Hey guys, I'm travelling to Australia next month. I plan to bring Cash around 1k AUD for 8 days if I'm short in cash i will be using Wise Digital Card.

Any advice? Should i just Change 1.5k Australia Dollars or just rely on Wise will do but they have small surcharge for converting.


Sekian muaks

Changing to aud at moneychanger pun kena rugi on exchange rate spread, kan?

And if you don't finish using and you want to change back, rugi again.

And there's issue with security when carrying too much cash.

Just a matter of preference. Personally I will use card as it's more convenient and safer. In Australia even small and remote towns also can accept cards.

i dont carry any cash at all whenever i'm down under

Not sure how the Australian Border Force screens Malaysians because there are the bad ones who ruined the reputation by overstaying their visa's, etc....

I heard they would want a daily itinerary and proof of funds to cover the cost of stay when you're there

This post has been edited by moonsatelite: Oct 6 2023, 10:42 AM

fair point there sir, looks like Wise is a great idea to start with.

Agree, I believe they are mature in e-wallet it will be more easier for me. Just topup my Wise wallet whenever i need.

My Visa already approved, should be no problem and i will be travelling alone 1k AUD in cash should be suffice?

You can store balance in AUD in Wise account, at any time with the exchange rate you deem good from now to the date of your travel.

So using WISE is really a no brainer, since it also offers good rates

I've use WISE to go for Taiwan trip some months ago, and just by using WISE i saved ~RM50 compared to credit card / local money exchanger rates

This post has been edited by viktorherald: Oct 6 2023, 10:47 AM

almost everywhere accept card.
your got wise digital credit card can already....



bring credit card as well, else border security might ask you how you going to pay for everything

Its my first time using Wise actually. In Malaysia i dont carry cash with me at all, just because its my first time in Melbourne and i will be travelling alone just wanna be safe if Digital payment is mature there

Most of smaller retailers there charge credit card fees if you use card to pay.

even with Wise?

Hi Sifu,

How we top up or transfer money to Wise acct? Bank transfer or Credit card funding like those touch n go?

Bank transfer or FPX, either from local or overseas banks. No cc transfer allowed.

i think they have alot of currency to choose, if im not wrong u have to topup MYR then do the conversion

Wise is a visa card so yes.

just use any credit card you are fine

my advise dont bring cash at all overseas

8 days and AUD $1,000 hmm.... You'll have to gauge yourself how cheap living in Malaysia is, traveling to Europe, America's, Oceania's, just stepping out your door, you'll have to spend USD $10 at least, be it transportation, food, etc...

People living in the mentioned regions often cook and eat at home.

Also, there's always this quote mentioned on all visa forms, "Visa approval does not guarantee entry into (Country's name), entry is subjected to immigration approval"

You can try top up a MYR in WIse account, and do a small swipe there and see how it goes

in my experience, it just charge the exchange rate listed in the app +1% and thats it



This post has been edited by viktorherald: Oct 6 2023, 11:14 AM

He's talking about Australia.

yeah i mean i dont see any CC network charges in here

This is what i saw on the WISE pricing website
https://wise.com/my/pricing/card-fees?sourc...R&targetCcy=AUD


seems like the fees is just 0.6%, which is way lower than CC network + exorbitant bank FX rate

This post has been edited by viktorherald: Oct 6 2023, 11:17 AM

Any cards. Only small retailer do that though. Supermarket, departmental stores, established brand stores wouldn't charge you extra.

It's the retailers aka merchants sendiri add the surcharges if you choose to pay by card.

but is it mean this practice is retailer by retailer basis? if choose good retailer then such problems will be more manageable?

This post has been edited by viktorherald: Oct 6 2023, 11:19 AM

He's referring to the additional charge imposed by smaller Aussie merchants on top of the conversion fee you paid to top up your card to that foreign currency.

Just like how in the early days retailers here imposed 2% or 3% surcharge if you paid by cc.

Yes, small hostels/shops there still do that.

Apps got charges, retailer also got charges. So it's double charges.

