Is Cashless Travel in Australia Possible?

You don’t need to look hard to see that Australia is phasing out cash. Tap payments, phone wallets, crypto debit cards, they’re everywhere, and in most cases, they work better than cash ever did. Contactless payments have become the new standard for everyday transactions, so residents of Sydney and Melbourne can use non-cash payment methods for their daily needs.

The habit of travelling without cash throughout Australia has shifted from being an unusual practice to becoming a standard behaviour for people who visit and live in the country. The required infrastructure operates normally, and technology works properly because the public continues to support the initiative. Cash continues to be useful in particular locations that are situated in distant rural areas, but in the cities? You’ll be fine with just a card or your phone.

Aussies Tapping More, Carrying Less

Australia’s relationship with cash has changed. The majority of in-person transactions in 2007 were paid with cash and accounted for 70% of all purchases. The number of cash transactions declined by 18% from 2018 until mid-2024, when 59% of customers chose to use cash for their checkout payments. Now in 2025, most Australians pay by tapping their phone or card, whether they’re buying groceries, paying for parking, or booking a bus ride.

Businesses have made changes to maintain their market position. Nearly all retail outlets accept contactless payments, and many cafés and pubs have gone completely cashless. In a recent study, almost half of Australian businesses were considering going fully cashless by 2025, with hospitality and retail leading the way. Already in 2024, 16% of businesses had gone fully cashless.

The market has shown its ability to adapt through all types of industries, including specialised ones. For example, several international online casinos now support a wide mix of payment options, not just credit and debit cards, but also PayID, prepaid cards, and even crypto wallets (source: esportsinsider.com). The standard expectation these days is having flexible payment options that do not require cash. The technology that allows these financial operations now repeats itself in daily travel activities through contactless train travel using mobile devices.

Cashless Options for Public Transport

Contactless travel isn’t some pilot scheme. It’s already working. In Sydney and New South Wales, the Opal system lets you tap on and off using your card, phone, or smartwatch. Perth just announced upgrades to their Smartrider System. There’s no need to buy a separate transport card. Just hop on a bus, ferry, train, or light rail service and tap as you go, although fare caps still apply.

Brisbane is just as advanced. South East Queensland’s entire public transport network, including buses, trains, trams, and ferries, accepts contactless payments. You can pay with any Visa, Mastercard, or compatible device.

Melbourne’s been a bit slower to update. The Myki system is still in place, and while there have been plans to bring in contactless options, it’s a staged rollout. You can’t yet tap your phone or bank card across all services, but changes are coming. A full transition is expected by the end of the decade, starting with trials on regional train lines.

For visitors, the good news is that most Australian systems accept foreign-issued cards. There’s no pre-registration needed, and you won’t be hit with extra fees for using your own bank’s Visa or Mastercard.

What About Crypto?

Crypto has made its way into Australian spending, but not through official transport channels, at least, not yet. You can’t tap a bus terminal with Bitcoin and expect a green light. However, there are other ways crypto holders are working it into their travel routine.

The easiest method is through crypto debit cards. Companies like CoinJar, Wayex, and Crypto.com offer cards linked to your digital wallet. They let you spend crypto just like you would dollars. The conversion happens instantly, so you can use them anywhere that accepts Visa or Mastercard, including transport terminals, hotels, restaurants, and shops.

Some Aussie businesses accept crypto directly, too. Payment processors like BitPay and NOWPayments make it simple for cafés, barbers, or retailers to accept digital currencies. These are more common in big cities, like Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne, and are mostly run by crypto-forward operators. So while you’re not tapping Bitcoin at the tram stop, it’s fair to say that crypto spending is possible, especially if you’re set up with the right tools.

What You Can Expect While Travelling

If you’re heading to Australia, chances are you won’t need cash at all. You’ll land, fire up your phone, and be able to pay for your airport transfer, hotel, train, and dinner without touching a note.

Not every part of the country runs on tap payments. In small towns or remote areas, cash can still be useful. Some roadhouses or local buses haven’t made the switch yet. The internet can be patchy, which affects mobile payment reliability. There’s also a portion of the population, older adults, regional residents, and those on lower incomes, who still rely on cash.

It’s not about throwing out cash entirely. It’s about making sure there are choices. Right now, for most travellers, the choice to go cashless is easy, and it's backed by tech that works almost everywhere you go.