@emzkie said:
1) How much maximum pocket money is allowed? what site can we use as reference on the rules?
No limit naman AFAIK. Basta pag more than AUD 10K value (in total ha, no matter what currency it is), you have to declare it. Wala naman silang gagawin sa pera mo; you just have to declare. If you bring more than AUD 10K and you don't declare, there's a risk that they'll seize your money or ma-penalize ka. The purpose of declaration is to assure customs officers that you're not involved with money laundering. Have a look at the link below, apparently you now have to fill up an online form if you're bringing more than AUD 10K into the country:
[https://austrac.gov.au/individuals/moving-money-across-international-borders](https://austrac.gov.au/individuals/moving-money-across-international-borders)
2) Pwd bang I will just open the international access of my bank ATM cards, then use AU ATMachines there? or bank transfer from PH bank to AU bank account once I will open an AU bank account? forex loss nga lang for sure
Yes, you can use your PH cards in Australia. Just advise your card-issuing bank that you will be traveling overseas (para hindi nila i-block yung card mo when you withdraw funds overseas). Just check what the rate/cost of withdrawing from overseas ATMs though. Usually your card will be charged by the local ATM to use their machine, but I don't know if your PH bank will also charge you another fee for actually using your card overseas. Personally though, I've only done that once with my PH credit card and it was for an emergency. I don't remember how much the fee was, but nowadays I'd rather pay with local debit card para less worry on bank/ATM fees. Opening an AU bank account is relatively easy and they'll issue you your debit card within a few days.
If you will transfer funds from PH bank to AU bank, don't forget to ask your PH bank what information they need to be able to transfer to an Australian bank account (i.e. SWIFT/BIC codes), and if you have to enroll it in your online/mobile banking. Medyo iba kasi ang banking details nila in Australia (6-digit BSB and 6-digit account number), so just check with your PH bank. Once you've opened up a bank account in Australia, ask your bank for their SWIFT/BIC code (or you can check them through your AU bank's app).
Another option would be to convert your PHP cash to USD, tapos ipapalit mo nalang to AUD pagdating mo? But of course, check the rates kung mas beneficial ang PHP>USD>AUD rates, or PHP>AUD.