Thanks to modern technology and the rise of online banking, it’s quicker and easier than ever before to send money overseas. From banks to specialist online transfer providers, there are plenty of options to choose from when you need to transfer funds across international borders.
But do you know what information you need to provide to ensure that your funds arrive in the right account straight away? This guide explains all the bank account details you need to supply to safely send or receive an international money transfer.
The recipient’s home address (supplying this information is optional with some providers)
The recipient’s account number
Based on the country you are transferring funds to, you will also need to supply one of the following:
IBAN (International bank account number)
ABA (American Bankers Association) routing number
Bank and branch
IFSC (Indian Financial System Code)
SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) or BIC (Bank Identifier Code)
For example, the ABA routing number is used to identify banks in the United States and you will need to provide it or a SWIFT for transfers to that country, while if you’re sending a transfer to Europe you will need the IBAN and the SWIFT of the recipient’s bank. Your bank or money transfer provider will be able to provide specific information about the bank details you need to supply during the transfer process.
How to send money overseas with St.George
Apart from your recipient’s bank account details, you will also need to provide some specific details about the transfer, including:
The currency you wish to send
The amount you are sending
The purpose of the transfer
You can see what details you need from your recipient in the UK below.
Finder survey: How many Australians have sent money abroad?
Response
No
67.03%
Yes
32.97%
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1110 Australians, December 2023
Sending an international cash transfer in person
This service is offered by providers such as Western Union and MoneyGram, allowing you to send fast cash transfers to hundreds of thousands of pickup locations around the world. The details you need to provide when sending a cash transfer are a little different, as you will typically need to supply:
Photo identification for yourself (a passport or driver’s licence will do)
Your recipient’s full name (this must match the recipient’s name as it appears on their ID)
Your recipient’s address
Money to complete the transaction
It’s also worth remembering that you will need to be at least 18 years of age to send a transfer overseas.
Receiving an online international money transfer
If someone wants to transfer money to you from an overseas bank account, you’ll need to make sure they have all the relevant details needed to complete the transaction. These include:
Your name
The name of your bank
Your bank’s BIC/SWIFT code
Your bank’s BSB (Bank State Branch) number
Your account number
Your address
IBANs are not used in Australia, but banks and transfer providers in some countries will require an IBAN to be provided before the transfer can be processed. If this is the case, you can combine your BSB and account number.
It’s also worth pointing out that you may be charged a fee by your bank for receiving an international transfer. For example, Commonwealth Bank charges customers up to $11 for transfers received into AUD accounts.
Receiving an international cash transfer
If you’re visiting a transfer provider’s branch to collect a cash transfer, you will need to provide:
Photo ID, for example your driver’s licence or passport
The reference number quoted to you by the person who sent the transfer
Depending on the size of the transfer, you may need to phone ahead to confirm that the agent has sufficient cash to complete the transaction. This is also useful if you need to check a branch’s location or opening hours.
Top tips for sending or receiving an international money transfer
Check details carefully. It’s your responsibility to ensure that the bank account details you provide for your recipient are correct. If you make a mistake and the funds are sent to the wrong account, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to recover those funds.
Check the exchange rate. Exchange rates vary across providers, and even a small variation in rates can make a big difference to the cost. Search for a provider that consistently offers competitive exchange rates. For example, Wise offers the mid-market exchange rate while other providers add a margin to the rate.
Be aware of transfer fees. Make sure you’re aware of the fee the bank or money transfer provider charges for handling the transfer, and check whether the receiving bank will take a cut by imposing its own fees.
Use a reputable brand. Make sure that any transfer provider you choose is reputable before handing over any bank details or money. The last thing you want to do is disclose your own or your recipient’s account information to a dodgy company.
Follow up questions about your documentation
What information do I need to provide when I send or receive an international money transfer via PayPal?
When sending money via PayPal, you’ll need to provide the email address or mobile phone number of your recipient, as well as the details of the bank account or credit card used to fund the transaction. As for receiving payments, you will need to provide your name, address, phone number and email address to open a free PayPal account.
Can I pay for an international money transfer using my credit card?
Yes, this option is available with some transfer providers, but typically only with companies that offer cash pickup transfers.
Will I need to sign up for an account before I send a transfer?
Yes, if using an online transfer company you will need to register for an account before you can send any money. Signing up is usually free.
Should I send a transfer via my bank or a specialist transfer company?
That’s entirely up to you. The advantage of using your bank is that it’s convenient, as you will most likely already have an account established from which you can transfer funds. However, in most cases, the better exchange rates and lower fees charged by online transfer companies mean that they are often a more affordable option.
What recipient bank account details will I need to provide when sending funds to India?
You will need to supply a SWIFT and an IFSC number for your recipient’s bank, as well as a reason for your transfer.
What recipient bank account details will I need to provide when sending funds to China?
You will need to provide a SWIFT for your recipient’s bank.
Tim Falk is a writer for Finder, writing across a diverse range of topics. Over the course of his 15-year writing career, Tim has reported on everything from travel and personal finance to pets and TV soap operas. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors.
What are the best options for sending or receiving a large amount of money overseas? Read this $50,000 case study with exchange rates and fees comparison.
Send an international money transfer to someone without a bank account. Get it there instantly and they can pick it up in person, in cash. Get quotes now.
if sending money internationally using Telegraphic Transfer (TT) via Swift -Outward remittances, do we need to pay for activation for this type of payment? This type of payment instrument require INSURANCE PREMIUM BOND CERTIFICATRE (IBC)?
Thanks for your inquiry. The exact details of how a TT payment works are dependent on the banks involved. It would be best to refer to the money transfer service you choose before moving sending funds via wire transfer.
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Important information about this website
finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We are committed to our readers and stands by our editorial principles
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labeling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
We make money by featuring products on our site. Compensation received from the providers featured on our site can influence which products we write about as well as where and how products appear on our page, but the order or placement of these products does not influence our assessment or opinions of them, nor is it an endorsement or recommendation for them.
Products marked as 'Top Pick', 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.
Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.
if sending money internationally using Telegraphic Transfer (TT) via Swift -Outward remittances, do we need to pay for activation for this type of payment? This type of payment instrument require INSURANCE PREMIUM BOND CERTIFICATRE (IBC)?
Hi Heng!
Thanks for your inquiry. The exact details of how a TT payment works are dependent on the banks involved. It would be best to refer to the money transfer service you choose before moving sending funds via wire transfer.
Hope this helps!
Best,
Nikki