How to use Alipay in Australia: A complete guide for Australians

Alipay is one of China’s biggest digital payment platforms, used daily by over a billion people for everything from buying groceries to booking train tickets. If you’re an Australian, there are two main reasons you might need it: paying at select Australian merchants that already accept it, or using it as your go-to payment method when you travel to China.

The good news? Since 2023, you no longer need a Chinese bank account to get started. Australians can now link an Australian bank card directly to Alipay and use it at merchants both here and in China. This guide covers both scenarios from start to finish.

What is Alipay?

Alipay is a digital wallet and payment platform launched in China in 2004 by Ant Group, which is affiliated with Alibaba and has grown to over one billion users worldwide. While it originally started as an online shopping tool, it has evolved into an essential service used for everyday transactions across mainland China, covering everything from QR code payments at small market stalls to booking transport tickets and paying bills.

The standard Alipay app is designed for residents with a Chinese bank account, which used to make navigating the platform complicated for international visitors. Fortunately, the app now features a dedicated international mode designed specifically for travellers. This pathway allows you to link your foreign credit or debit card directly to the platform, gaining access to the local cashless payment network without needing an official Chinese bank account.

Setting up the system from Australia is straightforward.You download the standard Alipay app from the App Store or Google Play and register using your everyday Australian mobile number. The app supports English, so you don’t need any Mandarin to navigate it.

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Can you use Alipay in Australia?

Yes, Alipay is available in Australia, though acceptance at local businesses is still growing compared to standard payment methods like Visa and Mastercard. There are two different situations to consider: using Alipay to pay at an Australian business, and setting up an Alipay account as an Australian resident.

Which Australian merchants accept Alipay?

Alipay acceptance in Australia is concentrated in areas with large Chinese-Australian communities, particularly in CBD precincts and suburban centres in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. You’re most likely to find it accepted at Chinese restaurants, Asian grocery stores, pharmacies, university-area convenience stores, and select tourist attractions.

ANZ Worldline Payment Solutions supports Alipay+ through its EFTPOS terminals, which has made it easier for Australian merchants to accept Alipay and a range of other Asian digital wallets without separate hardware. As more businesses adopt these terminals, acceptance is expected to grow.

That said, Alipay is far from universal in Australia. Always check with the specific merchant before assuming you can pay with it. The Alipay+ logo at the counter is your clearest signal that it’s accepted.

Can Australians sign up for an Alipay account?

Yes. Australian citizens and residents can sign up for Alipay using the international version of the app. You can link a Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, Discover, or JCB card. However, American Express is not currently supported.

Completing the identity verification before departing for China helps avoid any unexpected processing delays. The registration process requires a scanned upload of your passport, which can take up to 24 hours for the platform to approve. Finish this step early to ensure your digital wallet is active and fully functional the moment you arrive.

When it comes to which card to link, an Australian bank card with no foreign transaction fee is the smarter choice. Cards from banks like ING, Macquarie, and uBank typically don’t charge a fee on international transactions, which means you’ll only pay Alipay’s own charges rather than stacking two sets of fees on top of each other.

How to set up Alipay in Australia

Setting up Alipay from Australia is a straightforward process. Here’s how to do it, step by step:

If the app opens in Chinese, go to Me, then General, then Language, and switch to English. You won’t need any Mandarin to use the app once it’s in English.

How to make payments with Alipay

Once your account is set up, Alipay can be used in three main ways: paying at Australian merchants, paying in China, and sending money. Here’s what you need to know about each.

Making in-store payments at Australian merchants

There are two ways to pay at an Australian store using Alipay:

1. Scan the merchant’s QR code. Open the app, tap Scan, point your camera at the merchant’s QR code, and enter the amount you’re paying. Confirm the payment with your password or biometric data.
2. Show your personal payment code. Tap Pay in the app to bring up your personal QR code. The merchant scans it on their end and the payment goes through automatically.

Your personal QR code refreshes every few seconds for security, so you’ll need a stable internet or mobile data connection to display it. If you’re paying at a business using an ANZ Worldline terminal, look for the Alipay+ logo at the counter.

Using Alipay when travelling to China

In mainland China, Alipay is close to essential. Many businesses, including some cafés and food delivery services, are completely cashless and won’t accept foreign credit cards or cash. Having Alipay set up before you land makes a real difference.

Since August 2023, foreign visitors can link international cards directly to Alipay to pay at tens of millions of merchants across China without needing a local bank account. The system works across the country, covering supermarkets, restaurants, tourist attractions, and hotel bookings, alongside transport options like the metro, public buses, and Didi rides.

