Convert CHF to AUD Swiss franc ↔ Australian dollar Free Online Secure
Type an amount in Swiss franc and read it in Australian dollar at once. The page uses the European Central Bank's reference rate, and tells you which day that rate is from.
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Common amounts — Convert CHF to AUD (Swiss franc ↔ Australian dollar)
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The last thirty days
Where these codes and rates come from
The three letters in EUR, USD or JPY are not an abbreviation someone invented for a website: they are ISO 4217, a standard in which the first two letters are the country's own code and the third is usually the initial of the currency. The figures on this page come from the European Central Bank, which publishes one set of reference rates each working day, around 16:00 Central European time, agreed between the central banks of the Eurosystem. They are a daily snapshot meant for statistics and accounting, not a live trading feed — which is exactly why they are the same number for everyone, rather than whatever one bank happened to quote at one moment.
Where you meet an exchange rate
You meet an exchange rate four or five times a year without thinking about it: booking a trip, paying an invoice issued abroad, buying from a foreign shop, reading a salary offer in another currency, or checking what a card charge really cost. In all of these the reference rate is the honest middle, and the price you actually pay sits a little to one side of it. Knowing the middle is what lets you see how wide that margin is.
Questions people ask
Is this the rate my bank will give me?
No, and no page can promise one. This is the European Central Bank's reference rate: the midpoint published once a day for statistics. A bank, a card scheme or an exchange office adds its own margin on top — usually between half a percent and three percent, sometimes more at an airport counter. Use this figure to judge the offer you are given, not to predict it.
How often does the figure change, and what happens at weekends?
The European Central Bank publishes once each working day, in the afternoon, Central European time. There is no publication on Saturdays, Sundays or TARGET holidays, so on those days the page shows the last working day's rate and says which day it belongs to. The chart alongside is one year of the same daily series.
Is the answer exact?
Where both units are defined in terms of one another by whole numbers, yes — the page says so above the figure, and the only rounding is in how many digits are shown. Where the ratio has no finite decimal, the page shows twelve significant digits and says the relation is approximate rather than pretending otherwise.
Does anything I type leave my device?
No. The arithmetic runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded and there is no server to upload it to. Load the page once and it keeps working with the network switched off.
Chasing winter in both hemispheres: Swiss ski instructors in Australia and Australians on Swiss slopes
When the snow melts in the Alps in April, it begins to fall on the other side of the world. Every year, hundreds of Swiss ski instructors, chefs, hotel workers and lift operators fly to Australia and New Zealand for the southern winter, which runs from June to October, while Australian and New Zealand counterparts do the opposite and spend the European winter in Switzerland. It is a seasonal migration of two kinds of snow, two currencies and two sets of salaries: the Swiss franc and the Australian dollar. This page makes the conversion simple. It takes the European Central Bank's reference rates, in which the franc and the Australian dollar are each quoted against the euro, combines them into a franc-to-dollar rate, shows the result with the date and keeps your amount in your browser. The text below follows the two winters from the point of view of a worker, a skier and a family, and each section is a reason to Convert CHF to AUD and to understand what the figure means.
Using the converter
Francs in, dollars out
The first thing to do before a long-haul booking is to Convert CHF to AUD and note the date with the figure.
Type an amount in Swiss francs and the page returns the value in Australian dollars, with the date of the rate beneath it. At weekends it uses Friday's figure and says so. A table of round amounts and a thirty-day line complete the page. For Australian dollars into francs, use Convert AUD to CHF.
How to judge an offer
The rate on this page is the middle of the market, published once a working day, with no bank margin. Everything you are offered in practice, from a card payment to a transfer of wages, is a little worse, and the gap is what the service costs. Treat the page as a ruler: under one per cent is excellent, two or three per cent is normal for banks, and four or more is a prompt to compare. Each time you Convert CHF to AUD here, you obtain that ruler.
Winter one: the Australian Alps
Perisher, Thredbo and Falls Creek
At the ticket office, Convert CHF to AUD for the day pass and the lesson, and compare them with the Swiss prices.
