No match. See all guides.
Money in Australia, sorted.
A calm, current plan for the money side of your trip: why your card covers almost everything, the surcharge to watch for until the October 2026 ban, the little cash worth carrying, the GST you can claim back on shopping, and the ETA to sort before you fly.
One money change is worth a fresh check this year. On 31 March 2026 the Reserve Bank confirmed it will ban card surcharges on eftpos, Visa and Mastercard from 1 October 2026, alongside lower card fees for businesses. Until that date many merchants still add a surcharge (often around 1 to 1.5%, and more on Amex), shown on the bill or the terminal, so it is worth looking for it. Amex and PayPal surcharges can continue after the ban.
The three things people ask
Will my card work? Do I need cash? Are ATMs easy?
The quick read for a first trip.
Your card
Works almost everywhere
Visa and Mastercard are taken at shops, cafes, restaurants, taxis and on contactless transit gates, and Amex is widely accepted too. The one thing to watch is a surcharge: until 1 October 2026 many places add around 1 to 1.5% (more on Amex), shown on the bill. From that date the Reserve Bank ban removes it for eftpos, Visa and Mastercard.
Check yours →Cash
A small backup
You rarely need it, but keep about AUD 50 to 100 for a market stall, a tiny vendor or a rural stop. Get Australian dollars from a bank ATM rather than an airport exchange counter, and top up only as needed.
How much to bring →ATMs
Easy, just decline dollars
Bank ATMs (CommBank, Westpac, NAB and ANZ) are everywhere and generally do not charge foreign cards a machine fee, while some independent ATMs in pubs and convenience stores add one. Always choose Australian dollars, not US dollars, so the machine does not set a poor rate, and your own bank handles the exchange.
See ATMs in Australia →(opens in a new tab)Cash or card
About as cashless as travel gets, with a little cash for the gaps.
A rough feel for everyday spending. Cards and phones cover almost everything, from hotels and restaurants to shops, taxis and city transit. Cash is a small backup for a market stall, a tiny cafe or a rural stop, and you rarely need much of it.
See what the trip really costs →Your money plan
Four steps and you're set.
Before you go
- Bring a no-foreign-fee Visa or Mastercard, plus a backup from a different bank. Amex works widely but is more likely to carry a surcharge, so keep a Visa or Mastercard as your main card.
- Sort your ETA (subclass 601). US visitors need one, it costs a flat AUD 20 service fee, and it is applied for only in the official Australian ETA app, so ignore reseller sites charging more.
- Know the surcharge rule: until 1 October 2026 many places add around 1 to 1.5% (more on Amex) on card, after which it is banned for eftpos, Visa and Mastercard.
- Set up an eSIM before you land. Coverage is strong in the cities and towns, thinner in the remote Outback.
At the airport
- Skip the exchange counters. Pull Australian dollars from a bank ATM in the arrivals hall, and decline 'convert to dollars,' always choose Australian dollars.
- Grab about AUD 50 to 100 for your first day, for any cash-only stop.
- Tap your contactless bank card on the airport train or bus into the city, no separate ticket needed in most cities.
- Check your US plan's roaming rate before you rely on it, or switch on the eSIM you set up.
Day to day
- Tap your card or phone for almost everything, and choose Australian dollars every time.
- Until 1 October 2026, glance at the bill or terminal for a surcharge, and take the cash-discount option if one is offered.
- Keep a little cash for market stalls, small cafes and rural stops.
- Tap your bank card straight onto city transit (Opal in Sydney, Myki in Melbourne, and similar), so you often need no separate transit card.
A golden rule
- Always pay in Australian dollars, never in US dollars. Choosing your home currency (dynamic currency conversion) quietly adds a few percent on card terminals and ATMs.
- Do not tip. It is genuinely not expected here, and staff are paid a proper wage, so pay the price on the bill and add a thank-you.
Staying connected
Will my phone work here? And what will it cost?
