Cash Declaration in Australia: real experience from chats

There is no duty or tax payable on this amount. Customs officers have the right to inquire about the origin of the funds, but for typical amounts, the process is usually straightforward.

Common over-the-counter medications (e.g., paracetamol, ibuprofen) are readily available in Australia and can be brought in small quantities for personal use without issue. For prescription-only medications (e.g., Valacyclovir), it is advisable to: 1. Carry them in their original packaging. 2. Limit the quantity to a maximum of three months' supply for personal use. 3. While a prescription is generally not required for personal-use quantities of non-restricted drugs, be prepared to explain the medication's purpose (e.g., 'for personal use'). Customs officials are generally understanding if medications are declared and appear to be for genuine personal use, not for commercial purposes. Cash amounts exceeding 10,000 AUD must also be declared.

For amounts exceeding this limit, it is necessary to declare it in advance on the austrac website. Supporting documents, such as pay slips or bank statements, may be requested to confirm the source of funds. Notarized translations of these documents are generally not required. In airports like Perth, the process involves declaring the sum, having it recounted, and signing a confirmation document. Failure to declare amounts over AUD 10,000 can lead to penalties.