Grocery delivery fees and subscriptions in Australia: is it worth paying?

How grocery delivery is priced

Both Woolworths and Coles charge delivery fees that vary based on the size of your delivery window, time of day and order total. Smaller windows cost more; wider or off-peak windows are usually cheaper. There are also minimum order thresholds—going under them typically attracts an additional small-order fee.

Fees and minimums change regularly, so the most reliable way to see current pricing is at the retailer's own checkout or help centre. This guide focuses on the framework for deciding whether delivery is worth it for your household.

When a delivery subscription can make sense

Both chains offer paid monthly or annual subscription plans that waive delivery fees on eligible orders. The maths is straightforward: if the monthly cost divided by the number of shops you do is less than the fee you would otherwise pay, the subscription saves money.

The trap to watch for is ordering more frequently than you naturally would just to "use" the subscription. Extra trips mean extra spend on items you might not have bought otherwise.

When Click & Collect is often better

If you pass near a store on your regular route, Click & Collect avoids the delivery fee entirely while still letting you shop online. The main trade-off is substitutions—for fresh produce and deli items, collecting in person lets you check quality before accepting the order. Our Click & Collect vs delivery guide covers this in more detail.

Questions to ask before committing to delivery

1. What is the minimum order? If your typical shop is below it, you will either pay a small-order surcharge or add items to hit the threshold.
2. Does the subscription cover your usual order size? Some plans require a minimum order total to waive the fee.
3. How do substitutions work? Unavailable items may be replaced with different brands or sizes at different prices.

Use search to check what you are paying for in the basket

The delivery fee is one line on the receipt. Whether you are getting good value on the groceries themselves is a separate question. A quick search on TrolleyChecker on your regular packaged items helps you see whether the chain you are ordering from is competitive that week—before you lock in the cart.