Money & Payments in Adelaide (2026)

Good to know

Good to Know

Adelaide is largely cashless; card and mobile payments dominate. However, carry small cash for unexpected venues, street markets, or tip jars.
From 1 October 2026, card surcharging is banned across Australia—there should be no extra fees added to card payments.
Tap and Pay is the fastest way to pay for public transport; no need to plan ahead or carry a metroCARD.
Avoid independent ATMs in bars and tourist hotspots—they typically charge higher fees (up to AUD 3+). Use major bank ATMs whenever possible.
Tipping in Australia is genuinely voluntary and never obligatory. A sincere 'thank you' is valued as much as, or more than, a tip. Saying 'no thanks' to a tip prompt is completely normal.
Use local currency (AUD) for tipping; foreign currency creates hassle for staff due to exchange fees.
When using foreign cards at ATMs, always choose to be charged in AUD (not your home currency) to avoid unfavourable Dynamic Currency Conversion rates.

Tipping Norms

Tour Guides: AUD 10–20 cash for guides who provided genuine personal value is appreciated.
Payment Method: Cashless tipping growing rapidly. QR code tip pages and card terminal prompts now standard in hospitality venues. Declining a tip prompt via card machine is socially acceptable and carries no stigma.
General Culture: Tipping is optional and not expected. Australian service workers earn award wages (minimum ~AUD 23/hour); tips are appreciated bonuses for exceptional service, never wage supplements.

Hotel Staff

Description: Not expected. Housekeeping, concierge, and bellhops do not receive tips as standard practice. Only offer tips for genuinely exceptional service.

Cafes And Bars

Description: Tipping not standard. Rounding up the bill or small coins in a jar is common but entirely voluntary. Counter-service at cafes has no tipping expectation.

Restaurant Dining

Casual: Rounding up or 5–10% for good service is appreciated but not obligatory.
Fine Dining: 10–15% for excellent service is customary but optional.

Taxis And Rideshare

Description: Not expected. Rounding the fare to the nearest dollar is a common courtesy but optional.

ATM Information

Availability: Widely available at banks, shopping centres, and standalone locations across Adelaide. Most ATMs are 24/7.
Denominations: Most ATMs dispense AUD 20 and AUD 50 notes only.
International Cards: Visa and Mastercard widely accepted. American Express and UnionPay accepted at many but not all ATMs. Additional fees apply for foreign-issued cards (typically 3% foreign exchange + 1–3% ATM operator fee).

Fee Structure

Independent ATM Fee: A$2.00
Major Bank Customers: Fee-free withdrawal from own bank or network partners (Commonwealth, ANZ, Westpac, NAB, others).
Credit Card Withdrawal: Cash advance fee typically 2–3% of transaction amount or minimum AUD 2–5 plus interest accrual (not recommended).
Non Customers Local Card: A$2.00
Independent ATM Range Note: Independent ATMs (in pubs, convenience stores) typically charge 2–3 AUD per transaction.

Card Acceptance

General Retail

Description: Card payments (credit, debit, contactless) widely accepted in most retail, restaurants, and cafes across Adelaide.
Surcharge Note: Surcharge ban effective 1 October 2026 means merchants can no longer add fees to card payments. Before that date, some venues may have charged surcharges.

Public Transport

Note: Payment via metroCARD card still available. Buy & Go app option also available for ticketing.
Description: Tap and Pay contactless card/phone payments fully implemented across Adelaide Metro since 20 February 2026. Debit and credit cards, digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) accepted on all buses, trams, and trains.

Rideshare And Taxis

Description: Rideshare apps (Uber) accept card only. Traditional taxis typically accept cash; some accept card but confirm in advance.

Banking

Requirements: Generally required: valid foreign passport, visa details (digital visa or official letter from Department of Home Affairs), proof of Australian residential address (temporary address initially accepted for some banks like CBA, though others like Westpac require confirmed Australian address upfront), foreign tax identification number (TIN). Some banks allow online application 3–12 months before arrival.
Key Providers: Major banks accepting non-residents: Commonwealth Bank (CBA – accepts foreign addresses for initial application), Westpac, ANZ, NAB. Alternative providers: Wise (international financial services, multi-currency accounts, no traditional banking restrictions)
Account Opening: No Australian legislation prohibits foreigners from opening a bank account. Non-residents and visitors can open transaction/savings accounts, though individual policies vary by bank. Major banks (Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, ANZ, NAB) offer accounts to foreign passport holders with valid visas.
Visitor Visa Restrictions: Visitor/tourist visa holders cannot use pre-arrival online banking services. Those on temporary visas (work, student, skilled migrant) of 3+ months can typically apply online; verification must occur in person within 20 days of account opening. Visitor visa accounts restricted to personal use, not employment purposes.
Note Currency Disclaimer: AUD-only accounts standard; foreign currency holdings rare. International transfer fees vary; compare before choosing a bank

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About Adelaide

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Adelaide