Credit Crunch....mmm tasty!

Credit cards

Credit cards such as American Express, Bankcard, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted in Australia.  VISA or MasterCard are commonly accepted and are both accepted everywhere credit cards are accepted. American Express and Diners Club are accepted at major supermarket and department store chains and many tourist destinations.        

It is best to carry more than one type of card as not all cards are accepted by all merchants. Always carry a little cash, because many shops will not take cards for purchases under AUD$15. Merchants may impose credit card surcharges in some places. So make sure you know what these surcharges are.

Bringing money into Australia

There is no limit to the amount of currency you can bring in or out of Australia, however, if you plan to arrive in Australia with more than AUD$10,000 in cash (Australian dollars or foreign equivalent), you must declare it to Australian Customs at the airport when you land. You may also be required to fill in a Bearer Negotiable Instruments (BNI) form if you're carrying promissory notes, traveller's cheques, personal cheques, money orders or postal orders.

For further information visit the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.

Goods and Services Tax  (GST)

Australia has a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10 per cent. You may be able to claim a refund of the GST paid on goods bought here if you have spent AUD$300 or more in one store, no more than 30 days before departing Australia. Tourist Refund Scheme facilities are located in the departure area of international terminals. For more detailed information see Australian government information on the Tourist Refund Scheme.

Currency converter

I always use this handy currency converter whenever I shop on Amazon! It will help you convert your own currency at the current exchange rates. Universal Currency Converter.