Australia's ski fields lie in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales and the Victorian Alps, with peaks around 2,000 metres. Perisher is the largest ski area in the southern hemisphere, and Thredbo has the longest run in Australia, about 5.9 kilometres. Snowfalls are lighter and less reliable than in the Alps, and the season lasts from June to early October. A day pass costs 150 to 200 Australian dollars, ski hire 70 to 100, a lesson 150 to 300 and a lunch on the mountain 25 to 40. A family of four skiing for a day spends 800 to 1,200 dollars.
Comparing with Switzerland
A day pass in Zermatt or Verbier costs 80 to 100 francs, and the Alps have far larger, more varied terrain. But Australian ski villages offer a relaxed atmosphere, and nobody minds if you ski in jeans. The costs compare closely once the exchange rate is applied. Convert CHF to AUD for the Swiss day pass, and you see how the two prices line up.
Snow, wind and weather
Australian snow is often wet and the weather changeable, with strong winds and rain. Resorts rely on snow-making. Check conditions before you travel and be ready for variety. Temperatures are given in Celsius, and Convert °C to °F helps American readers.
Winter two: the Swiss Alps for an Australian worker
A season in Zermatt or St Moritz
For an Australian worker, the reverse is as handy, but a Swiss friend can Convert CHF to AUD to understand the wage they send home.
Young Australians, usually aged 18 to 35, travel to Switzerland for the winter season, working as chalet hosts, bartenders, waiters, cleaners or lift staff. Swiss employers are keen on English-speaking staff for international guests. Wages are high: a seasonal hotel worker earns 3,500 to 4,500 francs a month, often with room and board deducted at a fixed rate. After tax at source, savings are possible. A season of four months can leave 5,000 to 10,000 francs.
Permits and paperwork
Australians need a work permit for Switzerland, arranged by the employer through the cantonal authorities. Permits are limited by quotas, and applications start months before the season. A permit costs about 100 to 200 francs, plus the cost of health insurance, which workers must take out within three months. Check the conditions in the contract: salary, hours, accommodation and deductions.
The price of an Alpine winter
Even with free lodging, small costs add up, so Convert CHF to AUD for a month of coffees and lunches.
Even with free lodging, a worker faces high prices. A coffee costs 5 francs, a beer 7 to 9, a lunch 20 to 30, a ski pass 80 to 100. Staff passes are cheap, sometimes 300 to 600 francs for the season. Convert CHF to AUD for the monthly pay, and you see why many workers send money home.
The ski instructor's calendar
Two winters a year
An instructor who works both hemispheres skis for ten months out of twelve. A Swiss instructor might work December to April in the Alps and June to September in New Zealand or Australia. Qualifications are recognised through international agreements, though local training may be needed. The pay is good, but flights, visas and insurance cost money, and the lifestyle is tiring.
Taxes and double jobs
Working in two countries in a year raises tax questions. Each country taxes income earned on its soil, and a treaty between Switzerland and Australia prevents double taxation. Seasonal workers must file returns in both places and keep records of days worked and exchange rates. A tax adviser is worth the fee. Note the date and rate of each conversion of wages.
Health and fitness
Ski work is physical. Insurance for injuries is essential, since a broken leg abroad can cost thousands. Employers usually provide accident insurance, but check the cover. Sun protection is as necessary on snow as on a beach.
Beyond skiing: a Swiss in Australia
The Great Barrier Reef and the outback
Long trips have large tickets: Convert CHF to AUD for the reef tour, the flight to Uluru and the lodge.
For Swiss visitors, Australia offers what the Alps cannot: coral reefs, deserts, rainforests and wildlife. A day trip to the outer reef costs 250 to 350 Australian dollars, a flight to Uluru 500 to 900, and a night in a lodge in the red centre 400 to 900. A trip of three weeks, with flights, can cost 8,000 to 15,000 francs per person.
