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How to Gift PS Plus & Game Pass in Australia

Gifting
How to Gift PS Plus & Game Pass in Australia
Gifting

Descubra a melhor forma de oferecer uma assinatura PlayStation Plus ou Xbox Game Pass a um amigo. Aprenda como comprar cartões-presente para PS Plus e como enviar o Game Pass diretamente.

Gifting PlayStation Plus: Your Options Explained

Ever wanted to surprise your mate with the gift of gaming but weren’t sure how? You’re in luck! Gifting a subscription like PlayStation Plus (PS Plus) or Xbox Game Pass is a fantastic way to share hundreds of games and online multiplayer access. While the methods differ slightly between Sony and Microsoft, it’s totally possible to get your friend set up. This guide will walk you through exactly how to gift these subscriptions in Australia, from buying the right card to what your mate needs to do to redeem it. Let’s get into it.

Summary

This guide explains how you can gift a PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass subscription to a friend in Australia. For PlayStation Plus, the best method is buying a digital gift card, as you can’t gift a subscription directly from the PlayStation Store. For Xbox Game Pass, you have the flexibility of either gifting it directly through the Microsoft Store or by purchasing a digital gift card from a retailer. We cover where to buy these cards, the costs involved, and what you should consider before making your purchase to ensure your gift is a massive hit.

TLDR

  • PlayStation Plus: You can’t gift a subscription directly. You need to buy a PlayStation Store or PS Plus gift card (a digital code) from retailers like Amazon AU, EB Games, or JB Hi-Fi.
  • Xbox Game Pass: You can gift a subscription directly to your friend’s Gamertag through the Microsoft Store. Alternatively, you can buy a Game Pass gift card from the same major retailers.
  • Check First: It’s a good idea to find out if your mate already has a subscription. If they do, the gift code will usually just extend their existing membership.
  • Region Lock: Make sure you buy an Australian code for an Australian account. Codes are region-locked and won’t work across different regions.

📑 Table of Contents

Can You Directly Gift a PS Plus Subscription via the PlayStation Store?

Unfortunately, you cannot directly gift a PlayStation Plus subscription to another account through the official PlayStation Store. Unlike some other digital platforms, Sony’s system doesn’t have a “send as gift” button for its subscription services.

  • Account Linking: Subscriptions are tied directly to an individual’s PlayStation Network (PSN) account.
  • Recurring Payments: PS Plus is designed as a recurring service, which complicates a one-off gifting process directly between accounts.

But don’t worry, this doesn’t mean you can’t give the gift of PS Plus. There’s a very simple and popular workaround.

The Best Way to Gift PlayStation Plus: Digital Gift Cards

The easiest and most common way to gift PlayStation Plus is by purchasing a digital code. You can either buy a gift card for a specific PS Plus subscription period (e.g., 12 months of PS Plus Essential) or a PlayStation Store gift card that adds credit to your mate’s account. They can then use that credit to buy the subscription tier they want. This makes a digital gift card the perfect, flexible option.

  • Step 1: Purchase the Code. Buy a PS Plus or PlayStation Store digital gift card from a reputable online or physical retailer. You’ll receive a 12-character code via email or on a physical card.
  • Step 2: Send the Code. Share this code with your mate through a message, email, or by giving them the physical card.
  • Step 3: Recipient Redeems. Your friend signs into their PSN account on their console or a web browser, navigates to the “Redeem Codes” section in the PlayStation Store, and enters the 12-character code. The subscription or credit is instantly applied to their account.

Where to Buy PS Plus Digital Codes in Australia

You can find PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Store gift cards at most major Australian retailers that sell gaming products. When you purchase PS Plus digital codes, always stick to trusted sellers to avoid scams. Here are some of the most reliable places to look:

🛒 Reputable Retailers in Australia:

  • Amazon Australia
  • EB Games
  • JB Hi-Fi
  • Big W
  • The official PlayStation website (for store credit)

How Much Does a 1-Year PlayStation Plus Subscription Cost in Australia?

Directly answering one of the most common questions, the cost of a 12-month PlayStation Plus subscription in Australia depends on the tier you choose. As of early 2025, the approximate annual prices are below, but always remember that prices are subject to change and retailers may have sales.

PlayStation Plus Essential
Approximately $95.95 AUD per year. This tier provides access to online multiplayer, monthly free games, and cloud storage.
PlayStation Plus Extra
Approximately $169.95 AUD per year. Includes all Essential benefits plus access to a huge Game Catalogue of hundreds of PS4 and PS5 games to download and play.
PlayStation Plus Premium
Approximately $196.95 AUD per year. The top tier includes all Essential and Extra benefits, plus access to game trials, cloud streaming, and a Classics Catalogue of beloved older games.

