Best Cashback Sites Australia: ShopBack vs TopCashback and What to Watch For

Cashback sites sound a bit fake the first time you hear about them. Click through a different link, buy the same thing, and get some money back later? It feels suspiciously close to internet nonsense. But in Australia, cashback sites can be genuinely useful if you already shop online and you use them without getting weird about it.

The two names most Australians will run into are ShopBack and TopCashback. Both can save you money. Both can also nudge you into spending more if you are not careful. The smart move is to treat cashback as a bonus on planned spending, not a reason to buy things you did not need.

If you want the deeper breakdowns, read our TopCashback Australia guide and ShopBack vs TopCashback comparison.

ShopBack vs TopCashback

ShopBack is usually the first cashback app Australians hear about because it has strong brand recognition, app visibility, and a big retailer list. TopCashback is also worth checking because sometimes the payout rate is better on the exact store you want, even if the app feels less mainstream.

The practical move is not loyalty. It is comparison. Check both before bigger purchases, especially for travel, electronics, fashion, or big household buys.

• Use ShopBack if the store is there, the rate is competitive, and the app flow is easier for you
• Use TopCashback when the retailer is listed there with a better rate or a better joining offer
• Use neither if a direct store discount beats the cashback anyway

Best practices for maximising cashback

1. Use private/guest mode browser or the official ShopBack app. This reduces cookie conflicts and tracking failures. The app is generally more reliable than the browser extension.
2. Don't use other coupon/discount extensions. Extensions like Honey or RetailMeNot interfere with ShopBack's tracking cookie.
3. Click through ShopBack immediately before purchasing. Don't browse for 30 minutes first, the tracking cookie expires or gets overwritten.
4. Check the price in a clean browser first. Especially for international sites.
5. Stack with credit card rewards. Cashback from ShopBack and points from your credit card both apply to the same purchase.
6. Set up ShopBack Pay. Some retailers offer higher cashback rates when you pay through ShopBack Pay.
7. Watch for bonus cashback events. ShopBack regularly runs promotions with doubled or tripled rates. Time big purchases for these events.

How much will you earn in a year?

Based on average Australian online spending patterns:

• Light online shopper ($200/month online): ~$80–$150/year in cashback
• Moderate shopper ($500/month online): ~$200–$400/year
• Heavy online shopper ($1, 000+/month): ~$400–$800/year
• Plus travel bookings: Add $50–$200/year if you book flights and hotels through ShopBack

It's not life-changing money. But it's free, it takes almost no effort once habitual, and over 5 years a moderate shopper could earn $1, 000–$2, 000 in cashback for clicking one extra button.

Getting started with cashback sites

If you want to start with the two main options, use Jay's ShopBack link and Jay's TopCashback link. Then compare rates before bigger purchases instead of assuming one platform always wins.

Track your total cashback earnings alongside your other savings with our Savings Goal Calculator.