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Buy Australian dollars before you fly Down Under
Buy Australian dollars online from US First Exchange and land in Sydney, Melbourne or Cairns with a little local cash. We are a Los Angeles currency exchange registered with FinCEN, part of the US Treasury, as a Money Services Business. Choose your amount in the order form on this page and see your full price before you pay.
Still planning? Get ideas from all the fun things to do in Australia.
How much cash do you need in Australia?
Australia is very card-friendly. Tap-to-pay works in cafés, shops, taxis and on most city transport, and many travelers rarely touch cash.
A small amount of Australian dollars is still useful in the Outback and regional towns, at weekend markets, roadside fruit stalls and country pubs, and as a backup if your card is declined. Australian prices also use the $ sign, so remember that A$ and US$ are not the same.
Australian dollar banknotes at a glance
Australia was the first country to issue polymer banknotes, and every current note from the Reserve Bank of Australia is polymer. Each has a clear window and a tactile feature to help people with low vision. We source Australian dollars as orders come in, so the exact mix of notes depends on availability at the time of your order.
| Note | Typical use |
|---|---|
| $5 AUD | Coffee, snacks |
| $10 AUD | Small purchases, market stalls |
| $20 AUD | Meals, everyday spending |
| $50 AUD | The most common note; larger purchases |
| $100 AUD | Large payments |
Learn more in all you should know about the Australian dollar.
How to buy Australian dollars online
- Choose your amount. Select Australian dollar and enter how much you want. You can add other currencies to the same order.
- Pay securely. Pay by credit or debit card, e-check, check, cashier's check or money order.
- Verify your identity. Upload a valid US government-issued ID, as federal rules require.
- Receive your delivery. Choose FedEx 2Day or Overnight and track your package.
See the full process on how it works.
Payment and delivery
Pay by credit or debit card, e-check, check, cashier's check or money order. We do not accept bank wire, ACH or PayPal payments.
| Payment method | Time to clear |
|---|---|
| Credit or debit card | Up to 72 business hours |
| Check, e-check, cashier's check or money order | Up to 7 business days from the day payment is received and processed |
Check payments take longer because of our due diligence checks. Once your payment clears, your order ships by FedEx with full-value insurance and tracking.
| Shipping option | Cost |
|---|---|
| FedEx 2Day | $24 |
| FedEx Overnight | $34 |
| Orders of $5,000 or more | Free |
An adult (18+) must sign for the package. We deliver to every U.S. state except Texas, Illinois, Washington and New Mexico; Alaska and Hawaii are treated as international deliveries.
Because we source Australian dollars to order, allow a little extra time and order well before your trip.
Why buy Australian dollars from US First Exchange
- Verified notes checked on De La Rue verification machines before they ship.
- Fully insured FedEx delivery, free on orders of $5,000 or more.
- Rate locked at checkout, so the price you see is the price you pay.
- Registered and compliant. We are registered with FinCEN, part of the US Treasury, as a Money Services Business and follow federal know-your-customer rules. Read our compliance statement.
- A real US business. Our office is at 550 South Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013. We serve customers by mail and phone; there is no walk-in counter.
- People who pick up the phone. Call 310-982-1743, 10am–5pm Pacific Time.
- Sell back leftovers. Home with Aussie dollars to spare? Sell Australian dollars for US dollars.
Adding New Zealand to your trip? Buy New Zealand dollars, or see every currency on our buy foreign currency page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need cash in Australia?
Not much. Cards work almost everywhere, but a little cash helps in regional areas, at markets and as a backup.
Can I use Australian dollars in New Zealand?
No. New Zealand has its own currency, the New Zealand dollar.
How long does it take to get Australian dollars delivered?
Your order ships once your payment clears and your notes are sourced: card payments clear in up to 72 business hours, check payments in up to 7 business days. Order well before you travel.
How much is shipping?
FedEx 2Day costs $24 and FedEx Overnight costs $34. Shipping is free on orders of $5,000 or more.
Is there a minimum order?
There is no minimum order. Larger orders need extra identity verification, and government reporting rules may apply.
Can I buy Australian dollars with a credit card?
Yes. We accept Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards. Your card issuer may treat the purchase as a cash advance, so check with them first.
Do you accept wire transfers, ACH or PayPal?
No. We accept credit and debit cards, e-checks, checks, cashier's checks and money orders.
Do I need to be home to receive my order?
Yes. An adult aged 18 or over must sign for the package at the address on your order.
Can I return Australian dollars?
All sales are final and currency cannot be returned. You can sell it back to us later at our posted buyback rate.