Carrying cash from India to Australia
Two separate rules apply to any cash journey: one where you leave, one where you arrive.
Do you need to declare?
Part of this route is a hard limit, not paperwork. Leaving India, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (India) caps what you may carry at INR 25,000, a prohibition, not a form. Entering Australia, AUSTRAC requires a declaration above AUD 10,000. The two rules are independent: satisfying one does not satisfy the other.
Closed currency
INR is a closed currency: taking it out of India is restricted regardless of the amount. Convert before you travel.
The two legs
| Leg | Limit | Form | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leaving India | max INR 25,000 | Currency Declaration Form (CDF) | Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (India) |
| Entering Australia | AUD 10,000 | Cross-Border Movement: Physical Currency Form | AUSTRAC |
Export of Indian currency is prohibited, with a concession: Indian residents travelling abroad may carry up to ₹25,000 in Indian notes. Tourists and NRIs may take out foreign currency only up to the unspent amount they declared on the CDF when they arrived.
Declare A$10,000 or more moving into Australia, counting Australian and foreign currency together.
If you do not declare
India: Seizure and proceedings under the Customs Act and FEMA.
Australia: Significant fines; undeclared cash may be seized.
INR 25,000 is a hard limit leaving India : carrying more is prohibited, and a declaration does not make it legal. On the other leg the duty is to report, not to stay under a limit.
Currencies
India uses INR; Australia uses AUD.
Sources: rules as of 22 September 2026. This is general information, not legal advice; always check the official authority before travelling.