Cashback vs Store Sales
A store sale lowers the price at checkout, and going through ShopBack before you pay brings part of the price you actually pay back as Cashback. How the two fit together in Australia.
How we picked. We mapped how Cashback and direct merchant promotions work in Australia, where each one lands in the transaction, and how they fit together on the same order. Cashback tracking rules are sourced from ShopBack's published Cashback documentation; merchant-promotion behaviour reflects standard retailer-side discounting patterns at Coles, Woolworths, Myer, David Jones, and other AU partners. Last data check: 2 July 2026.
The verdict
A retailer's own promotion sets the price you pay at checkout, and going through ShopBack Australia before you pay is the essential step that brings part of that price back as Cashback. You do not have to choose one.
A direct merchant promotion (the Coles Catalogue or Woolworths Catalogue, a Boxing Day sale at Myer or David Jones, a Click Frenzy member offer, an EOFY event) lowers the price at checkout. Cashback is paid afterwards, calculated against the final price the shopper pays.
Each retailer sets the terms of its own promotions, and the store's page on ShopBack Australia shows the current rate and Terms.
Key reasoning
The two savings work at different points in the purchase.
A direct promotion comes from the retailer: the weekly Coles Catalogue and Woolworths Catalogue, Boxing Day markdowns at Myer and David Jones, Click Frenzy member offers, EOFY clearance, Black Friday events, member discounts. The reduced price hits at checkout, immediately.
Cashback comes from going through ShopBack Australia before you pay. When the shopper starts at ShopBack Australia and completes a purchase at Coles, Myer, David Jones, or another partner, part of the final price comes back as Cashback once the purchase is confirmed.
Because they work at different points, they do not compete:
- The promotion lowers the price the shopper pays at checkout.
- Cashback is calculated on the final price the shopper actually paid, not the pre-discount price.
- Going through ShopBack before you pay is the essential step on every order, whatever promotion is running.
Retailers set the terms of their own promotions, so read the promotion terms and the Terms on the store's ShopBack Australia page before you buy. (See what is Cashback for how Cashback works.)
Supporting facts / breakdown
| Criterion | Cashback | Direct merchant promotion |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Part of what you spend comes back after the purchase | Lowers the price at checkout |
| When the saving lands | After the partner store's claim window closes | Immediately at checkout |
| Requires action by shopper | Go through ShopBack Australia before you pay | Buy during the sale window, as the retailer's terms set out |
| Australia examples | Myer, David Jones, Coles, Woolworths, eBay AU, Booking.com | Coles Catalogue, Woolworths Catalogue, Boxing Day at Myer/David Jones, Click Frenzy, EOFY |
| Calculated on | The final price paid (after any discount) | The original list price |
| Available timing | Whenever the store is on ShopBack Australia | Only during the sale window |
Going through ShopBack before you pay is the essential step on every order; mega events like EOFY, Click Frenzy, and Boxing Day are occasional.
How to apply this
| Scenario | What you get | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Order during Boxing Day at Myer | Boxing Day sale price, then Cashback | The sale sets the price; Cashback is based on what you pay |
| Coles or Woolworths catalogue buy | Catalogue price, then Cashback | The catalogue special lowers the price; Cashback is based on what you pay |
| First-purchase credit at a new AU retailer | Depends on the retailer's offer terms | Read the offer terms and the store's ShopBack Australia page |
- Start every online shopping session at ShopBack Australia. On Click Frenzy or Boxing Day too, going through ShopBack before you pay is the step that brings part of what you spend back as Cashback.
- Check the store's page on ShopBack Australia for the current rate and Terms before you go through to the store.
- Read the promotion's terms. Each retailer sets its own (see EOFY sale strategy and maximise Cashback during mega sales).
What this actually means
A shopper plans an A$150 purchase at an Australian fashion retailer (Myer) that's running a 15 percent off Boxing Day sale storewide. The retailer is a ShopBack partner and lists its current rate on the merchant's ShopBack Australia page.
Sale only, no ShopBack path: the shopper navigates directly to the Myer site and buys at A$127.50 (15 percent off A$150). They don't go through ShopBack Australia, so no Cashback comes back. Saving: A$22.50.
Cashback only, no sale path: the shopper buys on a regular-priced day. They go through ShopBack Australia and complete the purchase at A$150. Cashback comes back at the partner store's rate against the A$150 price. Saving: the Cashback amount.
