CAD to AUD

CAD to AUD: what you are looking at

The page you are reading follows the exchange rate between Canadian Dollar (CAD) and Australian Dollar (AUD) and compares it with the prices that banks, money apps and exchanges actually ask. On October 30, 2026, 1 CAD buys 1.0187 AUD, while one AUD is worth 0.981647 CAD.

The rate shown above is the mid-market rate, sometimes called the interbank rate. It sits exactly halfway between the price at which large banks buy CAD and the price at which they sell it. Treat it as a fair reference point: it contains no profit margin and no fees, which is exactly why you rarely get it as a private customer.

What ends up on the AUD side is shaped by two separate costs: a markup hidden in the exchange rate and the visible transfer or service fee. In the sections below we show how those costs are built up, put them side by side and share simple habits to keep more of your money when converting CAD to AUD.

What banks and apps really charge for CAD to AUD

The majority of services do not convert at the rate of 1.0187 itself. They quote a slightly worse rate and pocket the gap. People call this the markup. With a 2% markup, for instance, about 2 out of every 100 CAD never reach the recipient.

On top of the margin, most banks charge an explicit fee. This is usually a fixed amount per transfer, a share of what you send or a mix of both. For transfers sent through the banking network other banks along the route may take their own cut, so the recipient gets less than you expected.

Look twice at anything sold as commission-free. Free usually means the price is built into the exchange rate. The reliable test is how much AUD the recipient ends up with for exactly the same sum, and that is the figure our table ranks on.

Where Canadian Dollar and Australian Dollar are used

Canadian Dollar is the legal tender in Canada. Australian Dollar is used in Australia. Knowing this helps when you plan a trip, pay an invoice or send money to family.

The reasons for changing CAD into AUD vary: rent or a mortgage abroad, tuition fees, a salary paid in another currency, savings or a holiday. Each situation asks for something different: a one-off large payment benefits most from a sharp rate, whereas frequent smaller payments suffer more from flat charges.

Payout methods vary from country to country. Depending on the country, you need an IBAN, a local account number or a mobile wallet, and in some places cash pickup or mobile money is common. Ask the recipient for the exact details in advance.

Sending a larger amount from CAD to AUD

Check the provider’s licence first. A regulated provider is registered with a supervisor such as the FCA or your national central bank. Regulated firms have to safeguard client funds and that offers protection if the company fails.

Double-check the recipient details before you confirm. Mistakes are rarely fixed quickly with transfers abroad. Be suspicious if someone urges you to pay quickly or suddenly changes bank details: confirm by phone using a number you already know.

Larger transfers often come with additional questions. You may need to show proof of the source of funds, for example a contract of sale or an account statement. Some services offer better rates or a personal contact for larger transfers. A rate lock, where offered, removes uncertainty while the money is on its way.

Example: converting 1,000.00 CAD

Take a conversion of 1,000.00 CAD. At the mid-market rate of 1.0187, that marks the theoretical maximum of what the recipient could get. In practice nobody hands over that full amount, as costs are deducted somewhere in the process.

Looking at all 8 providers we track, Revolut gave the best result: the recipient gets 1,013.60 AUD at the time of our last update. The gap between 1,013.60 AUD and the theoretical maximum is the real price of the transfer.

Bear in mind that rankings shift with the amount you send. Fixed fees weigh heavily on small sums, while a percentage margin grows along with the amount. Enter your own amount in the converter for a ranking that fits your situation.

SWIFT versus local payout for CAD to AUD

Your regular bank usually sends the money through SWIFT. The money can pass through one or more correspondent banks, and each can take a fee. Delivery usually takes one to several working days, and the exact cost is not always clear in advance.

Specialised transfer services often work differently. They have local accounts on both sides, so no money physically crosses the border: you pay in locally and the recipient is paid out locally. The result tends to be quicker and less expensive, with the final AUD amount fixed upfront.

Speed is not down to the provider alone: your payment method, cut-off times and public holidays on either side. A first transfer can take longer because the provider has to verify your identity. Finish verification in advance if timing is tight.

The CAD/AUD rate over twelve months

Over the past twelve months, the exchange rate shows a change of -6.68%. Within those twelve months the top of the range was 1.1015 AUD per CAD, while the bottom of the range was 1.0000. At 1.0187, the rate today sits somewhere inside that range.

The distance between the high and the low shows how much the rate can move in practice. For a bigger amount, timing has a visible effect on the outcome, even when the fee stays the same.

Rates are pushed around by central bank policy, economic data and shifts in risk appetite. These figures describe the past and say nothing about what comes next. If you are waiting for a particular level, a rate alert is a calmer option than trying to predict the market.

Practical ways to save on CAD/AUD

Look at the final amount, not just the fee. A provider with a low fee can still be expensive if the rate is poor. What you want to know is the amount received, which combines the markup and the fee.

At foreign tills and cash machines, you may be asked whether to pay in CAD or in the local currency. The trade name for this is dynamic currency conversion. The rate used is usually poor. Choose the local currency so your bank or card issuer handles the exchange.

Timing plays a role too. Rates quoted on a Saturday or Sunday can include a weekend surcharge. When there is no deadline, an alert tells you when the rate hits a level you are happy with. It takes the guesswork out, but the target may never be reached.

The payment method matters as well. Card payments often cost more than a bank transfer, and funding by bank transfer tends to keep costs down. Combining several small payments into one larger transfer means fixed charges hit you fewer times.

How our CAD/AUD comparison works

We start from the live mid-market rate for CAD/AUD. For each provider we apply its published fees and the margin it adds to the rate, which gives the amount the recipient receives. In total 8 providers are included, ranked from most to least received.

Rates are refreshed every 30 minutes, and the date on the page shows when the data was last updated. Always check the final quote in the provider’s app or website, since markets keep moving, especially when markets are busy.

GoldexPay is independent. Some links on this page are affiliate links. The order is never affected by them: the only ranking criterion is the amount received.