Send more money to friends and family in Canada with the right service
Canada and Australia are two nations with a strong global relationship and a long history of international ties. We’re good friends with our fellow Commonwealth nation and Canada is a favourite holiday destination for many Australian tourists.
Because of this, many people find themselves needing to send money from Australia to Canada for one reason or another. It’s quite quick and easy to send money to Canada, but it is important that you shop around for the best and most affordable transfer method.
Get more value for money by comparing options in the table below
Speak to a FX Expert
Save money on your personal or business international money transfer today. Fill in the form and you’ll be contacted by a foreign exchange expert to have an obligation-free discussion about your options. Our foreign exchange experts offer a best rate guarantee, are ASIC authorised and never charge transfer fees.
They can help you with all your needs including:
- Buying property abroad
- Emigrating
- Regular overseas payments
- Risk management
- Forecasting
Pay lower fees and get a better rate with a dedicated transfer company
Due to the strong ties between our two countries and because the Canadian Dollar is commonly traded on global markets, the vast majority of Australian financial institutions will be able to take care of your international money transfer.
However, banks regularly offer quite poor exchange rates and high fees on international money transfers, which can end up costing you quite a lot of money. In many cases you’ll be much better off if you utilise the services of a specialist online money transfer company. These providers are experts at transferring funds abroad and offer better exchange rates and lower fees than banks.
For an idea of just how much you can save using a specialist provider, check out the case study below.
Robyn Sends Money to Canada
Robyn is living in Australia on a working Visa and she wants to send $5,000 of the money she has earned back home to her parents in Canada. Always on the lookout for a bargain, Robyn is concerned that her bank doesn’t offer a great deal on international money transfers and decides to compare the features of a dedicated money transfer company.
| Bank | Money Transfer Company | |
|---|---|---|
| Exchange rate | 1 AUD = 0.93 CAD | 1 AUD = 0.97 CAD |
| Transfer fee | $25 | $4 |
| Transfer time | 2-5 days | 1-3 days |
| Transfer options | Online, in branch | Online |
| Amount received for $5,000 (in CAD) | $4,650 | $4,838.62 |
As you can see, not only can Robyn enjoy a substantial saving on the transfer fee when using a money transfer company, but she also sends almost $190 more thanks to the better exchange rate.
Get a better deal when sending money to Canada with these tips
- Exchange rates. An exchange rate just a couple of cents higher can make a substantial difference to the final amount of money you transfer. Look for the highest rates available but keep in mind that some companies’ rates might be slightly lower because they don’t charge any fees.
- Fees. Most of the time, you’ll have to pay a fee when transferring money overseas. However, some providers will waive their fees when you send more than a certain amount.
- Transfer within the same bank. Some banks with branches in multiple countries, such as Citibank and HSBC, allow you to send international money transfers within the same bank. This makes the process quicker, easier and more affordable.
- Transfer methods. Check to see which options are available for lodging a transfer: online, over the phone or by visiting an agent.
- Transfer options. Some providers will offer flexible options to help make it easier and more cost-effective to lodge a transfer. These include forward contracts, market orders, and the ability to schedule regular payments.
- Transfer time. If you need funds sent urgently, you may wish to use a service that allows your cash to be picked up within minutes.
- Minimum transfer amounts. Keep an eye out for the fact that some companies have minimum transfer amounts which you must exceed. This can be inconvenient if you only wish to send a small amount of money.
- Pickup options. Does the cash go direct to your recipient’s bank account or can they pick up money in person from an agent?
- Customer service. Finally, consider the customer service options offered by each company. If you need help with a transfer, will your chosen provider offer phone, email and live chat support?
Choose the best way to send money to Canada by reviewing your options
You can choose from the following international money transfer options when you need to send money to Canada:
- Bank transfers. As the Canadian Dollar is a commonly traded currency, almost all Australian banks will allow you to transfer funds to Canada.
- Online money transfer companies. Check the table and calculator above for a list of trusted online money transfer providers who allow you to send funds to Canada.
- Cash pickup providers. Companies like Western Union and MoneyGram allow you to transfer funds which can then be picked up from thousands of agent locations across Canada.
- PayPal. It’s also possible to send funds to someone in Canada via PayPal, as long as both you and your recipient have your own PayPal accounts.
- International money order. You can also opt to receive an international guaranteed cheque from your bank or post office which can then be mailed overseas.
Emergency cash transfers in Canada
There are certain situations where you may have to send money to Canada as quickly as possible, such as if you need to transfer funds to a relative who is in desperate need of cash. Whenever you need to lodge a transfer as quickly as possible, don’t forget to double check the exchange rate and fees that will be charged by your chosen provider. Although time may be crucial, taking a few extra steps to ensure you’re fully aware of what sort of deal you’re signing up for will prevent you getting any nasty surprises down the track.
Back to topFind a convenient place to pickup cash sent to you in Canada
Western Union
Vancouver
Money Mart #0247
952 Granville St
Vancouver, BC V6Z 1L2
604-677-8278
Open 9am to 9pm Monday to Saturday, open 11am to 5pm Sunday
International News
110 550 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 2B5
604-688-6663
Open 8:30am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday
Toronto
Money Mart #880
241 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M5B 1N8
416-367-2927
Open 8am to 10pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm Saturday and 10am to 6pm Sunday
Scotiabank #38356
600 Fleet St
Toronto, ON M5B 1B7
416-777-2505
Open 12pm to 7pm Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 3pm Saturday
MoneyGram
Vancouver
City Park Express - Canada Post
349 Georgia St W
Vancouver, BC V6B 4Z3
(604) 682-6063
Open 9:30am to 6pm Monday to Saturday
Carlton Cards - Canada Post
11 - 200 Burrard St
Vancouver, BC V6C 3L6
(604) 681-8699
Open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday
Toronto
Shoppers Drug Mart 1402 - Canada Post
10 Dundas St E
Toronto, ON M5B 2G9
(416) 591-1733
Open 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 9pm Saturday, 12pm to 9pm Sunday
Toronto Adelaide PO
31 Adelaide St E
Toronto, ON M5C 1J4
(416) 214-2353
Open 8:30am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday
Safely pickup cash in Canada with these tips
Unlike many other parts of the world, Canada is listed as a safe country by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with travellers advised to ‘exercise normal safety precautions’. So while crime is considered to be less of a problem than in other countries, you’ll still need to be careful when picking up a cash transfer. Take a friend with you for extra security and make sure to keep your cash concealed from strangers. If possible, head straight to a bank to deposit the cash into your account.
Back to topMake sure your money actually gets to Canada
As there are several options you can choose from when sending money to Canada, the exact process for lodging and completing a transfer will differ depending on the method you choose.
Typically, however, you will need to open an account with your provider of choice, which could include you providing the following information:
- Your name
- Your contact details
- Your date of birth
- Your driver’s licence number
Once you have opened an account and placed your transfer, you will receive a receipt which will allow you to monitor the progress of your transaction until it is completed.
If you want to send money to Canada, you have plenty of international money transfer providers to choose from. Just make sure to do your research and shop around for the best possible deal.
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