Money and banking

Australian currency is the only legal tender in Australia. There are 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2 coins and $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes.

Your local currency can be exchanged at the airport on arrival or at most banks and major hotels. Travellers cheques are easier to use if already in Australian dollars but banks will cash travellers cheques from most currencies.

It's a good idea to set up an Australian bank account within six weeks of your arrival (after that you will need to provide additional documents). To open an account, you will need your passport, visa and evidence of residency. Banking services in Australia are extremely competitive. All major banks have branches in cities and regional centres. There are also many credit unions.

Most shopping centres have Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) facilities. These machines can be used for withdrawals 24 hours a day. Some university campuses also have ATMs. Many department stores, supermarkets and specialist shops have electronic transfer terminals (EFTPOS) where cash withdrawals can be made in addition to purchasing goods.

You can use credit cards in Australia at the majority of shops, movies, restaurants and so on. Some places charge an extra fee for credit card use.

Australia has many activities – both outdoor and indoor – which are free. These include parks, museums and bushwalks.