Strong across the cities, the coast and the main towns, and thinner once you head into the remote Outback, where you can lose signal for long stretches. The main carriers are Telstra (widest reach, best in the country), Optus and Vodafone (part of TPG). A prepaid SIM is easy to buy, but for most visitors an eSIM from Airalo, Nomad or a similar provider is the simple route. Your US plan may include some roaming, so check the rate first. You do not need mobile data to pay by card, but you will want it for maps and rideshare apps. The cost is where people get caught out, and on most US plans it lands in one of two buckets.
Your plan may already include it
Often, do nothing
Some US plans include slow data abroad at no extra cost. If that is you, the honest move is to leave it alone.
we earn nothing
Or it charges quietly, after the fact
The bill lands later
On pay-per-use plans the cost runs in the background while you travel, and the charge can show up weeks after you are home. Forgetting to switch off data roaming is the classic one. For a week or more, an eSIM is usually cheaper and keeps you in control.
Check what your own carrier charges before the trip, not after.
If an eSIM is the cheaper call, Nomad covers Australia.
Get your Nomad eSIM for Australia→(opens in a new tab)we may earn a commissionMedical cover
The one cost with no price tag.
Every other number on this page has a price you can look up. This one does not, and it can be the largest of them all. Most US health plans cover little or nothing once you leave the country, and Medicare covers essentially none of it abroad. A serious illness or injury is paid up front, and a medical evacuation runs from tens of thousands of dollars to past $100,000 if you are remote or an ocean from home.
First, you may not need to buy anything.
A cheap, refundable trip close to home does not need this. And if you are healthy, headed somewhere with good care, and one of the premium cards on the shortlist above already includes emergency medical and evacuation, you may be covered already. Check your card's benefits guide before you buy. Saying that costs us the commission, and it is still the right call.
How much cover matters here
Care in the main cities is good, but costs add up and reaching top care from a remote spot takes time, so it is worth a real look for a trip here.
If you do want cover, this is what it is for: the evacuation and the up-front hospital bill, the part no card limit is meant to absorb.
Enough for most trips
Faye, or a comparable whole-trip policy
Bundles trip protection with emergency medical, which is enough cover for most travelers on a typical trip.
The deeper end
A dedicated travel-medical plan built for serious care and evacuation abroad
Stronger on medical care and evacuation, for a remote or higher-risk trip where that is the real exposure.
If it happens
Call it first, then call your insurer's 24/7 assistance line, which is what confirms payment and arranges an evacuation. 000 (Triple Zero) reaches police, fire and ambulance, and calls are free from any phone. From a mobile, 112 also connects to the same service. The US number 911 is not reliable here, so use 000, or 112 from a mobile. For non-urgent police, call 131 444.
TrueTripCosts explains the gap and points to options. It does not set your coverage amounts or act as your insurance advisor, and every policy carries its own exclusions, so read them before you buy. Emergency number checked Jul 2026. Confirm the current number before you travel, as local lines can change.
Renting a car
Where the rental desk makes its money.
Renting is often the best way to see Australia, and the cover is where the counter earns its margin. The rental comes with basic collision cover, but it leaves you owing the excess, the first slice of any damage or theft bill, often several hundred to a couple of thousand dollars, held on your card until the car is back. The desk will offer to erase that excess. It is a real product, just priced at the counter for far more than the same cover costs if you arrange it before you go.
You may not need to buy anything at all. Some US credit cards include rental collision cover when you pay with the card and decline the counter's version, so check what your own card covers on rentals before you add anything extra. We cannot read your policy for you, and flagging this can cost us the sale below, but it is the honest first step.
If your card does not cover it, or you would rather have cover built for this, a standalone policy bought ahead is the cheaper way to handle it. It covers the damage and theft the rental leaves you liable for, often including parts the counter cover leaves out like tires, glass and the underbody, and mechanical faults stay the rental company's problem. RentalCover covers rentals in Australia. Read what the policy includes before you buy.
Cover a rental in Australia with RentalCover→(opens in a new tab)we may earn a commissionCurrency basics
The Australian dollar, in plain terms.
Quick conversion
Australia uses the Australian dollar. At about 1.44 to the US dollar in mid-2026, AUD 100 is roughly US$70 and AUD 20 about US$14. The colorful polymer notes come in 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars, and prices already include the 10% GST, so the figure on the tag is what you pay.
