Buy US Dollars (USD) Always at the Best Rate
Get your currency fast 💸 Buy USD with AUD online or in-store
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See why S Money provides the best value
- 0.6564
- 55.92 AUD
- $3,000 AUD
- Best Price
- 0.6462
- 0.00 AUD
- $2,990 AUD
- $9 less
- 0.6444
- 0.00 AUD
- $2,998 AUD
- $1 less
- 0.6367
- 0.00 AUD
- $3,034 AUD
- $35 more expensive
- 0.6294
- 0.00 AUD
- $3,070 AUD
- $71 more expensive
- 0.6318
- 30.00 AUD
- $3,088 AUD
- $89 more expensive
Features
- Easy options: In-store, click and collect or secure home delivery are available for every travel money order of US dollars
- Constant communication: You'll receive updates by email and sms once your order has been placed, when we've received payment and when it should be ready for collection.
- Request denominations: Each order comes in a range of convenient denominations. If you have a specific request, you can order online to get exactly what you want
- Fast: Home delivery orders usually arrive within 2-3 business days
- Secure Delivery: We use StarTrack Premium for the fastest and most secure delivery service. With photo ID checks and signature on arrival, to make sure your currency arrives in your hands safely
The currency used in the US is called the US dollar (USD) and is represented by the symbol $.
It is the most recognised, traded and accepted currency in the world. Other names it is called include the ‘greenback’ (financial settings) or ‘buck’ (informal settings).
US banknote denominations
US dollars are available in many different denominations. This includes seven denominations in notes, as seen in our pictures.
American banknotes are made with a blend of 25% linen and 75% cotton, making them a little less impervious to wear and tear than plastic money. Their distinctive green colour gives the currency the popular name the ‘greenback’.
American dollar bills come in common denominations of $1, $5, $10, $20, and $100. Less common bills include the $2 and the $50 note.
US coins
There are 7 coins within the US. Common coin denominations include 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢ and $1. One dollar coins are rare; in fact, the United States is the only developed country that still has a $1 bill in popular circulation (a bill which is considered the most recognised currency in the world).
However people rarely refer to coins by their nominal value, instead, they have ‘nicknames’ that have become part of everyday use. The local lingo for these coins:
- One cent coin = a penny
- Five cent coin = a nickel
- Ten cent coin = a dime
- 25 cent coin = a quarter
- 50 cent coin = a half dollar
According to Investopedia, the US dollar is accepted in many countries due to its stability. It is the world’s most popular currency and be used officially and unofficially in many countries.
Countries the US dollar is officially used include :
- USA
- Puerto Rico
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Zimbabwe
- Guam
- Virgin Islands
- Timor Leste
- American Samoa
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Palau
- Marshal Islands
Country | United States of America |
Official Currency | US dollars |
Currency Code | USD |
Currency Symbol | $ |
Banknote Denominations | $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 |
Coin Denominations | 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢ and $1 |
In Stock | Yes |
Current Rate | 0.6564 |
How to buy US dollars
Store Collection
Pay ahead of time
Ready in less than a week. Then pick it up when it suits you.
Available in NSW, VIC, QLD & WA
Post Office Pickup & Home Delivery
Collect at your local post office.
Have it securely delivered to your home.
Available Australia wide
How long does it take?
- Confirm
- You'll receive a text and email confirming we've received your payment
- Delivery
- Once your payment is confirmed, delivery takes 2-3 business days depending on where you are in Australia
- Updates
- You'll receive updates on when your order is coming. We'll also let you know if there is any unexpected delays
Fees and Charges
Service Fee
The Service Fee depends on the currency and amount you order.
Delivery
$19 fee for Post Office collection. $28 flat fee for delivery to your door.
Express Pickup
In-store transactions are subject to a $9 fee.
Buying US Dollars (USD) in Australia
Where is the best place to buy US dollars?
If you like the reassurance of having the local currency readily available from the moment you step off the plane, you have three options to pick up the cash before you go:
- Buying foreign currency online and either collect it in-store or have it delivered to you.
- Collect from a currency exchange store.
- Most expensively, buy the currency at the airport.
Online money changers like S Money are often an easy and cheap way to buy USD online but it may not necessary be as quick as walking into a store. Companies like Travelex also offer a foreign exchange service online but it takes between two and five business days before the currency is ready for pick-up or delivery so you need to be organised!
Alternatively, buying your currency in-store can be a good option but it all depends on where you go. The money changers in the centre of the main cities like Sydney or Melbourne tend to be more competitive than smaller stores in the suburbs.
Only change money at the airport as a last resort. The exchange rates and fees at Australian airports are among the worst in the world so avoid it at all costs if you want to get the best bang for your buck.
Learn more: The Best Places to Buy US dollars Australia
Should you buy US dollars now or later?
As a rule of thumb, if you are buying USD with Australian dollars, you want the AUD/USD exchange rate to be as high as possible. The higher the rate, the better it is for you. It means that you will receive more American dollars for the same amount of Australian dollars.
Unfortunately there isn't a particular day of the week or time of the day that is the best time.
While it's impossible to pick the perfect time, you can set up a free rate tracker to keep an eye on the rate.
Also keep in mind that if you buy it online, it may take 2-4 business days to arrive so make sure you finalise your financial transaction at least a week before you are due to travel overseas.
Learn more: When is the best time to buy US dollars with Australian dollars?
How much US dollars do you need?
It’s not an easy task to figure out how much spending money to take to the USA. The United States keeps you on your toes with every American state (and sometimes even individual cities within states) imposing its own tax rates and rules.
Those rates and rules will affect everything you buy, from your Statue of Liberty souvenirs to tickets to a baseball game. In Montana, for instance, there’s no sales tax. But in Louisiana, it’s 10%.
All of that means there’s no standard budget you can apply to every state. On top of that, how much you spend will depend upon the length of time you’re away and how you prefer to travel.
So the first steps to calculating your spending money budget is to figure out:
- How long you’re staying for
- How you plan to travel
- Where you want to go
If you are confused about how much money to take to the USA for 1, 2 or 4 weeks, read our detailed review to answer all your questions.
The cheapest ways to buy US dollars
If you are heading overseas or just want to purchase some US dollars to keep on hand, it's important to find the best way to exchange your money. Here are 5 top ways currently available in Australia
- Online - The cheapest way to buy US dollars under $10,000 is online. It's similar to buying anything else online but you will need some ID on hand. Online money changers, like S Money, have the best exchange rates. Most will either deliver it to your home or allow click and collect. For amounts over $10,000 the cheapest way is to go in-store.
- In-store - this is one of the best ways to get your currency fast. Just locate a store near you and bring your ID. It's a good idea to call ahead to check their rates and to make sure they have enough banknotes in stock.
- Overseas - Sometimes it can actually be cheaper to buy your US dollars abroad. Countries like Singapore have very competitive money changers if you are willing to go out of your way to find them.
- International money transfers - If you are sending money from Australia to the US, using a money transfer service like Wise or OFX is a great way to convert your currency. These online services are a much cheaper option than using an Australian bank.
- Travel money cards - These cards used to have terrible exchange rates and a heaps of hidden fees. While this is still the case with most bank travel cards, there are much better options available. These include Revolut and Wise.