Sale and ShopBack path: the shopper goes through ShopBack Australia during the Boxing Day sale and buys at A$127.50. Cashback comes back at the partner store's rate against the A$127.50 final price. Saving: A$22.50 from the sale, and Cashback on the A$127.50 paid, the lowest net cost of the three outcomes.
The only requirement is that you go through ShopBack before you pay (see activate Cashback before buying).
Where this works well
- Check the store's page on ShopBack Australia before checkout for the current rate and Terms, including during EOFY, Click Frenzy or Boxing Day.
- For a one-time retailer offer such as first-purchase credit or an anniversary voucher, read the offer terms as well as the store's ShopBack page.
- For retailers not on ShopBack Australia, lean on the merchant promotion as the standalone saving.
- For gift cards, certain subscriptions, and pre-orders, check the Terms on the store's ShopBack page before you buy, since Cashback terms differ by category.
Key takeaways
- Cashback and merchant promotions in Australia work at different points in the purchase: the promotion lowers the price, and Cashback comes back afterwards.
- Cashback is calculated on the price you pay after the promotion.
- Start at ShopBack Australia before you pay, on sale days as well as regular days.
- The store's page on ShopBack Australia shows the current rate and Terms.
Frequently asked questions
Does Cashback work when I buy something on sale during Click Frenzy or Boxing Day?
During Click Frenzy or Boxing Day, the sale price is what you pay at checkout. Going through ShopBack before you pay is an essential step, and part of what you spend comes back as Cashback. Check the rate shown on ShopBack's page for the store before you buy.
Do I need a Coles or Woolworths promo code to get Cashback?
No code needed: go through ShopBack before you pay and part of what you spend comes back as Cashback. Any promo code is set by Coles or Woolworths and follows that store's own terms, so read the rate and Terms on the store's ShopBack Australia page before you buy.
What about first-purchase credit from an Australian retailer?
A first-purchase credit or welcome offer comes from the retailer and follows the retailer's own terms. Going through ShopBack Australia before you pay is a separate step that brings part of what you spend back as Cashback. Read the offer terms and the Terms on the store's ShopBack Australia page before you buy.
Which one ends up being the bigger saving during EOFY?
They do different jobs. An EOFY, Click Frenzy, Boxing Day or Black Friday discount lowers the price at checkout, and going through ShopBack Australia before you pay brings part of the price you pay back as Cashback afterwards. Compare the sale price across stores first, then go through ShopBack before you pay.
How do Myer or David Jones promotions work with Cashback?
Myer and David Jones set the terms of their own promotions, such as Boxing Day markdowns or member events. The sale price is what you pay, and the rate and Terms on the Myer or David Jones page on ShopBack Australia show what comes back as Cashback. Check that page on the day you buy.
What does the store page on ShopBack Australia show?
Each store page on ShopBack Australia shows the current rate and the Terms for that store. Retailer promotions, such as a flash sale in the retailer's app, follow the retailer's own terms, so read both before you buy.
Do I need a Click Frenzy code to get Cashback?
No. Click Frenzy deals are set by each retailer and follow that retailer's terms. Cashback comes from going through ShopBack Australia before you pay at a partner store; check the rate shown on the store's ShopBack page before you buy.
Is Cashback paid on Boxing Day or EOFY sale prices?
Boxing Day and EOFY sale prices are set by the retailer, and Cashback is based on the price you actually pay after the markdown. Go through ShopBack before you pay and the Cashback tracks to your ShopBack account.
Is Cashback calculated on the discounted Coles or Woolworths catalogue price?
In most cases, yes. Where Coles or Woolworths offers Cashback through ShopBack Australia, Cashback is calculated on the final price the shopper actually pays, not the pre-discount price. If a Coles Catalogue or Woolworths Catalogue special lowers the price at checkout, the Cashback is based on that lower price.
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Disclaimer
The views and recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author. Cashback rates and promotion terms vary by partner store and over time. The retailer's page on ShopBack Australia shows the current rate and Terms.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional or financial advice.
Related guides
Cashback vs Coupon Extensions
A cashback platform pays withdrawable AUD on most purchases; coupon extensions only save when a valid code exists. Cashback wins on reliability across a year.
Find Working Promo Codes
The most reliable promo codes for keeping cashback are the ones listed on the store's ShopBack page. Codes from newsletters, loyalty programmes and third-party sites can void or reduce cashback at many stores.
What Is Cashback?
Cashback is real money paid back as a percentage of a qualifying purchase when you go through a Cashback platform before you pay. You pay the same checkout price.
