Question 1

What is Lucky Squares Australia?

Accepted Answer

Lucky Squares Australia is a platform that makes it easy for community organisations to run grid-based fundraisers online. An Organiser sets up a numbered grid, sets a price per square and prizes, then shares a link with their community. Participants pick their squares, pay the Organiser, and a randomised draw picks the winner.

Question 2

Who can run a Lucky Squares fundraiser?

Accepted Answer

Lucky Squares is designed for incorporated associations, registered charities, recognised sporting clubs, school P&Cs, and other legitimate community organisations. It is not intended for personal commercial use. Organisers must be at least 18 years of age and have authority to act on behalf of their organisation.

Question 3

Is it free to set up?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can create an account, set up your fundraiser, and preview everything for free. A one-off Campaign Fee is charged only when you launch your fundraiser and make it live. There are no monthly fees or hidden costs.

Question 4

What devices does it work on?

Accepted Answer

Lucky Squares works on any modern browser on desktop, tablet, or mobile. No app download is required. Your fundraiser link can be shared via WhatsApp, SMS, email, or social media and participants can buy squares from any device.

Question 5

What grid size should I choose?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your community size and how quickly you want to sell out. A 25-square grid is great for smaller groups and sells out faster, giving you a quick win. A 50-square grid suits medium-sized clubs and P&Cs. A 100-square grid suits larger organisations with a wide network. You can set your price per square to hit your fundraising target at any grid size.

Question 6

How much does it cost to launch?

Accepted Answer

A one-off platform fee of $19 applies per fundraiser, regardless of grid size. This fee is charged at launch and is inclusive of GST where applicable. There are no ongoing fees.

Question 7

How do I get paid?

Accepted Answer

You have four payment options. In person: collect cash or EFTPOS from participants directly. Bank transfer: participants pay into your nominated BSB and account number with no transaction fees. In person and bank transfer: participants choose whichever suits them. Secure online card payment: participants pay by card via Stripe and funds are transferred directly to your connected bank account as squares are sold. A transaction fee of 1.7% + $0.30 per purchase (paid by the buyer on top of the square price) covers all payment processing. Online card payments require a free Stripe Connect account linked to your Lucky Squares profile.

Question 8

What is Stripe Connect and why do I need to verify my identity?

Accepted Answer

Stripe Connect is how Lucky Squares transfers online card payments directly to your bank account. To comply with Australian financial regulations (including Anti-Money Laundering and Know Your Customer laws), Stripe is required to verify the identity of all account holders before funds can be transferred. This is the same process as opening a bank account. You will be asked to provide your full legal name, date of birth, residential address, and a government-issued photo ID such as a drivers licence or passport. This is a legal requirement, not a Lucky Squares policy. Your information is held securely by Stripe and is not stored by Lucky Squares.

Question 9

Do I need a permit to run a Lucky Squares fundraiser?

Accepted Answer

Permit requirements vary significantly by state and territory. In many jurisdictions, incorporated associations and registered charities can conduct low-value fundraising activities without a permit. Larger prize pools or commercial activities may require a permit from your state gaming authority. Lucky Squares Australia does not obtain or verify permits. This is the Organiser's responsibility. See our Raffle Compliance page for a state-by-state summary.

Question 10

How does the draw work?

Accepted Answer

When you are ready to draw, click the "Run draw" button on your fundraiser page. The platform randomly selects one or more winning squares (one per prize). The result is recorded instantly and cannot be changed. All participants viewing the page at the time of the draw will see the winning squares highlighted live.

Question 11

When do I receive the funds raised?

Accepted Answer

This depends on your payment method. Bank transfer: buyers pay directly into your nominated BSB and account number throughout the campaign. You have the funds as they arrive. In person: you collect payment directly from participants. Online card via Stripe: funds are held securely on the platform and released to your connected bank account within two business days of completing your draw.

Question 12

What happens if not all squares sell before my draw date?

Accepted Answer

You have full control. You can draw from squares sold to that point, extend the selling period, or cancel the fundraiser and arrange refunds for participants. The platform does not automatically close or draw your fundraiser. You decide when to run the draw.

Question 13

Is there a time limit on how long a campaign can run?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Live campaigns must be finalised and drawn within 30 days of launch. If a campaign has not reached its break-even point (funds raised from squares sold covering the cost of non-donated prizes) after 30 days, it is automatically cancelled. Buyers who paid by secure online card are automatically refunded. Buyers who paid by bank transfer or in person will be contacted by you directly to arrange refunds. Transaction fees for online payments are not recoverable and are passed on to the organiser. You will receive email reminders at 7, 14, and 21 days to help keep your campaign on track.

Question 14

Can I delete my fundraiser?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but only if no squares have been sold. Once participants have purchased squares, the fundraiser cannot be deleted. If you need to cancel a live fundraiser with sales, you will need to manually refund participants and contact us via our contact page.

Question 15

How do I share my fundraiser?

Accepted Answer

Once your fundraiser is live, use the Share button on your fundraiser page to copy your unique link or share directly via social media, WhatsApp, or email. The more people who see the link, the faster your grid fills.

Question 16

Can I see who has bought squares?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As the Organiser, you can see each square's status on the live grid. Sold squares display the buyer's first name. Your dashboard also shows total squares sold and your funds raised to date.

Question 17

Can I set multiple prizes?

Accepted Answer

Yes. During setup you can add as many prizes as you like, including 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and additional places. Prize descriptions and values are displayed on the fundraiser page so participants know what they could win.