Cards rule, cash is backup
Visa and Mastercard work almost everywhere, and Amex is widely accepted (though more often surcharged). You can go days without cash, but keep about AUD 50 to 100 for a market stall or a tiny rural vendor.
Surcharges, until October 2026
Until 1 October 2026 many businesses add a card surcharge, often around 1 to 1.5% and more on Amex, shown on the bill or the terminal. From that date the Reserve Bank bans it for eftpos, Visa and Mastercard, though Amex and PayPal surcharges can continue. Some places offer a small cash discount instead.
No tipping
Australia has no real tipping culture. Staff are paid a proper wage, so tips are a bonus for standout service, never an obligation. There is no tipping at cafes, bars or in taxis, and no service charge to expect on an ordinary bill.
Real exchange rate
What your money is really worth here.
This is the mid-market rate, the one the banks trade at and the yardstick every other rate is measured against. Your card lands a little below it, and if a screen ever offers to bill you in dollars, that is worse again. So this is the number to expect, and how you spot a bad one.
1 US dollar is about 1.44 AUD
Taxes and refunds
A 10% GST you can claim back on goods you take home.
Australia keeps tax simple for a visitor. There is no nightly tourist or bed tax at checkout, and the 10% GST is already included in the price you see. The win worth acting on: you can reclaim the GST on goods you carry out of the country through the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS). Spend at least AUD 300 (GST inclusive) at a single business with one ABN, within 60 days of leaving, keep the original tax invoice, and carry the goods in your cabin bag. Claim at the TRS facility at the international airport or seaport after security, arriving well ahead (30 minutes is the minimum, 90 is safer), and use the My TRS Claim app to enter your details in advance and get a QR code that skips the queue. The refund lands back on your card in about 60 days. What does not qualify: services, accommodation, and anything consumed in Australia before you go. One separate cost to remember is the ETA, a flat AUD 20 service fee paid once in the official app before you fly.
Fees and taxes to double-check
The numbers most likely to change.
These are the fees and taxes that move on political timelines, so we track each one on its own. Every line shows the amount, whether it is in effect yet, the date we last checked it, and a primary source where a clean one exists.
Card surcharge ban
Surcharges on eftpos, Visa and Mastercard end nationwide; Amex and PayPal surcharges can continue
ETA (entry authorization)
Required for US visitors, AUD 20 service fee, applied for only in the official Australian ETA app
Before you book: passports, the six-month rule and whether you need a visa. Not a US citizen, or connecting through Europe? The rules can differ, and even a layover can need its own visa. See our passports and visas guide →
Watch out for
The small traps that catch first-timers.
Tipping
Don't feel you have to tip.
Australia has no real tipping culture, and there is no awkwardness in not tipping, it is simply the norm. Staff are paid a proper hourly wage rather than relying on gratuities, so a tip is a genuine bonus for standout service, never an expectation. At cafes, bars and in taxis, you do not tip: pay the price on the bill or the meter. In a nicer restaurant, some people round up or leave around 10% for service they thought was excellent, and there is often a tip option on the card terminal you can simply skip. Note that many venues add a public holiday surcharge (often 10 to 15%) to cover penalty wages, which is a cost of the day rather than a tip. Otherwise, pay what is on the bill and enjoy how relaxed it is.
Common questions
Quick answers.
Do I need cash in Australia?
Barely. Australia is close to cashless, and cards and phones cover almost everything. Carry about AUD 50 to 100 for a market stall, a tiny cafe or a rural stop, and pull it from a bank ATM as needed.
Will I be charged a surcharge for paying by card in Australia?
Until 1 October 2026, often yes. Many businesses add a card surcharge, usually around 1 to 1.5% and more on Amex, shown on the bill or the terminal. From that date the Reserve Bank bans surcharges on eftpos, Visa and Mastercard, so they disappear for those cards, though Amex and PayPal surcharges can continue. Some places offer a small cash discount instead.
Should I pay in Australian dollars or US dollars?
Always Australian dollars. If a card terminal or ATM offers to charge you in US dollars, decline; that dynamic currency conversion adds a few percent. Choosing Australian dollars lets your card's network handle the exchange at a fair rate.
Do I need an ETA to visit Australia?