Wine, beaches and cities
Australian wines from the Barossa, Margaret River and Hunter Valley are excellent and cheap at cellar doors, 20 to 60 dollars a bottle. Beaches in Sydney and the Gold Coast are free. City hotels cost 200 to 400 a night. Eating out is dear but good. Swiss visitors enjoy the informality of Australian life.
Tipping and tax
Tipping is not expected in Australia, and prices include the goods and services tax of ten per cent. This makes budgeting straightforward. A Swiss visitor who is used to service charges and VAT inclusive pricing will feel at home.
Swiss emigrants and Swiss food in Australia
The Swiss community
About ten thousand Swiss citizens live in Australia, in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. There are Swiss clubs and a Swiss school in some cities, and the Swiss national day on 1 August is celebrated with barbecues and fireworks. Many Swiss are in finance, engineering, health care and tourism. Their pensions in francs are a source of exchange-rate exposure.
Cheese, chocolate and coffee
At the supermarket, Convert CHF to AUD for a bar of Swiss chocolate and compare it with the price at home.
Swiss chocolate costs 4 to 8 dollars a bar in Australian supermarkets, nearly twice the Swiss price. Cheese specialists sell Gruyère and Emmental at 40 to 70 dollars a kilo. Australian coffee culture is excellent, with a flat white at 4.5 to 6 dollars. Swiss visitors usually find the coffee better than at home.
A family week in the Snowy Mountains, budgeted line by line
Getting to the snow
For the transfer from Sydney, Convert CHF to AUD for the hire car, the chains and the park fee together.
From Sydney, the Snowy Mountains are a six-hour drive, or a short flight to Cooma or Merimbula followed by a bus. From Melbourne, Falls Creek and Mount Hotham are about four and a half hours away by road. Vehicles must carry snow chains in winter, and the resorts' entry gates charge a fee of 30 to 60 dollars a day per car. Chain hire at the gate costs 40 to 70. Coaches and shuttles are cheaper than driving for groups. A family travelling from Switzerland would usually fly into Sydney or Melbourne, pick up a hire car and combine the snow with a city stay.
The week's bill
Add all the lines for a family week and Convert CHF to AUD for the total before you commit to the booking.
For a family of four, a typical winter week in Perisher or Thredbo breaks down roughly as follows. Lodging in a self-catering apartment for seven nights runs to 3,500 to 7,000 dollars. Lift passes for two adults and two children cost about 2,400 to 3,200 for five days. Equipment hire adds 1,000 to 1,500, lessons for the children 800 to 1,200, food and drink 1,200 to 1,800 if you cook some meals, and the car, chains and park fee 700 to 1,000. The total is 9,600 to 15,700 Australian dollars. Convert CHF to AUD for the sum, and compare it with a week in the Alps.
The tricks that save money
Each saving is worth testing: Convert CHF to AUD for the early-booking discount and see how many francs you keep.
Book lodging and passes early for discounts of 20 to 30 per cent. Stay in a town outside the resort, such as Jindabyne, and commute. Cook your own breakfast and dinner and pack lunch. Buy second-hand equipment at the end of the season. Ski on weekdays, when prices are lower and lines are shorter. Each of these saves hundreds of dollars.
Safety on Australian slopes
Resorts have ski patrols, marked runs and rules, like their Alpine counterparts. Sun is strong at altitude, and a hat, sunscreen and goggles are essential. Weather can turn quickly, with fog and ice. Insurance is necessary, since rescue and hospital costs can be high. A policy covering winter sports costs 150 to 300 dollars for a week and is well worth having.
New Zealand next door: the other half of the southern season
Queenstown, Wanaka and Mount Hutt
If the plan includes a New Zealand leg, Convert CHF to AUD for the Australian part and use another page for the rest.
New Zealand's South Island offers better snow and mountain scenery than Australia, which is why many Swiss instructors choose it. Queenstown is the adventure capital, with ski fields such as Coronet Peak and The Remarkables nearby. A day pass costs 130 to 180 New Zealand dollars. The country has its own currency, and travellers going on to New Zealand can compare it with Australian prices. A flight from Sydney to Queenstown takes three hours and costs 250 to 500 dollars.
