Adelaide is one of Australia’s most affordable cities.
With a lower cost of living than most other Australian cities, you have more money to enjoy your time in Adelaide.
Australia's national currency is the Australian dollar ($, A$ or AUD). Our colourful banknotes depict famous Australians.
Australian coins feature Queen Elizabeth II on one side and Australian imagery on the other.
If you need to exchange your home currency, there are many options in the city, including exchange booths, banks and many travel agencies.
Having an Australian bank account gives you easy access to your money whilst you are enjoying your student life in Adelaide.
You can open a bank account with a bank of your choice. The main Australian banks (Westpac, ANZ, Commonwealth and NAB) all offer account options specifically tailored to international students.
Documents you'll need
Establishing an account is free and easy: you can open an account online, or visit a bank branch store with your passport, a copy of your visa or student ID, an address in Australia and your Australian phone number.
|
Word |
Meaning |
|
ATM |
Automatic teller machine |
|
BPAY® |
A service that allows you to pay your bills using internet baking or phone banking |
|
EFTPOS |
A point of sale electronic payment system used widely in Australian businesses. You can use your debit or credit card to pay for things using an EFTPOS facility. |
|
Debit card |
Also known as an ATM card. This allows you to directly access the money in your bank account through ATMs and EFTPOS. |
|
GST |
The Goods and Services Tax put on the supply of most goods and services in Australia. Prices displayed in shops usually include the GST. |
|
payWave / PayPass |
payWave (Visa) or PayPass (MasterCard) are contactless payments and accepted at most shops in Australia. Contactless payment allows you to pay for purchases under $100 by tapping your card against the reader. There is no need to sign or enter your PIN. |
|
PIN |
Your Personal Identification Number (PIN) is a four to six-digit number used as a security code to access your bank accounts when you use phone banking, ATMs or EFTPOS. |
|
Savings account |
A day-to-day bank account which gives easy access to your money. |
Hear from international students about living and studying in Adelaide.
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