Yes. US visitors need an ETA (subclass 601). It costs a flat AUD 20 service fee, there is no separate visa charge, and you apply for it only in the official Australian ETA app. Ignore reseller websites that charge more, and beware of scam sites.
Can I claim the GST back on shopping in Australia?
Yes, on goods you take home. Through the Tourist Refund Scheme you can reclaim the 10% GST if you spend at least AUD 300 at a single business within 60 days of leaving, keep the original tax invoice, and carry the goods in your cabin bag. Claim at the airport TRS facility after security, and use the My TRS Claim app to skip the queue. Services, accommodation and anything consumed in Australia do not qualify.
Do you tip in Australia?
No, tipping is not expected. Staff are paid a proper wage, so there is no tipping at cafes, bars or in taxis. In a nicer restaurant some people round up or leave about 10% for excellent service, but it is always optional. A public holiday surcharge on the bill is a cost of the day, not a tip.
Are ATMs easy to use in Australia, and do they charge?
They are easy and widely available. Bank ATMs (CommBank, Westpac, NAB, ANZ) generally do not charge foreign cards a machine fee, while independent ATMs in pubs and shops often add a few dollars. Whatever the machine, choose Australian dollars, not US dollars.
How much cash should I bring for a week in Australia?
Very little on top of card spending. For most visitors AUD 50 to 100 across the week covers the occasional market stall or rural stop, refreshed from a bank ATM if needed. Everything else can go on a tapped card.
What it really costs
What you'll really spend in Australia.
Your flights if you want them counted, your room, your on-the-ground spending, the two fees most US cards add without telling you, and Australia's tourist tax. One number, nothing waiting on the statement. No bank to pick, no sign-up, nothing saved.
Optional. Enter your round trip fare per traveler to fold flights into the total.
In Australia, plan for about $0.
Realistically somewhere between $0 and $0.
Whether at an ATM or a card terminal in a shop or restaurant, always choose to be charged in the local currency, not dollars. Paying in dollars (called dynamic currency conversion) lets the machine set its own, worse, exchange rate on top of any fee.
Rough guide, not a quote. The percentage here is a blended stand-in for a typical US card's foreign fee, not your exact rate. The real number moves with the card you carry: one no-foreign-fee card can cover both sides, while a plain rewards credit card only removes the fee on what you buy, and cash still costs a little unless that card also waives ATM and foreign-cash fees. A debit card, or accepting the "pay in dollars" (dynamic currency conversion) offer at a till or ATM, can push it higher. Rates checked Jun 2026 and rounded.
How this estimate is built
These are the assumptions behind the number. Change the room price, nights, travelers, or travel style above, and every line here moves with them.
- Hotel
- Daily spending
- Flights
- Cash vs card
- ATM withdrawals
- Foreign fee
- The range
- Tourist tax
Not sure which card to bring? See my pick for Australia.
Already carry a card with no foreign transaction fee? Then you are set for Australia, and can skip this. There is nothing to buy.
If you are getting a card for Australia, this is the pairing I would pick: a no-foreign-fee credit card for spending, and a fee-free ATM debit card for cash. We earn nothing on these today. Always confirm the current fee with the issuer before you apply. Checked Jun 2026.
Capital One charges no foreign transaction fee on any of its cards.
No foreign transaction fee
Fee-free ATM cash worldwide
Want one account that holds and spends in the local currency? A different job from the three above, and the one I reach for abroad. It is free to open; you can create a virtual card in the app and add it to your phone wallet in minutes, without waiting for the physical card; and you can convert US dollars into the local currency inside the account before you travel, then spend from that balance. Wise uses the mid-market rate plus a small conversion fee (around 0.4% and up), with no flat foreign fee.
The three picks above pay us nothing, and their tags say so. Wise is the only option here that can earn us a commission, and its tag says that too. Paid or not, the pick is still the pick.
Travelers, not touristsA little Aussie goes a long way
A little Aussie goes a long way
Australia is relaxed and egalitarian, and a friendly, low-key manner fits right in. Nobody expects the slang, but a warm g'day, a bit of self-deprecating humor, and taking things in your stride mark you as a good sort rather than a tourist. Aussies value a fair go and an easy laugh.