Spending limits for verified users: Completing the passport verification within the app unlocks significantly higher spending thresholds. Verified accounts can process individual transactions up to USD 5,000, with a generous annual limit of USD 50,000. Without identity verification completed, your access to the platform will be more restricted, so completing this step before you travel is strongly recommended.

Learn more about the best travel debit cards from Australia

An alternative to Alipay in China: the Wise card

Even if you plan to use Alipay for most purchases, it is smart to travel with a second payment method. A travel card like the Wise card can give you another way to pay or withdraw cash if your linked bank card is declined or a merchant does not accept QR payments. Opening a Wise account is free, and the card can be used in most places where debit cards are accepted, with spending at the mid-market rate and low conversion fees. Additional charges may apply from independent ATM networks.

Sending money to China via Alipay

Money transfer functionality is limited for foreign Alipay users. Features like peer-to-peer transfers and outbound international transfers are largely restricted to accounts linked to a Chinese bank. As a foreign user, you can receive money sent to your Alipay account by a verified Chinese user, but you cannot initiate international transfers from Australia through Alipay.

If you need to send AUD to someone in China, a dedicated international money transfer or currency exchange service is a more reliable option. Compare rates to send money to China from Australia to find a competitive rate before you transfer.

Alipay fees and exchange rates for Australians

There are three cost layers to be aware of when using Alipay with an Australian card:

1. Alipay’s 3% service fee: Alipay charges a 3% service fee on any single transaction over 200 RMB (roughly AUD 43 at current exchange rates). This fee applies to the entire amount rather than just the portion over the limit. For example, a 500 RMB purchase would incur an extra 15 RMB in fees. Transactions under 200 RMB are free of this charge.

Expert tip: If you happen to be splitting a dinner bill with friends, paying in smaller, separate amounts under the threshold is a handy way to avoid the extra cost.

2. Alipay’s AUD-to-CNY conversion rate: When you pay in China, your AUD is converted to CNY to complete the transaction. The exchange rate used by Alipay is set by the card network (Visa or Mastercard) at the time of the transaction. While the network rate stays relatively close to the mid-market rate, it typically includes a minor margin, meaning it will look slightly different from the wholesale rate you see on Google or a currency comparison site. Checking the current AUD to CNY rate before you travel helps you understand what you should be paying.

3. Your bank’s foreign transaction fee: On top of Alipay’s own charges, your Australian bank may add a foreign transaction fee of 1–3% whenever you spend in a currency other than AUD. If you’re already paying Alipay’s 3% surcharge on larger transactions, an additional bank fee can cause total costs to climb quickly. push your total cost noticeably higher. Using a card with zero foreign transaction fees eliminates this second expense entirely.

A practical example: If you spend the equivalent of AUD 100 at a single merchant in China, you could face Alipay’s 3% surcharge plus your bank’s foreign transaction fee of up to 3%. That’s up to AUD 6 in total fees on a single transaction. Choosing the right card makes a meaningful difference, especially over a longer trip.

If you want to reduce that risk, compare the live AUD to CNY market before you travel. Some travellers also carry a separate travel card and use Alipay mainly where QR payments are preferred. If you want to explore that approach, see our guide to using the Wise card in China.

Is Alipay safe to use?

Alipay has a strong track record on security. The platform uses advanced encryption to protect your personal and financial information, along with time-limited QR codes that refresh per transaction to prevent reuse. It also uses real-time risk monitoring that analyses transaction behaviour to flag anything unusual, and requires two-step verification, including your payment password plus a biometric scan,to authorise payments.

One important point for Australians: Alipay is not covered by the Australian Financial Claims Scheme (FCS). The FCS protects deposits held with authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs), like banks and credit unions, up to AUD 250,000 per account holder. Alipay is not an ADI, so any funds stored in the app do not receive this protection. The practical advice is to treat Alipay as a transaction tool, not a place to park money. Link your card and use the app to pay, but don’t store a large balance in the wallet itself.

Alipay vs WeChat Pay: what’s the difference for Australians?

Both Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely used in China. Between them, they cover the vast majority of merchants you’ll encounter, from large supermarkets to small street food stalls. Here’s how the two compare from an Australian perspective:

The main practical difference for Australians comes down to the use case. If your priority is paying for everyday items in shops, restaurants, and transport networks across China, Alipay is the stronger choice. The app features a more polish accessible English interface and is slightly better known for international card support.

Setting up WeChat Pay alongside your Alipay account is a useful addition if you already use WeChat to message contacts in China, as the two apps are integrated. Having both systems active on your phone is a common strategy among frequent visitors, ensuring you always have a reliable backup if a specific local merchant prefers one platform over the other.

