-rates-and-thresholds
A: Yes, businesses love using GroupTogether during EOFY to organise employee appreciation gifts, team celebrations and staff recognition collections in a simpler and more streamlined way.
A: eGift Cards may be subject to Fringe Benefits Tax depending on how they are provided, their value and the circumstances surrounding the gift. In some cases, gift cards under the ATO’s minor benefits threshold may qualify for an exemption. Businesses should always review the latest ATO guidance or seek independent tax advice before providing employee gifts.
A: Under the ATO’s minor benefits exemption, some employee gifts valued under $300 including GST may qualify for FBT exemption if they are provided infrequently.
A: Gift cards are a popular EOFY reward option because they are flexible, easy to distribute and suitable for both in-office and remote teams. They also allow employees to choose something they genuinely want rather than receiving a one-size-fits-all gift. For employers, digital gift cards can also reduce the administration involved in organising physical gifts across larger teams.
A: GroupTogether helps simplify the EOFY gifting process by combining group cards, contributions and gift delivery into one platform. This reduces the manual work often involved in chasing payments, coordinating messages and organising physical gifts. For Admin teams, HR and office managers, this can save significant time during busy EOFY periods.
A: Short answer? The ultimate gift card. Long answer? The AnyCard is GroupTogether’s flexible eGift Card option that allows recipients to choose where they want to spend their gift. Instead of being locked into a single retailer, recipients can select from a wide range of popular brands and experiences – they can choose as many retailers as they like.
A: The AnyCard simplifies workplace gifting because it removes the pressure of choosing a single perfect gift for everyone – and let’s face it, there’s no such thing. Employees can pick something they genuinely want, making the gift feel more personal and useful.
A: Yes. GroupTogether is designed to work across offices, remote teams and hybrid workplaces. Team members can contribute, sign cards and participate from anywhere, making it easier to include everyone in workplace celebrations.
A: GroupTogether can be used for birthdays, farewells, EOFY celebrations, employee appreciation, work anniversaries, weddings, new babies and team milestones – if you can think it, we can celebrate it. It’s designed to make group gifting simpler for both organisers and contributors.
A: Digital group cards and collections save time, reduce admin and make it easier for more people to participate. Instead of coordinating physical cards, separate bank transfers and multiple reminder messages, everything is managed in one place.
Melissa Evans
Content Writer, GroupTogether.
Ali + Julie
Co-Founders, GroupTogether
Life’s busy. That’s why we’re here to make it easy for you to collect money from a group. Less wasted time, less packaging waste, and spending a little less but giving a lot better!
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