Compare Exchange Rates to Buy Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)

Because every company has different rates to buy Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) with Australian dollars, finding the best deal can be a minefield. We bring together all your options, highlight the fees and rates per money exchange, and show you the best possible deals.

Buy Indonesian rupiah at the best exchange rate in Australia
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We do not compare all available providers in the market. Our results are sorted by default from the lowest AUD cost to you to the highest AUD cost to you and you may choose to sort results according to other criteria. We may receive a referral fee if you choose one of these providers, but that won’t affect the ranking of the provider, the exchange rates or any fees you are charged.

Where to buy Indonesian rupiah in Australia?

You can buy Indonesian rupiah (IDR) from lots of places in Australia that offer currency exchange. It is a very popular currency to exchange to Australian dollars. Places you can make cash transactions and buy Indonesian rupiah include online, in-store at money exchangers, banks, Australia Post and the airport.

To find out exactly where you can buy Indonesian rupiah, you can use our handy city and suburb guides, just click on the links below:

What is the cheapest way to buy Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) in Australia?

If you’re about to take a trip to Indonesia - perhaps to hit the beach in Bali or the shops in Jakarta - you’ll want to make sure your money is working for you. This guide to buying Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) has you covered.

Indonesia money tips

First let's start with a look at some top tips for travel money in Indonesia.

  • Depending on where you’re heading, you may find that cash is the preferred payment method in Indonesia. However, carrying too much cash is a theft risk. Making smaller ATM withdrawals as you go, and using hotel safeboxes, is usually the best plan
  • You may find some places - particularly in Bali - offer you the option to pay in AUD cash. This is likely to work out more expensive than paying in IDR thanks to a poor exchange rate
  • Don’t get ripped off by dynamic currency conversion - always pay in the local currency when you make a withdrawal or purchase, to make sure you get the network or card provider’s exchange rate
  • Avoid using a credit card at an ATM as this usually has high fees including cash advance fees and instant interest accruals

What currency is used in Indonesia?

In Indonesia, the currency is called Rupiah and represented by the symbol Rp.

Notes: Rp 2,000, Rp 5,000, Rp 10,000, Rp 20,000, Rp 5,0000 and Rp 100,000

Coins: 100, 200, 500 and 1,000

Indonesian bank notes are different colours. Rp 2,000 are grey, Rp 5,000 are brown, Rp 10,000 are purple, Rp 20,000 are green, Rp 50,000 are blue and Rp 100,000 are red. They are paper notes that are more similar in texture to the US dollar than the plastic Australian dollar.

What currency is used in Bali?

The Indonesian rupiah is used in Bali. Cash and cards are popular in Bali. When paying for meals, in shops and accommodation, debit card, credit cards, will be accepted as well as cash. Keep smaller notes to pay for tips and transport.

What currency is used in Indonesia?

When is the best time to buy Indonesia rupiah?

When is the best time to buy Indonesia rupiah?

Find the best time to buy Indonesian rupiah with Australian dollars with our rate tracker. It keeps track of the IDR to AUD or AUD to IDR exchange rate and emails you when the exchange rate gets to the rate you chose to buy Indonesian rupiah.

The idr to aud exchange rate average is close to 0.0010, over the past 10 years. The high was 0.00012 in early 2011 and the low was 0.00009 in early 2014. Currently it's 0.000095, so Rp10,000 could buy you $0.95 at the best exchange rate.

The aud to idr exchange rate average is close to 10,000, over the past 10 years. The high was 11,382 in early 2014 and the low was in early 2011 at 8463. Currently it's 10,533, so $100 could buy you Rp1,053,335 at the best exchange rate.

 

How to buy Indonesian rupiah in Australia?

How to buy Indonesian rupiah in Australia

Buying Indonesian rupiah (IDR) in Australia is relatively easy

  1. Take your valid photo ID (driver’s licence or passport) with you
  2. Bring your preferred payment method. Most places accept cash, debit card and credit card to pay for your IDR
  3. Ask for the Indonesian rupiah amount and the money exchanger will let you know how much you need to pay in Australian dollars
  4. Make your payment in Aussie dollars and receive your Indonesian rupiah

You can arrange your IDR travel money before you leave Australia if you’d like to - either by changing cash or buying and loading up a travel money card. The exact process you’ll need to follow will depend a bit on the provider you pick but it’s usually pretty straightforward. Here are some popular options to consider.

How to buy IDR online

Let’s take a look at how to buy IDR online - either with a specialist provider, or online money exchange service.

To buy IDR online with a specialist provider that offers multi-currency accounts or travel cards, you’ll usually need to:

  1. Head to the provider’s website or download their app
  2. Hit Sign Up, add your personal details and create a password
  3. Get verified by uploading images of your ID documents - you might also need a proof of address
  4. Add some money to your account in AUD, for spending later

Depending on the provider you pick, you can order a linked international debit card to spend while you’re away, or you can convert to the currency you need to make online payments. Some providers can issue you a virtual card instantly for online spending, and once you have your physical card you can withdraw cash as you travel for convenience.

How to buy Indonesian rupiah in Australia

To buy IDR for cash spending with an online money exchange service, you’ll usually need to:

  1. Visit the provider’s website, and place an order for your currency
  2. Decide if you want to have your money delivered, or collect your cash at an agent location
  3. Make payment for your foreign currency in AUD
  4. When you collect your cash, or when it’s delivered you’ll need to show a valid ID document

Where can I exchange AUD to IDR?

