What's the Cheapest Time of Year to Buy a MacBook in Australia 2026?

Published: 8 October 2026 · Last updated: 8 October 2026 · Author: Jean Goh, Travel Destinations Editor, ShopBack

The cheapest time of year to buy a MacBook in Australia is usually Black Friday week, which in 2026 runs from Friday 27 November to Cyber Monday 30 November. Boxing Day (26 December) and end of financial year sales in June are the next best windows. At the time of writing, Apple's Australian store lists the 13-inch MacBook Air from A$2,099, and retailers such as JB Hi-Fi and The Good Guys tend to discount below that list price during these events.

New to ShopBack? ShopBack Australia is a free app and website that gives you cash back when you shop online at partner stores, including JB Hi-Fi, the Apple Store Online and The Good Guys. You open the store through ShopBack, buy as normal, and part of what you spend comes back to your ShopBack account. Create a free ShopBack account before your next big purchase.

How we checked. We read Apple's Australian store, education store and refurbished pages, plus JB Hi-Fi's trade-in page and The Good Guys' 30 Day Price Guarantee page, in October 2026. Prices quoted are list prices at the time of writing and will change.

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The short answer: when MacBooks are cheapest in Australia

Laptop sale prices in Australia follow a predictable calendar. Here is how the year usually plays out for MacBooks:

Window	When (2026 to 2027)	What usually happens
Black Friday and Cyber Monday	27 to 30 November 2026	The widest retailer markdowns of the year on MacBooks and accessories
Boxing Day	26 December 2026	Late-year prices again, often on remaining stock
End of financial year	June, ending 30 June 2027	Mid-year electronics sales; popular with people buying a laptop for work
After a new model launch	Varies	The outgoing model is often marked down while stock lasts
Any time	Year round	Apple education pricing, Apple Certified Refurbished, trade-in credit

In short, plan a MacBook purchase for late November, and have your model, memory and storage picked before the sale starts so you can compare quickly.

Laptop sale Australia 2026: what to expect this year

The big laptop sale period in Australia for 2026 is Black Friday through Cyber Monday, 27 to 30 November. Most major electronics retailers run sales across that week, and many start earlier in November. After that, Boxing Day on Saturday 26 December 2026 is the last big chance of the calendar year.

What gets discounted varies. In past years the pattern has been that retailers discount older or outgoing MacBook models more readily than a model that launched recently. If a chip has just been released, expect smaller markdowns on it and bigger ones on the previous generation.

The current line-up on Apple's Australian store at the time of writing:

• MacBook Neo: from A$1,049 (from A$899 with education savings)
• MacBook Air 13-inch with M5: from A$2,099 (from A$1,939 with education savings)
• MacBook Air 15-inch with M5: from A$2,499
• MacBook Pro: starts higher, from A$3,039 with education savings

Use these list prices as your yardstick. A sale price is only a deal if it beats the list price for the exact same configuration.

Cheapest month for a laptop sale in Australia: what the price data shows

November is usually the cheapest month for a laptop sale in Australia, with June second and late December third. We do not publish a month-by-month price index, because retailer prices on individual MacBook configurations change often and any snapshot goes stale quickly. What is stable is the sale calendar itself, which is why the dates above are the best guide.

A practical way to build your own price data: pick the exact model you want (for example, MacBook Air 13-inch, M5, 16GB memory, 512GB storage), note Apple's list price, then check the same configuration at JB Hi-Fi and The Good Guys in early November. When Black Friday prices appear, you will know straight away whether the discount is real.

Laptop sale best deals Australia 2026: how to spot a good one

The best laptop sale deals in Australia in 2026 are on the exact configuration you need, priced below Apple's list price, from a retailer with a returns and price policy you trust. Four checks help:

1. Match the full spec. Chip, memory, storage, screen size and colour can all change the price. A cheap MacBook with too little storage is not a saving if you need more.
2. Compare against the list price. Apple's Australian store shows the list price for every configuration.
3. Check the generation. A big discount on the previous chip can still be great value, but know what you are buying.
4. Look at what comes with it. Trade-in credit, price protection and warranty all affect the real cost.