A Swiss in New Zealand
Switzerland and New Zealand share a love of mountains and cheese. Swiss ski schools run in Queenstown and Wanaka, and Swiss instructors do not need to learn much about the culture to feel at home. Local life is friendly and informal. Prices of meals and lodging are similar to Australian ones.
Staying on budget in two countries
If you plan a trip across the Tasman, keep two budgets, one in Australian dollars and one in New Zealand dollars, and a column in francs for each. Use the converter on this page for the Australian side and a second page for the other. Transfers between accounts cost a margin, so use a multi-currency card that holds several currencies.
Switzerland and Australia in trade and research
What flows between them
Switzerland exports pharmaceuticals, machinery, watches and chemicals to Australia, and imports minerals, wine, meat and wool. Both countries are open economies, and exchange rates matter to exporters. A strong franc makes Swiss goods dearer in Australia, and a weak Aussie reduces the cost of Australian goods in Switzerland. Companies use forward contracts to fix rates for months ahead.
Universities and science
Swiss and Australian universities collaborate in fields such as astronomy, geology, medicine and climate science. Australian researchers use facilities in Switzerland, such as the particle physics laboratory near Geneva, and Swiss researchers work on Australian telescopes. Scholarships and exchange programmes support students. Fellowships of 4,000 to 6,000 francs a month are typical, and the exchange rate affects their value.
Banking and investment
Swiss banks manage assets for Australian clients, and Australian funds invest in Swiss companies. These flows are regulated by both countries' laws. Individual investors should seek professional advice. This text does not give investment guidance.
More currencies, more trips
If your Southern Hemisphere trip continues
A tour that goes on to Asia might take you through Singapore, Thailand or Japan; for the latter, Convert CHF to JPY covers the yen. For eastern Europe on the return, Convert CHF to PLN, Convert CHF to CZK and Convert CHF to SEK show what the franc buys there. Use each page when you need it.
Time and distance
Sydney is eight to ten hours ahead of Switzerland, depending on the season, and Perth six to seven. Calls to family need planning. Use the evening in Switzerland and the morning in Australia. Distances are huge, and domestic flights are a normal way to get around.
Money matters between the two countries
Cards, cash and wages
Australia is nearly cashless, and cards or phones are accepted everywhere. Swiss visitors rely on cards without foreign-transaction fees, choosing Australian dollars at the terminal. Wages are paid into an Australian bank account, which can be opened with a passport, visa and proof of address. Transfers to Switzerland take one to three days.
The franc and the Aussie
The franc is a safe-haven currency, and the Australian dollar a risk-sensitive one, closely tied to commodity prices and to demand from China. The pair therefore reacts strongly to global mood: in fear, the franc rises and the Aussie falls; in confidence, the opposite. Over a year, the pair can move by ten per cent or more. The thirty-day line on this page shows recent behaviour.
Planning around the rate
Before a big payment, Convert CHF to AUD on three different days, and choose the average if you are unsure.
A seasonal worker earning in one currency and spending in another can set a monthly transfer date and stick to it. A traveller can convert part of the budget in advance and part on arrival. A saver can split conversions into several parts. None of these predicts the rate; they only reduce regret.
Related conversions
Other currencies for the journey
For the American dollar, Convert CHF to USD; for the euro, Convert CHF to EUR; for the pound, Convert CHF to GBP; for Canada, Convert CHF to CAD. Distances in Australia are huge; Convert km to mi translates them.
Mistakes to avoid
Other dollars
Canada, New Zealand and the United States also have dollars. Check the code AUD before you compare.
The terminal's offer
If a card machine offers to charge you in francs, say no. Pay in Australian dollars and let your bank convert.
Old rates
A rate noted last month may be a percentage point or more away from today's. The date beside the result protects you.
Two winters, one habit
The page downloads only the table of daily reference rates. The amount you type never leaves your device, and no account is needed. From the slopes of Perisher to those of Zermatt, the habit is the same: Convert CHF to AUD, read the date, compare any offer against the figure and keep a note.