Because so many Australians travel to places like Bali, it’s relatively easy to convert AUD to IDR. Generally your options will include online services or physical locations. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks.

Online options to exchange AUD to IDR include ordering cash online for delivery or collection, or getting a digital travel card from a service like Wise. These options are convenient as you can arrange most of what you need without leaving home - but you might need to have a bit of time to get everything arranged. For example, you may need to be home to accept delivery of your cash, or wait a few days to a couple of weeks for your travel card to show up.

Physical exchange options include your bank, a foreign exchange office or changing your money at the airport. These options can be handy if you’ve left currency exchange to the last minute, but you won’t always snag the very best exchange rate. If you’re exchanging at the airport in particular you’ll need to be wary of poor exchange rates which can leave you with less than you might expect in the end.

How much is $100 worth in Indonesian Rupiah?

Exchange rates change all the time so to see what 100 AUD is worth in IDR you’ll need to get the live exchange rate from your preferred provider, and run the sums. The good news is that tools like our currency conversion and provider comparison calculators do all the hard work for you. Simply pick AUD to IDR as the conversion you want, enter 100 AUD as the amount to convert and see what you could get with different providers we’ve reviewed and compared.

Where can I get the best exchange rate for IDR?

There’s not really a single best exchange rate for AUD to IDR. It will depend on how much you’re changing, whether you want to use a digital or physical service, and so on. One thing that’s worth noting is that currency converter tools and Google will usually give you the mid-market AUD - IDR rate. However, this isn’t always what a provider or bank will offer you - extra fees may be included. Compare a few to find the right one for you.

Here’s a roundup of how exchange rates may be set with a few providers:

  • Wise exchange rate: Mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent conversion costs
  • Revolut exchange rate: Mid-market exchange rate on weekdays, to your plan limits - fair usage and out of hours fees may apply
  • Banks: Exchange rates include a variable markup - your own bank may give you a favourable rate 
  • Currency exchange offices: Exchange rates include a variable markup, which can be high, particularly if there’s no upfront conversion fee
  • Airports: Exchange rates include a variable markup which can be high because customers at the airport generally value speed and convenience over cost

Check out our AUD to IDR exchange rate page, to compare exchange rates from specialist providers, and see which might be best for your upcoming trip.

Conclusion

You’ll have plenty of options for buying IDR in Australia. You may prefer to arrange everything online with a digital travel card from a provider like Wise or Revolut, or by ordering Rupiah cash to collect later. Or, if you’re in a hurry or prefer face to face service, you could head out to a bank or foreign exchange office, or get your cash at an airport. All your options have their own benefits and drawbacks - getting cash delivered to home can be convenient, but only if someone can be in the house to accept delivery. Picking up your IDR at a bank may be a familiar option, but not all Australian banks offer this service - while using the airport is convenient but may be pricey.

For many customers, getting a travel card from a provider like Wise or Revolut is the best balance of cost and convenience. Wise cards can hold and exchange 40+ currencies with the mid-market rate and low fees, for use in Indonesia and 150+ other countries. Revolut offers a selection of accounts which all come with cards for spending and withdrawals, with some no fee currency conversion every month. Compare a few options to find the right one for you.

Our most frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to buy IDR in Australia or in Indonesia?

There’s no single cheapest way to buy IDR - shopping around is key to compare your options and get the best deal at the time you’re buying. Check out Wise and Revolut which both offer travel cards you can use to spend IDR with mid-market exchange rates and low fees.

Should I get IDR before going to Indonesia?

You don’t need to carry cash to Indonesia if you don’t want to. Instead, you could get a great value travel card from a provider like Wise or Revolut, and make small ATM withdrawals as and when you need to. This can be safer than carrying a lot of cash, and can also help you get great exchange rates.

What is the best way to get IDR for travel?

You can get your IDR before travelling online or in a physical location. Options include ordering online for cash collection later, getting a travel card, or visiting a bank or foreign exchange office. Shop around to find the most convenient and cheapest option based on your specific needs.

How long does it take to get IDR?

How long it takes to get IDR depends on the method you choose. Cash delivery may take a day or two, while you may need to wait for a travel card to arrive in the mail. Heading out to a physical location can mean you get your cash instantly - but it’s not always convenient or cheap. Compare a few options - and give yourself a bit of time to plan - to make sure you get the best deal.

How to get the best exchange rate for IDR?

You can get your IDR before travelling online or in a physical location. Options include ordering online for cash collection later, getting a travel card, or visiting a bank or foreign exchange office. Shop around to find the most convenient and cheapest option based on your specific needs.

How long does it take to get IDR?

How long it takes to get IDR depends on the method you choose. Cash delivery may take a day or two, while you may need to wait for a travel card to arrive in the mail. Heading out to a physical location can mean you get your cash instantly - but it’s not always convenient or cheap. Compare a few options - and give yourself a bit of time to plan - to make sure you get the best deal.

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The Ultimate Guide to Currency Exchange in Australia

There is no single way to exchange currency that is always the cheapest. It really depends on what currency you are buying, how much and where you are.

Ileana Ionescu
Content manager
With a background in business journalism, Ileana is an experienced content manager, creating content for Exiap that helps its audience make informed decisions about their finances.
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Last updated
September 13th, 2024