How to use the Wise card in Australia [2024]
Australia is a dream destination – whether you’re looking to embrace the vibrant buzz of the cities, or kick back and soak up the vibes on the beach.
With the very shortest available flight times to Australia hitting 15 hours – and some routes taking significantly longer – you’re probably not popping over for a day or two. That makes it more important than ever that you plan your travel budget so you can make the most of your time.
This guide walks through how to use the Wise card in Australia, including the fees and limits, and how to save on costs when spending in Australian dollars.
Is it possible to use my Wise card in Australia?
Yes. You can spend and make withdrawals conveniently in Australian dollars with your Wise card.
Wise cards have a linked multi-currency account, allowing you to top up in US dollars and either convert to AUD in advance, or let the card do the exchange at the point of payment. This means you’ll always be able to pay in the local currency, helping to avoid extra costs associated with dynamic currency conversion (DCC).
You may not have heard of DCC, but it can be an expensive issue for travelers globally. If you’re ever asked by a merchant if you’d prefer to pay in your home currency instead of the currency of the country you’re in, that’s DCC. It sounds pretty harmless – and it does let you instantly see what your purchase is costing in USD. However, it also means the merchant picks the exchange rate and can bundle in extra fees, too – which pushes up costs significantly.
Always pay in the local currency wherever you are – which is easy to do with the Wise card, in Australia, or wherever else your trip takes you.
About the Wise card
The Wise card is an international debit card which is linked to a multi-currency account which lets you hold and exchange 40+ currencies. Once you’ve opened a Wise account online or in the Wise app, you’ll be able to order your Wise card for a low one time fee, to make payments and withdrawals in 150+ countries.
Personal Wise accounts are free to open, with no ongoing charges or minimum balance requirements.
How does the Wise card work?
You’ll be able to use your Wise card in the same way as you’d use any other debit or credit card. The big difference is that your Wise card comes with a multi-currency account so you can conveniently hold 40+ currencies and spend currencies you hold for free.
Your Wise account isn’t linked to your bank, which is good for security – so you’ll need to add money in advance of spending, in dollars, or around 20 other supported currencies. You can then switch to AUD in advance to see your budget clearly, or simply let the card do the exchange for you when you spend or withdraw.
Fees and costs when using the Wise card in Australia
You’ll pay a low one time fee to get your Wise card in the first place, and can then use it globally with no ongoing maintenance charges.
It’s free to spend from the funds in your Wise account balances. If you don’t have a balance in the currency you need in your destination, Wise uses smart conversion technology to convert from the currency balance you hold which incurs the lowest charge, using the mid-market exchange rate.
Here are some of the key costs you need to know about when using the Wise card in Australia. We’ll cover the costs of ATM cash withdrawals a little later on.
| Service | Wise card fee |
|---|---|
| Order a Wise card | 9 USD |
| Spend a currency you hold | Free |
| Spend in a currency you don’t hold | Currency conversion fees from 0.43% |
| Order a replacement card | No fee to replace an expiring card 5 USD for a replacement at any other time |
Fees correct at time of writing – 3rd October 2023. Find more on the Wise card fee information page
How to withdraw money in Australia with Wise card
You can make cash withdrawals from ATMs in Australia as easily as you would at home. Here’s how to withdraw cash from Wise card:
- Find a convenient ATM which supports the network your Wise card is issued on (Visa or MasterCard)
- Insert your card and select the option to make a withdrawal
- Enter the amount you want to withdraw
- Enter your PIN for security
- Your money will be dispensed and your card will be returned
Wise ATM withdrawal limits
The Wise card has some withdrawal limits for security reasons, which apply per withdrawal, per day and per month.
When you first get your card, the limits are automatically set at a default amount, but can be viewed and adjusted in the Wise app.
Here are the Wise ATM withdrawal limits, per day and month, you’ll need to know about:
| Limit type | Single payment | Daily limit | Monthly limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default ATM withdrawal limit | 250 USD | 250 USD | 1,500 USD |
| Maximum ATM withdrawal limit | 1,000 USD | 1,000 USD | 6,000 USD |
* Details correct at time of writing – 3rd October 2023
To view and change your Wise card ATM withdrawal limits in the Wise app:
- Log in on the Wise app and select the Cards tab
- Tap Account limits and the type of transaction – ATM withdrawals
- Select the button to change the limit within the Wise maximum available limit range
Wise card ATM withdrawal fees
Wise offers some fee free ATM withdrawals every month, with low fees after that:
| Service | Wise card fee |
|---|---|
| ATM withdrawals | 2 withdrawals, to the value of 100 USD a month fee free After that a fee of 1.5 USD + 2% of the withdrawal value applies |
Fees correct at time of writing – 3rd October 2023.
