Small transfers
Find the best way to send money to Australia
Compare 10+ companies that can send money to Australia from overseas.
Key takeaways
- Specialist services often beat banks with better exchange rates and lower fees for sending money to Australia.
- Fast transfers, sometimes within minutes, are available from providers like Xe, Revolut or Wise.
- For large transfers, consider TorFX or OFX as they often feature no fees and dedicated support.
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. It is a popular option, but it costs more than sending the same money online. Western Union runs its own agent network in Australia. Its Australia Post service ends at 11:59pm on 13 October 2026, after which Post Offices will no longer offer Western Union transfers.
- 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
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We review money transfer providers for different features to assign them a score out of 10. The higher the score, the more competitive the product.
Cheapest way to send money to Australia
Paying for your transfer by bank transfer is usually cheaper than paying by card, but use a specialist money transfer provider rather than a bank to actually move the money. 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 to use a provider on AUSTRAC's remittance sector register and, where it deals in financial products, one that also holds an AFS licence from ASIC. Registration is a legal requirement under the AML/CTF Act, not a government guarantee that a provider is safe. Because this guide is about money coming into Australia, the provider you use will also be regulated in the country you are sending from, so check its standing there too.
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.
- 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".
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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, some providers cap each transfer at a few thousand dollars while others publish no maximum at all, so check the limit shown against each provider in the table above.
- 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.
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