Money and Costs

The currency is the Australian dollar (AUD), divided into 100 cents. Notes come in 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 dollar denominations. Coins are 5, 10, 20, 50 cents, plus 1 and 2 dollars. Cash is accepted everywhere but Australia is one of the most card-friendly countries in the world. Tap-to-pay is universal in cities and towns, and even most country pubs and food trucks now accept contactless cards and phone wallets.

Foreign cards work fine for tap payments. Some merchants charge a surcharge of 1 to 2 percent for credit card payments, which must be disclosed before you tap. ATMs are common and accept most international cards; check your home bank's foreign withdrawal fees.

For budgeting, here are typical 2026 prices in major cities. A coffee is between 5 and 7 dollars. A casual cafe lunch is 18 to 25 dollars. A mid-range restaurant dinner with a glass of wine is 50 to 80 dollars per person. A budget hotel room or hostel double room is 120 to 180 dollars per night. A mid-range hotel is 220 to 350 dollars. A high-end hotel runs from 400 dollars upwards. Outside the cities (and especially in remote areas like Uluru), prices are typically 20 to 40 percent higher because of supply costs.

Tipping is not expected in Australia and is genuinely uncommon. Restaurant staff are paid a proper wage, with weekend and public holiday loadings on top. If service is exceptional you can round up the bill or leave 5 to 10 percent, but it's not standard. Bartenders and taxi drivers do not expect tips. Hotel housekeeping and porters might.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10 percent is included in all displayed prices. Visitors leaving Australia can claim a refund of the GST on goods purchased in the 60 days before departure under the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS), provided the goods are over 300 dollars total at one retailer and are carried as hand luggage.