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Our top picks are chosen from some of the best money transfer services on Finder, but we don't compare every brand in the market. We've included them to help you make decisions faster, but keep in mind that they may not always be the best fit for you. Read our full methodology here to find out more.
Whether you're sending money to the United States for personal or business reasons, bypassing banks in favor of a money transfer provider is a smart financial move. Research by the ACCC reveals that the big four banks often carry heftier fees compared to specialized money transfer services, which tend to offer more favorable USD exchange rates.
Based on the 13 providers we've compared, Revolut is among the cheapest for small transfers, with competitive exchange rates and fees starting from $0. Need a really fast transfer? Instarem can get money to your recipient in the United States within minutes.
Best ways to send money to the US from Australia
The best way to send money to the United States depends on your payment method, the amount you're sending and how fast you need it to arrive.
Online money transfer provider. When sending Australian dollars or US dollars, money transfer specialists typically offer better rates and cheaper fees than a local bank. Providers add a markup ranging from 0.4% to 3% onto the real exchange rate.
Bank transfer. Bank transfers are an easy way to transfer money but charge extra for the convenience and are often slower. Based on our research, ANZ adds a markup of 2.83% when exchanging AUD to USD and CBA adds a markup of around 4.10% to the mid-market rate.
Cash pickup. If you need your money to arrive quickly, doing a cash pickup with Western Union gives your recipient instant access to the money you've sent when they collect it from their agent location. Travelex is also a popular choice due to convenient locations at airports and their partnership with Australia Post.
PayPal. PayPal is more known for digital payments and also allows users to transfer money overseas. They charge relatively expensive fees, making them only suitable for transferring small amounts.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
Bank transfers are typically the cheapest way to get your money to the United States. Revolut and Western Union have some of the lowest bank transfer fees of the brands we've analysed.
Before transferring money, it's more important to look at the overall cost of your transfer. This has a couple of elements:
Transfer fees. While still cheaper than your Australian bank, some 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 adding a margin to the mid-market AUD/USD exchange rate.
Some providers may charge the mid-market rate but add fees on top. Others may have very low fees but apply a markup on the exchange rate. This means it is important to compare exactly how many US dollars your recipient will end up with.
Fastest way to send money to the US
Actual transfer times from Australia to the United States can depend on several factors including transfer amount, payment method and currency.
Here are some of the fastest average transfer speeds to the United States:
Revolut — within minutes
Western Union — within minutes
Instarem — within minutes
Safest way to send money
The safest way to transfer money is using a provider registered with 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 regulations in both Australia and the United States. You can check on AUSTRAC's website if a certain provider is registered.
A great way to dive deeper is by reading our reviews of each transfer service and researching first-hand customer reviews on Trustpilot and productreview.com.au.
Large money transfers
If you need to make a sizable money transfer to the United States, consider using a provider such as TorFX or OFX to secure a better exchange rate and benefit from its expertise handling large transactions.
Using a large transfer specialist can have the following advantages:
Tax guidance. Large transfers to the United States 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.
Forex tools. Advanced tools such as forward contracts, limit orders and stop-loss orders can help you lock in the USD exchange rate you want.
Account manager. Some money transfer providers assign a personal account manager who can help and advise you on your transfer needs.
Phone service. If you want to talk your transfer through with someone, providers such as TorFX and OFX can give you support over the phone.
How to send money to the US from Australia
To send money to the United States, you'll need the necessary documentation, your recipient's details and a way to pay.
Compare your options.
Use our table to find a money transfer provider that sends funds to the United States. 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".
Create an account.
You'll need to give your name, address, contact details, proof of ID and method of payment.
Provide your recipient's details.
Enter your recipient's name and contact information. If you're sending straight to their American bank account, you'll need the account number, SWIFT or IBAN plus their bank branch's address.
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 US dollars your recipient gets.
Complete your transfer.
Send your money transfer to the United States. Keep your transaction reference number safe so you can track your transfer. Your recipient may need it too.
Is now a good time to send money to the US?
The Australian dollar has been on the decline for most of 2023. After beginning the year at 0.68 USD, it climbed to a high of 0.72 USD in late January and is hovering around the 0.63 - 0.65 USD mark. Despite a tough year, experts are slightly more optimistic with their forecasts.
NAB is forecasting a 1 AUD = 0.74 USD exchange rate by the end of the year, while Westpac is predicting the Aussie dollar will be at 0.69 USD in December 2023. Trying to predict the perfect time to transfer money is challenging given the economic environment. If you're unhappy with the current AUD/USD rate, forex tools such as a limit order or forward contract could help you get a better exchange rate.