Say a few words
Tip: Keep it easygoing and self-deprecating: Australians tend to distrust anyone who takes themselves too seriously, and gentle teasing between friends is a sign of warmth, not an insult. A cheerful no worries is the all-purpose reply to a thank-you or a small hiccup.
Know a story
The red heart of the country
Rising from the desert at the center of the continent, Uluru is one of the world's great sights and a deeply sacred place to the Anangu, its traditional owners. The rock glows through reds and oranges at sunrise and sunset. Out of respect for the Anangu, climbing it was ended in 2019, so walk the base instead and let the scale and the silence do the work.
Good to know: the base walk, not the climb, is how you visit today
The beach and the barbie
Summer in Australia means the beach and a barbecue, and both come with quiet local rules. At a patrolled beach, always swim between the red and yellow flags, where the surf lifesavers are watching, and heed any signs about rips. Public barbecues sit in parks and on foreshores for anyone to use, so a cook-up with friends is the classic, easygoing Aussie afternoon.
Say it: swim between the flags, always
The bush and its locals
Australia's wildlife lives nowhere else, and you meet it easily: kangaroos grazing at dusk, a koala dozing in a gum tree, a kookaburra laughing at dawn. The animals are most active early and late, so those are the times to look. If you drive at dawn or dusk, slow down for kangaroos on country roads, which is both safer and kinder.
Good to know: dawn and dusk are the best times to spot wildlifeAustralia is proud of its wide-open landscapes, its extraordinary wildlife, and a laid-back, fair-go spirit. Meet it with warmth and a bit of humor, and you will feel at home fast.
No links here, nothing to buy. This part is just to help you travel well.
Sources, and how this guide was checked
Last checkedJul 2026
Changed since last checkFirst publication. Confirmed the money change that matters most this year: the Reserve Bank of Australia's final decision, published 31 March 2026, to ban card surcharges on eftpos, Visa and Mastercard from 1 October 2026, so until that date many merchants still add a surcharge. Also confirmed the AUD 20 service fee for the app-only ETA (subclass 601), the 10% GST built into prices, and the Tourist Refund Scheme minimum of AUD 300 for claiming GST back on goods.
- Reserve Bank of Australiathe final review of retail payments regulation, setting the ban on card surcharges for eftpos, Visa and Mastercard from 1 October 2026 and the lower interchange caps
- Australian Taxation Officethe Tourist Refund Scheme, the AUD 300 minimum, the 60-day window and what qualifies for a GST refund on goods
- Australian Government, Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Embassythe ETA (subclass 601), the AUD 20 app service fee, and that it is applied for only in the official Australian ETA app
Our own judgmentThe daily cash share, the tipping feel, and how often a foreign card meets a surcharge are our own estimate from experience and from consistent traveler reports, not an official figure. Surcharge levels vary business by business, so treat our read as a guide, not a guarantee.
More money guides in Oceania
If you are also weighing up nearby destinations, each guide covers cards, cash, ATMs and the fees to expect.
Going deeper on Australia
The money questions people ask on the ground.
Short, focused answers to the specific things that catch first-timers out in Australia.
- Do I need cash in Australia, or can I use cards?Short answer: almost never. Australia is one of the most cashless countries anywhere, so you can tap for nearly everything. Here is how to handle it, including the card surcharge you may see.
- Tipping in AustraliaAustralia is not a tipping country. Staff earn a high minimum wage, so tipping is not expected anywhere, and you can relax about it. A small tip for exceptional service is optional. Here is what you actually owe.
- How do US citizens get an Australia ETA?Short answer: through the official app, and only the app. US citizens need an Australian ETA, it is cheap and usually instant, but the app-only process trips people up. Here is how it works and what it costs.
- Bringing your dog or cat to Australia.Australia has the strictest pet import process of any English-speaking country, and it is the most expensive move we cover. Two numbers frame it: a lead time of at least 6 to 7 months, set by a rabies test and a fixed 180-day wait, and an all-in cost that often reaches five figures. Here is the order, the official route, and where the money goes.
This is how Australia stands today.
Money rules move. We can let you know for free if that changes.