Access your own funds in China, pay in the local currency and save on fees with the Australia Post Load&Go China card.
The Australia Post Load&Go China travel money card is a prepaid card designed exclusively for use in China. You can load it with Australian dollars as well as Chinese yuan. This card doesn’t attract any monthly account-keeping fees and you won’t have to fork out fees when loading or reloading the card. Plus, you can lock in the exchange rates when you load the funds on your card, meaning you won’t be stung by rate fluctuations while you’re travelling.
| Available Currencies | Australian Dollars (AUD) Chinese Yuan (CNY) |
|---|---|
| Multiple Currencies on One Card | No |
| Number of Cards Issued | 1 |
| Minimum Load Amount | $100 |
| Maximum Load Amount | 10,000 |
| Maximum Annual Load Amount | 50,000 |
| 24 Hour ATM Cash Withdrawal Limit | 2,500 |
| Card Issue Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Initial Load Fee | $0 |
| ATM Withdrawal Fee | AUD $2 equivalent |
| Reload Fee | $0 |
| Transaction Fee for Purchases | $0.09 |
| Balance Enquiries | 0.50 per IVR enquiry |
| Card Replacement Fee | $9.95 |
| Currency Conversion Fee | 3% |
| Account Closing Fee | $9.95 |
| Available To Temporary Residents | No |
|---|
Reloading funds and currencies
The Load&Go China travel money card can hold both Australian dollars and Chinese yuan. You can reload the card in-store at an Australia Post office or online. If you load your funds in-store, you can use either cash or a debit card, and the funds will appear in your account immediately. Another option is to turn to your bank’s online banking portal and add funds to your card using Pay Anyone. When you reload your card using this method, your bank’s cut-off times come into play. These reloads can take up to two business days to reach your account. Your bank may also charge a fee for this service. Transferring added funds between currency wallets is easy using the secure Load&Go online system. If you make a purchase or an ATM withdrawal, the card looks for funds in the local currency first. If there are no funds in the corresponding wallet, it accesses funds from the other wallet.
Where can you use this travel card?
You can use this card in over 140 countries, anywhere you see the UnionPay symbol. This means you can use this card to withdraw cash from ATMs and to pay for purchases at Point of Sale (POS) terminals. UnionPay is accepted at more than 10 million merchants in China. If you’re paying in a currency other than one held on the card, it looks to access funds from the Australian dollar wallet automatically. If the card does not hold Australian dollars, it uses funds from the Chinese yuan wallet.
Back to topFees and charges
You may have to pay fees in different situations. Here’s what you need to know:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transaction fee (when paying in Chinese yuan) | $0 |
| Transaction fee (when paying in Australian dollars) | $0.09 (capped at $0.99 per 30-day period) |
| Foreign currency conversion fee | $3 of transaction value (applies when you transact in a currency not held on the card) |
| ATM cash withdrawal and balance enquiry fee | AUD $2 equivalent or its currency equivalent (additional ATM operator fees may apply). A daily ATM withdrawal limit of $2,500 applies. |
| Balance enquiry via IVR | 0.50 per IVR enquiry |
| Transaction history via IVR | $0.50 |
| Customer service consultant fee | $4 (applies to services provided by customer service consultants via customer assistance) |
| SMS notification fee | $0.25 |
| Replacement card fee | $9.95 |
| Backup card fee | $9.95 |
| Card closure fee | $9.95 |
| Card balance redemption fee | $15 |
Manage your account
You can use the Load&Go online platform to view your account balance and review your transaction history at any time. You can use it to move funds between currency wallets as well. This card lets you carry out a range of functions using its SMS service. By simply using your mobile phone along with a relevant text code, you can activate your card, check your balance, review transaction history as well as lock and unlock the card.
Security and emergency contact details
The card provider does not hold you liable for unauthorised transactions as long as you don’t contribute to the loss in any manner. You can lock your card to prevent its misuse when you plan to not use it for an extended period. The card can then be unlocked at anytime. In the locked state, you cannot load funds onto the card. In case of an emergency, such as if your card is lost, stolen or damaged, you can request for an emergency cash transfer by speaking to a Load&Go customer service representative over the phone on 13 76 78.
