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 0.6544. 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

AUD GBP and AUD USD fall as Brexit and Trade Wars take centre stage

In short The AUD lost ground to the US dollar and British Pound overnight The Trade War continues with few obvious winners A hard Brexit looks more likely now Time Open Low High Today 0.6729 Yesterday 0.6726 0.6747 In the last week 0.6697 0.6771 In the 3 months 0.6697 0.6680 The Australian dollar drifted lower on Monday and Tuesday following a long weekend in much of Australia. Overnight, tensions from the Trade War sent the US higher and pressured the AUD  USD exchange rate lower. Meanwhile, Brexit continues to drag on the British pound. It lost ground to most currencies […]

Aussie dollar drifts lower

In short The Aussie dollars continues lower against the US dollar but mixed against other major currencies Lack of direction so far this week The AUD to could test recent 10-year lows below 67 cents Time Open Low High Today 0.6729 Yesterday 0.6729 0.6749 In the last week 0.6683 0.6771 In the 3 months 0.6683 0.7044 Not a great deal. With few major economic data releases, the Australian dollar is drifting against most other currencies. There has also been little on the two main political issues – Brexit and the US  / China trade war.   So, when will the […]

Australian Dollar Opens the Week Lower

In short The Australian dollar opens the week lower against most major currencies Retail sales figures out on Friday shows Aussies are not spending their tax cuts US employment data made the US dollar weaker, helping the AUD to USD to finish the week on a high Currency Open Low High Now AUD to USD 0.6771 0.6750 0.6771 0.6752 AUD to EUR 0.6167 0.6146 0.6167 0.6148 AUD to GBP 0.5488 0.5476 0.5501 0.5477 AUD to NZD 1.0724 1.0691 1.0728 1.0694 AUD to JPY 72.91 72.00 72.91 72.12 Friday was a mixed day for the Australian dollar with weaker economic data […]

Australian dollar bounces back

In short The Australian dollar has bounced Thursday night after getting punished Tuesday and Wednesday Broad gains against the New Zealand Dollar, British Pound, Japanese Yen or Euro The AUD looks likely to finish the week close to where it started despite the volatility Currency Open Low High Now AUD to USD 0.6770 0.6770 0.6683 0.6744 AUD to EUR 0.6192 0.6119 0.6199 0.6147 AUD to GBP 0.5493 0.5429 0.5504 0.5467 AUD to NZD 1.0681 1.0677 1.0710 1.0709 AUD to JPY 72.83 71.78 73.16 72.06 The Australian Dollar staged a mild recovery on Thursday night as the US dollar fell against […]

AUD EUR hits 1 month low as the Aussie Dollar slips

In short AUD to EUR exchange rate drops to 0.6110 – it’s lowest point for a month The RBA is now expected to cut interest rates even further before the end of 2019 The AUD/EUR has dropped 2% over the last 2 months from a high of 0.6278 Time Open Low High Today 0.6118 Yesterday 0.6113 0.6122 In the last week 0.6119 0.6199 In the 3 months 0.6018 0.6278 The Australian dollar has been broadly sold off since Tuesday when the RBA cut interest rates. What does that mean? When the Aussie dollar is sold (mostly by traders, banks and […]

Australian Dollar demolished to a 10 year low under 67 cents

In short AUD to USD opens at 0.6705 after dipping to to 0.6676 overnight – its lowest point in a decade The RBA is now expected to cut interest rates even further before the end of 2019 Lowering interest rates in Australia are similar to other countries like the US, Japan and Europe Time Open Low High Today 0.6704 Yesterday 0.6671 0.6780 In the last week 0.6671 0.6771 In the 3 months 0.6676 0.7009 Yesterday, following the RBA interest rate cut, the AUD initially went up before being sold off lower. It then moved lower overnight and hit a 10 […]

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