Backpacker bank accounts, Australian taxation information, Currency Convertor

This section provides information to backpackers on taxation, bank accounts specifically for backpackers in Australia and other matters related to money such as a currency convertor , travellers cheques, where to find your nearest ATM and how to transfer money from back home. Select an area below that you would like to know further information about.

Money

Banking

Tax

The Australian currency is decimal. Notes come in $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5. Coins are $2, $1, 50 cents, 20 cents, 10 cents and 5 cents .

Use the currency convertor to convert Australian dollars to another currency, or to convert another currency to Australian dollars.

Travellers cheques are a convenient way of carrying money in Australia. These can be easily exchanged at money exchange bureaus, banks, large hotels and major department stores.

ATMs(Automatic Teller Machines) are very common in Australia and can be found in most towns and all cities around the country. Click here to find the closest ATM to your location.

Two companies that can allow you to transfer money between Australia and other countries are Western Union and TNT Forex.

Money for your travels…
get your banking sorted before you leave home!

The main banks in Australia are:

Commonwealth Bank

Westpac Bank

ANZ Bank

National Bank

St George Bank

The Australian Taxation Office ((ATO) website provides information about the following areas:

Non-residents - lodging an Australian income tax return
Non-residents pay tax differently from residents. This section on the ATO website will explain some of those differences and help you complete your tax return.

Access to superannuation benefits for temporary residents

Temporary residents can apply for a departing Australia superannuation payment to access their superannuation when they leave Australia.

Tourist refund scheme (TRS)

The TRS may enable you to claim a refund, subject to certain conditions, of the goods and services tax (GST) and wine equalisation tax (WET) that you pay on goods you buy in Australia.

Click here to access further information about the above taxation topics. On this page go to the submenu