Quick answer. At Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine), skip the Travelex counters and the standalone atmx, Cuscal and Banktech machines, and use a Big Four bank ATM (Westpac, CommBank, ANZ or NAB). Australia's Big Four removed ATM operator fees in 2017, so their machines are free to use, and they dispense Australian dollars at the Visa/Mastercard interbank rate. The standout: Westpac is a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner, so a BoA debit card withdraws at a Westpac ATM with no operator fee and no BoA non-network surcharge. Honestly, though, you barely need cash in Melbourne: the myki transit network took open-loop contactless in 2024, and every tram, cafe, shop and taxi takes tap-to-pay, so a Wise card covers almost everything. Ride into the city on the SkyBus to Southern Cross (about AUD 23, contactless), a taxi, or Uber/Didi/Ola. Always decline DCC and choose Australian dollars.
Where to get Australian dollar at MEL
The key Melbourne Airport fact is that the Travelex counters and standalone atmx/Cuscal machines are the expensive options, while the Big Four bank ATMs (Westpac, CommBank, ANZ, NAB) are free (no operator fee since 2017) and give the interbank rate. Westpac is Australia's Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner, so a BoA card is fee-free there. And in card-friendly Melbourne you may not need cash at all. The cost math below assumes you withdraw or exchange the equivalent of $100.
| Option | Where | Markup | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westpac ATM with a BoA card (Global ATM Alliance) | Terminals | Interbank rate, no operator fee, no surcharge | ~$100 |
| Big Four ATM (Westpac/CommBank/ANZ/NAB) + Wise/Schwab | Terminals | Interbank rate, no operator fee (since 2017) | ~$100 |
| Tap a Wise or Schwab card (skip cash entirely) | SkyBus, trams, shops | Interbank rate, no FX markup | ~$100 |
| Standalone atmx / Cuscal / Banktech ATM | Terminals, 7-Elevens | Per-withdrawal fee + DCC pitch | ~$96-98 |
| Travelex currency counter | Terminals | Well off the interbank rate, plus fees | ~$88-93 |
| Accepting DCC at any machine | Anywhere | +5-10% if you choose 'charge in USD' | ~$90-95 |
Where to find the Westpac, CommBank, ANZ and NAB ATMs at Melbourne Airport
Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine, MEL) sits about 23 km northwest of the city centre and has four terminals: T2 handles international arrivals and departures, while T1 (Qantas), T3 (Virgin) and T4 (Jetstar and low-cost) handle domestic flights. In the terminals you will pass Travelex currency counters and standalone independent ATMs (branded atmx, Cuscal or Banktech) that charge a per-withdrawal fee and push DCC. The fix is to use a Big Four bank ATM carrying the Westpac, Commonwealth Bank, ANZ or NAB wordmark; since 2017 the Big Four charge no ATM operator fee, so their machines are free, and they dispense Australian dollars at the interbank rate. The standout is Westpac, which is a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner, so a BoA card withdraws with no operator fee and no BoA surcharge. Realistically Melbourne runs on cards: the myki transit system added open-loop contactless in 2024, and tap-to-pay is universal, so most travelers only need a small cash float. Whatever card you use, decline dynamic currency conversion and choose Australian dollars.
Terminal 2 (international)
Qantas International, plus Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, United, Air New Zealand, Japan Airlines, Etihad and others. T2 handles all international arrivals and departures at Tullamarine
In the international arrivals area, walk past the Travelex counter and the standalone atmx/Cuscal machines and look for a Westpac, Commonwealth Bank, ANZ or NAB ATM. All four are free to use (no operator fee since 2017) and dispense Australian dollars at the interbank rate. A Bank of America cardholder should seek out Westpac specifically, the BoA Global ATM Alliance partner, for a fully fee-free withdrawal. Decline DCC and choose Australian dollars, then head to the SkyBus stop or the taxi and rideshare ranks. Honestly, you can also just tap a Wise card on the SkyBus and skip cash.
Terminals 1, 3 & 4 (domestic)
Qantas domestic (T1), Virgin Australia (T3), and Jetstar and Rex low-cost (T4), connecting Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, Cairns, Hobart and the regional network
The domestic terminals also have Big Four bank ATMs; the same rule applies, use a Westpac, CommBank, ANZ or NAB machine (all free) rather than an independent unit, and decline DCC. If you are connecting to a domestic flight, you will not need cash, since everything airside and onward takes contactless.
Do you actually need cash at Melbourne (MEL)?
