Where to Find the Best Exchange Rates

In Australia, trying to find a good rate isn't that easy. Each currency exchange service, bank, card or money transfer company quote different rates. Most of the time it's nothing like the rate everyone can see online, in the paper or on the news.

What is the best exchange rate?

Today the best exchange rate for the Australian dollar is 0.6418. This is the rate that gives you the most money when you are converting your currency. It has many names including the 'wholesale rate', the 'interbank rate' or the ' live mid-market rate'.

The good news is that it can easily be found in lots of places. For example, if you wanted to buy some US dollars to travel overseas you can find the best AUD to USD exchange rate on Google by searching "AUD to USD". Alternatively you can find it on XE or Yahoo. In fact, most currency converters use the same exchange rate.

Which services offer it?

Foreign Exchange Cash

S Money gives you the REAL exchange rate (above) that you can see on Google or XE.  It's the best online exchange rate without any hidden fees, mark ups or loaded rates.

International Money Transfers

Wise (formally TransferWise) use the best exchange rate for international money transfers to and from Australia. They offer a foreign currency account and travel money card which uses the same rate.

Travel Money Cards

A handful of travel money cards offer the best exchange rate. They have a great app and the card can be used almost anywhere on the planet.

Foreign exchange rates in Australia

Here are different ways to find the best rate depending on what city you live in or what product you looking for.

foreign exchange currency banknotes

Currency Exchange

The best foreign exchange rates are found online. This is because they don’t have to pay extra costs for a physical store. S Money is online only, so they don’t have any bricks and mortar stores. If you order online, you can pick up your currency locally or have it delivered to your home.

S Money are the only money exchange that offer the same exchange rate seen on Google or XE but they do charge a service fee. To make sure you are getting the best deal, compare exchange rates, fees and services using this table.

Offline alternatives

Ordering money online isn't for everyone even if you can find a better deal. Offline alternatives like Travelex, Travel Money Oz or Crown Currency don't have the best exchange rates, however they don't charge a service fee.

Currency Exchange Sydney

Sydney

Surprisingly, even though there are more money changers in Sydney than any other city, the exchange rates aren't as competitive as Melbourne or Adelaide.

In the CBD

There is a lot of choice in the city, particularly on George Street and Pitt Street. ANZ and Commonwealth Bank have foreign exchange outlets as well as more well know brands like Travelex or Travel Money Oz. The best place to buy foreign currency in Sydney though is through one of the less well known money changers like Crown Currency or WeXchange.

In the suburbs

There are plenty of stores in the suburbs but the rates aren't as competitive as the city.

For a full run down on the different places to buy foreign currency, check out our full currency exchange guide to Sydney.

Currency exchange Melbourne

Melbourne

Most of the best currency exchangers are near Flinders Street station on Elizabeth Street. The small money changers on Swanston street aren't as competitive.

Outside of the CBD, most of the money changers are based in shopping malls or strips. The rates aren't nearly as good as the CBD.

For a full run down on the different places to buy foreign currency, check out our full currency exchange guide to Melbourne.

Currency Exchange Brisbane

Brisbane

Unlike Sydney or Melbourne, currency exchangers are scattered throughout the CBD and can be hard to find. Travelex is inside a HSBC branch on Queen Street.

Outside of the CBD, Brisbane has lots of options. Crown Currency and Travel Money Oz both have lots of locations in major shopping malls.

For a full run down on the different places to buy foreign currency, check out our full currency exchange guide to Brisbane.

Currency Exchange Adelaide

Adelaide

King William Street is where you need to go if you are heading into the city. Within 200 metres, you'll find the ANZ Foreign Exchange Centre, the Commonwealth Bank foreign exchange branch, Crown Currency stores, Travelex on the corner of Rundle Mall, Travel Money Oz and WorldEx.

While the city has many options and some of the best exchange rates in Australia, there are much fewer options in the suburbs.

For a full run down on the different places to buy foreign currency, check out our full currency exchange guide to Adelaide.

currency exchange Perth

Perth

All around the Perth CBD there are few reasonable options. There are 2 money exchangers in London Court, a couple in the Murray Street Mall and a Travelex on St Georges Terrace.

Outside the city, Exchange Now in Morley is the pick of the bunch although you'll have more options in Freo.

For a full run down on the different places to buy foreign currency, check out our full currency exchange guide to Perth.

sending money overseas

International Money Transfers

Just like money exchange, the rates you are offered when transferring money overseas are different depending on which service you use. Most money transfer services don't offer the same rate that you see on Google or XE. While many won't charge a service fee, the difference between the rate you see online and the rate you are offered is their exchange rate margin, or profit.

