WorldFirst review
- Number of Currencies
- 10
- Minimum Transfer Amount
- $1
- Pay By
- Bank transfer
- Fees (Pay by Bank Transfer)
- From $0
Our verdict
Enjoy competitive exchange rates and no transfer fees when you send large sums of money overseas with WorldFirst.
WorldFirst is a strong choice for Australian e-commerce businesses and importers who need to pay international suppliers or collect revenue from online marketplaces. Its World Account allows you to hold and manage funds in over 20 currencies, which is ideal for businesses operating across multiple regions. With competitive exchange rates and advanced forex tools like forward contracts, it's particularly well-suited for managing currency risk on large transactions.
However, WorldFirst is not for personal use. If you need to send money to family overseas, you'll need to look at other international money transfer services. It's also less suitable for businesses that need to pay by card, as it only accepts bank transfers to fund your account.
Pros
-
Good for large transfers and transparent margins on the exchange rate.
Cons
-
Not so great if you only want to send a small amount or pay by card.
Details
Product details
| Product Name | WorldFirst |
| Pay By | Bank transfer |
| Receiving Options | Bank account, Mobile wallet, Alipay (China only) |
| Customer Service | Phone, Live chat, Email, In person |
| Maximum Transfer Amount | Unlimited |
| Number of Currencies | 10 |
Pros
- Multi-currency accounts for receiving payments in over 20 currencies
- Send payments to over 210 countries and territories
- Advanced forex tools like forward contracts for up to 24 months
- No monthly account fees
Cons
- Strictly for business customers, no personal transfers
- Only accepts bank transfers to fund your account
- Customer support is not available 24/7
What's new with WorldFirst?
WorldFirst has evolved significantly over the last few years. The biggest change is that it no longer offers services to personal customers and now focuses exclusively on businesses.
Recent developments include:
- World Card (April 2025): The launch of a virtual debit card for businesses to spend globally in over 150 currencies.
- Asian Expansion (2025): WorldFirst expanded its operations into Thailand and Malaysia.
- Mobile App (launched September 2024 in the UK and EEA): WorldFirst has since extended app access to Australian account holders as well, although some features including in-app top-ups, are currently limited to UK, EEA and Singapore customers, with full functionality still only available via the web portal.
How much does WorldFirst cost?
WorldFirst's fees are structured around the transfer itself and the currency conversion.
- Transfer fees. For cross-border payments from Australia, WorldFirst charges a fee starting from 0.4%, which is capped at AUD$15.
- Exchange rates. WorldFirst adds a margin to the mid-market exchange rate. For major currencies, this is up to 0.6%. For less common currencies, the fee starts from 0.67%.
- Forward contracts. If you use a forward contract to lock in a rate for a future transfer, a fee of up to 0.2% per month may apply.
There are no account opening or monthly maintenance fees. It's also free to receive funds into your local currency accounts.
We currently don't have that product, but here are others to consider:
How we picked theseFinder Score for money transfer
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.
What are the key features of WorldFirst?
WorldFirst's services are built around its multi-currency business account, designed to simplify international trade.
- World Account. This is a multi-currency account that lets you open over 20 local currency accounts. This means you can get paid by international customers or from over 130 online marketplaces like Amazon and Shopify as if you had a local bank account, avoiding high conversion fees.
- World Card. Launched in April 2025, the World Card is a virtual Mastercard debit card. It allows you to spend directly from your currency balances in over 150 currencies, which is useful for paying for international advertising, software subscriptions or other business expenses.
- Foreign exchange tools. WorldFirst offers several tools to manage currency fluctuations. You can do simple spot contracts for immediate transfers or use forward contracts to lock in an exchange rate for a payment up to 24 months in the future.
How fast are WorldFirst transfers?
International transfers with WorldFirst typically take between 1 and 5 business days to arrive in the recipient's account. The exact time can vary depending on the destination country and the currencies involved.
Are there any transfer limits?
For businesses using the World Account, there is no minimum transfer amount for regular transactions. For other services, a minimum transfer of £1,000 or the equivalent in another currency applies.
WorldFirst does not publicly state a maximum transfer limit. For businesses needing to send very large amounts, it's worth discussing any potential limits when you set up your transfer, as this can be a factor when considering taxes and regulations on large international transfers.
How does WorldFirst compare to other services?
