Currency profile
Australian Dollar (AUD)
The Australian dollar (AUD) is the official currency of Australia, divided into 100 cents. It floats freely, is issued by the Reserve Bank of Australia, and is one of the world’s most traded currencies.
The Australian Dollar today
Mid-market · as of 6:11 PM GST
The dollar floats freely, so its rate is set by the market and by Reserve Bank of Australia policy. As a commodity-linked currency it often moves with global resource prices and risk sentiment.
Exchange-rate regime
Free-floating. The Australian dollar has floated freely since December 1983. Its value is set by the market, with the Reserve Bank of Australia retaining the capacity to intervene.
The issuing central bank
The Reserve Bank of Australia was established on 14 January 1960 as the country’s central bank; it issues the dollar.
History
- 1960The Reserve Bank of Australia was established as the central bank.
- 1966The decimal Australian dollar was introduced on 14 February 1966, replacing the Australian pound at two dollars to the pound.
- 1983The Australian dollar was floated on 12 December 1983.
- 1988Australia issued the world’s first polymer banknote.
Coins and banknotes
One dollar is divided into 100 cents. Coins: 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1 and 2 dollars; the 1- and 2-cent coins were withdrawn in 1992 and cash totals round to the nearest five cents. Banknotes: 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars, all printed on polymer, issued by the Reserve Bank of Australia.
Popular Australian Dollar pairs
What moves it
- The dollar floats freely; Reserve Bank of Australia policy and market demand set its rate.
- It is a commodity currency tied to Australia’s resource exports, so their prices affect its value.
- Interest-rate differences under the Reserve Bank’s inflation target influence the currency.
Structural facts reviewed 8 August 2026 · reviewed quarterly. Sources: Reserve Bank of Australia. Live rates are mid-market — see our Methodology and Editorial Policy.