How much money can you transfer before being taxed?

Every transfer into Australia is reported to AUSTRAC by your Australian bank or provider, whatever the size - there is no threshold and no form for you to file. There's no amount you can transfer before being taxed, because the transfer itself isn't taxed. Whether you pay tax depends on what the money is, such as income, a gift or your own savings, and on your tax residency. For Australian tax residents, taxable income includes overseas pensions, rent or profits from overseas property, interest from offshore bank accounts and overseas employment income. Some foreign super payments can be tax-free if you receive them soon after becoming a resident.

Are there any forms or documents specific to sending large amounts of money into Australia?

As long as you use a legitimate money transfer provider, you won't need to fill in any government forms – your provider handles the reporting. However, for large transfers your provider may ask for documents showing where the money came from, such as a property sale contract or proof of an inheritance. The main rules that apply are Australia's anti-money laundering (AML) laws, which include Know Your Customer (KYC) checks. Your provider will verify your identity and handle the reporting to AUSTRAC, but it's up to you to supply your ID and any documents it asks for. As a good rule of thumb, keep all records and emails relating to the transfer in case you need them later.

Can I split my transactions into several smaller ones?

You can split a large transfer into smaller ones for genuine reasons, such as your provider's transfer limits. But deliberately splitting money to avoid a reporting or declaration obligation is called 'structuring', and it's a criminal offence. There is no transfer reporting threshold to get under - your provider already reports every transfer to AUSTRAC regardless of size. Structuring is something money launderers do to avoid detection, but banks and money transfer services are trained to detect this and report it to AUSTRAC.

Can I bring large amounts of physical currency into Australia?

You can bring in amounts under AUD$10,000 without declaring them, but if the combined value of the cash and bearer negotiable instruments you're carrying is AUD$10,000 or more, you need to declare it to customs. While there is no limit to the amount you can bring in, it's an offence not to report it.