Traveling to Australia is an exciting adventure, but managing your finances while abroad can be a bit daunting. Understanding how to get cash and exchange money efficiently is crucial for a hassle-free experience. For those who are planning long stays we recommend you do an international money transfer from your home country to an Australian bank account. For the others, this guide will walk you through the best ways to access cash and exchange currency in Australia, ensuring you get the best rates and avoid unnecessary fees.
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Is Cash Still Necessary in Australia?
Despite the rapid shift toward digital payments, cash remains a vital travel companion, particularly when venturing beyond urban centers. As of 2022, only 13% of in-person transactions were made in cash—down significantly from 70% in 2007. Still, roughly 1.5 million Australians (7% of people aged 18+) rely on cash for 80% or more of their face-to-face transactions.
Maintaining accessibility is a national policy goal: The Australian Government and the Reserve Bank are actively working to ensure that cash remains available, particularly for vulnerable and rural communities, even as ATM and branch numbers decline
Cash matters in regions: According to the Commonwealth Bank (CBA), cash is “here to stay,” especially in regional areas. They’re investing A$100 million in branch and ATM upgrades in 2025 and promise to keep regional branches open at least until July 2027.
Bring Cash with You
Most travellers will bring some cash with them when travelling to Australia, which is generally a good idea. However, keep the amount of cash within reason – you don’t want to be left broke if your wallet is stolen or goes missing.
You can exchange your cash from your home currency to Australian dollars before you leave, either at a bank or at the currency exchange desk at the airport. Note that most exchange offices, especially in airports, charge a very high fee to exchange your currency. This fee can vary between $5-$15 (AUD).
How much Cash can I take into Australia?
There is no limit to the amount of cash you can bring into Australia, but anything over $10,000 (or currency equivalent) must be declared. This can be done at the customs examination area when entering Australia. The form can be filled out at the international airport or seaport, or you can download the form here.
💡Travellers Advice
Wise offers mid-market exchange rates and you can also get a debit MasterCard and pay in the local currencies wherever you are.
Accessing Cash in Australia
Withdraw money with your national credit card
ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) are widely available across Australia, including in cities, towns, and even rural areas.
This might seem like an easy way to get cash in Australia, but with most international banks, you will have to pay a high fee when withdrawing money from an ATM. Most banks apply fixed fees for each withdrawal, plus a commission on the withdrawal amount (usually between 2% and 3.5%).
With the Wise debit MasterCard, you can get free ATM withdrawals up to 350 AUD per month. The exchange rate is mid-market and there is no fixed fee.
The table below gives an example of the fees when withdrawing cash with your national credit card vs a Wise debit MasterCard:
| National credit card | Wise (ex-TransferWise) debit card |
|---|---|
| Fixed fee — £4 | Fixed fee — £0 |
| ATM fee — £2 |
ATM fee — Free up to £200 every 30 days (afterwards 2% fee) |
| % conversion fee — 3% = £3 | % conversion fee — 0.6% |
| Exchange rate — markup may be added | Exchange rate — mid-market exchange rate |
| Total you pay — £109.00 | Total you pay — £100.60 |
Using your bank services, you lose approximately £10 on a £100 withdrawal! Some banks offer free withdrawals, however, that does not mean that they offer a good exchange rate. Most banks have poor exchange rates, and you will most likely lose some money.
Be aware that banks have fraud alerts that alert them of suspicious activity such as your card being used in a foreign country. It’s worth informing your bank before coming to Australia, or making sure you have text alerts set up so you can assure them it’s actually you using your card. Otherwise, your card and account could be frozen until you can make contact with your bank from Australia.
Read more: Transfer money abroad with Wise
ATM Access Across Australia
- Solid nationwide availability: As of January 2025, 95% of Australians live within 5.2 km of an ATM, and although many bank-owned machines have closed, Australia Post’s Bank@Post and independent ATMs keep access levels stable.
- Rural vs. urban usage: In cities, residents increasingly use cards and mobile payments, but rural areas still rely heavily on ATMs.
- Cash protests highlight ongoing demand: “Cash Out Day” in 2025 saw up to 2 million Australians queuing at ATMs and bank branches, demonstrating public demand for physical money
Pay with your Credit Card
Visa and MasterCard are accepted everywhere in Australia, if the business accepts credit card payments. Credit cards from Bankcard, UnionPay and JCB are also widely accepted in Australia. American Express and Diners Club are widely accepted, but may be rejected by small businesses like corner shops, cafes etc.
Your bank will apply a fixed rate for withdrawals. This is usually lower than the rates applied when withdrawing money from an ATM. However, an exchange rate is applied by the credit card company for each purchase, and this rate is often not great.
Cash Out at Shops
In Australia, many supermarkets and big retailers allow you to get cash out when paying by card.
For example:
- Coles, Woolworths, Aldi – You can ask for cash out at the register when paying for your groceries with an EFTPOS card.
- Some petrol stations – Often allow small cash withdrawals.
Why it’s useful:
You avoid ATM withdrawal fees, especially if you already need to shop there.
Digital Multi-Currency Accounts
A digital account is a virtual multi-currency account. This option is particularly recommended for people who travel a lot. The biggest advantage of these is that you can hold multiple currencies in your account and get the current exchange rate.
You can also convert currencies with just a few clicks. You can top up your account in your local currency and convert that money into Australian dollars, that you can spend during your visit to Australia.
We recommend the company Wise. Wise offers mid-market exchange rates and you can also get a debit MasterCard for 7.50 AUD and pay in the local currencies, wherever you are.
Here are the main advantages:
- No fees for payments made in pre-converted currencies you hold in your account
- Free ATM withdrawals up to 350 AUD per month with the Wise MasterCard
- Low conversion fees, between 0.35% and 2.85%
- Mobile app to convert currencies effortlessly
Exchanging Money in Australia
Currency Exchange Bureaus
Currency exchange bureaus are available at airports, major train stations, city centers, and tourist areas.
Tips for Using Currency Exchange Bureaus:
- Compare Rates: Exchange rates can vary significantly between different bureaus. Shop around to find the best rates.
- Avoid Airports: Airport exchange bureaus typically offer less favorable rates due to convenience fees.
- Check for Fees: Some bureaus charge a flat fee or a percentage of the amount exchanged. Factor these fees into your calculations when comparing rates.
Western Union
Western Union allows you to withdraw cash in Australia. This a quick solution, but be aware that the fees are pretty high. We recommend you only use this option if you need cash urgently.
Opening an Australian Bank Account
If you are travelling to Australia for a few months or longer, you should definitely open an Australian bank account. Not only will this save you from international withdrawal and payment fees, it will also allow you to be paid if you plan to work in Australia.
Opening an Australian account can be done online before your departure, as offered by some banks like Westpac and NAB, or in a branch when you arrive. Once you arrive in Australia, you just need to go to a branch of the Australian bank you selected and confirm your identity.
💸 Transfer Money to Australia
Save money when transferring money to or from Australia.
Taking Cash out when leaving Australia
There is no real limit to how much cash you are allowed to take out of Australia. However, anything over $10,000 AUD needs to be declared. You should also check the rules of the country you are entering, as these may be different to Australian rules.
For more information on travelling into or out of Australia with money, visit www.austrac.gov.au.
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