Money

Currency information

The unit of Australian currency is the dollar (AUD). There are 100 cents in one dollar ($1). Australian dollar notes come in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. Coins are issued in denominations of 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1, and $2. When paying with cash, prices are rounded up or down to the nearest 5 cents in shops and supermarkets. For example, you would pay $1.95 for an item priced at $1.97 but $2 for an item priced at $1.99.

How Much to Bring

You will need to make sure you have enough funds for you when you first arrive. It is recommended that you have approximately AU$200 to AU$300 available for the first two to three weeks to pay for school shoes, snacks, outings and toiletries.

Please note that it is not safe to bring large sums of money with you!

Currency Exchange

Only Australian currency can be used in Australia. If you have not brought some with you, you will need change your money into Australian currency as soon as possible after arrival. You can do this at the airport. Once you have arrived in Hobart you can also change money at any bank or at currency exchanges at the following places.

Travelex Hours:

Located in: Wellington Centre

Address: Wellington Centre, Shop 1, 60 Liverpool St, Hobart TAS 7000

Travel Money Oz

Address: 84 Liverpool St, Hobart TAS 7000

Electronic Transfer

You can transfer money into Australia by electronic telegraph or telegraphic transfer at any time. This is a fast option and will take approximately 48 hours, but the bank will charge a fee on every transaction.

ATMs

Automatic Teller Machines are located everywhere (including at the airport) and you can immediately withdraw cash from your overseas bank account at ATMs displaying the Cirrus Logo (if your ATM card has international access). Check this with your financial institution before leaving home.

Credit Cards

All major international credit cards are accepted in Australia but you must remember that

repayments to many of these cards can only be made in the country where they were issued. Do not rely on being able to get a credit card once you arrive in Australia because this is very difficult due to credit and identification laws.

Pocket Money and Indicative Costs

Pocket money is at the parent/s’ discretion, however, as a guideline the School would suggest that a younger student in Years 7-9 would only require approximately $20.00 - $40.00 AUD per week and a senior student 10-12 approximately $40.00 - $80.00 AUD per week.

Below are a few examples of indicative costs of some common items

Toothpaste 115 grams $3.69
Take away hot chocolate or coffee drink $5.50
Movie ticket (student ticket) $10.00
Bus fare $1.00 local Hobart area
A pair of socks $10.00 (cotton) – $30.00 (woollen)
Box of tissues $4.50