While WorldFirst is a strong contender for online businesses, it's not the only option. Here's how it stacks up against other popular business transfer specialists.
- OFX. Like WorldFirst, OFX international money transfers are designed for businesses and larger transfers. OFX also offers 24/7 phone support from a dedicated dealer, which can be a significant advantage for businesses that need expert guidance or operate outside standard business hours.
- TorFX. Another specialist service, TorFX foreign currency exchange focuses on providing personal service through a dedicated account manager. They don't charge transfer fees, instead making their money solely on the exchange rate margin. This can make them a simpler option for businesses that prefer a single, all-inclusive rate.
- Wise. Wise (formerly TransferWise) is known for its transparent fee structure and for using the mid-market exchange rate. While it serves both personal and business customers, its business account is very popular with freelancers and small businesses for its ease of use and low-cost transfers, though it may lack some of the advanced hedging tools offered by WorldFirst.
Is WorldFirst safe to use?
Yes, WorldFirst is a safe and reputable provider for international business payments. It was founded in 2004 and is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) in Australia.
- Regulation: WorldFirst holds a financial services licence in each jurisdiction where it operates a local entity, including Australia, the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong and the Netherlands.
- Established: Founded in 2004, it has served over 1.5 million customers globally and processed over $500 billion USD in transactions.
How to open a WorldFirst account
You can sign up for a WorldFirst business account online. The process is digital, but you'll need to have your business and personal identification details ready.
- Start your registration. Go to the WorldFirst website and click "Sign Up". You'll need to provide basic details about your business.
- Provide business details. This includes your ABN, company name, address, industry and estimated annual transfer volume.
- Verify your identity. You will need to provide details from a government-issued photo ID, such as a passport or driver's licence, for all directors and ultimate beneficial owners.
- Wait for verification. Once you've submitted your application, the verification process typically takes 1 to 2 business days.
- Book your first transfer. After your account is approved, you can log in to the platform to add recipient details and book your first transfer.
We currently don't have that product, but here are others to consider:
How we picked theseFinder Score for money transfer
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.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
Your reviews
Kate Finder
Money expert
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Joel Marcelo
August 15, 2018
Hi Claudia,
Thanks for leaving a question on Finder.
Yes! You can send money to Rwanda from Australia using WorldFirst. To start the process of sending money, please click the “Go to site” button to be redirected to their website.
Cheers,
Joel
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Theresa
July 03, 2018
wish to transfer $5,500 CDA funds to Nigeria. I do not use online banking. What options can I use to transfer funds other than Western Union. Can I use a Canadian credit card to transfer funds. What is the fee and how long does it take for the receiver to pickup funds.
Nikki Angco
July 05, 2018
Hi Theresa,
Thanks for your inquiry.
You can definitely use your credit card to do a money transfer. Also, just a friendly reminder that when you use a credit card to transfer money, you may be charged a cash advance fee and conversion and transfer fees depending on your bank’s terms and conditions.
The fees and transfer speed will depend on the transfer facility you will use. You may view our guide and compare money transfer providers and view your options on how to send money to Nigeria. Please ensure to read through the relevant product disclosure statement and terms and conditions to ensure that you got everything covered before you initiate a money transfer.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Nikki
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Mark
September 27, 2017
I have some Ghana cedis in Australia, how can I exchange them to oz dollars?
Judith Finder
September 28, 2017
Hi Mark,
Thanks for contacting Finder.
There are different ways on how you can convert one currency to another. You may opt for either of the following: banks, international money transfer companies, foreign exchange kiosks, and post offices, and credit & debit cards.
We have a panel that will help you compare exchange rates. Simply enter the required details and then click “Calculate.”
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Judith
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Josh
May 31, 2017
I would like to transfer funds from my Australian account to my Canadian account as fast as possible can you help?
Harold Jacob Finder
May 31, 2017
Hi Josh,
Thank you for your inquiry.
You may want to check our guide about sending money to Canada, which can show you some available service providers who can help.
I hope this information has helped.
Cheers,
Harold
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Greg
November 21, 2016
Im wanting to have send money to USA next May
I’m I able to lock in the current exchange rate
thanks
Shirley Liu Finder
November 21, 2016
Hi Greg,
Thanks for your question.
Yes you can utilise a forward contract for your money transfer.
You can fix it up 2 years in advance.
Cheers,
Shirley
Claudia
August 15, 2018
Do you send money to Rwanda? From australia