AUD/USD Hourly chartAUD/USD hourly chartAustralian Dollar FAQs What key factors drive the Australian Dollar? The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) influences the Australian Dollar (AUD) by setting the level of interest rates that Australian banks can lend to each other. China is Australia’s largest trading partner so the health of the Chinese economy is a major influence on the value of the Australian Dollar (AUD). Positive or negative surprises in Chinese growth data, therefore, often have a direct impact on the Australian Dollar and its pairs. The price of Iron Ore, therefore, can be a driver of the Australian Dollar.