Powerball: Game Guide, Odds and Prize Divisions
Everything on this page covers how Powerball works rather than what it has paid: the seven-plus-one draw format, all nine prize divisions and their odds, entry types, and the Thursday draw and cut-off times.
Powerball is a national lottery game, drawn once a week on Thursday nights. It has been running in Australia since 1996. The current format, with seven numbers from 35 plus a Powerball from 20, was introduced in April 2018.
The draw uses two separate barrels. Seven numbers are drawn from the main barrel, which holds numbers 1 to 35. One Powerball number is then drawn from a second barrel, which holds numbers 1 to 20. To win Division 1, a single game panel needs to match all seven main numbers plus the Powerball. Because the two barrels are separate, the same number can come up as both a main number and the Powerball in the same draw.
The draw is national, but the operator depends on where you live. In New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, Powerball is sold under The Lott. In Western Australia it is run by Lotterywest, a government-owned operator. The operators pool entries and prize money together, so it is a single draw either way.
How to play Powerball
A standard game means picking eight numbers in total. Seven come from the main barrel, and one is the Powerball number.
- 1 Pick 7 main numbers From 1 to 35.
- 2 Pick 1 Powerball number From 1 to 20.
- 3 Check the result All 7 main numbers plus the Powerball wins Division 1. Just 2 main numbers plus the Powerball wins Division 9, the smallest prize.
Powerball has nine prize divisions, so there are nine different ways an entry can win something.
Ticket prices and entry types
A standard Powerball entry covers a minimum of 4 games. Prices are not identical across the country. Lotterywest sets its own prices in Western Australia, retail outlets may add a commission, and resellers charge above the official price. Check the current price with the operator in your state before you buy.
Standard entry (QuickPick or Marked)
From $6.30 for 4 games. A QuickPick generates your numbers at random. A Marked entry lets you choose the numbers yourself and decide how many games to play. You can mark up to 18 games on a coupon in-store, or play up to 50 games online.
PowerHit entry
From $31.50 for a standard 20-game PowerHit. Your seven main numbers are paired with every possible Powerball number, so all 20 combinations are covered and the Powerball is guaranteed. That means you only need to match the seven main numbers to win Division 1. In Western Australia this entry is called Powerpik.
System entry
Choose between 8 and 20 main numbers instead of the usual seven. The entry then plays every possible seven-number combination from your set, along with one Powerball number. More numbers means more combinations, which raises the cost of the ticket.
PowerHit System entry
A System entry with the Powerball guaranteed. You pick between 8 and 15 main numbers.
Pick entry
Guarantees either one or two winning main numbers. A PowerHit Pick 5 or Pick 6 guarantees the Powerball number as well as one or two main numbers.
Syndicates
A way to split the cost of a larger entry between several people. The entry is divided into shares, and any prize is split evenly across those shares.
Advance, Multi-week and Subscription entries
These let you enter draws ahead of time. An Advance entry books a future draw. A Multi-week entry covers several consecutive draws. A Subscription enters every draw automatically, or only once the jackpot reaches a set amount, and can be paused or cancelled at any time.
Draw schedule and times
Powerball is drawn once a week, on Thursday nights.
- Ticket cut-off
- 7:30pm AEST (8:30pm AEDT) through The Lott. In Western Australia the cut-off is earlier. Lotterywest closes online entries at 5:25pm AWST, and in-store times differ, so check with your local outlet.
- Draw time
- Shortly after sales close. Lotterywest lists the draw at 6:30pm AWST.
- Results on television
- Around 8:30pm AEST (9:30pm AEDT) on Channel 7, 7TWO and affiliated regional stations. In Western Australia, winning numbers screen at about 6:40pm AWST on Seven, with the live draw around 6:30pm AWST on 7Two. When the prize pool is above $40 million, the live draw moves to Seven.
- Results online
- Winning numbers are usually confirmed no later than 9:00pm AEST and published on this page once the draw is finalised. Large draws can take longer to confirm.
Prize divisions and odds
Powerball has nine prize divisions. The combinations needed for each one, and the odds based on a single standard game, are listed below.
| Division | Numbers needed | Odds per game |
|---|---|---|
| Division 1 | 7 main numbers + Powerball | 1 in 134,490,400 |
| Division 2 | 7 main numbers | 1 in 7,078,443 |
| Division 3 | 6 main numbers + Powerball | 1 in 686,176 |
| Division 4 | 6 main numbers | 1 in 36,115 |
| Division 5 | 5 main numbers + Powerball | 1 in 16,943 |
| Division 6 | 4 main numbers + Powerball | 1 in 1,173 |
| Division 7 | 5 main numbers | 1 in 892 |
| Division 8 | 3 main numbers + Powerball | 1 in 188 |
| Division 9 | 2 main numbers + Powerball | 1 in 66 |
Prize amounts change from draw to draw. Each division gets a set share of the prize pool, which is then split between everyone who won that division. Division 9 often has tens of thousands of winners across the country, so the individual amount there is small.
How to check your ticket
- Online Results are published here after each draw is finalised.
- In-store Use the self-service checker or ask the retailer at the counter. Smaller prizes can often be paid out on the spot.
- On television The draw is broadcast around 8:30pm AEST on Channel 7 or 7TWO.
- By email If you have an online account, you can turn on results emails in your account settings.
- Through the app The Lott app and the Lotterywest app let you scan tickets bought in-store.