Like you buy from small retailer here. CC price and cash price is different.

Oh I see... hmm, then I have no good solution to that

Use cash on this situation, then swipe away on big purchases it is yeah?

For hotel, shops, 7eleven, mrt, we sure can use wise in Taiwan.

But how about for food stalls or pasar Malam? Do they accept debit card? Or qr app? Or cash only?

thats why need cash to backup also. cards is only for big shopping spree

word of advice, shops dont have online terminals like qr pay etc. Not even coles have em, but they do have some spread on apple pay. So make sure you have your physical wise card too.

The digital card can be used for online purchase only like Uber etc.

This post has been edited by mhyug: Oct 6 2023, 11:33 AM

No qr app ka? I was in Taiwan many years ago that time no ewallet yet.

oh, i think i didnt go through the trouble to research and set that up, just used cash all the way

cards definitely no i think

This post has been edited by viktorherald: Oct 6 2023, 12:05 PM

Apply pay is connected to Wise Digital Card, As long they have card machine u can just wave right?

put 90% into Wise and the rest just exchange to AUD cash to put aside for emergency just in case merchant doesn't have terminal.

You can still withdraw money using Wise card at any ATM and first two withdrawal is free (if your cash is out and need another physical cash)

Use Wise card/Apple Pay whenever you can.

I just got back from Perth weeks back and all my transaction via card or Apple Pay. I exhange couple of hundred dollars that doesn't used until my end of trip. Have to spent all during last day because coming back here and exchange, rugi on exchange fee.

edit: been to Coles, petrol station, wildife park, outskirt attracktion and even small coffee shop accept card.

This post has been edited by rip_code: Oct 6 2023, 12:43 PM

1k?
How long your stay?
Border force will sure hold you for suspected overstayer.

and you dont have to carry cash at all in Melbourne.

Seriously.

thanks for the input sir, i have a few question in mind.

- Do u have any issue at the boarder for carrying less cash?
- If i apply just for Wise Digital Card should be ok right since its connect to apply pay?


With all these comment, i gonna rethink about changing so much cash now haha

Why not top up a bit to get a physical card sent to you?

credit card also ok ma

have to see which country also ... Only those developed country la....

Like Thai... mostly cash. 7-11 now previously can use card... now min spending 200 baht only can use.

I go SG, only cash $5 in my wallet. That also I didn't use at all.

Wei u Malaysian better bring more cash else immi kick u out Aus . Not joking

Just back from Sydney, didnt bring cash. Only use Wise. Transportation also can accept Visa.

I’ve been to Thailand and Singapore recently, money changer rates are slightly better than Wise but the convenience of wise is unbeatable.

Just note that there are some merchants in oz that charges small % if you use card.

Interesting. You kena before?

Cash + card.

My fren kena beaten up when kena robbed coz no cash only card. Got cash kena robbed is cash hilang only

U go ask around sure got alot case one, especially Sydney Melbourne airport . The immi there see Malaysian passport saja will auto on racist mode ( other pert of Aus don't have this issue ) .
I use APEC card don't have to deal with this bs .

so who am i going to do. I plan to get 300 AUD in cash only now since alot of ppl asking me to use wise and i apply for digital/Physical card already.

1k AUD, sure bo?
when kastam questioned u have to show u got enough in bank/cash to fund your trip, credit card not counted
happened many cases, especially m'sian get targeted, too many illegal working there

anyway, I would store cash in Wise then withdraw from ATM there
1k AUD (cash/in wise/in bank) is probably reasonable provided you already got accommodation

This post has been edited by jmas: Oct 6 2023, 02:36 PM

i just came back from Australia. didn't use a single cent of cash

Nowadays hardly need to use cash when overseas. Just bring a couple of hundred, the rest use card. Much safer.

