Cash and Cards in Australia
Australia is one of the world’s most card-friendly countries. Visa and Mastercard, both debit and credit are widely accepted. American Express is accepted in larger hotels, restaurants, and retailers, but not everywhere.
Contactless payments are widely accepted in cities, cafés, taxis and public transport. with a generous limit of $200 AUD (around £115). For anything higher, you’ll need your PIN.
Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay all work smoothly in Australia and are becoming increasingly popular. Most taxis and public transport systems accept cards but it’s worth checking before you travel in more remote areas.
But cash hasn’t disappeared completely.
Smaller towns, local markets and some pubs still prefer cash, particularly outside major cities. That’s why travellers usually take:
- A fee-free debit and credit card for everyday spending
- Australian dollars for taxis, tips and smaller purchases
This simple mix avoids fees and provides more flexibility.
Over the past three months, the pound has strengthened against the Australian Dollar. The best Australian Dollar rate rose by 1.43%, from 1.8854 on 14 August 2026 to 1.9124 on 13 November 2026.
This means £1 buys more Australian Dollar today than it did at the start of the period.
On a £750 purchase, you would receive about $1,434.30 today, around $20.25 more than on 14 August 2026.
Australian Dollar rates moved around during the past three months, ranging from 1.8414 on 9 September to 1.9134 on 6 November. That shows why checking live rates before you buy can make a real difference.
Last refreshed at 12:00 on 13 November 2026.