Powerball FAQs
If there’s anything you want to know about playing Powerball, you should be able to find the answer in the frequently asked questions below. If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, head over to the Powerball Information page to find more useful guides.
When do Powerball draws take place?
Powerball draws take place every Thursday night. Sales close at 7:30pm AEST and draws are held shortly afterwards. In Western Australia, you must enter before 6:00pm AWST.
Is the draw shown on TV?
Yes. Powerball draws are broadcast on 7TWO at approximately 8:30pm AEST every Thursday.
How much does it cost to play?
It costs $1.10 per panel to play Powerball, plus commission for retail sales. The minimum play is four games for $5.40, apart from in Western Australia where you can enter two games for $2.65.
How do you play Powerball?
To play Powerball, you select seven numbers from 1 to 35 plus one Powerball number from a separate set of 1 to 20. There are various options for how to play, including QuickPicks, System entries and PowerHit entries.
What is a PowerHit entry?
A PowerHit entry is one which guarantees that you will match the Powerball. You choose seven main numbers and they are played alongside each Powerball number, so you play 20 separate combinations. Go to the How to Play page for more information.
How do you win prizes?
You win prizes by matching the numbers you select to the winning numbers. You need to match all seven main numbers and the Powerball to land the First Division prize, but there are nine different winning combinations in total.
Are the prizes fixed amounts?
No. Prizes are calculated on a pari-mutuel basis, so the value depends on the number of winners and the number of tickets sold in each draw. Go to the Dividends page for more information.
What is the minimum jackpot?
The Powerball jackpot starts at $4 million and rolls over to the next draw if it is not won.
What is the biggest Powerball jackpot ever won?
The largest Powerball jackpot ever was $200 million. This was offered in draw 1446 on Thursday 1st February 2024, and two tickets shared the money.
Is there a jackpot cap or rollover limit?
There is no jackpot cap on Powerball. However, it is only allowed to roll over for 25 consecutive draws. In the unlikely event that there are 25 rollovers in a row, the jackpot then has to be won in the next draw and will go to players in the highest division in which there are winners.
How much is the Powerball jackpot worth?
The current Powerball jackpot is worth $12 Million.
What are the odds of winning?
The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 134,490,400. The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 44.
Which lottery operator runs Powerball?
Powerball is run by Tatts Group lotteries in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria. Lotterywest operates the game for players in Western Australia.
How do you find out if you are a winner?
To find out if you are a winner, you can use the Number Checker, take a look at the latest results or go to a newsagency or convenience store for your ticket to be checked. If you have a Lottery Player Card and win the First Division prize, you will be contacted directly.