Australia was the first country in the world to have a complete system of bank notes based on plastic (polymer). These notes provide much greater security against counterfeiting. They also last four times as long as conventional paper (fibrous) notes. The national currency of Australia is the Australian dollar ($AU). One Australian dollar = 100 cents.

• Coins in circulation are 5c 10c 20c 50c $1 and $2.
• Bank notes in circulation are $5 $10 $20 $50 and $100.

The bank notes are mostly now rather space age plastic bills in enthusiastic colors and sporting clear windows and holograms. The innovative technology by which the notes are produced, developed entirely in Australia, offers artists brilliant scope for the creation of images that reflect the histories and natural environments of their countries. At the same time the polymer notes are cleaner than paper notes and easily recyclable. Australian currency is the only legal tender.

Australia's notes are printed by Note Printing Australia, a Division of the Reserve Bank. Note Printing Australia has printed polymer notes for a growing number of overseas countries including; Bangladesh, Brunei, Chile, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Western Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Many other countries are showing a strong interest in the new technology. Note Printing Australia also conducts an innovative numismatic business for collectors, based on new note issues, commemorative notes and the issue of annual uncirculated notes.

Most foreign currencies and traveler's cheque are easily exchanged in banks and exchange offices. Major hotels often have exchange facilities. A Goods and Services tax (G.S.T.) of 10% was introduced on July 1 2000 for transactions within Australia.

Currency exchange outlets are open from Monday to Friday 9:am to 6:30pm or 7:pm, and on Saturdays 9:am to 7:pm at major airports and exchange bureaus in major tourist destinations. Some are also open on Sundays. Banks are generally open 9.00am to 4pm Mon-Thu; 9:00am-5pm Fri. In some states selected banking facilities are available on Saturday morning. General office hours including Post Offices are 9am-5pm; Mon-Fri. Stamps are often available at front desks of hotels and motels and at selected retail outlets.

ATM cards can be used in Australia at both ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) and at participating retail locations, so long as they have been enabled for international access. Your ATM card must carry either the CIRRUS, PLUS or STAR international ATM mark or the Interlink or Maestro POS mark. Travelers should contact their bank at home for information on availability and service charges.