Adding multi-currency support to your Shopify store lets you display prices in your customers’ local currencies, making shopping easier and boosting trust. For Australian sellers, showing prices in AUD and including GST is essential for compliance and customer confidence.
Here’s how to get started:
- Shopify Payments: Ensure your account is active and verified.
- Plan Requirements: Use the Advanced Shopify or Shopify Plus plan.
- Theme Updates: Update your theme to the latest version.
- Markets Setup: Configure regions and currencies under Settings > Markets.
Key Steps:
- Set AUD as your base currency for GST compliance.
- Add a currency selector to your store’s header or footer.
- Enable location-based currency detection for smoother customer experiences.
- Test your setup for accurate price conversions, cart updates, and mobile responsiveness.
GST Compliance: Show prices inclusive of 10% GST for Australian customers and GST-exclusive prices for international buyers. Keep detailed records in AUD for tax reporting.
Multi-Currency Setup Steps
Configure Shopify Markets
Head to Settings > Markets in your Shopify admin panel to set up your target regions. Follow these steps:
- Click Add Market and select the regions you want to target.
- Enable the relevant currencies for each market.
- Adjust display formats to match local preferences.
For Australian businesses, ensure your settings meet local standards:
| Setting | Recommended Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Base Currency | AUD | Required for GST compliance |
| Price Format | $123.45 | Standard Australian format |
| Rounding Rule | Round to .95 | Common practice in AU retail |
| Tax Display | Including GST | Legally required in Australia |
Once configured, integrate currency selectors into your theme to create a smooth shopping experience.
Add Currency Selection Tools
Add a currency selector to your store’s theme by navigating to Online Store > Themes > Customize. Place the selector in the header or footer for easy access. Ensure the following are included:
- A visible currency selector in the header navigation.
- Automatic detection of the shopper’s location to display the appropriate currency.
- Clear messaging to explain currency conversions.
- A mobile-friendly design for currency selection.
Test Currency Functions
After setting up, test the multi-currency functionality to ensure everything works seamlessly:
1. Preview Mode Testing
Check that:
- Prices update accurately across all product pages.
- Cart totals reflect the chosen currency.
- The checkout process retains the selected currency.
2. URL Parameter Testing
Test the following:
- Switching currencies on product pages.
- Shopping cart updates with the selected currency.
- Consistent currency handling during checkout.
3. Mobile Responsiveness
Ensure that:
- The currency selector works smoothly on all devices.
- Dropdown menus operate correctly.
- Currency symbols are correctly aligned on mobile screens.
Australian Currency Display Settings
AUD Formatting with Liquid
Once you’ve set up Shopify Markets and currency tools, you’ll need to adjust your theme code to display AUD correctly. Use the following Liquid code for proper formatting:
{% assign price = product.price | money_with_currency %}
{{ price | replace: "AUD", "$" }}
For prices over $1,000, ensure formatting includes commas for thousand separators and a period for decimals. Update your theme settings to apply these standards consistently across your store.
Currency Display Options
To align with Australian standards, tweak your theme’s currency display settings by navigating to Theme Settings > Currency Formatting. Key adjustments include:
- Display the dollar sign ($) to the left of the amount.
- Automatically add decimal places for cents.
- Use commas as thousand separators.
- Show the currency code (AUD) only when multiple currencies are enabled.
On mobile, confirm that currency symbols are visible without affecting the layout and that formatting remains consistent across screen sizes.
If you encounter display problems, use the troubleshooting steps below.
Fix Common Issues
Custom themes or apps can sometimes interfere with currency formatting. Try these solutions:
- Theme Liquid Override:
Review your theme’smoney-format.liquidsnippet to ensure the currency symbol, decimal points, and thousand separators are correctly placed. - App Conflicts:
Check app settings for overrides, update outdated currency conversion apps, and clear the theme cache after making changes. - Cross-Browser Testing:
Test your store on browsers like Chrome, Safari, and Firefox to confirm proper display. Also, verify mobile responsiveness and ensure currency selectors function smoothly.