Gifting Xbox Game Pass: Made Easy

Good news for Team Xbox! Gifting an Xbox Game Pass subscription is even more straightforward. Microsoft provides a direct gifting option right from their store, making it incredibly easy to surprise a friend. This directly answers the common question, “Can I gift a friend an Xbox Game Pass?” with a resounding yes!

Can You Gift Xbox Game Pass Directly Through the Microsoft Store?

Yes, you can. The Microsoft Store has a built-in gifting feature that lets you send a subscription directly to another person’s Xbox Gamertag or email address. It’s a seamless process that takes just a few clicks.

💡 How to Gift Game Pass Directly:

  1. Navigate to the Xbox Game Pass subscription page on the Microsoft Store website or on your Xbox console.
  2. Instead of clicking “Join” or “Buy”, select the option that says “Buy as gift”.
  3. You’ll be prompted to enter the recipient’s Xbox Gamertag or their email address associated with their Microsoft account.
  4. Add a personalised message if you wish, complete the payment, and the gift will be sent directly to your mate!

Gifting Xbox Game Pass Via Digital Codes

If you prefer not to use the direct gifting method, or if you want to give a physical card, you can also purchase Xbox Game Pass digital codes from various retailers. This process is identical to gifting PlayStation Plus.

  • Buy the Code: Purchase a digital code for a specific Game Pass subscription (e.g., 3 months of Game Pass Ultimate) from a trusted retailer.
  • Share the Code: Send the 25-character code to your friend.
  • Redeem: Your friend can redeem the code on their Xbox console, the Xbox app on PC, or at redeem.microsoft.com.

Where to Purchase Xbox Game Pass Gift Cards in Australia

Just like with PlayStation, you can find Xbox Game Pass gift cards at all the major electronics and department stores across Australia. Here’s where to look:

Microsoft Store
Amazon Australia
EB Games
JB Hi-Fi
Big W

What to Consider Before Gifting a Game Subscription

Before you hit that “buy” button, there are a couple of things to think about to make sure your gift is perfect. A little bit of recon can go a long way in ensuring your mate gets the most out of their new subscription.

Checking for Existing Subscriptions and Compatibility

It’s worth trying to subtly find out if your friend already has an active subscription. You could ask something like, “What have you been playing on Game Pass lately?” or “Did you grab those free PS Plus games this month?”. This also helps confirm they’re on the right platform—you wouldn’t want to buy PS Plus for a dedicated Xbox gamer!

  • What if they already have one? No problem! In most cases, redeeming a code on an active account simply “stacks” the new time on top of their existing subscription, extending the expiry date.

Choosing the Right Subscription Tier

Both PlayStation and Xbox offer different levels of their subscriptions, each with unique perks. Choosing the right one depends on how your friend plays.

PlayStation Plus Tiers

  • Essential: The base tier for online multiplayer and monthly games.
  • Extra: Adds a huge library of downloadable PS4/PS5 games.
  • Premium: The all-in-one package with classic games and game trials.

Xbox Game Pass Tiers

  • Core: The new base tier, replacing Xbox Live Gold, for online multiplayer and a small catalogue of games.
  • Console/PC: Provides full Game Pass library access on either console or PC.
  • Ultimate: The best value, combining Core, Console, PC Game Pass, and EA Play into one subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What if My Mate Already Has a Subscription?

Most gift codes for subscriptions will either extend their current membership or allow them to stack the new period onto their existing one. If it’s an upgrade (e.g., from PS Plus Essential to Extra), the value of the gift card might be converted into a shorter period of the higher-tier subscription based on its monetary value.

Can I Gift a Specific Game Instead of a Subscription?

Yes, both PlayStation and Xbox allow you to gift specific digital games. For PlayStation, the easiest way is to send your friend a PlayStation Store gift card with enough credit to cover the game’s cost. For Xbox, the Microsoft Store has a direct gifting option for individual games, just like it does for Game Pass subscriptions.

Are There Regional Restrictions on Gift Codes?

Yes, absolutely. Digital gift codes are generally region-locked. An Australian PS Plus or Xbox Game Pass code will only work on an Australian PlayStation Network or Xbox account, respectively. Always double-check that you are purchasing a code for the correct region to avoid any issues for your mate.


Written by

Mustafa Aybek