Australian Money
The easiest way to move your money to Australia is via electronic transfer from your bank account in your home country to a bank account in Australia.
Australian banks are generally happy for you to open accounts with them before you emigrate. You will get the bank’s normal exchange rate when you transfer the funds to Australia. If you are sending larger amounts – from a house sale, say – you should be able to negotiate a better exchange rate.
Alternatively, you can move funds from your bank in your home country to a currency exchange specialist.
The specialist will convert your funds to Australian dollars and electronically transfer the funds to your Australian bank account. You can often get a better exchange rate doing it this way than if you used your bank, but make sure you choose a currency exchange specialist company which has been around for a few years and has a solid reputation in the industry.
Some currency exchange specialists, for a deposit, will allow you to fix the exchange rate a year or two ahead at today’s rate. If you think your country’s currency is going to fall against the Australian dollar in that time, this could be a good idea. On the other hand, predicting future currency movements is notoriously difficult and it is possible you may not benefit from this method.
If you take more than A$10,000 to Australia, in cash, you must declare it to customs when you arrive in Australia.
You do not pay tax on money you take to Australia.
After you have arrived in Australia with the intention of taking up residence you will become a tax resident of Australia. You will be liable for tax on income and capital gains from any investments in Australia and any you still have overseas.