Money & Payments in Brisbane

Good to Know

• Australia is highly cashless—cards are preferred. You can survive almost entirely without cash, but having small amounts on hand is wise.
• Debit cards incur lower ATM fees than credit cards when withdrawing overseas; avoid using credit cards at ATMs as they are treated as cash advances with interest charges.
• Avoid accepting Dynamic Currency Conversion offers at ATMs. Always select AUD as the charge currency to avoid poor exchange rates.
• Pay attention to which ATM you use: major bank ATMs (Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, ANZ, NAB) charge lower or standard fees; independent/private ATMs in pubs and convenience stores often charge AUD 3-7.50 per transaction.
• If your home bank is part of the Global ATM Alliance, Westpac ATMs in Brisbane charge no local ATM fee (though your bank's international transaction fee may still apply).
• Tipping is not expected and can sometimes cause awkwardness. Australians believe service staff should be paid fair wages by employers, not rely on tips.
• Service charges are sometimes added automatically to restaurant and hotel bills—check your bill before deciding whether to tip additionally.
• All prices displayed in shops, restaurants and venues include GST (Goods and Services Tax). No additional tax is added at checkout.