ATM cards

ATM cards are widespread in Australia. Depending on the system that your home bank uses, you can most likely access your personal bank account from abroad... ATMs get the same wholesale exchange rate as credit cards get, but banks or card issuers often place a limit on the amount of money you can withdraw per day (around AU$500). Most importantly, computerized withdrawal networks sometimes fail. There is typically also a surcharge per withdrawal.

Be sure to memorize your PIN code in numeric form since Australian ATM's often don't have letters on their keys. Also, if your PIN is longer than four digits, ask your bank whether you need a new number.

Electronic banking
The two major international money networks are Cirrus (US 800-424-7787) and Plus (US 800-843-7587).

Cirrus is the most widespread ATM network in Australia and Plus is almost as frequent, Visa, though probably third best, is still fairly common. Mastercard and American Express are found less often and NYCE not at all... The availability of ATMs are increasing in smaller towns and rural areas, they are scarce in north Western Australia and the more remote interior areas.

Visa TravelMoney (for emergency assistance in Australia - 0800 450 346) is a system allowing Visa cardholders to access money from any ATM with a Visa sticker on it; these are quite common throughout Australia... You deposit an amount of money in your account before you travel (plus a small administration fee), after which you can withdraw up to that sum. These cards, which give you the same favourable exchange rate for withdrawals as a regular Visa card, are especially useful if you plan to travel through many countries. Check with your local bank or AAA chapter to see if it issues TravelMoney cards.

Eftpos
Electronic Funds Transfer at Point Of Sale (EFTPOS) is an extremely common way for Australians to pay for goods. ATM cards (from Australian banks only) swiped at the register double as debit cards, allowing you to withdraw money directly from your bank account. What's more, most establishments offer EFTPOS with a cash-back option, cutting down on the number of transactions you must perform and thereby saving you time and per-transaction bank fees.

Eftpos is useful for travellers because it means they can carry less cash and not have to worry about credit card bills, so if you'll be in Australia for a while, it might make sense to open an Australian bank account... A permanent Australian address and two or three forms of identification are required to open an account — your home driver's license and your passport are the most sure-fire bets — and you can expect a routine check on your credit history... Providing bank statements from home for the last three months can expedite the process enormously; accounts can be ready in as little as an hour. Banks accept cash or traveller's cheques as initial deposits... to reference Australain bank telephone numbers, see Australian Banks