What details do I need to transfer money to the United States?

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.

What is required to receive money in the United States?

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.

Best money transfer apps for the US?

We rated money transfer apps based on 5 main features including Apple store reviews, Google app ratings, app features, transfer speed and coverage. Below we cover the top 7 apps and the main reason they stood out. Remitly - Money-back guarantee Wise - Mid-market exchange rate Revolut - UX experience OFX - No max transfer limit WorldRemit - Diverse delivery options Western Union - Huge global network Xe Money Transfer - Track currency pairs

How much money can I send to the United States?

There's no limit on how much money you can transfer with TorFX or OFX as both providers have robust platforms. Other providers have smaller limits, with Western Union you can send up to $50,000 AUD via bank account transfer.

How long will it take for my money to arrive in the United States?

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.

Can I send money to the United States without a bank account?

You can still make a money transfer if your recipient doesn't have 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.

Best ways to send money to USA

Revolut

Go to site

Great rates and low fees to 150+ countries
User-friendly app and easy sign-up process
Get the real exchange rate during market hours

OFX

Go to site

No transfer fees above $10,000
25+ years’ experience in FX markets
Send money to over 170 countries

TorFX

Go to site

No transfer fees
Dedicated account manager assigned to you
Fix your exchange rate up to two years in advance

Whether you're sending money to the United States for personal or business reasons, bypassing banks in favour of a money transfer provider is a smart move. Research by the ACCC reveals that the big four banks often charge higher fees compared to money transfer specialists, which tend to offer more favourable 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 fast transfer? Instarem can get money to your recipient 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 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 to their agent location. Travelex is also a popular choice due to convenient locations at airports and their partnership with Australia Post.
PayPal. Although PayPal is more known for digital payments, it also allows users to transfer money overseas. They charge relatively expensive fees, making them only suitable for transferring small amounts.

Compare money transfer companies

{"niche":"AUFMT"}

20 of 32 results

Filter Values	Fastest Transfer Speed	Fees (Pay by Bank Transfer)
TorFX	Finder Score 8.7 Great	24 hours	$0	TorFX sends money overseas in 40+ currencies, with competitive rates for transfer amounts over $2,000. Same-day transfers between AUD and NZD (under $100,000).	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
TorFX	Finder Score 8.8 Great	24 hours	$0	TorFX sends money overseas in 40+ currencies, with competitive rates for transfer amounts over $2,000. Same-day transfers between AUD and NZD (under $100,000).	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Send Payments	Finder Score 8.1 Great	24 hours	$0	Send provides no Send payments fee transfers via its 24/7 multi-currency payments platform with real-time quotes.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Xe Business Transfers	Finder Score Not scored yet	Within minutes	$0	Xe has fast transfers, low fees and a range of foreign currency tools. Send money to 200 countries in 130+ currencies.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
OFX	Finder Score 9.1 Excellent	24 hours	$15	OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 50+ currencies.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Remitly	Finder Score 9.3 Excellent	Within minutes	From $0	Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Revolut	Finder Score 8.7 Great	Within minutes	From 0.15%	Sign up and get a AUD$15 top-up. For new customers only. Ends 31 Dec 2026. T&Cs apply.	Send money with great rates and low fees in 40+ currencies. Plan fees apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
OFX	Finder Score 9.3 Excellent	24 hours	$0	OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 50+ currencies.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Xe Money Transfers	Finder Score 9.4 Excellent	Within minutes	$0	Xe has fast transfers, low fees and a range of foreign currency tools. Send money to 200 countries in 100 currencies.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Send business	Finder Score Not scored yet	24 hours	$0	Send provides no Send payments fee transfers via its 24/7 multi-currency payments platform with real-time quotes.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Wise Most Loved	Finder Score 8.9 Great	Within minutes	From 0.63%	Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 50+ currencies.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
TorFX Business Transfers	Finder Score Not scored yet	24 hours	$0	TorFX guarantees to match any competitor's exchange rate. T&Cs apply.	TorFX sends money overseas in 30+ currencies, with competitive rates for transfer amounts over $2,000.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
OFX Business Transfers	Finder Score Not scored yet	24 hours	$0	OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 50+ currencies.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Send Payments	Finder Score 8.4 Great	24 hours	$0	Send provides no Send payments fee transfers via its 24/7 multi-currency payments platform with real-time quotes.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Xe Large Transfers	Finder Score 9.3 Excellent	24 hours	$0	Xe has fast transfers, low fees and a range of foreign currency tools. Send money to 200 countries in 100 currencies.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
MoneyGram	Finder Score 8.3 Great	Within minutes	Varies	MoneyGram has fast cash pick-up transfers to more than 440,000 agent locations worldwide.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
PayPal International Money Transfers	Finder Score 6.9 Standard	24 hours	From $0	Use PayPal to safely send money and receive payments from around the world in over 25 currencies with just an email address or mobile number.	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Commonwealth Bank	Finder Score 8.2 Great	3 days	From $0	{{ GENERAL.TABLE_DESCRIPTION }}	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
HSBC International Money Transfers	Finder Score 8.2 Great	24 hours	From $8	Get real time exchange rates when markets are open with flat $8 fee for online international transfers.	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
SingX	Finder Score 8.4 Great	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.	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading

