Money Guns in Australia: How They Work, Prices and Safe Use

Money guns in Australia: what they are and how people use them

People searching for money guns, a toy money gun, a fake money gun machine or a money gun party are usually after one of three things: a prop for a party or a celebration, a visual for a video, or a gift for someone who has seen one online. A money gun is a handheld novelty device. You load it with notes, pull the trigger, and the notes fly out in a stream. The effect reads instantly on camera, which is why the device became so popular in short-form video.

We do not offer a custom money gun, because the device is a standard refillable one, but our personalised prop notes and cheques cover custom photo and message gifts. A money gun only works as well as the notes you load into it, so if you are weighing up a budget device against a better one, look at the notes first. Cheap, thin or badly cut notes jam and look flimsy, while correctly sized, evenly cut notes feed smoothly and spread nicely. That is why our device and our refill pack are designed to work together: the refill pack is sized for standard money guns, so the notes feed the way they should.

What a money gun costs in Australia

Many shoppers arrive after seeing a money gun on TikTok and ask how much does a money gun cost on TikTok, or in a shop. The honest answer is that prices shown in videos vary widely and are not a reliable guide: they depend on the seller, the country, the shipping, and whether the notes are included. Here is exactly what a money gun setup costs from us, with GST included and free tracked shipping.

A complete money gun kit, device plus one refill pack, is $74.90. Our minimum order is $350 in goods, so a money gun order is usually combined with note stacks, or with a larger party or production order, to reach it. If you are filming content, a $50 note stack of 100 notes ($89) gives you plenty of notes to load and reload.

How a money gun works, in plain terms

A money gun is a launcher for light paper notes. You load the notes into the device and pull the trigger, and the notes are launched out in a stream. Because the notes are light, they spread and flutter, and a continuous burst looks like a shower of cash.

Three things decide how well it performs. Note weight and cut: notes that are too heavy, curled or unevenly trimmed will jam, and clean, uniform notes feed best. Loading: pack the notes flat and squared, as instructed, rather than crumpling them in. Battery and device care: if your device uses batteries, keep spares and replace them before a shoot so it does not slow down mid-scene.

We do not claim any special mechanism beyond that. If a listing promises a "professional" or "cinema-grade" launcher without explaining what is in it, treat the claim with caution and check what accessories and refills it actually includes.

What to load into a money gun

Load prop notes designed for the job, and nothing else. Never put genuine currency into a money gun. It is wasteful, it risks damage, and it is simply a bad idea. Our refill pack uses reduced-scale $50-style prop notes, marked NOT LEGAL TENDER, so you can fire them freely and sweep them up afterwards without worrying about the cost of replacing a few.

For extra effect, mix in confetti or shredded cash. A shredded cash bag adds volume and movement to the shower, and it photographs well against a dark background. Use bands to build tidy stacks for the "before" shot, so the audience sees a neat bundle before the gun turns it into a cloud.

Money gun party ideas

A money gun party works because the effect is immediate and photogenic. These are the setups we see most often.

Birthdays and 21sts. A "make it rain" moment at the toast, filmed from a low angle so the notes fall into frame. Plan the shot before the party so the device is loaded and ready.

Hens and bucks nights. Used as a prop in photos and skits. Keep the notes in a labelled bag so they can be gathered at the end of the night.

Weddings and engagement parties. A short burst as the couple enters, or as part of a "money dance" moment. Clear the floor afterwards, because loose notes can be slippery.

Content shoots. A cash-reveal video, a flex clip or a music video. Film several takes, because the effect lasts only seconds, and carry spare notes.

Always check venue rules first. Some venues do not allow confetti-style effects, and cleaning up afterwards is part of the plan, not an afterthought.

Money gun or confetti? Choosing the right cash effect

A money gun is not the only way to make cash fly. Each effect has a different look, cost and clean-up, and the right choice depends on the shot.

Money gun. The most dramatic and the most controllable. It gives a directed burst of notes that reads as money immediately. Best for a single hero moment, such as a toast, an entrance or a reveal. The cost is the device plus a supply of notes.

Shredded cash. Cheaper per bag and effective for a "money rain" from above or a bed of cash on the floor. It reads as paper money rather than whole notes, so use it for atmosphere, not for a close-up of a single note. A bag is $17.95.

Banded stacks. A neat stack of notes held in the hand says "money" more clearly than any burst. Many videos use both: the stack first, then the money gun, so the audience understands what they are watching.

Money confetti. A $10.95 pack of money-print confetti gives sparkle and colour for celebrations and photo shoots, and it is the lightest to clean up.

If you can only afford one thing, buy the stack and the device together: the stack gives the clean, readable image, and the device gives the movement.

Filming a money gun: practical tips

The effect lasts seconds, so plan before you pull the trigger. Light the shot from the side or behind so the notes catch the light as they spin. Use a plain, dark background so the colours stand out, and film at a higher frame rate if your camera supports it so you can slow the burst down in editing.

Load the device completely before you roll, and keep spare loaded notes within reach so you can reset between takes. Sweep up between takes, because notes on the floor can end up in the next shot. Film a few extra seconds before and after each burst, because the best moment is often just after the notes start to fall.

If you are posting to social platforms, be clear in your caption that the notes are props. Videos that imply the cash is genuine can attract attention you do not want, and our notes are marked NOT LEGAL TENDER precisely so there is no doubt.

Cleaning up and storing your money gun

Bag the notes as you collect them, and discard any that are crumpled or torn, because damaged notes cause jams. Keep the device in its box, away from damp and heat, and remove the batteries if you will not use it for a while. Store spare notes flat in a labelled bag so they stay straight for the next use.

A tidy kit means you are ready for the next party or shoot in minutes, and a few spare notes cost far less than a delayed shot. If you run through notes quickly, a larger pack is cheaper per note: the $50 jumbo pack of 250 notes is $209, about $0.84 a note, which is a sensible stock for regular creators.

Safe and lawful use

A money gun is a novelty, and a few common-sense rules keep it fun. Product Safety Australia's guidance on toys that shoot objects or launch projectiles is a good reminder to look for safety warnings and never aim at eyes or faces. Supervise children, keep spare batteries out of reach, and store the device away from small children when you are not using it.

On the legal side, the Reserve Bank's rule for reproducing banknotes is the one that matters for the notes you load. A physical reproduction must be smaller than three-quarters, or larger than one and a half times, the length and width of the genuine note, and printed on one side only. You can read the full wording on the RBA's page on reproducing banknotes. Our notes are reduced-scale and marked NOT LEGAL TENDER, and they are for entertainment only: never use them to pay for anything.

What to check before you buy a money gun

Where it is sold. People often ask for a money gun near me, or whether a money gun is sold in stores. Most are sold online, and we ship Australia-wide, so there is no need to hunt for a stockist.

What is included. Some listings sell the device alone, and some include a handful of notes. Add up the true cost of the device, the notes and the shipping before you compare.

Refill availability. A device is only useful if you can reload it. Check that refills are available and that the notes are sized for the device.

Note quality. Thin or curled notes jam. Look for even cutting and a consistent size.

Price transparency. We state every price with GST included and ship free and tracked across Australia. We dispatch within one business day of confirmed payment, and delivery usually takes three to five business days.

Returns. If your order arrives damaged, misprinted or incorrect, contact us within 14 days of delivery for a replacement or refund, and returns by mail are free.

When you are ready, start with the Money Gun (Device, Refillable), add a Refill Pack, and browse the full range of accessories. For a longer look at how creators use cash props on camera, see our guide to prop money for content creators.