McDonald’s Australia Confirms Major McSmart Meal Change as $6.95 Deal Ends July 1

McDonald’s Australia is making one of its biggest value-menu changes in recent years, confirming that the current $6.95 McSmart Meal will be retired on July 1 and replaced with a new three-tier lineup.

While the company is keeping a meal at the same headline price, the update changes what customers receive and how they can access it. The decision has already sparked debate among Australian diners, particularly those who relied on the original McSmart Meal as one of the best-value options on the menu.

The existing McSmart Meal was introduced in 2024 and quickly gained popularity by combining a cheeseburger, small fries, a small soft drink and an additional menu item for $6.95. The offer became even more attractive when compared with a standard small cheeseburger meal, which costs $9.80 and does not include the extra item.

How The McSmart Menu Will Change From July 1

McDonald’s previously promised to keep the McSmart Meal at $6.95 for 12 months, with that commitment ending on June 30. Instead of extending the promotion, the fast-food giant is introducing three separate McSmart options.

The entry-level McSmart Saver will remain priced at $6.95 but will only be available through the MyMacca’s app. Customers will receive a hamburger, small fries, a small soft drink and three Chicken McNuggets.

The middle-tier McSmart Meal will cost $7.95 and includes a choice of either a cheeseburger or Chicken ’n’ Cheese, alongside small fries and a small soft drink. Customers can then select an additional item from three Chicken McNuggets, hash browns, a hot apple pie or cookies.

For customers looking for a larger burger option, the McSmart Plus will be available for $9.95. The meal includes a McDouble, small fries, a small soft drink and a choice of Chicken ’n’ Cheese, three Chicken McNuggets, a hash brown or a small sundae.

Why Some Customers See It As A Price Increase

The controversy surrounding the change is less about the disappearance of the $6.95 price point and more about what that price now buys.

Under the current McSmart offer, customers receive a cheeseburger-based meal. Under the new structure, the $6.95 option switches to a hamburger and becomes app-exclusive. Customers wanting the closest equivalent to today’s McSmart Meal will need to move to the $7.95 tier.

That distinction has become a major talking point online, with some customers arguing that the company has effectively increased the cost of the meal they regularly purchase.

Others have questioned why the original deal needed to change at all, while some say the additional burger and side choices make the new lineup more flexible than before.

McDonald’s Says Value Remains A Priority

McDonald’s Australia CEO Joe Chiczewski said the company understands that customers visit Macca’s for everything from quick lunches to affordable family meals.

According to McDonald’s, the end of the 12-month price promise does not signal the end of its value focus. The company also stated that the updated McSmart range remains cheaper than what customers would have paid for equivalent items in 2020.

The move comes as restaurant chains across Australia continue balancing affordability with rising operating costs and changing consumer expectations.

App-Only Deals Are Becoming More Common

The McSmart Saver also highlights a growing trend across the fast-food industry. Restaurants are increasingly using mobile apps to offer exclusive pricing, loyalty rewards and personalised promotions.

For frequent app users, the new structure may not significantly change how they order. However, customers who prefer ordering in-store, through kiosks or at the drive-thru may feel they are losing access to the best-value deal unless they download the MyMacca’s app.

The growing focus on value-driven promotions is not unique to Australia. Similar strategies can be seen across global markets as brands compete for budget-conscious consumers. Recent developments surrounding McDonald’s $3 menu and the growing fast-food price war show how major chains are increasingly relying on affordable meal offers to attract customers.

What Customers Need To Know Before The Change Takes Effect

The current McSmart Meal will remain available until June 30. From July 1, customers will need to choose between the $6.95 McSmart Saver, the $7.95 McSmart Meal or the $9.95 McSmart Plus.

McDonald’s will continue offering lower-cost items through its Loose Change Menu, which includes products such as $1 frozen drinks and $2.50 hamburgers. Additional menu information is available through the official McDonald’s Australia website.

For many customers, the real test will be whether the added flexibility of the new McSmart range outweighs the loss of the original $6.95 cheeseburger-based deal that helped make the promotion so popular in the first place.

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