I need to buy $500 US dollars (I'm in australia).. What place charges the least fee? Banks or somewhere else?

Question

I need to buy $500 US dollars (I'm in australia).. What place charges the least fee? Banks or somewhere else?

Answer 1

Banks charge higher fees typically, go to one of the tourist change counters that are around in booths in most major cities, Sydney CBD is coated with them.  Be wary that you may need to wait an hour or so for them to get 500 USD together, most only have a few hundred in each denomination (go get a coffee while an armorguard brings more cash to them).  A lot will not charge a commission over a certain amount.