Getting your card
- Ordering. You can get the Australia Post Load&Go China card by visiting any participating post office. You can order one online as well. You have to provide your name, contact details, date of birth and details from an acceptable form of ID such as your passport or driver’s licence.
- Activating. Cards purchased in-store come activated. If you buy it online, you can complete the activation process online, by sending a text message or by calling customer assistance.
- Loading. If you purchase your card in-store, you can load it using cash or your debit card. If you wish to load it online, turn to your bank’s Internet banking platform. The minimum you can reload is 100 and the maximum limit is 10,000.
Benefits and drawbacks
- Save on transaction fees. When you use this card to pay for products and services in Chinese yuan, you don’t pay any transaction fees.
- Backup card. You can choose to get a backup card even before you leave Australia. This way, if you end up losing, misplacing or damaging your card, you won’t have to wait for the replacement card.
- Exclusive discounts. As a cardholder, you become privy to a range of exclusive deals and discounts on travel, dining, shopping and more.
- Holds only two currencies. Unlike some travel cards that let you hold up to 10 different currencies, this card lets you hold no more than two – Chinese yuan and Australian dollars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents do I need to complete the ID check?
- Australian passport (current or expired less than two years)
- Foreign passport (current)
- Australian driver's licence (current)
- Australian learner's permit (current).
Secondary document:
- Medicare card
- Birth certificate (original or certified copy)
- Tertiary student card (current)
- Pension card (current issued by CentreLink)
- Foreign driver's licence (current)
- Utility bill (less than three months – electricity, gas, phone, water).
How do I activate my Load&Go Travel Money Card?
- If you purchased the card from an Australia Post retail outlet, the card will be activated and ready to use when you get it
- If you purchased your card online:
- Activate the Load&Go China Card through the Australia Post Online Card Manager
- Activate the Load&Go China Card using SMS Servicing
- Activate the Load&Go China Card by calling Australia Post customer support
What do I do if my card won’t work?
- Make sure you select ‘savings’ when you’re trying to use your Load&Go China Card to withdraw money from an ATM
- Make sure that your card has not been blocked by the Load&Go China Card customer service team. Sometimes, if the Australia Post team detect an unusual transaction, they may block your card.
If you need to speak to an Australia Post customer service representative about the Load&Go China Card, call customer support. A customer service representative will be able to help you with the following:
- Making a complaint
- Dispute a transaction
- Find about why your card is blocked
- To report a lost or stolen card.
What’s my Load&Go China Card ID?
I forgot my PIN. How do I get it?
- POST PIN [6 DIGIT ACCESS CODE] [LAST 4 DIGITS OF YOUR CARD NUMBER].
How do I change my Load&Go China Card PIN?
What is my Load&Go Access Code?
How do I load money onto my Load&Go Travel Money Card?
- BSB: 980 222
- Account number: nine-digit (Acc No.) printed on the back of your card.
How do I check my Load&Go China travel money card balance?
What do I do to make a purchase using the travel card?
- To make a purchase at a merchant, make sure you select savings before you enter your PIN
- Enter your account information to make a purchase online: including your 16-digit card number, expiry date and the three-digit CCV on the back of the card next to the signature panel. If you need to enter a billing address, enter the address of the places where you purchased the card, but this only applies if you’ve registered the card. And if you’re asked for a cardholder name, enter the name ‘Valued Cardholder’.
Can I transfer funds from the Load & Go card to other accounts in Australia? If so what fees apply?
Regards,
Johnny
Hi Johnny,
Thanks for your question.
Yes, money transfer from your Australia Post Load&Go China travel money card to other accounts is allowed. The applicable fee would be AU$35 for emergency cash transfer.
Cheers,
May
If I have a Load and Go China card in Australia, is it free of charge for my friend in China to deposit money from his account in Bank of China to my Load and Go China card?
Hi Tyler,
Thanks for your question.
Unfortunately, you can only load the Chinese Load&Go card with Australian dollars through in-store, at an Australia Post office or online. You have the option to transfer the Australian dollar to Chinese yuan.
