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Find the best way to send money to Hong Kong

Learn how to send money to Hong Kong from Australia in our step-by-step guide.

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Looking for a way to send money to family, friends or a business in Hong Kong (or even to your own bank account overseas)? According to MoneySmart, you should avoid Australian banks and go with a money transfer specialist to get better HKD exchange rates and lower fees on international transfers.

Based on the providers we've compared, Xe Money Transfers is among the cheapest, with competitive exchange rates and fees starting from $0. Need a really fast transfer? Xe Money Transfers can get money to your recipient in Hong Kong within minutes.

Best ways to send money to Hong Kong from Australia

The best way to send money to Hong Kong depends on your payment method, how you want your money to be received and how fast you need it to arrive.
  • Online money transfer provider. When buying Australian dollars or Hong Kong dollars money transfer specialists typically offer better rates and cheaper fees than a local bank.
  • Bank transfer. Bank transfers are an easy way to send money to Hong Kong but they charge extra for the convenience and are often slower than other methods. AU banks 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 you've sent when they collect it from their agent location in Hong Kong.
  • 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.
  • Home delivery. If your recipient may struggle to get to a cash pickup location, you may be able to opt for door-to-door cash delivery.

Compare the best money transfer companies to send money to Hong Kong

1 - 20 of 20
Name Product AUFMT Filter Values Fastest Transfer Speed Fees (Pay by Bank Transfer)
TorFX
24 hours
$0
TorFX sends money overseas in 40+ currencies, with competitive rates for transfer amounts over $2,000.
OFX
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 50+ currencies.
Airwallex
Within minutes
$0
Earn 10% cashback on your first $1,000 USD equivalent in eligible international card spend with Airwallex.
Streamline global payments across 150+ countries with fast settlements and competitive rates in over 60 currencies.
Xe Business Transfers
Within minutes
$0

Xe has fast transfers, low fees and a range of foreign currency tools. Send money to 200 countries in 100 currencies.
Instarem
Within minutes
From 0%
Get zero fees on your first transfer to India, Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, the Philippines, the US and the UK. T&Cs apply.
50% off transfer fees on your first transfer to all other destinations with minimum transfer of $200 and maximum of $7,999.
Xe Large Transfers
24 hours
$0
New customers registering in September 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.
Xe Money Transfers
Within minutes
$0
Xe has fast transfers, low fees and a range of foreign currency tools. Send money to 200 countries in 100 currencies.
Qantas Business Money
Within minutes
$0
Earn up to 125,000 bonus Qantas Points on your first currency conversion by 31 October 2024. Conversion limits and T&Cs apply.
Set up accounts in 11 different currencies and get rewarded for global business payments by earning Qantas Points.
TorFX
24 hours
$0
TorFX sends money overseas in 40+ currencies, with competitive rates for transfer amounts over $2,000.
Revolut Business
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.
Send Payments
24 hours
$0
Send provides no Send payments fee transfers via its 24/7 multi-currency payments platform with real-time quotes.
OFX
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 50+ currencies.
OFX Business Transfers
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.
Wise (TransferWise)
Best Rated Brand
Wise (TransferWise)
Within minutes
From 0.43%
Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 50+ currencies.
TorFX Business Transfers
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
24 hours
$0
Send provides no Send payments fee transfers via its 24/7 multi-currency payments platform with real-time quotes.
Send business
24 hours
$0
Send provides no Send payments fee transfers via its 24/7 multi-currency payments platform with real-time quotes.
Remitly
Best Rated Brand
Remitly
Within minutes
From $0
Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
SingX
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.
MoneyGram
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 Hong Kong

As reported by the ACCC, bank transfers are typically the cheapest way to get your money to Hong Kong. Xe Money Transfers and TorFX have some of the lowest bank transfer fees of the brands we've compared.

Remember, it's more important to look at the overall cost of your transfer to Hong Kong and this has a couple of elements:
  • Transfer fees. While still cheaper than your Australian bank, 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 to add a margin to the mid-market AUD/HKD exchange rate.

Certain providers may give the mid-market rate but add fees on top and others will have low fees but apply a markup on the exchange rate. This means it is important to compare exactly how many Hong Kong dollars your recipient will end up with.

