Compare Australian Dollar Rates

Looking for the very best rates when buying your Australian Dollars? Read our top travel money tips to make sure your travel money savings are maximised.

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Top Tips to get the best exchange rates when buying Australian Dollars

Consider how you pay for your Australian Dollars to get the best fee inclusive rates?

Check any additional charges that may apply when buying Aussie dollars using particular payment methods. Currency suppliers may incur higher costs for processing travel money transactions from credit card companies than debit card suppliers or when bank transfers and cash is used to purchase holiday cash. They may pass these charges on to you.
Additionally, a travel money transaction will be classed as a cash advance by your credit card company and they will charge you. Most debit cards do not charge, but those that used to be Delta (now Visa Debit but not all Visa Debit) do - these include Co-op, Lloyds and Smile.
Many bureau de change will accept electronic transfers directly from your bank account including Faster Payments. As you are really interested in the best fee inclusive deal when comparing Australian Dollar rates it's important to take all additional fees into account.

Is it better to collect your Australian Dollars or have them delivered to get the best rates?

If you collect your Australian Dollars in person it is often cheaper, particularly if your purchase is modest (many currency companies only charge a deliver fee on smaller currency purchases, typically under £500). Doing it in person gives you the opportunity to pay with cash avoiding any credit/debit card charges but don't forget to take your time and travel costs into consideration. Also you may wish to avoid the security issues involved with carrying a lot of cash around.
Delivery of Australian Dollars is often free for transactions over a certain level (see table) but will need a signature on delivery or collection from a Post Office. Some companies can arrange for you to pick up your Australian Dollars at the airport.

What protection is there when buying Australian Dollars?

Unlike deposits with banks and building societies, Australian Dollars purchased through bureaux de change are considered to be selling you goods so travel money is not protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme and if the company goes out of business the FSCS will not compensate you.
Companies regulated by the FCA do have to abide by certain minimum solvency limits and codes of practice and must provide the customer with information about charges, risks and safeguards and tell you how to complain.
If they are are just registered this gives lesser protection and does not mean the foreign currency supplier will have its solvency measured. To minimise your exposure to a company going out of business, keep the delay between paying for your foreign currency and currency being despatched/collected to an absolute minimum.

Where else can I use my Australian Dollars?

Australian Dollars are also the currency of: Tasmania; Cocos Islands; Christmas Island; Heard Island and McDonald Islands; Kiribati; Norfolk Island; Nauru; Tuvalu

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