Can I send money via WeChat in Australia? | Using WeChat Pay

What started as an IM service now lets you pay for anything from your dry-cleaning bill to your groceries.

WeChat's wallet feature is a quick and easy way to split a dinner bill, pay a friend back or shop without a physical wallet. If you already use WeChat for messaging and you're registered in China, South Africa or Hong Kong, using it to send money is easy.

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Product Name	WeChat International Money Transfers
Min. Transfer Amount	USD 1
Max. Transfer Amount	USD 2,000
Transfer Methods	Online, Cash Transfer
Transfer Options	One off payments
Transfer Speed Minimum transfer time	Within an hour
Customer Service	Phone, Email
Available Currencies	CNY, HKD, MYR, ZAR

Product Name

WeChat International Money Transfers

Min. Transfer Amount

USD 1

Max. Transfer Amount

USD 2,000

Transfer Methods

Online, Cash Transfer

Transfer Options

One off payments

Transfer Speed

Minimum transfer time

Within an hour

Customer Service

Phone, Email

Available Currencies

CNY, HKD, MYR, ZAR

What is WeChat?

WeChat – locally known as 微信 or Weixin – is a social media app that's become one of the most widely used in China. Because it's governed by China's strong censorship laws and messaging interception rules, the government can potentially review your messages and other data at any time. Given this, it's no surprise that WeChat's had a difficult time catching on internationally.

Can I use WeChat Wallet in Australia?

While WeChat is available around the world, WeChat Wallet is only available for those who have a bank account in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia or South Africa. If you do, you'll be able to use WeChat Wallet in Australia.

At the start of 2018, WeChat Pay launched. This feature lets tourists, expats or international students pay at certain stores in Australia. You can see if your local grocery store offers it by looking for the logo.

How do I request and send money with WeChat Wallet?

What happens when someone sends me money?

The money you’re sent on WeChat is automatically transferred into your WeChat Wallet — meaning you don’t accept or deny payment. By reviewing your balance you can view and manage how much money is in your WeChat account.

Are there restrictions for sending money with WeChat?

Yes. WeChat is not legally allowed to process international money transfers. Be aware that only wallets specific to the areas supported by WeChat — China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and South Africa — can send accessible money between each other.

What this means is that if you're trying to send money from your wallet in China to someone in South Africa, the money will be sent, but now the recipient in South Africa will also have a Chinese wallet. Unless the user from South Africa heads to China, the money will be useless.

Is sending money over WeChat Wallet safe?

WeChat encrypts your personal information, financial details and monetary transactions. However, WeChat doesn't provide much information on other digital safeguards.

Because WeChat Wallet is based in China, it isn't required to comply with Australian security standards. Keep in mind that the Chinese government monitors all social media devices, including WeChat. So it’s safe from hackers, but no transaction is completely private.

Pros

Free service. Unlike PayPal, which makes money through a percentage of your transaction, WeChat's developer Tencent makes money selling other products. While WeChat Wallet is another way for Tencent to sell its products, the service is free to use.

Cons:

Service limited to certain countries. To use WeChat Wallet, your account must be registered in mainland China, South Africa or Hong Kong.
Potential for government prying. WeChat is governed by China's laws that allow the government to monitor your messages and personal info.
No specified delivery. WeChat doesn't advertise how long it takes for transfers to complete, which means you may need to look elsewhere for emergencies.

Are there other ways I can send money overseas?

While WeChat doesn't have the ability yet to make an international money transfer, there are other providers that can. Learn more about them below. If you'd like the convenience of a mobile app, check out our review on some of the most popular money transfer apps.