How to choose a money transfer company
When selecting a provider to transfer money to the United States, here are the main factors to consider:
Exchange rate markup. Use a money transfer provider that offers the mid-market rate or as close to it as possible. Make sure to compare the USD rate you're offered to the mid-market rate to calculate what margin is being added.
Transfer fees. Are you being charged a flat fee or a percentage of your transfer amount? A provider offering to transfer your money for a flat or low fee might work out better if you plan to send a large amount.
Transfer type. Does your recipient have an American 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 WorldRemit offer instant cash pickups but may charge more. If you're not in a rush, the majority of money transfer services can send money within 24 to 48 hours.
Transfer limits. Find out how much you can send with each service. For example, Remitly has a transfer limit of $2,999 while TorFX has no limit.
Discounts. Some providers may offer you a free transfer simply for signing up. Others may offer a discount if you transfer more than a specific amount of US dollars.
Frequently asked questions
Photo identification: Most providers require a driver's license, passport or other Australian government-issued ID.
A way to pay: Your options depend on the provider's services. Popular methods include cash, debit or credit card and bank account transfers.
Recipient information: You'll need their name (matching their ID) plus contact details. If sending to an American bank account, you'll need their account number, SWIFT and branch details.
Transfer number: The reference number – sometimes called a PIN, MTCN or tracking number.
Government-issued ID: An official ID, such as an American passport or driver's license.
The transfer amount: To know how much has been sent, usually to within 10% of the total.
Sender information: The sender's name and address and the transfer's country of origin.
Each provider has its own sending limit. For example, Revolut and Western Union allow you to transfer as little as $1 while others will have a much higher minimum threshold.
Remember that some providers will have maximum transfer amounts as well, either as a result of Australian tax policies or because their service is more limited.
The turnaround time for a money transfer to the United States depends on the provider and how you pay for the transfer. Expect your transfer to arrive within minutes if you pay using cash or with a debit or credit card. Paying by bank transfer can take longer – usually 2–5 days.
Yes, you can still send a money transfer if neither you nor your recipient has a bank account. Look at cash transfer providers such as Western Union or MoneyGram where you can pay with cash and your recipient can collect it as cash on the other end.
Helen Champion is 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.
If you’re looking for a fast money transfer to the U.S.A, you may want to check our list of same-day money transfer providers. You can see two popular money transfer companies that will let you transfer money to the U.S. within the day.
You can also check our guide on how to send money to the USA to compare other services and to know the steps on how to send money to the USA online.
I have actual US dollars (hard currency) that I want to send to someone in the USA. Thus, I don’t need to change Australian dollars into US dollars. Does any company allow this, noting that they usually probably make their profit from the exchange rate.
While there are services on this page that allow USD to USD transfers, they implement an exchange rate which you can compare or the amount received on the table.
Another factor to consider is the transfer fee which can reduce the value of the amount transferred.
You may opt to reach out to the services directly if you have any further concerns.
If I send money to China by using citibank plus account, how much total cost would expect?Citibank doesn’t charge but receiving bank or intermediary bank charge for the service. Say, Today I send money US$1000 to Bank of China. How much I have to send AU$ to receiver side to get US1000?
Please visit our guide to sending money to China from Australia to find more information including fees and exchange rates for multiple money transfer services.
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.
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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.
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What’s the cheapest and fastest way that my family can send money from Melbourne to California? Please give me the most trusted site.
Hello Marie,
Thank you for your comment.
If you’re looking for a fast money transfer to the U.S.A, you may want to check our list of same-day money transfer providers. You can see two popular money transfer companies that will let you transfer money to the U.S. within the day.
You can also check our guide on how to send money to the USA to compare other services and to know the steps on how to send money to the USA online.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Jhezelyn
I have actual US dollars (hard currency) that I want to send to someone in the USA. Thus, I don’t need to change Australian dollars into US dollars. Does any company allow this, noting that they usually probably make their profit from the exchange rate.
Hi Darrel,
Thank you for your inquiry.
While there are services on this page that allow USD to USD transfers, they implement an exchange rate which you can compare or the amount received on the table.
Another factor to consider is the transfer fee which can reduce the value of the amount transferred.
You may opt to reach out to the services directly if you have any further concerns.
I hope this helps.
Best,
Maria
If I send money to China by using citibank plus account, how much total cost would expect?Citibank doesn’t charge but receiving bank or intermediary bank charge for the service. Say, Today I send money US$1000 to Bank of China. How much I have to send AU$ to receiver side to get US1000?
Hi Wolfgang,
Thank you for reaching out.
Please visit our guide to sending money to China from Australia to find more information including fees and exchange rates for multiple money transfer services.
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.
Regards,
Jodie