Cheers,
Anndy
If I have a Load and Go China card in Australia, is it free of charge for my friend in China to deposit money from his account in Bank of China to my Load and Go China card?
I have 6000 AUD on my Load and Go China card. I had to cut my trip short because my mother got a brain tumor and I went to Canada to care for her until she died a month ago. I am back in Australia now and need access to this money. I don’t know how to retrieve it?
Can you help please?
Hi Sherry,
Thanks for your comment and we’re so sorry to hear about that.
If you have remaining funds on your card, you’ll just need to fill out and submit a Load & Go balance redemption form to have the money returned. You’ll just need to include some of your personal information (such as full name, street address, contact number etc) and the 16 digit number on the back of your Load & Go China card.
Any CNY remaining on the card will be converted to Australian dollars and Australia post will then reimburse the funds by an Australia Post Money Order which you can collect.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
Sally
I purchased the load and go card to pay for hotel accommodation in china on line in Yuan. When I entered the card information, a pop-up appeared saying it was not accepted. The website had the Union Pay symbol. Is there anyway to transfer my money from this card to another credit card, or is the only way to withdraw the money at an ATM, or would the Bank of China in Australia refund over the counter. I’m a little hesitant to save and use the card in China based on the poor reviews, and the difficulties other travellers are having. I have contacted Australia Post who have not responded
Hi Deborah,
Thanks for your comment.
Just to confirm, have you tried activating your card before using it? Or, have you checked if your card was not blocked?
Sometimes, if the Australia Post team detect an unusual transaction, they may block your card. It could be one of the reasons why your card did not work when you used it. For that, I’d suggest that you call the Load&Go China Card customer service team again so they can assist you. For your convenience, I’ve forwarded their contact details to your email.
In the meantime, transferring funds from your Chinese Australia Post Load&Go travel money card to a credit card may not be possible. So if you want to take the funds out from the card, you may need to withdraw them through an ATM with UnionPay logo and select “SAV or savings.”
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
May
When I tried to use my card at a shop that displayed the union pay symbol I wasn’t given the choice to pick savings it automatically went to credit. Why would this happen please?
Hi Pam,
Thanks for your question.
The Chinese Load&Go card generally works if you select ‘savings’ for an EFTPOS transaction or ATM withdrawal. Check your transaction history via your online account to see if the transaction was taken from your account normally. If it did, then this could’ve been a glitch at the EFTPOS machine.
If not, you might need to contact the customer service team to confirm what the issue is.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
Sally
Hello, I have purchased the Chinese Load & Go card. I have loaded it with Aust $$. Do I need to convert this to Chinese Yuan or will it automatically convert when I am in China? Thanks
Hi Karen,
Thanks for your question.
No, you need to convert the funds into Chinese Yuan before making a purchase in China if you don’t want to be charged the currency conversion fee. You can change the funds over to Chinese currency through your online portal.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
Sally
I can’t find my 6 digit code and I haven’t activated the card yet. What do I do? Where can I get another copy of the code?
Hello,
Thanks for your question.
If you can’t remember the 6-digit code you nominated at the time of purchase, you’ll need to contact the Chinese Load&Go customer service team directly on 1800 092 009 to either confirm the code or request a new one.
If you have you provide your card number and full name when you call up, they should be able to help.
Cheers,
Sally
Do you know if there are fees at bank of China when using one of their ATMs?
Also, do you know if the card closure fee is applied when the expiry date is reached?
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for your question.
There is a flat $2 ATM withdrawal fee. However, if you use another bank’s ATM, you might be charged an additional local ATM fees too.
The product disclosure statement doesn’t state otherwise, so you can assume that the closure fee will be charged at the time of expiry, as your account still remains open, you just can’t use the card.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
Sally
Can I withdraw Australian Dollars from an Australian ATM before going to China. Thanks
Hi Ga,
If you have Australian dollars loaded on your card, you should be able to withdraw funds in Australia wherever UnionPay is accepted.
However, if you try to withdraw your Chinese Yuan from an Australian ATM, you’ll be charged a conversion fee of 3%.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
Sally