JB Hi-Fi vs Apple Store: laptop sale price comparison 2026

For a MacBook in 2026, JB Hi-Fi is usually where the lower sale price shows up during big events, while the Apple Store is where eligible buyers get education pricing and where you can buy Apple Certified Refurbished models. Each suits a different buyer.

Apple Store (Apple's own programme). Apple's Australian store generally sells at its list price, so it is rarely the cheapest place for a new MacBook during Black Friday. Its strengths are elsewhere:

• Education pricing. According to Apple, education pricing is available to current and newly accepted university students, parents buying for university students, and teachers and staff at all levels, with verification required. At the time of writing that brings the 13-inch MacBook Air from A$2,099 to A$1,939, a A$160 difference.
• Apple Certified Refurbished. Apple says every refurbished product is cleaned and inspected, comes in a new white box with free delivery and returns, and carries Apple's standard one-year limited warranty.
• Trade-in. Apple offers credit towards a new device when you trade in an eligible one.
• Configure to order. If you want a specific memory or storage combination, Apple's store has every option.

JB Hi-Fi. JB Hi-Fi stocks the main MacBook configurations and runs sales across the year, with Black Friday and EOFY usually the strongest. It also runs a trade-in programme: according to JB Hi-Fi, you get an instant JB Hi-Fi eGift Card by email once you accept a quote, and you then send your old device back within 7 days. That lets you put your old laptop's value straight towards the new one.

JB Hi-Fi, Apple Store and The Good Guys: laptop sale Australia

JB Hi-Fi, the Apple Store and The Good Guys all sell MacBooks in Australia, and checking all three during a laptop sale is the simplest way to find the lowest price on the day. The Good Guys adds something the other two do not advertise in the same way: price protection after you buy.

The Good Guys' 30 Day Price Guarantee. According to The Good Guys, if the price of your product drops at The Good Guys or an approved competitor within 30 days of purchase, members can claim back 120 percent of the difference as store credit. The catch is that you must have bought the product with Gold Service Extras, and you need to lodge a claim with evidence of the lower advertised price, including the date of the ad. If you buy before Black Friday and the price falls, this can protect you. Check The Good Guys' terms first, because conditions apply.

The wider category. Other Australian electronics retailers that sell laptops include Harvey Norman, Officeworks, Bing Lee and Amazon Australia, and many of them run sales over the same Black Friday and EOFY windows.

Should you wait for a new MacBook model?

Waiting makes sense if you are flexible on which chip you get. When Apple releases a new MacBook, retailers often discount the outgoing model to clear stock, and that clearance price can be lower than any Black Friday deal on the new one. If you need the newest chip for heavy work, buying it during the first big sale after launch is usually the better plan.

The one thing that does not pay off is waiting indefinitely. If your current laptop is failing and you need to work, the cost of waiting can be more than the saving.

Is EOFY a good time to buy a MacBook?

End of financial year, which finishes on 30 June in Australia, is usually the second best time to buy a MacBook after Black Friday. Many electronics retailers run EOFY sales through June. It also suits people buying a laptop for work, who often like to make the purchase before the financial year ends. For any tax questions, check the Australian Taxation Office's guidance or speak to a tax adviser.

The last step before you buy: open ShopBack

The last step before you buy a MacBook, the same as before you book flights or hotels, is to open ShopBack. Going through ShopBack Australia is an essential step at checkout, so you pay less on the same order at the same store.

Here is how it works:

1. Open the JB Hi-Fi store on ShopBack, the Apple Store Online on ShopBack or The Good Guys on ShopBack.
2. Tap through to the store and buy your MacBook as you normally would.
3. After the order is confirmed, cash comes back to your ShopBack account.

Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles. Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash ShopBack returns.

Illustrative example. On a A$2,000 MacBook at an illustrative 1 percent rate, A$20 comes back, so your effective price is A$1,980. Rates change by store and campaign, so check the live rate on each store's ShopBack page before you buy.

Sale prices and ShopBack

ShopBack can usually be used on sale prices at partner stores, but not always. Some stores exclude certain products, gift cards or orders that use codes from outside ShopBack. Check the merchant's terms on its ShopBack page before you check out, and use any codes listed there.

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Frequently asked questions

What's the cheapest time of year to buy a MacBook in Australia?

