About Set for Life
Set for Life is Australia's unique annuity-based lottery, operated by The Lott. Unlike every other Australian lottery, the Division 1 prize is not a lump sum — instead, winners receive $20,000 per month for 20 years, totalling $4.8 million over the prize's lifetime. Launched on 7 August 2015, it is drawn every single night at 9:00pm AEST, making it the most frequently drawn major Australian lottery game.
How Set for Life Works
Set for Life uses a 7-from-44 format (changed from 8/37 in March 2020):
- 7 winning numbers drawn from a pool of 44 balls (numbered 1–44)
- 2 supplementary (bonus) numbers drawn from the remaining balls
- 8 prize divisions determining winners
When you buy a Set for Life ticket, your numbers are entered into the next 7 consecutive daily draws — giving you seven chances from a single purchase. The minimum ticket is 2 games across 7 draws for $10.10.
Prize Division Breakdown
| Division | Match | Prize | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 winning numbers | $20,000/month for 20 years | 1 in 38,320,568 |
| 2 | 6 winning + 1 supp | $5,000/month for 1 year | 1 in 2,737,184 |
| 3 | 6 winning numbers | ~$2,000–$5,000 | 1 in 156,411 |
| 4 | 5 winning + 1 supp | ~$200–$400 | 1 in 25,702 |
| 5 | 5 winning numbers | ~$50–$80 | 1 in 3,067 |
| 6 | 4 winning + 1 supp | ~$25–$35 | 1 in 894 |
| 7 | 4 winning numbers | ~$15–$20 | 1 in 167 |
| 8 | 3 winning + 1 supp | ~$10 | 1 in 80 |
The 2020 Game Redesign
On 23 March 2020, Set for Life underwent a significant overhaul:
- Format changed from 8 numbers out of 37 to 7 numbers out of 44
- New Division 2 added — $5,000/month for 12 months
- Division 1 odds improved from 1 in 38,608,020 to 1 in 38,320,568
- Division 8 added — a new lowest tier requiring just 3 numbers + 1 supplementary
Division 1 Sharing Rules
If 4 or fewer people win Division 1 in the same draw, each winner receives the full $20,000/month for 20 years. If more than 4 winners share a single draw, the total pool of $19,200,000 is split equally via reduced monthly payments.
Set for Life vs Lump-Sum Games
Set for Life's monthly payment structure appeals to players who prefer guaranteed long-term income over a single windfall. In present value terms (at a 5% discount rate), the $4.8M total payout is equivalent to receiving approximately $3.0–$3.2 million as a lump sum today. For players who value financial security and discipline, Set for Life's structure is uniquely attractive. Read our detailed lump sum vs monthly payments comparison.
Set for Life Strategy Considerations
While every Set for Life draw is purely random, our analytics tools can help you make informed decisions about your number selections:
- Frequency analysis: See which numbers have appeared most and least often across all historical Set for Life draws
- Consecutive number patterns: Review how often consecutive numbers appear together in winning combinations
- Birthday bias awareness: Numbers 1–31 are disproportionately popular among players, so choosing numbers above 31 may reduce the chance of sharing a Division 1 prize
- Odd/even distribution: Historical data shows winning combinations tend to have a balanced mix of odd and even numbers
- Life number trends: The 8th "Life number" (drawn from 1–18) has its own frequency distribution worth reviewing
Use our Set for Life number generator to create random combinations, or explore the analytics dashboard to review historical patterns before choosing your numbers.
Set for Life vs Other Australian Lotteries
Set for Life occupies a unique niche in Australia's lottery landscape. Unlike TattsLotto ($4M+ jackpots), Powerball ($3M–$200M+), and Oz Lotto ($2M–$100M+), Set for Life delivers its prize as a structured income stream rather than a lump sum. The 7-from-44 format gives Division 1 odds of 1 in 38,320,568 — more challenging than TattsLotto (1 in 8,145,060) but offering 20 years of guaranteed monthly income. The daily draw frequency also means more chances to play each week compared to once-weekly games like TattsLotto and Oz Lotto. For players seeking financial stability rather than a single windfall, Set for Life is the only Australian lottery designed specifically for long-term wealth management.
Explore Set for Life Data
Visit our Set for Life Analytics page for historical statistics, frequency charts, and pattern analysis. Use the number generator to create your next entry. For a comprehensive overview of the game, read our Set for Life Complete Guide.
Responsible Gambling
Set for Life is a game of chance. Play for entertainment and within your means. If gambling is affecting your life, contact Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858.