Question 18

What is Club Mode?

Accepted Answer

Club Mode is a full-screen, stripped-back view of your live grid designed for in-person square selling at events such as club nights, fetes, and sporting events. When you switch to Club Mode on your phone or tablet, you see just the live grid, price per square, and a simple checkout form for recording each sale. Once a buyer has made their purchase and seen the confirmation screen, you tap "Payment received, next buyer" to reset the screen ready for the next person. Club Mode is only available to the campaign organiser and only for campaigns using in-person, bank transfer, or blended payment methods.

Question 19

Is there a plan for organisations that run fundraisers regularly?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Organisation plan is an introductory $149 per year and gives you unlimited Lucky Squares campaigns with up to 10 running simultaneously. It's designed for schools, sporting clubs, and charities that fundraise throughout the year. One account per organisation, verified by ABN.

Question 20

How do I buy a square?

Accepted Answer

Click any available square on the grid to select it. You can select up to 10 squares at a time. Once you are happy with your selection, click Checkout, enter your name and email address, and follow the payment instructions provided by the Organiser.

Question 21

How long do I have to complete my purchase?

Accepted Answer

Once you select squares, they are reserved for you for 7 minutes while you complete checkout. A countdown timer is shown on the page. If you do not complete your purchase within 7 minutes, your squares are released back to the grid. The timer pauses while you are actively in the checkout flow.

Question 22

How many squares can I buy?

Accepted Answer

You can purchase a maximum of 10 squares per transaction. If you try to select an 11th square, you will see a message letting you know you have reached the limit.

Question 23

How will I know if I have won?

Accepted Answer

Draw results are shown live on the fundraiser page. The winning square is highlighted with a rainbow symbol. If you have purchased squares, you will also receive an email notification. For campaigns using online card payments, winning participants will receive a follow-up email asking for bank account details so the organiser can pay the prize directly. For bank transfer and in person campaigns, the organiser will contact you with prize instructions. If you have not heard from the organiser within a couple of days of the draw, reach out to them directly.

Question 24

Is my payment secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Online card payments are processed by a PCI-DSS compliant payment provider. Lucky Squares Australia never stores your card details. Bank transfer payments go directly to the Organiser's nominated bank account. In person payments are collected directly by the Organiser.

Question 25

Can I get a refund?

Accepted Answer

Refund requests should be directed to the Organiser who created the fundraiser, not to Lucky Squares Australia. If a fundraiser is cancelled before the draw, the Organiser is responsible for refunding all participants.

Question 26

What if I have a problem with a fundraiser?

Accepted Answer

In the first instance, contact the Organiser directly. If you believe the Platform has been used improperly or unlawfully, you can contact Lucky Squares Australia via our contact page and we will investigate.

Question 27

What does the processing fee cover?

Accepted Answer

A transaction fee of 1.7% + $0.30 is added on top of the square price only when payment is made by secure online card payment. The buyer pays this fee, not the organiser. No processing fee applies to bank transfer or in person payments. The fee amount is displayed clearly before participants confirm their purchase.

Question 28

Is the Campaign Fee refundable?

Accepted Answer

The Campaign Fee is non-refundable once a fundraiser has been launched, except where required by Australian Consumer Law. It is charged for access to the platform tools, not for any particular outcome or number of squares sold.

Question 29

Do you charge a percentage of funds raised?

Accepted Answer

No. Lucky Squares Australia charges only a flat Campaign Fee at launch. We do not take a percentage of your fundraising proceeds. The only transaction-related costs are secure online payment processing fees, which apply only when participants choose to pay by card.

Question 30

Does the Campaign Fee include GST?

Accepted Answer

Lucky Squares Australia (Play With Heart Pty Ltd) is not currently registered for GST. The $19 Campaign Fee contains no GST component and is charged as a flat fee. If our GST registration status changes, we will update our pricing and notify organisers accordingly.

Question 31

Do organisers need to charge GST on funds raised through Lucky Squares?

Accepted Answer

GST treatment of fundraising proceeds depends on your organisation's GST registration status and the nature of the activity. Most fundraising activities conducted by incorporated associations, registered charities, and sporting clubs benefit from favourable GST treatment under ATO guidelines, and proceeds from a genuine fundraising event are generally not subject to GST even for GST-registered organisations. However, every organisation's circumstances are different. Lucky Squares Australia does not provide tax advice. We recommend consulting your accountant or referring to the ATO's guidance on fundraising and GST if you are unsure of your obligations.

Question 32

Do participants need to create an account?

Accepted Answer

No. Participants can browse the grid and purchase squares without creating an account. Only Organisers need to create an account to set up and manage fundraisers.

Question 33

What happens if two people try to buy the same square at the same time?

Accepted Answer

The reservation system prevents double-selling. When a participant clicks a square, it is reserved instantly for that person for 7 minutes. Other visitors will see it shown in orange as reserved and cannot select it. If the reservation expires without a completed purchase, the square is automatically released.

Question 34

Is my data stored in Australia?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Lucky Squares Australia uses Supabase for data storage, with infrastructure located in Australia. Your data is not transferred or stored offshore. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Question 35

What if the platform goes down during a draw?

Accepted Answer

Draw results are recorded to our database as soon as the draw is run. If there is any interruption during the draw process, the result is preserved and can be displayed once the connection is restored. Contact us via our contact page if you experience any issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

For Organisers

For Participants

Payments and Fees

Technical

Lucky Squares Glossary

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