Compare AUD to CNY exchange rates before you travel with The Currency Shop

One of the less obvious costs of using Alipay in China is the AUD-to-CNY exchange rate applied to your transactions. Alipay itself does not set this rate, as it’s determined by your card network at the time of each purchase, but it still affects how much you spend in real terms.

A smarter approach is to compare AUD-to-CNY exchange rates before you travel and lock in a better rate, either through a currency exchange or a travel card you can load with CNY. Even a small improvement in your exchange rate adds up across multiple transactions over the course of a trip.

The Currency Shop lets you compare AUD-to-CNY rates from multiple providers in one place, so you can see what’s available and choose the best deal before you depart.

Compare AUD to CNY exchange rates now

See currency in China: what you need to know

Frequently asked questions about using Alipay in Australia

Can I use Alipay in Australia without a Chinese bank account?

Yes. Australians can download the Alipay app and follow the international setup path, which supports Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, Discover, and JCB cards. You don’t need a Chinese bank account to sign up for Alipay in Australia, just an Australian mobile number and a valid passport for identity verification.

What is the spending limit on Alipay for foreigners?

Once you’ve completed passport verification in the app, you can make single transactions of up to USD 5,000 and spend up to USD 50,000 per year across all transactions. Without completing ID verification, your access to the platform’s full features will be restricted. Completing verification before you travel to China is strongly recommended.

Why won’t my Australian card work on Alipay?

The most common reasons are: your card type isn’t supported (American Express is not accepted), your bank has declined the transaction due to international restrictions, or the name on your card doesn’t match exactly what you entered during identity verification. Contact your bank to confirm international and online payments are enabled before you travel, and double-check that your card details match your passport exactly. It’s also worth telling your bank you’ll be spending in China, as some banks flag international transactions as suspicious and block them by default.

Does Alipay charge fees when I spend with my Australian card?

Alipay charges a 3% service fee on foreign card transactions over 200 RMB (roughly AUD 43). Transactions under 200 RMB are processed with no service fee from Alipay. Your Australian bank may also add its own foreign transaction fee of 1–3%, so using a card with no international fees reduces the total cost of using Alipay in China. Understanding Alipay fees for Australians ahead of your trip helps you budget accurately.

Can I use Alipay to send money from Australia to China?

No, foreigners cannot initiate outbound international transfers via Alipay from Australia. Transfer features are mainly available to users with a verified Chinese bank account linked to the platform. If you need to send AUD to China, a dedicated currency transfer or comparison service could be the better option. Compare rates to send money to China to find the most competitive deal.

Is Alipay available in English in Australia?

Yes. The Alipay app is available in English and can be switched to English from within the app settings. If it opens in Chinese after you download it, go to Me, then General, then Language to change the display language. You do not need to read Mandarin to set up or use the international version of the app.

Do I need a VPN to use Alipay in Australia?

No. You don’t need a VPN to use Alipay in Australia. If you’re travelling to China, Alipay itself works without a VPN inside the country. However, if you plan to update the app through the App Store while in China, it’s worth updating before you travel as App Store access can be affected by China’s internet restrictions. Once you’re set up and have the latest version installed, the app functions normally without any VPN.

Sources

Reviewed 13th June 2026

• ANZ Worldline Payment Solutions — Alipay+ Integration Documentation: Confirms ANZ Worldline supports Alipay+ as a payment method in Australia, including AUD as a supported currency. Checked on 2026-05-18.
• Beijing Government — Payment Services for Foreign Visitors (Transaction Limits): Confirms single-transaction limit of USD 5,000 and annual limit of USD 50,000 for foreign nationals using Alipay after ID registration. Checked on 2026-05-18.
• Gkomunika — Alipay Fee Breakdown for Tourists: Confirms the 3% service fee on transactions over 200 RMB, zero fee under 200 RMB, and that bank foreign transaction fees (1–3%) are applied separately. Checked on 2026-05-18.
• RealChinaTrip — Alipay vs WeChat Pay Comparison 2026: Comparison table for Alipay and WeChat Pay, supported card types, fee structure, and transaction limits for foreign users. Checked on 2026-05-18.
• WorldFirst NZ — How to Use Alipay as a Foreigner: Confirms foreign card linking process, annual spending limits post-verification, and security features of Alipay. Checked on 2026-05-18.

Tarah Ren

Author

Tarah Ren

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Darini Rocha

Reviewer

Darini Rocha

Content Specialist

Darini is an editor and proofreader, working on content management about international finance. Fluent in English, Portuguese and Spanish, she connects cultures and shares her knowledge.

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Last updated

June 26th, 2026