Showing 20 of 32 results

Finder 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.

Read the full methodology

Cheapest way to send money to the US

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.

Certain services may give the mid-market rate but add fees on top. Others may have low fees but apply a markup on the AUD/USD exchange rate. Also, make sure to use a provider registered with AUSTRAC, every provider we compare complies with relevant laws in Australia and the US.

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Finder Survey

We surveyed 1,100 Australians in December 2023 and over 57% of people were worried about a weak Australian Dollar for 2024. Also, North America was the 3rd most popular destination for international transfers at 11.11%, behind Europe and Asia.

Our expert says

"I used to use OFX to transfer money from Australia to the US. This product seems best suited for people who are doing larger transfers as they remove the fee if you send more than $10K AUD. As someone with a mortgage to pay in USD but who gets paid in AUD, I have to send money back from time to time to cover housing expenses. The cost of sending is usually 1 penny on the exchange rate, so if the AUD is fetching 66.7 USD, OFX will allow me to transfer for 65.7. It's been reliable and since I've made many transfers, it is relatively easy. Through comparing on Finder, I can see that there are a cheaper options like Wise which will save me around $70 USD each transfer of $10K, which is well worth the admin of setting up a new account."

Taylor Blackburn

Money Expert

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 transfer speeds to the United States:

Revolut — within minutes
Western Union — within minutes
Instarem — within minutes

How to send money to a US bank account from Australia

To transfer money, 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.
Sign up with your email address, some services will allow you to login via a Google or Facebook account. To complete KYC, provide your name, address, contact details and proof of ID. Fund your account with a bank transfer, POLi, PayID, or a debit or credit card.
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 the bank branch's address.
Enter your transfer amount.
Check you're happy with the fees, exchange rates and transfer speed, then enter the amount. Double-check the total US dollars your recipient gets.
Complete your transfer.
Press send and keep your transaction reference number safe so you can track your transfer. Your recipient may need it too.

Large money transfers

If you need to make a sizable money transfer, 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:

Account manager. Some money transfer providers assign a personal account manager who can help and advise you on your transfer needs.
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.
Tax guidance. Large transfers 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.
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.

Is now a good time to send money to the US?

The Australian dollar was 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 0.65 - 0.67 USD mark. Despite a tough year, experts are slightly more optimistic with their forecasts for 2024.

NAB is forecasting 1 AUD will be worth 0.73 USD exchange rate by the end of 2024, while Westpac is predicting the Aussie dollar will be at 0.70 USD in December 2024. Trying to predict the right time to transfer money is challenging given the 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.

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.
We rated money transfer apps based on 5 main features including Apple store reviews, Google app ratings, app features, transfer speed and coverage. Below we cover the top 7 apps and the main reason they stood out.
1. Remitly - Money-back guarantee
2. Wise - Mid-market exchange rate
3. Revolut - UX experience
4. OFX - No max transfer limit
5. WorldRemit - Diverse delivery options
6. Western Union - Huge global network
7. Xe Money Transfer - Track currency pairs

Sources

Thank you for your feedback!

Written by

Helen Champion

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

MarieJuly 17, 2018

What’s the cheapest and fastest way that my family can send money from Melbourne to California? Please give me the most trusted site.

Finder

fJhezelynJuly 17, 2018Finder

Hello Marie,

Thank you for your comment.

You may want to 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

DarrelNovember 28, 2017

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.

MariaNovember 29, 2017

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

WolfgangMay 18, 2015

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?

JodieMay 28, 2015

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

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