Find the best way to send money to Australia

Compare 10+ companies that can send money to Australia from overseas.

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TorFX

TorFX logo
  • No transfer fees
  • Price match guarantee
  • Dedicated account manager assigned to you
  • Forex tools available
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Looking for a way to send money to family, friends or a business in Australia? Don't head straight to your local bank – compare specialist money transfer services instead. They nearly always offer better exchange rates and lower transfer fees so your recipient will receive more Australian dollars.

Best ways to send money to Australia from abroad

The best way to send money to Australia depends on your payment method, the amount and how fast you need it to arrive.

  • Online money transfer provider. When buying Australian dollars, money transfer specialists typically offer better rates and cheaper fees than banks. Transfer specialists markup ranges from 0.4% to 3% and the markup is lower on major currency pairs (USD, GBP and Euro). More volatile currencies such as the INR attract higher markups.
  • Bank transfer. Bank transfers are an easy way to send money but they charge extra for the convenience and are often slower. Big Four Banks like CBA and ANZ generally add a 3% to 6% markup onto exchange rates.
  • Cash pickup. If you need your money to arrive fast, cash pickup gives your recipient instant access to the money sent to their agent location in Australia. Western Union, Ria and MoneyGram are popular but are more expensive than their online counterparts. Thanks to their partnership with Australia Post, Western Union has over 3,500 locations in Australia.
  • Mobile wallet. Essentially an electronic wallet service, mobile wallets allow users to store, send and receive eligible currencies using their phone, often with fees attached. Wallets are more commonly used in remittance countries in Africa and Asia.

Compare the best money transfer companies to send money to Australia

1 - 19 of 19
Product AUFMT Filter Values Fastest Transfer Speed Fees (Pay by Bank Transfer)
24 hours
$0
TorFX sends money overseas in 40+ currencies, with competitive rates for transfer amounts over $2,000. Same-day transfers between AUD and NZD (under $100,000).
Within minutes
$0
Sign up and get a AUD$15 top-up. For new customers only. T&Cs apply.
Send money with great rates and low fees in 25+ currencies. Plan fees apply.
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 50+ currencies.
Within minutes
$0

Xe has fast transfers, low fees and a range of foreign currency tools. Send money to 200 countries in 100 currencies.
24 hours
$0
New customers registering in 31 December 2024 can receive lower pricing on exchange rates. T&Cs apply.
Xe has fast transfers, low fees and a range of foreign currency tools. Send money to 200 countries in 100 currencies.
Within minutes
$0
Xe has fast transfers, low fees and a range of foreign currency tools. Send money to 200 countries in 100 currencies.
Within minutes
$0
Earn 1 Qantas Point on every $1AUD equivalent converted in foreign currency. T&Cs apply.
Set up accounts in 11 different currencies and get rewarded for global business payments by earning Qantas Points.
24 hours
$0
TorFX sends money overseas in 40+ currencies, with competitive rates for transfer amounts over $2,000. Same-day transfers between AUD and NZD (under $100,000).
Within minutes
$0
Revolut allows your business to move money around the world quickly and cheaply with 25+ currencies and no maximum limit transfers. Plan fees apply.
24 hours
$0
Send provides no Send payments fee transfers via its 24/7 multi-currency payments platform with real-time quotes.
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 50+ currencies.
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.
Wise (TransferWise)
Best Rated Brand
Wise logo
Within minutes
From 0.43%
Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 50+ currencies.
24 hours
$0
TorFX guarantees to match any competitor's exchange rate. Conditions apply.
TorFX sends money overseas in 30+ currencies, with competitive rates for transfer amounts over $2,000.
Send Payments
Send Payments logo
24 hours
$0
Send provides no Send payments fee transfers via its 24/7 multi-currency payments platform with real-time quotes.
24 hours
From $0
Open bank accounts in Australia, the UK, US, Canada, Japan and Europe. Send and receive funds with zero fees for large sums, including same-currency supplier payments.
24 hours
$0
Send provides no Send payments fee transfers via its 24/7 multi-currency payments platform with real-time quotes.
Within minutes
From 0.5%
SingX offers the real exchange rate every time you make a transfer and can help you send money across the world.
Within minutes
From $1.99
MoneyGram has fast cash pick-up transfers to more than 350,000 agent locations worldwide.
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Cheapest way to send money to Australia

Bank transfers are typically the cheapest way to fund your transfer to Australia. TorFX and Xe Money Transfers have some of the lowest bank transfer fees of the brands we've compared.

