Banknotes and Coins

Australian notes come in different colors for easy identification (for instance, green for the $100 note, blue for the $10 note). They are of the same measure vertically, but differ in measure horizontally. The $100 note has the greatest horizontal measure, the $5 note the least.

Australian coins comprise gold and silver coins of various weights and sizes. The terms "gold" and "silver" refer more to their appearance than to actual valuable metal content.

Australian coins come in denominations of $2, $1, 50¢, 20¢, 10¢ and 5¢.

Coin use restrictions

Copper coins of 1¢ denomination are no longer in circulation.

Silver coins of 5¢ denomination are not accepted at some automatic exact-change tollbooths (particularly around Sydney) and in some other coin-operated machines or facilities. If driving, have an adequate supply of $2 and $1 coins.

Some parking meters only accept $1 and $2 gold coins.

Coin sizes and shapes

From largest size to lowest, these coins are the silver 50¢, silver 20¢, gold $1, silver 10¢; gold $2, and silver 5¢ pieces.

The 50¢ piece is in the shape of a 12-sided polygon. The coin edges are smooth.

Aside from the 50¢ piece, Australian coins are round in shape with knurled or partly-knurled edges.

The $1 and 10¢ pieces are almost identical in size, except that the $1 coin is thicker, heavier, of gold color, and its edge is partly knurled. The edge of the 10¢ coin is lightly knurled all around.

The $2 and 5¢ pieces are also almost identical in size, except that the $2 coin is thicker, heavier, of gold color, and its edge is partly knurled. The edge of the 5¢ coin is lightly knurled all around.

Money value

Being a decimal currency, there are 100¢ in the dollar.

Recently the value of the Australian dollar has fluctuated between US75¢ and US80¢ but may go lower or higher at any time. The exchange rate has been in constant flux for quite some time.

Here is a useful currency converter.