Canberra - Post Report Question and Answers
Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Yes. During COVID they barely accepted cash so contactless payment is everywhere. Yes, ATMs are fine. You don't pay at the pump here for gas. Fill up, remember the pump number, go up and pay. - May 2023
Not only are credit cards used everywhere (we almost never carried cash) but Australia was WAY ahead of the US in terms of contactless payment, tapping and chips. When we came back to the US in late 2019 I couldn't believe how antiquated things seemed - I have to open my wallet and pull out an actual card? How very 2010! Now in the US things have change primarily because of COVID, but you will have no issues using credit cards in Australia. We opened an Australian bank account to make paying some bills (ie: gym) easier, but all ATMs are common and safe (as safe as the US for sure - probably safer on average). - Aug 2020
No problems! - May 2012
Easy and everywhere. - May 2011
No problem -- excepting weird things like the Telstra tower. - Dec 2010
No problems with ATMs or credit cards. - Nov 2010
Credit cards are safe here, and ATMs are more common than fast-food places! - Apr 2010
Very safe, of course with a fee. - Oct 2009
ATM's are fine and plentiful. Your U.S. credit card will charge you a fee for exchange rates. Some people have been able to get Australian Credit cards but some have not. - Apr 2009