When you're hunting down the cheapest ways to send money, it's more important to look at the overall cost of your transfer. This has a couple of elements:

  • Transfer fees. While still cheaper than your local bank, some money transfer services charge either a fixed or percentage-based fee for making your transfer.
  • Exchange rates. Another way money transfer providers make money is adding a margin to the mid-market exchange rate.

Providers such as Wise offer the mid-market rate but add fees on top. Others may have very low fees but apply a markup on the exchange rate. This means it is important to compare exactly how many Australian dollars your recipient will end up with.

Fastest way to send money to Australia

Many online providers can offer transfers to Australia within minutes, although you're likely to pay a premium for the convenience.

Here are some of the fastest transfer speeds:

  • Xe Money Transfers — within minutes
  • Revolut — within minutes
  • Wise — within minutes
  • Instarem — within minutes

Actual transfer times can depend on several different factors including transfer amount, payment method and currency. Sometimes your first transfer can take longer than normal due to security measures.

Safest way to send money to Australia

The safest way to transfer money is using a provider registered with Australia's industry regulator, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC). All of the companies we've compared in our table are overseen by a local regulator and comply with the relevant laws and regulations in Australia.

A great way to dive deeper is by reading our reviews and researching first-hand customer feedback on Trustpilot.

Large money transfers to Australia

If you need to make a sizable money transfer to Australia, consider using a provider such as TorFX and OFX to benefit from its expertise in handling larger transfer amounts.

Using a large transfer specialist can have the following advantages:

  • Tax guidance. Large transfers may have tax implications for you or your recipient. A transfer specialist can help get you up to speed on Australian Taxation Office's latest advice.
  • Foreign exchange (forex) tools. Advanced tools such as forward contracts, limit orders and stop-loss orders can help you lock in the AUD exchange rate you want..
  • Account manager. Currency brokers assign a personal account manager to help and advise you on your transfer needs.
  • Phone service. If you want to talk your transfer through with someone, providers such as Qantas Business Money and OFX can provide support over the phone.

How to send money to Australia from abroad

To send money to Australia, you'll need the necessary documentation, your recipient's details and a way to pay. Whether you're sending money from the UK, US or New Zealand, the process is the same.

  1. Compare your options.
    Use our table to find a money transfer provider that sends funds to Australia. One may be better for cash pickups while another may suit a bank transfer. Once you've found the best one for your requirements, click "Go to site".
  2. Create an account.
    You'll need to give your name, address, contact details, proof of ID and method of payment. Generally this should take 10 minutes to complete but it can take one to two business days to get your account verified.
  3. Provide your recipient's details.
    Enter your recipient's name and contact information. If you're sending straight to their Australian bank account, you'll need the account number, SWIFT or IBAN plus their bank branch's address.
  4. Enter your transfer amount.
    Check you're happy with the fees, exchange rates and transfer speed, then enter the amount you wish to send. Double-check the total amount your recipient gets.
  5. Complete your transfer.
    Send your money transfer to Australia. Keep your transaction reference number safe so you can track your transfer. Your recipient may need it too.

How to choose the best money transfer companies

When choosing a money transfer provider, it's important to consider the cost, how you want your recipient to receive the funds and the turnaround time. Here are other features to review:

  • Exchange rates. Banks and transfer services use the mid-market rate to trade with one another. It is the best rate you can get. However, not all money transfer providers offer you this mid-market rate so compare the AUD you're offered to the mid-market rate and look for the smallest difference.
  • Transfer fees. Are you being charged a flat fee or a percentage of your transfer amount? For example, a provider offering to transfer your money to Australia for a flat or low fee might work out better if you plan to send a large amount.
  • Transfer type. Does your recipient have an Australian bank account or is cash or cell phone top-up a better option? Each transfer type will have different fees. For example, instant cash pickups tend to be more expensive than bank transfers.
  • Transfer speed. If you need your transfer to arrive quickly, you can pay for an express delivery. Companies such as Ria Money Transfers offer instant cash pickups but may charge more. If you're not in a rush, online money transfer services offer the best value and get your money to Australia faster and cheaper than banks.
  • Transfer limits. Find out how much you can send with each service. For example, Ria Money Transfers has a transfer limit of $5,000 while TorFX has no maximum transfer limit.
  • Discounts. Some providers may offer you a free transfer simply for signing up. Others may offer a discount if you transfer more than a specific amount of Australian dollars.

Frequently asked questions

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Tim Falk is a writer for Finder, writing across a diverse range of topics. Over the course of his 15-year writing career, Tim has reported on everything from travel and personal finance to pets and TV soap operas. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors. See full bio

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