Black Friday week in late November is usually the cheapest time to buy a MacBook in Australia, followed by Boxing Day and the end of financial year sales in June. Retailers such as JB Hi-Fi and The Good Guys tend to mark MacBooks down during these events, while Apple's own store usually keeps its list price and offers education pricing, trade-in credit and refurbished models instead.

Which month has the best laptop sales in Australia?

November usually has the best laptop sales in Australia because Black Friday and Cyber Monday bring markdowns across most electronics retailers. In 2026, Black Friday falls on Friday 27 November and Cyber Monday on Monday 30 November. June is the next strongest month because of end of financial year sales, and late December brings Boxing Day prices.

Is it cheaper to buy a MacBook from JB Hi-Fi or the Apple Store?

During big sale events, JB Hi-Fi and The Good Guys are often cheaper than the Apple Store because they can discount below Apple's list price, while Apple's own store usually sells at its listed price. Outside sales, eligible students and teachers may pay less at Apple's education store. Compare the same model, chip, memory and storage across all three before you buy.

How much does a MacBook cost in Australia?

At the time of writing, Apple's Australian store lists the MacBook Neo from A$1,049, the 13-inch MacBook Air with M5 from A$2,099 and the 15-inch MacBook Air from A$2,499. MacBook Pro models start higher. Retailer prices can sit below these list prices during sales.

Does Apple have education pricing in Australia?

Apple's Australian education store offers lower prices to current and newly accepted university students, parents buying for university students, and teachers and staff at all levels, with verification required. At the time of writing it lists the MacBook Air from A$1,939 and the MacBook Neo from A$899 with education savings.

Are Apple refurbished MacBooks worth it in Australia?

They can be a good way to pay less any time of year. According to Apple, every Apple Certified Refurbished product is cleaned, inspected, packed in a new box, shipped with free delivery and returns, and covered by Apple's standard one-year limited warranty. Stock changes often, so check what is listed when you are ready to buy.

Should I wait for a new MacBook model before buying?

If you can wait, a new model launch often pushes retailers to mark down the outgoing model while stock lasts. If you need the newest chip, buying at a big sale event after launch is usually the better move. If the outgoing model meets your needs, a clearance price on it can be the lowest price you will see.

What happens if the price drops after I buy a MacBook at The Good Guys?

According to The Good Guys, if you bought the product with Gold Service Extras and its price drops at The Good Guys or an approved competitor within 30 days, members can claim back 120 percent of the difference as store credit. You need to submit a claim form with evidence of the lower advertised price. Check The Good Guys' terms before you rely on it.

Can I trade in my old laptop when I buy a MacBook?

Both Apple and JB Hi-Fi run trade-in programmes in Australia. JB Hi-Fi says you get an instant JB Hi-Fi eGift Card once you accept a quote, then send your old device back within 7 days. Apple offers credit towards a new device for eligible trade-ins. Values depend on the model and condition.

How does ShopBack lower the price of a MacBook?

Before you check out at JB Hi-Fi, the Apple Store Online or The Good Guys, open the store on ShopBack Australia and shop from there. A share of what you spend comes back to you as cash after the order is confirmed, which lowers your effective price. For example, on a A$2,000 MacBook at an illustrative 1 percent rate, A$20 comes back, so the effective price is A$1,980. Check the live rate on each store's ShopBack page.

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Key takeaways

• Black Friday to Cyber Monday (27 to 30 November 2026) is usually the cheapest time to buy a MacBook in Australia.
• Boxing Day and June EOFY sales are the next best windows.
• Apple's store usually holds its list price, but education pricing, refurbished stock and trade-in credit can lower the cost year round.
• The Good Guys' 30 Day Price Guarantee can protect you if you buy early with Gold Service Extras.
• Before you check out, open JB Hi-Fi, Apple Store Online or The Good Guys on ShopBack so cash comes back on your order.

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Disclaimer

The views and recommendations in this article are those of the author. Apple list prices, education pricing, refurbished stock, trade-in values, retailer sale prices, price guarantee terms and sale dates are subject to change; check each retailer before you buy. Rates on ShopBack vary by store and campaign; check the current rate on each store's ShopBack page before purchase.

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional or financial advice.