U want to gamble it ma bring less money la , if they deny u entry mean u kena ban masuk Aus for 3 year. My friend case valid working holiday visa holder , immi spot he talk to a group of Malaysian ( Sydney airport ) that they suspect those ppl plan to jump aeroplane. The whole group kena bring into interview , even thou he got valid visa pun kena refuse entry .
If u unlucky shit can hit the fan quickly , if u lucky even u bring drug also can masuk Aus . So u pandai pandai la

are u having trouble in boarder asking to prove of cash?

yup i got all those documents with me, accommodation bnb details, my flight leaving australia and letters for my identification here

now border straight scan passport on e-reader if from Malaysia. don't even need to talk to any human

What does that mean? Can elaborate?

macam singapore, scan ur passport and wait for verification

like KLIA e-gate

Getting Australia visa is easy. Just apply online. Most that was denied all happened in the Australian airport. Sucks but that’s what they like to do. Anyway just recently travelled there last month they are not as strict anymore. I brought 500AUD just in case and the rest with CC.

Just came back from NSW

bring about 350AUD and CC, didn't get tahan

cuma at E-gate got bit issue because forgot to remove spec so scanner not detect face

just go another dedicated service Lane and voila, Immi officer check out and i enter Aussie.

The boarder didnt ask to prove of cash for me as i am using smart gate.

Update: Wise now supports Apple Pay for Malaysia user also.

This post has been edited by ye0073: Oct 6 2023, 04:02 PM

Oh isn't this better? Less chance of kena social engineered and asked questions.
But I suppose if you look like someone who will abuse visa you can't board the plane anyway.

Been to Aus a dozen times, never asked to see cash. Who uses cash nowadays?

yeah. hence if u dont carry cash nobody question u also. cause they already know most people have credit cards

not really cash on hand they looking for, just if you got enough money to support your trip, like cash in bank for example
to clear doubt that you are not there to work illegally

That evidence was given during ETA application. Not at immigration.

Do they have QR pay / e-wallet

8 days?

One day at least must prepare / put aside ~ 200 aussie dollar

I see, this i not sure la
back in 2019 my group of fren almost kena send back cuz they say "not enough proof" luckily they got local ppl to vouch for them

they didnt check for cash. not sure if that should be their SOP. but during applying ETA i do submit all my payslip, house title etc.
yes digital card fine. i add digital card to my apple pay the other day. wasn't support yet for Malaysia during my stay.

but i suggest just bring any CC that you have just in case if they ask how are you going to spend there.

dont forget to declare all the things. i heard now is very strict and once caught, they can either cancel your visa or shorten your length of stay

This post has been edited by rip_code: Oct 6 2023, 05:50 PM

yeah that was before covid. now ETA very slow to get. last time within few hours to 24 hours can get.

ETA nowadays need to submit all your income in this country like salary, car grant etc.

Just remember TS, there's a comprehensive thread in finance section about Wise here

https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/4953197/+1980#entry108262820

Depends on profile I guess.
Mine was approved in 2 minutes.

wow seriously 2 minutes? fastest i ever heard.

2 minute even including IMMI and ETA app? wow thats fast, the fastest i get is 1 day with full support documents

agree, i already discussed with my friends. We will put a 300AUD cash aside for emergencies, others we will use WISE and CC .

i already did applied Wise physical card for emergencies if i wanted to draw cash , and digitcal card is support by apple pay which is very convenient

2 minute after submission and paying the fees. Received the email - Thought it's gonna ask for full set of documents but surprised to see granted.

oh not with IMMI, my parents get instant approve in ETA app they dont have to go thru IMMI.

Let us know how your Australia trip and budget! I'm planning to go there next year.

Flight is around 3k for Scoot, Accommodation 3.5k for 7 nights cause im staying in CBD right beisde Victoria Market. Thats all i can provide from now, thats the spending so far i got.

if muka jump aeroplane they will ask to you move aside

Just sharing,

I be heading to Gold Coast, then Adelaide this mid Oct.

Will carry Wise, 2 credit card and cash 500aud.
It will be about 7 days stay, 2 days at hotel and 5 days relative house.

Too bad the weather is already warming up there.

yes its coming to summer, it might be warm like msia not sure about the humidity

Yup.... no money = high risk