Australia's Money: More Personality Than You Imagined

Do you ever feel this way? Your flight tickets are booked, your itinerary is meticulously planned, and you're dreaming of Australia's sun, sand, and kangaroos. But just before you depart, a small concern might sneak into your mind: "What does Australian money look like? Am I going to look silly when I pay for things?"

Don't worry, this isn't a dry financial guide. Today, we're going to treat the Australian dollar (AUD) like a new friend you're about to meet, and introduce you to its personality, quirks, and stories. Once you get to know it, you'll realize that spending money in Australia is actually one of the most direct ways to experience the local culture.

Meeting a New Friend: The AUD's Resilient Personality

Imagine your friend's wallet falling into water, and the paper bills immediately turning into a soggy mess. But in Australia, that's absolutely not a problem.

Australian banknotes are made of plastic, so they are:

Waterproof and Durable: Even if you go surfing with your wallet in your shorts, you can just take the money out, let it dry, and it's still good to use.
Vibrantly Colored: Each one looks like a small painting, bursting with color, from purple and blue to golden yellow – you'll definitely never mix them up.
Super Secure: Each banknote has a transparent "window" in the middle, which is its unique anti-counterfeiting feature, making it impossible for counterfeit 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 Australian pioneering spirit and innovation.

Its "Little Quirk": The 5-Cent Rounding System

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?

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

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

Important Note: This "quirk" only applies when paying with cash. If you pay by card, you'll still be charged the exact amount 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 an extended period, whether for study abroad or a working holiday, opening a bank account will make your life much easier. The process is simpler than you might think, but language can be a challenge.

When you go to the bank, you usually only need to say one sentence:

"Hi, I would like to open a bank account." (嗨，我想開一個銀行帳戶。)

The bank staff will guide you through all the steps. But sometimes, nervousness can make us forget the simplest words, or we might not understand the other person's questions. In moments requiring clear communication, a good tool can give you full 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 newly made 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, just 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 "tough" and waterproof; you understand its endearing rounding quirk; and you also know how to confidently walk into a bank and start your new life in Australia.

Forget about those trivial worries. What's truly important is to bring this newfound ease and curiosity to create your own Australian story.