Taking cash in or out of Australia: limits and rules explained

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Taking cash in or out of Australia: limits, rules, and declarations (2026 guide)

Financial basics · 18 September 2026Lydia Makin

You can bring any amount of cash into or out of Australia, but amounts of AUD10,000 or more must be declared to customs.

There's no upper limit on physical currency, but failing to declare can lead to fines, cash seizure, or imprisonment. This guide explains the legal limits, the customs declaration process, and how you can handle spending with Revolut while you're in Australia.

How much cash can you take into Australia?

Australia doesn't cap the amount of physical currency you can carry across its borders. Instead, it requires you to declare any combined value of AUD10,000 or more (or the foreign currency equivalent) when you enter or leave the country. This rule covers all forms of cash, including physical currency and bearer negotiable instruments (BNIs).

How much cash can I take to Australia? The AUD10,000 threshold and family rules

The AUD10,000 threshold applies to the combined value of all monetary instruments you're carrying, in Australian or any foreign currency. If the total reaches AUD10,000 or more, you must declare it.

Key points about the threshold:

• It applies to the whole travel party. If a family or group is carrying cash together, the combined total is assessed, not each individual's share.
• Splitting cash among group members in an attempt to stay under the limit is illegal. This practice, known as "structuring", is against the law.
• The threshold is a declaration trigger, not a maximum. You can carry more than AUD10,000, provided you declare it.

What qualifies as cash vs bearer negotiable instruments (BNIs) in Australia?

It's important to understand what counts toward the AUD10,000 threshold.

Physical currency (cash):

• Coins and banknotes in Australian or any foreign currency

Bearer negotiable instruments (BNIs):

• Cheques
• Travellers' cheques
• Money orders
• Promissory notes

If an Australian Border Force officer requests details of any monetary instrument you're carrying, you must provide them.

How to declare cash at Australian customs

If you're carrying AUD10,000 or more in monetary instruments, you must complete a declaration before passing through customs.

Step-by-step declaration process

• Submit the cross-border movement report via the AUSTRAC online portal, up to 72 hours before you travel.
• Alternatively, mark "Yes" on your Incoming Passenger Card during your flight or cruise if you're entering Australia.
• Keep a copy of your submission receipt, as you may need to show it to an Australian Border Force or police officer.
• If you can't complete the online form, ask a Border Force officer for help at the airport or seaport.
• Truthful declarations carry no fees or taxes. The process exists to record the movement of money, not to tax it.

Penalties for failing to declare

Failing to declare monetary instruments worth AUD10,000 or more is a serious offence. Consequences can include:

• confiscation of the cash by Border Force officers
• heavy fines
• criminal prosecution, with a maximum penalty of 2 years imprisonment

How much cash can you fly with? Rules for taking cash out of Australia or leaving the UK

The declaration rules apply in both directions. You also need to consider UK border rules when travelling between the 2 countries.

Outbound Australian customs requirements

Leaving Australia with AUD10,000 or more in physical currency or BNIs requires the same AUSTRAC declaration process as entering. Complete the report before you depart, and keep your receipt in case a Border Force officer asks to see it.

UK border rules: leaving or entering Great Britain

The UK has its own separate cash declaration rules. If you're carrying £10,000 or more in cash into or out of Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) to or from any country outside the UK, you must declare it to HMRC.

Key UK rules:

• You can declare online or by phone up to 72 hours before you travel
• "Cash" includes notes and coins, bearer bonds, banker's drafts, and cheques
• The £10,000 threshold applies to a group or family as a whole, not per person
• The maximum penalty for not declaring, or for giving incorrect information, is £5,000

Note the difference: Australia's threshold is AUD10,000, while the UK's is £10,000. If you're travelling with a large sum, you may need to make 2 separate declarations.

Cash vs card in Australia: how to pay Down Under

Australia is a predominantly cashless society. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted, and carrying large amounts of physical cash is both unnecessary and potentially risky.

Daily payment preferences in Australia

Debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay dominate daily transactions across Australia. You can pay by card almost everywhere, from taxis and restaurants to public transport and convenience stores.

Where cash is less useful:

• Taxis often charge a card surcharge of up to 5%, but most still accept cards
• In big cities, people use contactless payment or smart cards that can be recharged
• Dining and retail businesses are overwhelmingly card-friendly

The main drawbacks of carrying physical cash are poor airport exchange rates, theft risk, and the customs declaration burden for larger sums. A travel money card like ours with competitive exchange rates can help you avoid these issues while spending in Australian dollars.

Spend smart in Australia with Revolut

A Revolut card can be a practical, cash-light companion for a trip to Australia. With a Revolut account, you can hold and exchange multiple currencies, including AUD, at the Revolut rate, and spend directly from your balance without needing to visit a bureau de change.

Our key features for spending in Australia:

• Currency exchange at the Revolut rate: exchange GBP to AUD at competitive rates in-app before or during your trip.
• ATM withdrawals: use your Revolut card to withdraw AUD from ATMs across Australia at competitive exchange rates with no fees from us during market hours and within your plan limits.¹
• Virtual cards and instant card freezing: add an extra layer of security while travelling. If you misplace your card, freeze it instantly in-app.
• Instant notifications: you get an immediate in-app notification showing the exact amount spent in AUD and the corresponding GBP equivalent deducted from your balance, helping you track your holiday budget easily.

Learn more about our travel-friendly features.

How to set up a Revolut account

Setting up a Revolut account is straightforward and takes a few minutes from your phone. Here's how it works:

• Download the Revolut app from the App Store or Google Play.
• Verify your identity. You'll need a valid form of ID such as a passport or driving licence, and a quick selfie check. This is a standard requirement for all UK financial accounts.
• Choose your plan. We offer a Standard plan and several paid plans with different exchange allowances and ATM withdrawal limits. Review the plan features to find the one that suits how you travel. Paid Plan Terms apply.
• Add money to your account. Top up by bank transfer or debit card. You can then exchange GBP into AUD in-app at the Revolut rate.
• Order your card. Get a physical card, which will be delivered to your UK address (delivery fees may apply). You can also set up a virtual card instantly to start spending online or in-store via Apple Pay or Google Pay right away.
• Start spending. Once your card arrives, activate it in-app and you're ready to use it in Australia and beyond.

If you already hold a Revolut account, simply open the app, exchange the currency you need, and check your plan's ATM withdrawal allowance before you travel.

¹No ATM withdrawal fees within plan limits on a monthly basis. Out-of-network ATM withdrawals are subject to a 2% fee for Standard customers, and a 2% fee for Premium and Metal customers once their plan limits are exceeded. Third-party providers may charge a withdrawal fee. Currency and ATM fair-usage fees apply. Weekend markups on currency exchange will apply.

The information provided is accurate as of 3 September 2026.

The content of this page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. If you have any questions about your personal circumstances, please seek professional and independent advice. Revolut is not a financial adviser.