Sending money to Australia from just about any part of the world is rather easy, all thanks to the number of specialist money transfer companies that have mushroomed over the last couple of decades. Given the widespread usage of the internet, you can simply turn online if you want to transfer money from the U.S. to Australia, change Australian money to American money, or trade it for any other currency.
Transfer Money to Australia
- User RatingTrustPilot or Feefo User Ratings
- Transfer Type
- Coupon
- Fee
- Speed
- Regular Payments
- Mobile App
- Min Transfer Amount
OFX
- 9.1/10
- Online
PhoneOne off transfers Regular transfers - Two Transfers Fee Free
First 2 Transactions Free - USD$0
£0
CAD$15
AUD$15
€10 - 1 - 3 Days
- Their website is also responsive so it auto-scales to your screen size.
- $250 / £100 / €250
WorldRemit
- 9.4/10
- Online OnlyOne off transfers Phone assistance available
- First 3 Transfers Fee Free.
Your first overseas transfer Fee Free! Learn more - $3 - 4For example. Sending €10,000
from Australia would incur
€50 fee + 4-5% exchange
rate fee on top of market rates. - 1 - 3 Days
- Regular payments to PayPal registered merchants is possible.
Regular payments to family or friends PayPal accounts is not currently possible. - Their website is responsive so it auto-scales to your screen size.
- €/£/$1
TransferWise
- 9.3/10
- Online OnlyOne off transfers Regular transfers
- ~0.5%Min and Max Fees apply.. Learn More
- 1 - 2 Days
- £1 / $1Min and Max Fees apply.. Learn More
XE.com
- 9.1/10
- Online OnlyOne off transfers Phone assistance available
- NO FEES
- NO FEESXE.com transaction fees are contained within the exchange rate offered.
- 1 - 2 Days
- Regular payments to PayPal registered merchants is possible.
Regular payments to family or friends PayPal accounts is not currently possible. - Their website is responsive so it auto-scales to your screen size.
- €/£/$1
If you are wondering how to transfer money to Australia, understand that you need to pay attention to different aspects in order to pick the right service provider.
Currency Corridors & Swift Codes
Currency Symbol and Swift Codes
The Australian dollar (AUD) is the official currency of the Commonwealth of Australia. It serves as legal tender in Australia’s external territories that include Norfolk Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and Christmas Island, as well as of independent Pacific Island states of Vanuatu, Nauru, Kiribati, Tuvalu, and Tonga.
The Australian dollar is divided into 100 cents. It is often abbreviated as A$ or AU$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies.
When making an international money transfer to Australia, you will need to provide a Swift code and a BSB number. The BSB number is used to identify individual branches of different financial institutions. The table below lists BSB numbers of popular banks in Australia.
| Bank | Branch | BSB Number |
|---|---|---|
| ANZ | Pitt Street, Sydney | 012-002 |
| Commonwealth Bank | 48 Martin Place, Sydney | 062-000 |
| National Australia Bank | George Street, Sydney | 082-001 |
| Westpac | George Street, Sydney | 032-000 |
Popular Currency Corridors
A fair amount of forex money transfer to Australia takes place every year. In 2015, more than $2.25 billion flowed into the country in remittances from other nations. However, this is not a one way phenomenon. During the same period, more than $16.5 billion was sent from Australia to other countries.
The tables below give you an indication of the amount of money that flowed in and out of Australia as remittances in 2015.
Incoming
| Country | Currency Pair | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The UK | GBP-AUD | $520,000,000 |
| The U.S. | USD-AUD | $339,000,000 |
| New Zealand | NZD-AUD | $290,000,000 |
| Canada | CAD-AUD | $115,000,000 |
| Italy | EUR-AUD | $99,000,000 |
Outgoing
| Country | Currency Pair | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| China | AUD-CNY | $2,917,000,000 |
| India | AUD-INR | $1,796,000,000 |
| The UK | AUD-GBP | $1,360,000,000 |
| Vietnam | AUD-VND | $1,124,000,000 |
| The Philippines | AUD-PHP | $865,000,000 |
| Lebanon | AUD-LBP | $849,000,000 |
How Do I Compare Companies When Sending Money to Australia?
If you want to narrow down on the best way to send money to Australia, it is important that you compare your options well. Irrespective of whether you wish to transfer USD to AUD, EUR to AUD, GBP to AUD, or NZD to AUD, factors you need to consider remain the same.
- Exchange rate and fees. The exchange rate you get and the fee you need to pay have an effect on the cost of your transfer. While steep fees may offset a seemingly great exchange rate, the reverse holds true as well. An easy way to determine the cheapest way to transfer money to Australia is to look at how much money the recipient will receive.
- Processing time. If you wish to transfer money to Australia in a hurry, you may have to pay higher than usual fees. Factors such as the country of your residence and the service provider you select tend to affect turnaround times. A regular money transfer to an Australian bank account may take up to seven business days. Some companies offer expedited services with quicker turnaround times. You may also send money to a cash pickup location in Australia because these transfers tend to take place in real time.