There are some companies that do offer the best exchange rate to send money overseas. These include

All of these companies give you the best exchange rate to send money abroad and charge a small transparent fee.

wallet with cards

Travel Cards

If you are heading overseas, one of the biggest hidden costs of a holiday can be getting a bad exchange rate when spending money on your cards. Traditionally, Australian banks have slugged customers when using their everyday card overseas. Luckily, things have changed. There are now a range of debit and cards that offer the best exchange rate.

These debit and cards offer the best exchange rate when travelling overseas:

All of these companies give you the best exchange rate to send money abroad and charge a small transparent fee.

FAQs

Latest Exchange Rate News

GBP to AUD hits 3 year high but could it go higher?

In short The GBPAUD hits 1.8481 for the first time since the Brexit vote 3 years ago It is now 18% higher than it’s low of 1.6000 in October 2016 A high GBPAUD makes it better for anyone transferring GBP back to Australia or selling GBP in cash Time Open Low High Today 1.8851 Yesterday 1.8983 1.8744 In the last week 1.8350 1.9064 In the last year 1.8481 1.9064 Brexit has been the biggest influence on the GBPAUD for the past 3 and an half years. Ever since the initial Brexit vote in mid 2016. At the time, the pound […]

The Aussie Dollar moves higher as unemployment falls

In short AUD/USD jumps higher and hits a 1 week high of 0.6791 The Australian dollar also moved up against the EUR, GBP, NZD and JPY Australian Unemployment fell from 5.3 to 5.2% Time Open Low High Today 0.6789 In the last 24hrs 0.6736 0.6791 In the last week 0.6724 0.6791 In the 3 months 0.6712 0.7064 The Aussie dollar (AUD) jumped higher against all currencies Thursday morning as soon as the unemployment figures came out. The figures were better than expected. They showed unemployment falling from 5.3 to 5.2%. This has been one of the more positive pieces of […]

The dollar drops against the USD and EUR

In short AUD/USD and AUD/EUR drop after drifting lower overnight The Australian dollar has held up against the GBP, NZD and JPY Trade relations and Brexit seem to be all the market is watching Time Open Low High Today 0.6724 Yesterday 0.6724 0.6767 In the last week 0.6724 0.6791 In the 3 months 0.6724 0.7037 The Australian dollar lost ground to the US dollar (USD) and Euro (EUR). It lost about 0.2% to both currencies after the market opened in Sydney this morning. It’s not all bad news for the local currency though. It traded sideways against the Kiwi dollar […]

The Australian dollar is not moving in the same direction

In short The Australian dollar opens the week moving down against the US dollar It’s not all one-way traffic through. It is higher against the Japanese Yen (JPY) and British Pound (GBP) Chinese trade data and RBA minutes fail to move the currency markets Currency Open Low High Now AUD to USD 0.6796 0.6753 0.6796 0.6783 AUD to EUR 0.6160 0.6118 0.6160 0.6149 AUD to GBP 0.5375 0.5365 0.5398 0.5377 AUD to NZD 1.0720 1.0720 1.0763 1.0750 AUD to JPY 73.70 73.05 73.79 73.50 The Australian dollar fell on Monday against most currencies but has been mixed since. The AUD/USD […]

Aussie dollar finishes the week on a high

In short The Australian dollar finished the week close its highest point at 0.6786 The AUD/USD ends slightly higher than where it opened the week on 0.6760 AUD/GBP fell sharply, finishing at 0.5364 Currency Open Low High Now AUD to USD 0.6760 0.6809 0.6714 0.6786 AUD to EUR 0.6168 0.6111 0.6170 0.6150 AUD to GBP 0.5491 0.5364 0.5528 0.5364 AUD to NZD 1.0720 1.0670 1.0730 1.0708 AUD to JPY 72.43 71.88 73.93 73.55 The Australian dollar was mixed on Friday night. It went up against the US dollar and the Japanese Yen, finishing the week slightly higher. In a complete […]

Australian Dollar remains under pressure

In short AUD to USD slips to one week low holding at 67 cents Recent gains against the NZD, JPY and EUR erased leaving the Aussie dollar flat Plenty of economic data out next week which could move the exchange rate Time Open Low High Today 0.6724 Yesterday 0.6723 0.6746 In the last week 0.6723 0.6771 In the 3 months 0.6683 0.7032 After getting pummelled early last week, the Australian dollar staged a recover on Thursday and Friday. It appears that the recovery was short and sweet. Since markets opened up on Monday, the Australian dollar has slowed edged its […]

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