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Top up your Opal card

Add value to an Opal card before you travel.

Top up anywhere

Make sure your Opal card is topped up before you travel. You can top up your card:

Top up online

You can make a one-off top up or set up auto top up to automatically recharge your Opal card when the balance is low.

  • Auto top up is the easiest way to keep your balance topped up.
  • Minimum top up amounts:
    • $10 for Adult Opal cards
    • $5 for Concession, Child/Youth, or Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal cards
  • Processing time: Online top-ups take up to 60 minutes to process. For immediate travel, top up in person at an Opal retailer or Opal top-up machine. 

What you need to top up online: 

  • Your Opal card account username and password
  • A credit card or debit card, attached to your account.

Add a payment card to your account

  1. Log in to your Opal account.
  2. Chose your profile: Select 'Profile' from the drop-down menu in the top right hand corner (next to your name).
  3. Add your card: Select the 'Payment' tab and follow the instructions
  4. Confirm: Enter and confirm your new payment details.

Note: A $1.00 pre-authorisation charge applies but is automatically refunded within 7 days.

Make a one-off top up

You can make a one-off payment with registered or unregistered cards.

You will need:

  • your Opal card
  • a Mastercard or Visa (credit or debit card)

For unregistered cards enter your Opal card number and security code to log in.

For registered cards simply log in to your Opal account.

To make a one-off payment:

  1. Select the 'Top up' tab on the overview screen.
  2. Select 'One off top up'.
  3. Select your top-up amount.
  4. Select the 'Top up now' button.

Online top ups can take between 15 to 60 minutes to take effect.

You will need to tap on at an Opal reader within 60 days after topping up to activate your payment.

Set up Opal auto top up (registered cards only)

When you register your Opal card, you can take advantage of our auto top up feature. Just set it to add more money when your balance is low. For Adult Opal cards the minimum balance is $10, and for all other Opal cards the minimum balance is $5.

Registering your Opal card can also protect your balance from loss or theft, and simplify your Opal card management. Find out how to register your Opal card.

Before you start:

  • You must have a registered Opal card.
  • You must attach a credit card or debit card to your account.
  • You will need your Opal card account username and password

To set up auto top up:

  1. Select 'Auto top up'.
  2. Select your auto top up amount.
  3. Select 'Turn on auto top up'.

Note: A $1.00 pre-authorisation charge applies but is automatically refunded within 7 days.

You can request to turn off auto top-up at any time.

Tips for topping up

  • Online top-ups: Allow 15-60 minutes for processing.
  • Tap on to activate: You will need to tap on at an Opal reader within 60 days after topping up to activate your payment
  • Funds availability: Ensure your credit or debit account has sufficient funds.
  • Retailer charges: Some retailers may have minimum transaction values or service fees.
  • Top up new cards to travel: Some Opal cards are issued with a zero balance.

Top up amount options