- Payment methods. All prominent overseas money transfer companies that let you send money to Australia accept payments via bank account transfers. While not all companies allow payments via debit and credit cards, finding ones that do is easy. Some companies let you pay via region-specific methods as well.
- Customer service. Turning to online platforms such as Trustpilot and Feefo gives you easy means to determine how different overseas money transfer companies fare in this aspect. Some of the leading players in this field provide local phone support in different countries, as well as support via chat and email.
How to Send Money to Australia?
This is mainly a matter of personal preferences and convenience.
- Online. By turning online, you may initiate your transfer from anywhere, at any time. While several banks let their customers transfer money to Australia using their online platforms, turning to specialist money transfer companies may lead to savings in time and money.
- Over the phone. Some overseas money transfer companies give their customers access to currency brokers, through who you may place transfer instructions over the phone.
- In-person. Your local bank might let you initiate an overseas money transfer in person. Alternatively, you may turn to a money transfer company that operates out of physical locations.
Case Study
Steve travelled to the UK on account of work and was to live there for five years. During this period, he needed to make payments toward his Australian car and home loans. Unaware of his alternatives, he used the services of his local UK bank for the first couple of months.
When a co-worker found out about Steve’s need to send money to Australia, he suggested looking at overseas money transfer companies. Upon running a comparison, this is what Steve found out.
| Bank | Money Transfer Service | |
|---|---|---|
| Exchange rate | GBP 1 = AUD 1.6824 | GBP 1 = AUD 1.7083 |
| Transfer fee | GBP 25 | GBP 0 |
| Amount received for GBP 2,000 | AUD 3,322.74 | AUD 3,416.60 |
| Transfer time | 2 to 5 days | 1 to 3 days |
| Transfer options | Bank account | Bank account |
| Difference of | AUD 93.86 |
Saving around $90 to $100 every month was not the only reason Steve decided to go with the specialist money transfer company. It also let him lock-in exchange rates and set up scheduled transfers, which were functionalities that his bank did not offer.
Cash Pickup Locations in Australia
If the recipient needs money in a hurry, your best bet in sending money to Australia is to transfer is to a cash pickup location. Some money transfer companies with a physical presence in Australia include Western Union, Ria, and MoneyGram.
| Ria in Australia | |
|---|---|
| Sydney Ground Floor 810 George Street, Sydney | Migration Australia & Settlement Services Pty Ltd Suite 4 235 South Head Road Edgecliff |
| Melbourne Mgm Australian Education Suite 201 343 Little Collins Melbourne | Reynaldo's Pty Ltd 50 Errol Street North Melbourne |
| WESTERN UNION IN AUSTRALIA | |
| Sydney MLC Centre News Agency Shop 10 Level 6 19 29 Martin Place, Sydney | Australia Post 1 Martin Place, Sydney |
| Melbourne Travelex 261 Bourke Street, Melbourne | Australia Post 250 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne |
Safety Tips for Picking up Cash in Australia
Australia has low levels of serious crimes, although you should exercise the same amount of caution as you would back home. When collecting money from a cash pickup location, remain attentive of your surroundings.
Be careful of your belongings when visiting popular destinations. Do not leave your bags unattended in pubs, clubs, cafes, and cars. There have been instances of theft from safety deposit boxes in cheaper hostels and hotels. Remain vigilant in busy tourist areas at night, especially if you are alone.
What Information Do I Need to Send Money to Australia?
The information you need when sending money to Australia depends on the method you choose.
- Bank account transfer. You will need to provide the recipient’s name, a bank account number, the bank’s BSB number, and a Swift code.
- Cash pickup. Providing the recipient’s name and a desired cash pickup location is all the information you need to provide. The recipient will need to carry a valid form of ID along with a reference number to collect the transferred money.
Regulations When Transferring Money To and From Australia
The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) is responsible for monitoring money moving in and out of the country. If you send or receive more than $10,000 or its equivalent in another currency, the bank or service provider you work with needs to disclose it to AUSTRAC. In such a scenario, you might need to verify your identity before moving forward with the transfer.
Due to sanctions imposed by the United Nations and Australia, you cannot transfer money to some countries such as Libya, Syria, Iran, and North Korea.
There are tax implications of moving money in or out of Australia. If you plan to make an investment in a foreign country, you will need to disclose it to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Receiving money from overseas, as income or inheritance, also needs to be disclosed to the ATO.
Pros and Cons of Relocating to Australia
Living in Australia as an expat, an overseas student, or a retiree comes with its share of pros and cons.
Pros
- Good quality healthcare
- Good education system
- Freedom of speech and religion
- High levels of security
- Affordable accommodation
- Good local transport
Cons
- High cost of living
- Expensive medical insurance
- High tuition fees for international students
- Education in private schools is expensive
Next Steps
No matter whether you want to send British, Canadian, or American money to Australia, know that you have several specialist companies from which to choose. Compare your options well and determine if you need to look beyond cost-effectiveness. Remember that some companies provide promotional offers that may lead to added savings.
International Money Transfer Offers
- WORLDFIRST
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