Regular testing across devices and browsers helps ensure accurate and consistent AUD formatting throughout your store.
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Customer Experience Improvements
Location-Based Currency
Use geolocation to automatically show AUD for Australian shoppers. By configuring Shopify Markets to detect Australian IP addresses and set AUD as the default currency, you can make the checkout process smoother for local customers. This setup works alongside your multi-currency system to better align prices with local expectations.
Here’s how to enable location-based currency detection:
- Go to Settings > Markets > Regions in your Shopify dashboard.
- Create a market region specifically for Australia.
- Set AUD as the default currency for this region.
- Turn on automatic IP-based detection to identify customer locations.
- Add fallback options for cases where a location cannot be determined.
Payment and Legal Requirements
Multi-Currency Bank Setup
Prepare your banking setup to handle multiple currencies in your Shopify store while keeping AUD as your main settlement currency. Here’s how to get started:
- Connect Your Australian Bank Account
Link your primary AUD account to Shopify Payments. Make sure it can receive international transfers, and double-check your BSB and account details for accuracy. - Set Up Currency Conversion
Enable automatic conversion to AUD, review any associated conversion fees, and schedule regular payouts to minimise these fees. - Adjust Payment Provider Settings
Turn on multi-currency in Shopify Payments. Configure minimum transaction amounts for each currency and set display rules for currency rounding.
Once your payment system is ready, the next step is ensuring compliance with Australian tax laws.
Australian Tax Compliance
Set up your Shopify store to meet Australian tax regulations, including accurate GST application and reporting in AUD.
GST Guidelines:
- Display prices inclusive of 10% GST for Australian customers.
- Show GST-exclusive prices for international buyers.
- Keep detailed tax records in AUD for all transactions.
Steps to Stay Compliant:
- Tax Settings
Configure Shopify to automatically apply 10% GST to domestic sales, exclude GST for eligible international orders, and generate tax invoices in AUD that meet Australian standards. - Record Keeping
Maintain detailed records, including daily exchange rates, original transaction currencies, AUD equivalents, and GST calculations. - Financial Reporting
Set up your reporting to track sales in both original currencies and AUD. Generate Business Activity Statements (BAS) and record any exchange rate gains or losses.
Following these steps will streamline your tax reporting and ensure your BAS preparation is hassle-free.
Next Steps
Once your Shopify store is set up, it’s time to fine-tune it for international growth. A final review will help ensure that everything works together smoothly:
- Currency selector: Check that it works as expected.
- Location-based currency detection: Ensure customers see prices in their local currency.
- Price rounding: Verify consistent rounding across all currencies.
- GST calculations: Confirm compliance with Australian tax requirements.
- Multi-currency payments: Test payment processing for all supported currencies.
If you’re looking for expert guidance, working with a certified Shopify Plus team can make the process much easier.
Get Help from Alinga
Setting up multi-currency support can be tricky, especially when ensuring compliance with Australian standards. If you’re struggling with any aspect, professional assistance can save you time and ensure everything is done right.
Alinga’s certified Shopify Plus experts can help you get your store ready for global sales while staying compliant with Australian regulations. Their services include:
| Service Area | What They Provide |
|---|---|
| Technical Setup | Building and testing multi-currency features |
| Compliance | Setting up GST and tax reporting systems |
| Payment Integration | Configuring secure payment gateways |
| Support | Ongoing performance monitoring and updates |
With Alinga’s expertise, you can create a seamless shopping experience for your international customers while meeting all local requirements.
Do you need support with your eCommerce plans? Alinga, a leading eCommerce expert, is here to help businesses excel online. We offer IT expertise and innovative concepts for all projects, assisting from the beginning to completion and beyond. Let Alinga boost your online presence if you’re new or are looking to enhance your online business. Be in touch with us now to get started!
