How much is a Costco membership in Australia, and is Executive worth it?
A Costco membership in Australia costs A$65 a year for Gold Star (personal) or Business, and A$130 for Executive, which pays back 2% of your purchases before GST, up to A$1,000 a year. Anyone 18 or over can join, and a household card is included. Executive pays for itself once you spend about A$3,250 a year before GST.
From costco.com.au's membership page, Executive Membership terms and Member Privileges & Conditions, checked 23 October 2026.
Costco Australia membership prices
| Membership | Per year | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Star | A$65 | Personal membership, valid at every Costco worldwide, household card included |
| Gold Star Executive | A$130 | The same, plus the 2% reward (up to A$1,000) and extras on Costco services |
| Business | A$65 | Needs a business registration; household card; up to 6 extra cardholders at A$65 each |
| Business Executive | A$130 | Business membership plus the 2% reward and service extras |
Costco says it will refund your membership fee in full, at any time, for any reason, if you're not satisfied.
Who can join, and the household card
- Anyone 18 or over can join, because Costco sells alcohol in Australia. There's no job or employer test.
- Household card: free for your spouse, domestic partner or an immediate family member over 18 who lives at your address. They show photo ID with the same address when they collect it, at the membership counter.
- Guests: each cardholder can bring two guests over 18, and younger children don't count. Only members can pay.
- Your card needs your photo, taken at the membership counter. Costco's terms say a photo of your card can't be used instead of the card itself.
You can join online at costco.com.au/membership or at any warehouse membership counter. Costco takes Visa or Mastercard, credit or debit, for buying or renewing a membership.
Is Executive worth it?
Costco works out the 2% on prices excluding GST, so the calculator takes GST off first.
Costco's own table matches: A$250 a month earns about A$60 a year, and the reward tops out at A$1,000 once you spend about A$50,000 a year. Costco also says the reward isn't guaranteed to cover the upgrade fee, which is why the calculator matters.
How the Executive reward works
- 2% of purchases excluding GST at warehouse registers and on costco.com.au, by the primary and household cardholder. Add-on cardholders don't earn it.
- Doesn't earn: fuel, pharmacy, Costco Shop Cards, charity donations, food courts, some Costco Travel bookings, membership fees, and fees, deposits, taxes and shipping.
- When: Costco emails the reward to the primary member about 10 days before your renewal date. You must still be a paid Executive member at the end of the membership year to get it.
- How you spend it: at a warehouse's staffed checkouts (not self-checkout) on most merchandise. Not at the fuel station, food court, online, on services, Costco Travel, Shop Cards or a Gift of Membership, and not for cash.
- Upgrading: A$65, prorated for the months left, at any warehouse membership counter. Purchases before you upgrade don't count. One Executive membership per household or business.
- Changed your mind? Downgrade or cancel to get the upgrade fee back, but any reward already issued and not spent is lost, and any reward you've spent comes off the refund.
Common questions
How much is a Costco membership in Australia?
A$65 a year for Gold Star or Business, and A$130 for Gold Star Executive or Business Executive.
Can anyone join Costco in Australia?
Yes, anyone 18 or over. Unlike Costco UK, there's no list of qualifying jobs. A Business membership needs a business registration.
Is Costco Executive worth it in Australia?
If you spend more than about A$271 a month on items that earn the reward, excluding GST, the 2% covers the extra A$65. Below that, Gold Star costs less.
How many people can I bring to Costco?
Two guests over 18 per cardholder, plus children. Only members can buy anything.
Who can have the free household card?
Your spouse, domestic partner or an immediate family member over 18 who lives at the same address, with photo ID showing it.
Can I use my Executive reward on fuel or online?
No. Costco says the reward can only be spent at a warehouse's staffed checkouts, not at the fuel station, the food court, self-checkout or on costco.com.au. Fuel doesn't earn the reward either.
Can I get a refund on my membership?
Yes. Costco Australia refunds the membership fee in full at any time if you're not satisfied. For Executive, any reward you've spent is taken off the upgrade refund.
Sources: costco.com.au membership, Executive Membership terms, Member Privileges & Conditions, guests and household card pages, checked 23 October 2026. Member Care: (03) 5316 7223.