We mentioned the importance of dynamic currency conversion (DCC) earlier. You can run into DCC when shopping in stores – but you could also see it at the ATM.
In this case, a message will flash up on the ATM screen which may ask if you’d prefer to pay in your home currency, or if you want the ATM to complete the currency conversion on your behalf. As with card spending at a store, you’ll be better off if you decline this offer, and stick to the local currency (so AUD if you’re in Australia). That way you avoid extra costs which can be tagged onto the exchange rate used by the ATM operator, and get the network or provider rate instead.
How to get a Wise card: step by step
You can order a Wise debit card once you have a verified and active Wise account. Generally all you need for this is a valid email address, a working smartphone, and a valid ID document. If you’re a US citizen you’ll be asked for your SSN, or you may use an ITIN or other foreign issued proof of ID if you’re a foreigner in the US.
Here’s how to order a Wise card online or in the Wise app:
On the app
Here’s how to get your Wise debit card on the Wise app:
- Download the Wise app and tap Sign up
- Open a Wise account by following the prompts to enter your personal information
- Top up your Wise account in the currency of your choice
- Order your Wise card for a one time 9 USD fee
- Complete the verification step, uploading an image of your ID document and entering your SSN
- Your card will arrive in the mail
On the site
- Open the Wise desktop site and select Register
- Open a Wise account by following the prompts to enter your personal information
- Top up your Wise account in the currency of your choice
- Order your Wise card for a one time 9 USD fee
- Complete the verification step, uploading an image of your ID document and entering your SSN
- Your card will arrive in the mail
How do I activate my Wise card?
Before you can use your Wise card you’ll need to activate it. Bear in mind that you can only activate your card if you’re in the US, so you’ll have to get this step sorted before you leave for Australia.
- Log into to your Wise account
- If you’re on the website, go to Debit card. If you’re on the app, go to Account, then click the card icon at the top of the screen
- Enter the 6-digit code that’s on the card below your name
How do I add money on the Wise card?
In the US you can top up your Wise account by ACH, wire transfer, credit or debit card. You’ll need to add money to your account before you can spend with your Wise card – fees may apply to your top up, depending on the method you prefer to use, but these are clearly shown in the Wise app.
Here’s how to add money to Wise for spending with your Wise card:
- Log into your Wise account online or in the Wise app
- Select the currency balance you want to top up
- Tap Add
- Confirm the currency you want to pay with
- Enter the amount you want to top up and select a payment method
- Check everything over, confirm and follow the prompts to complete the payment
Is it safe to use the Wise card in Australia?
The Wise card is safe to use, and regulated in the US and in Australia. Wise is FinCEN registered in the US, and holds an Australian Financial Services License, too.
The Wise card also comes with its own safety features built in, like instant transaction notifications, and simple ways to freeze or unfreeze your card in the app, with just a couple of taps.
Learn more: Is Wise safe?
Advantages of using the Wise card in Australia
You can use the Wise card to spend in Australia in Australian dollars just as easily as you might spend USD at home. Here are some tips to make the most of your Wise card:
- Top up in dollars and you can switch over to AUD in advance if you spot a good exchange rate
- If you’d prefer you can leave your money in USD and let the card convert for you with the mid-market rate when you pay
- Remember to always pay in the local currency wherever you are, to avoid DCC costs
Conclusion: is it worth using your Wise card in Australia?
Wise card is one of the best AUD cards. The Wise card has been designed with travelers in mind, and offers convenient, safe, and cheap ways to spend in Australia.
It’s easy to add money to your Wise card using nothing more than your phone, and you can then convert to AUD with the mid-market exchange rate – either in advance or at the point of payment. Fees for currency conversion are low – from 0.43% depending on the currencies involved – and it’s free to spend any currency you hold in your account already.
That means that with Wise you’ll get easy cash withdrawals and payments , with low fees, and the mid-market exchange rate, in Australia and beyond.
How to use a Wise card in Australia: FAQs
How can I use my Wise card in Australia?
You’ll be able to use your Wise card in Australia to spend and make withdrawals in AUD. Top up in USD, and convert your balance to AUD with the mid-market rate and low fees, either in advance, or when you pay and make withdrawals.
Where can I use my Wise card in Australia?
Use your Wise card in Australia anywhere the card’s network is supported. Just look out for the Mastercard or Visa logo on ATMs or at payment terminals in stores and restaurants.
How can I withdraw money with my Wise card in Australia?
Make cash withdrawals in Australia, by inserting your card into an ATM that supports your card network, entering your PIN and selecting the amount you want to withdraw. Remember to pay in the local currency to avoid extra costs due to DCC.
