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Find the best way to send money to Indonesia

Learn how to send money to Indonesia 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 Indonesia (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 IDR exchange rates and lower fees on international transfers.

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

Best ways to send money to Indonesia from Australia

The best way to send money to Indonesia 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 rupiahs 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 Indonesia 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 Indonesia.
  • 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 Indonesia

1 - 18 of 18
Name Product AUFMT Filter Values Fastest Transfer Speed Fees (Pay by Bank Transfer)
Revolut
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.
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.
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 October 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.
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.
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.
Rocket Remit
Within minutes
From $0 to $5
Send money instantly to friends and family in over 45 countries using just your mobile number.
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 Indonesia

As reported by the ACCC, bank transfers are typically the cheapest way to get your money to Indonesia. Revolut and Xe Money Transfers 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 Indonesia 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/IDR 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 rupiahs your recipient will end up with.

Safest way to send money to Indonesia

The safest way to get your money to Indonesia 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 Indonesia.

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 Indonesia

If you need to make a sizable money transfer to Indonesia, consider using a provider such as OFX or Xe Large Transfers to secure a better IDR 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 Indonesia 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 IDR 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 OFX and Airwallex can provide support over the phone.

How to send money to Indonesia from Australia

To send money to Indonesia, 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 Indonesia. 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 Indonesian 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 rupiahs your recipient gets.
  5. Complete your transfer.
    Send your money transfer to Indonesia. Keep your transaction reference number safe so you can track your transfer. Your recipient may need it too.

Example: Aisyah transfers money to Indonesia

Aisyah is working in Australia as a doctor and she stays in regular contact with her elderly parents back home in Indonesia. Her parents need some funds to help pay off a mortgage, so Aisyah 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 = 9.82 IDR 1 AUD = 9.95 IDR
Transfer fee $10 $2.50
Transfer method Bank account deposit Bank account deposit
Processing time 2 - 5 working days Next day
Amount received 19,541.80 IDR 19,875.13 IDR

The money transfer company enables Aisyah to send an extra Rp333.33, which is transferred straight to her parents' Bank Mandiri account.

How to choose a money transfer company for Indonesia

When selecting a provider to transfer money to Indonesia, 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 IDR 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 Indonesia for a flat or low fee might work out better if you're sending a large amount.
  • Transfer type. Does your recipient have an Indonesian 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, Rocket Remit has a transfer limit of $1,000 while Revolut 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 rupiahs.

Frequently asked questions

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Written by

Associate editor

Helen Champion was an associate editor at Finder. She has worked in communications for over 16 years and currently writes on a range of topics including insurance and money transfers in the hope of empowering people to make better financial decisions. During her broadcast career, she helped to produce hundreds of news and breaking news reports for Associated Press TV and ITV News. And in public relations, she managed several high-profile public relations campaigns for Macmillan Cancer Support, the General Medical Council and overseas for Qatar Foundation on behalf of BLJ Worldwide. Helen has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Lincoln, a passion for practising karate in the dojo and a deep love of making mischief with her sons. See full bio

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6 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    CornelisOctober 6, 2016

    I have an account with citibank. ( no fees )

    I want to send money to an account held with the BRI bank in indonesia.

    Will the BRI bank charge a fee for receiving the money?

    Will the BRI charge a conversion Fee?

      AvatarFinder
      ShirleyOctober 14, 2016Finder

      Hi Cornelis,

      Thanks for your question.

      Please note that finder.com.au is an Australian comparison service and can only provide information that is relevant for banks situated in Australia.

      You (or your recipient) will need to get in touch with BRI directly to enquire if they would charge any fees for incoming transfers.

      Sorry that we could not assist you further.

    Default Gravatar
    jasonJuly 20, 2016

    what is the best way to send instant cash from darwin to lombok indonesia

      AvatarFinder
      ClarizzaJuly 25, 2016Finder

      Hi Jason,

      Thanks for your question.

      It depends on a number of things such as the transfer speed, how you would like to transfer the cash and how the recipient wants to receive the cash. Each service also offers different exchange rates. On this page we have a list of tips to help you compare transfer services under “How to compare transfer companies when transferring money to Indonesia”.

      We are currently working on updating our table to include Indonesia, so make sure you check back at a later date.

      Hope this helps.

      Clarizza

    Default Gravatar
    jasonJuly 20, 2016

    What is the cheapest and fastest way to send money from darwin to Lombok Indonesia

      AvatarFinder
      ClarizzaJuly 26, 2016Finder

      Hi Jason,

      Thanks for your question.

      Our money transfer finder table allows you to compare exchange rates and more of different international money transfer services. Please note, we are currently working to include Indonesian currency in our calculator. However, you can contact the money transfer services direct to enquire about sending money to Indonesia specifically.

      Otherwise, you can speak to an FX expert direct by filling out the form at the bottom of this page. A representative will then contact you.

      Please note, we are a comparison website and provide general advice only.

      Regards,
      Clarizza

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