Safest way to send money to Hong Kong

The safest way to get your money to Hong Kong 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 both Australia and Hong Kong.

A great way to dive deeper is by reading our reviews of each transfer service and researching first-hand customer feedback on Trustpilot and similar platforms.

Large money transfers to Hong Kong

If you need to make a sizable money transfer to Hong Kong, consider using a provider such as TorFX or OFX to secure a better HKD exchange rate and benefit from its expertise handling larger transactions.

Using a large transfer specialist can have the following advantages:
  • Tax guidance. Large transfers to Hong Kong may have tax implications for you or your recipient. A transfer specialist can help get you up to speed on the Australian Taxation Office's latest advice.
  • Foreign exchange tools. Advanced tools such as forward contracts, limit orders and stop-loss orders can help you lock in the HKD exchange rate you want.
  • Account manager. Some money transfer providers assign a personal account manager who can offer advice and help facilitate transfers.
  • Phone service. If you want to talk your transfer through with someone, providers such as TorFX and OFX can provide support over the phone.

How to send money to Hong Kong from Australia

To send money to Hong Kong, you'll need the necessary documentation, your recipient's details and a way to pay.

  1. Compare your options.
    Use our table to find a money transfer provider that sends funds to Hong Kong. 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.
  3. Provide your recipient's details.
    Enter your recipient's name and contact information. If you're sending straight to their Hong Konger 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 Hong Kong dollars your recipient gets.
  5. Complete your transfer.
    Send your money transfer to Hong Kong. Keep your transaction reference number safe so you can track your transfer. Your recipient may need it too.

Example: Chloe transfers money to Hong Kong

Chloe is working in Australia as a film producer and she stays in regular contact with her elderly parents back home in Hong Kong. Her parents need some funds to help pay off a mortgage, so Chloe plans to send them $2,000 from Australia.

She decides to compare a bank and a money transfer specialist to see which one can save the most money on her transaction.

Bank Money transfer company
Exchange rate 1 AUD = 5.14 HKD 1 AUD = 5.20 HKD
Transfer fee $10 $2.50
Transfer method Bank account deposit Bank account deposit
Processing time 2 - 5 working days Next day
Amount received 10,221.34 HKD 10,395.68 HKD

The money transfer company enables Chloe to send an extra $174.35, which is transferred straight to her parents' HSBC account.

How to choose a money transfer company for Hong Kong

When selecting a provider to transfer money to Hong Kong, here are the main factors to consider:

  • Exchange rates. Banks and transfer services use the mid-market rate to trade with one another. However, not every money transfer provider offers the mid-market rate so compare the HKD you're offered to the mid-market rate to calculate the margin.
  • Transfer fees. Are you being charged a flat fee or a percentage of the transfer amount? A provider offering to transfer your money to Hong Kong for a flat or low fee might work out better if you're sending a large amount.
  • Transfer type. Does your recipient have a Hong Konger bank account or is cash pickup 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 MoneyGram offer instant cash pickups but may charge more. If you're not in a rush, online money transfer services offer the best value.
  • Transfer limits. Find out how much you can send with each service. For example, Remitly has a transfer limit of $2,999 while Instarem allows unlimited transfers.
  • Discounts. Providers may offer you a free transfer simply for signing up. Others may give a discount for transferring more than a specific amount of Hong Kong dollars.

Is this a good time to send money to Hong Kong?

Compared to a month ago, the Australian dollar is a little stronger against the Hong Kong dollar. Currently, $5,000 is worth $26,152.50, whereas a month ago, $5,000 was equivalent to $25,991.50. That's an increase of 0.62% over the past month.

Similarly, compared to a year ago, the Australian dollar is again stronger against the Hong Kong dollar. A year ago, $5,000 was equivalent to $24,985.50. That's an increase of 4.67% over 12 months.

So based on those two data points, yes, it's a relatively good time to send money to Hong Kong, and your Australian dollars will go further than they would have. But what's more important, however, is the strength of the Australian dollar against the Hong Kong dollar and where it goes from here – which is harder to call.

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