Australian Money: More Personality Than You Imagine

Is this you too? Tickets booked, itinerary fully planned, filled with endless longing for Australia's sun, sand, and kangaroos. But just before you leave, a small question quietly pops up: "What does Australian money look like? Will I look silly when paying?"

Don't worry, this article isn't a dry financial guide. Today, we're treating the Australian dollar (AUD) like a new friend you're about to meet, taking you through its personality, quirks, and stories. Once you get to know it, you'll realise that spending money in Australia is actually the most direct way to experience the local culture.

Meeting Your New Friend: The 'Hardcore' Personality of the Australian Dollar

Imagine your friend's wallet falling into water, and the banknotes instantly turning into soggy waste paper. But in Australia, that's simply not an issue.

Australian banknotes are made of plastic, so they are:

Waterproof and durable: Even if you go surfing with money in your pocket, you can simply take it out, dry it, and still use it.
Vibrantly coloured: Each note looks like a small painting, with lively colours ranging from purple and blue to golden yellow – you'll definitely not mix them up.
Super secure: Every banknote has a transparent 'window' in the middle, which is its unique anti-counterfeiting feature, leaving no place for fake notes to hide.

These banknotes don't feature cold, impersonal politicians, but rather Australian artists, writers, Indigenous leaders, and social reformers. Every note tells a story of Australia's pioneering spirit and innovation.

Its 'Little Quirk': The 5-Cent Rounding Payment Method

This might be the Australian dollar's most interesting, and perhaps most confusing, 'quirk'.

In Australia, you won't find 1-cent or 2-cent coins. So, what happens if an item costs $9.99?

At this point, Australians use a unique calculation method called 'Rounding'. The rules are simple:

If the total amount ends in 1 or 2 cents, it's rounded down to 0 (e.g., $9.92 → $9.90)
If the total amount ends in 3 or 4 cents, it's rounded up to 5 (e.g., $9.93 → $9.95)
If the total amount ends in 6 or 7 cents, it's rounded down to 5 (e.g., $9.97 → $9.95)
If the total amount ends in 8 or 9 cents, it's rounded up to 10 (e.g., $9.98 → $10.00)

Sounds complicated? Actually, you only need to remember: When paying with cash, the cashier will automatically calculate it for you. It's like a friend with an old habit, who insists on counting money in a special but fair way.

Key Point: This 'quirk' only applies to cash payments. If you pay by card, you will still be charged the exact amount, right down to the cent.

Getting to Know It Better: How to Open a Bank Account in Australia

If you plan to stay in Australia for a while, whether for study or a working holiday, opening a bank account will make your life much easier. The process is simpler than you might imagine, but language can be a challenge.

When you go to a bank, you usually just need to say one thing:

"Hi, I would like to open a bank account."

The bank staff will guide you through all the steps. But sometimes, nervousness can make us forget the simplest words, or misunderstand what the other person is asking. In moments requiring clear communication, a good tool can give you immense confidence.

That's why we recommend Intent. It's not just a chat app; its built-in AI real-time translation feature allows you to communicate effortlessly with bank staff, landlords, or even new Australian friends, just like you're texting a friend. You type in Chinese, and the other person sees fluent English, and vice versa. No more language barriers, only confident communication.

Say Goodbye to Anxiety, Embrace the Experience

Understanding a country's currency is like unlocking a new skill for experiencing local life.

Now, you're no longer that tourist who knows nothing about the Australian dollar. You know it's 'hardcore' and waterproof; you understand its endearing 'rounding' quirk; and you also know how to confidently walk into a bank to kickstart your new life in Australia.

Forget those trivial worries. What truly matters is to take this ease and curiosity with you, and create your own Australian story.