How to find out how much is left on a gift card — for major Australian retailers and general methods.
⏱ 2 min readEasyUpdated May 2026
Quick Answer
Most gift cards: check online at the retailer's website, call the number on the back of the card, or ask at the checkout. Woolworths, Coles, JB Hi-Fi, Amazon and most other retailers have online balance checkers.
How to Check a Gift Card Balance
1
Check the back of the card
Most gift cards have a website URL and/or phone number printed on the back specifically for balance enquiries. This is always your best first step.
2
Check online via the retailer's website
Go to the retailer's website and search for "gift card balance check." You will typically need the card number and PIN (usually under a scratch panel on the back). Common Australian retailers: Woolworths — woolworths.com.au/giftcards. Coles — coles.com.au/gift-cards. JB Hi-Fi — jbhifi.com.au/pages/gift-cards. Amazon — amazon.com.au, sign in and go to Gift Cards in your account.
3
Ask at the checkout
Any staff member at the retailer can check a gift card balance by swiping it at a till. Quick and requires no internet access.
4
Call the number on the card
Most gift cards have a free customer service number. Enter the card number using the phone keypad when prompted. A recorded voice states your current balance.
Third-party gift card balance sitesAvoid entering gift card details into unofficial third-party "gift card balance checker" websites — these are a common source of gift card fraud. Always use the official retailer website or the phone number printed on the card itself.
Gift Card Has Expired?
In Australia, gift cards purchased after 1 November 2019 must have a minimum 3-year expiry period under Australian Consumer Law. If a card expires before 3 years, contact the retailer or the ACCC. Older cards may have shorter expiry periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact the retailer's customer service with the original receipt. Most retailers can look up the card by the transaction details on the receipt and in some cases re-issue the remaining balance, though policies vary. Act quickly — once a gift card is used by someone else, recovery is difficult.
Most retailers do not allow cashing out gift cards. Some states in the US allow it for cards under $10, but Australian law does not require this. If you have an unwanted gift card, platforms like Cardyard (cardyard.com.au) allow you to sell gift cards at a discount for cash.