Mostly no. Melbourne runs on contactless: the myki network, every tram and taxi, and every cafe and shop take tap-to-pay, so a no-FX-fee card covers the trip in and almost all spending. A small cash float helps only at markets and for tips. Here is what works on a card and where a little cash still helps:
SkyBus to Southern Cross (~AUD 23 one way): Runs from all terminals to Southern Cross Station in the CBD roughly every 10 minutes, about 30 minutes; takes contactless, so no cash needed. The most popular way into the city.
Uber / Didi / Bolt / Ola (~AUD 55-75 to the CBD): All the ride apps operate at MEL and are billed to your card through the app. Follow signs to the designated rideshare pickup zone.
Taxi (~AUD 60-80 to the CBD): Licensed taxis wait at the ranks and take contactless via the in-car terminal; a toll and airport surcharge may apply. Card-billed, so no cash needed.
Airport train (Not yet available): There is currently no rail link to Melbourne Airport; the Melbourne Airport Rail line is under construction. Use the SkyBus, a taxi, or rideshare.
⚠ DCC trap. When the ATM or terminal asks if you want to be charged in your home currency instead of the local currency, always decline and choose the local currency. Accepting locks in a 3-13 percent markup that your no-FX-fee card cannot undo. Full DCC explainer →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash to get from Melbourne (MEL) to Melbourne?
No. SkyBus to Southern Cross accepts contactless. Most taxis accept cards. Uber and other apps are card-only.
Can I order Australian dollar before flying?
Yes. CEI Currency Exchange ships physical Australian dollar to your US address in 2-5 days at rates well below airport counters. Order 50-100 Australian dollar for taxis and tips on day one.
Which ATM at Melbourne Airport is best, and which should I avoid?
Use a Big Four bank ATM (Westpac, Commonwealth Bank, ANZ or NAB) and avoid the Travelex counters and the standalone atmx, Cuscal or Banktech machines. Since 2017 the Big Four charge no ATM operator fee, so their machines are free and dispense Australian dollars at the interbank rate. The best single machine for a Bank of America cardholder is Westpac, because Westpac is a BoA Global ATM Alliance partner, so a BoA debit card pays no operator fee and no non-network surcharge there. The independent machines charge a couple of dollars and push DCC. At any machine, decline DCC (the 'charge in AUD... no, charge in USD' offer) and choose Australian dollars. A no-foreign-transaction-fee card such as Wise or Charles Schwab is the cleanest all-rounder.
Is there a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner at Melbourne Airport?
Yes. Westpac is Australia's Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner, and Westpac has ATMs at Melbourne Airport. A BoA debit card withdraws Australian dollars at a Westpac machine with no Westpac operator fee and no BoA 3 percent non-network fee, paying only the interbank rate. That makes Westpac the machine to seek out if you bank with BoA. If you do not, it barely matters, because all four big banks are fee-free anyway; a Wise or Schwab card just removes the FX markup.
Do I even need cash in Melbourne?
Barely. Melbourne is one of the most card-friendly cities in the world. The myki transit network added open-loop contactless in 2024, so you can tap any Visa, Mastercard or Amex on every tram, train and bus; the free City Circle Tram costs nothing; and every cafe, shop, restaurant and taxi takes contactless. A Wise card gives the interbank rate with no FX markup for all of it. The small cash you might want is for the Queen Victoria Market deli stalls, tip jars, and the odd market, so a modest float from a Big Four ATM is plenty.
How do I get from Melbourne Airport into the city?
The SkyBus runs from all terminals to Southern Cross Station in the CBD, roughly every 10 minutes, for about AUD 23 one way, and takes contactless payment. There is currently no train line to the airport (one is under construction). Taxis and rideshare (Uber, Didi, Bolt, Ola) use the designated ranks and are card-billed; a ride to the CBD runs roughly AUD 55 to 75 depending on traffic. Because everything takes contactless, you do not need cash for the trip in; a Wise card or any tap-to-pay card covers the SkyBus, a taxi, or a rideshare.
Should I change money at the Melbourne Airport counters?
No. The Travelex currency counters at Melbourne Airport post some of the worst rates you will find, well off the interbank rate, plus fees. A Big Four bank ATM (Westpac, CommBank, ANZ, NAB) is free to use and gives the real rate, so that is where your first Australian dollars should come from, if you need cash at all. Better still in card-friendly Melbourne, just tap a no-FX-fee card such as Wise or Charles Schwab for almost everything and pull a small cash float only for markets and tips.
Can I order Australian dollars before flying?
You can, but you rarely need to. CEI Currency Exchange ships Australian dollars to your US address with insured 2 to 5 day delivery if you want a starter float, and US banks stock AUD as a major currency. But Melbourne is so card-friendly, with contactless on the myki network and everywhere else, that most travelers just tap a Wise or Schwab card from the moment they land and pull a little cash from a free Big Four ATM if needed.