Cash / Currency 🇦🇺 Australia
AUD 10,000 or equivalent must be declared
Can I bring Cash / Currency into Australia?
AUD 10,000 or equivalent must be declared
AUD 10,000 declaration threshold
- Cross-border movement report
Required at the destination customs authority
Full details
Australia requires declaration of physical currency (Australian or foreign) of AUD 10,000 or more entering or leaving via the Cross-Border Movement Form (Physical Currency). Undeclared amounts can be seized by Australian Border Force; AUSTRAC may issue penalty notices up to AUD 33,000 plus the seized funds may be subject to forfeiture proceedings under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006.
PENALTIES
- Fine: 444–2664 AUD
- Civil penalty only
Active — Customs actively enforces this rule.
Leaving Australia with cash / currency
Travellers departing from Australia carrying cash, banker's cheques, bearer bonds, or other bearer-form negotiable instruments totalling AUD 10,000 or more must complete Cross-Border Movement Physical Currency Report at customs before boarding. This threshold aggregates all currencies at exchange-rate parity. Failure to declare is grounds for seizure of the entire cash amount under AML/CTF Act 2006 s.53 plus criminal prosecution for aggravated cases. Source-of-funds documentation (bank withdrawal receipts, payroll records, sale contracts) may be requested. Legitimate declared movements are not restricted; the requirement is transparency-based to combat money laundering and tax evasion.
Values at or above this threshold must be declared (AUD).
Declare cash, traveler's cheques, or monetary instruments above the local threshold to Australian Border Force on arrival or departure. Use the dedicated currency-declaration channel; undeclared amounts above the threshold are subject to seizure and an administrative fine of 25-50% of the undeclared sum.
AUD 10,000 declaration threshold
- Cross-border movement report
Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006
This page covers destination customs rules in Australia. Whether you can carry cash / currency through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.
Cash / Currency rules in other countries
Cash / Currency
🇺🇸 United States
Must declare cash or monetary instruments over USD 10,000 on arrival and departure.
Cash / Currency
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Must declare cash of GBP 10,000 or more when entering or leaving Great Britain.
Cash / Currency
🇩🇪 Germany
EU rule: declare EUR 10,000 or more when entering or leaving the EU.
Cash / Currency
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Must declare cash of AED 60,000 or more (approx. USD 16,300) on arrival.
Cash / Currency
🇵🇭 Philippines
PHP 50,000 limit; foreign currency over USD 10,000 must be declared
Cash / Currency
🇻🇳 Vietnam
VND 15 million limit; USD 5,000 foreign currency