I want to send

Min. Transfer Amount	Transfer Speed	Online Transfer Fee	Rate	Amount Received	Description	CTA	Details
AUD 1	1 day	-	-		Pay no fees on your first two transfers, up to $3,000. SingX offers the real exchange rate every time you make a transfer and can help you send money across the world.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options One off payments Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies AUD, CAD, CNY, EUR, GBP, HKD, IDR, INR, JPY, KRW, LKR, MYR, NPR, NZD, PHP, SGD, THB, USD, VND, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
AUD 250	1 - 2 days	-	-		$0 transfer fees for Finder customers. OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 250.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AUD, AZN, BGN, BND, CAD, CHF, CNY, CZK, DKK, EGP, EUR, FJD, GBP, HKD, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JPY, KRW, KWD, LKR, MAD, MGA, MXN, MYR, NOK, NZD, OMR, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, RUB, SAR, SBD, SCR, SEK, SGD, THB, TOP, TRY, TWD, TZS, USD, VEF, VND, VUV, WST, XOF, XPF, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
GBP 0	1 - 2 days	AUD 3.99	4.818	CNY 24,069	Azimo sends money directly to a bank account or over 280,000 cash pick-up points. It also has fast transfers to 50+ countries.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount GBP 0.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options One off payments Customer service Chat, Email Available currencies AED, ALL, AMD, AOA, ARS, AUD, AWG, AZN, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BMD, BND, BOB, BRL, BSD, BTN, BWP, BYR, BZD, CAD, CDF, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CVE, CZK, DJF, DKK, DOP, DZD, EGP, ERN, ETB, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GHS, GIP, GMD, GNF, GTQ, GYD, HKD, HNL, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, ISK, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KWD, KZT, LAK, LBP, LKR, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MNT, MOP, MRO, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SAR, SBD, SCR, SEK, SGD, SLL, SRD, STD, SZL, THB, TJS, TMT, TND, TOP, TRY, TTD, TWD, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, UZS, VND, VUV, WST, XAF, XCD, XOF, XPF, ZAR, ZMW Go to site Read the full review
AUD 10	Within an hour	AUD 2.99	4.813	CNY 24,049	Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers. Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 10.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options N/A Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies ARS, AUD, BDT, BGN, BOB, BRL, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CZK, DOP, EGP, ETB, GHS, GTQ, GYD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, INR, JMD, KES, KMF, KRW, LKR, MAD, MXN, MYR, NIO, NPR, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, RON, RWF, THB, TND, TRY, TZS, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, XAF, XOF, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
AUD 2,000	1 day	AUD 10.00	4.793	CNY 23,919	Better exchange rates for Finder customers. WorldFirst sends 60+ currencies at competitive rates. If you find a better eligible quote, WorldFirst will beat it.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 2,000.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies AED, AUD, BBD, BGN, BHD, BWP, CAD, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CZK, DKK, EGP, EUR, FJD, GBP, HKD, HRK, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KRW, KWD, LKR, MAD, MUR, MXN, MYR, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, QAR, RON, RUB, SAR, SEK, SGD, THB, TND, TRY, TTD, TZS, UGX, USD, VND, XCD, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
AUD 1	Same day	AUD 3.99	4.803	CNY 23,996	Use promo code 3FREE to send your first 3 transfers with no fee. Conditions apply. WorldRemit sends money to 110+ countries for bank-to-bank deposits, cash pick-ups or mobile top-ups.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options One off payments Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, ALL, AMD, ANG, AOA, ARS, AUD, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BOB, BRL, BWP, CAD, CDF, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CVE, CZK, DKK, DOP, EGP, ETB, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GHS, GMD, GNF, GTQ, HKD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, ISK, JMD, JOD, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KWD, KYD, KZT, LAK, LBP, LKR, LRD, LSL, MAD, MDL, MGA, MRO, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RUB, RWF, SCR, SEK, SGD, SLL, SOS, SRD, THB, TJS, TND, TOP, TRY, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, WST, XAF, XCD, XOF, ZAR, ZMW, BYN Go to site Read the full review
AUD 1	1 - 2 days	AUD 37.50	4.822	CNY 23,929	Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 50+ currencies.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies AED, ARS, AUD, BDT, BGN, BRL, BWP, CAD, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CZK, DKK, EGP, EUR, GBP, GEL, GHS, HKD, HRK, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JPY, KES, KRW, LKR, MAD, MXN, MYR, NGN, NOK, NPR, NZD, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, RON, RUB, SEK, SGD, THB, TRY, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, XOF, ZAR, ZMW Go to site Read the full review
AUD 200	1 - 2 days	AUD 25.00	4.836	CNY 24,059	New customers sending over AUD 500 from Australia use code FINDER50 to get AUD 50 off. Valid till 30th June 2021. T&Cs apply. InstaReM offers simple transfers with a flat 0.5% transfer fee for most transfers.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 200.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options One off payments Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies AUD, BDT, CAD, CNY, EUR, GBP, HKD, IDR, INR, KRW, LKR, MYR, NPR, PHP, PKR, SGD, THB, USD, VND Go to site Read the full review

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Can I send money over WeChat?

What started as an IM service now lets you pay for anything from your dry-cleaning bill to your groceries.

Details