In this guide, I’ll explain how to make an international money transfer to Australia.
I’ll discuss how you should go about it, the type of company you should use, and the details you need to include on the transfer.
If you're sending money from a specific country, select it from our dropdown list for tailored recommendations, based on your transfer route.
- Speed1-2 DaysPayment methodsFee & exchange rateFee: 0Exchange rate: 00 below the mid-market rate
- Speed1-2 DaysPayment methodsFee & exchange rateFee: 0Exchange rate: 00 below the mid-market rate
- Speed1Payment methodsFee & exchange rateFee: 0Exchange rate: 00 below the mid-market rate
- Speed1-2 DaysPayment methodsFeatureDedicated account manager for large transfersFee & exchange rateFee: 0Exchange rate: 0This margin is standard for large transfers, but depending on the size and circumstances, XE may offer even better rates.0 below the mid-market rate
- Speed0-2 DaysPayment methodsFee & exchange rateFee: 0Exchange rate: 0This company uses individualised quotes that depend on many factors. To receive a quote specific to your requirements, you will need to sign up with the company and ask for it. The rate displayed is representative of what you can receive, but it is not guaranteed.0 below the mid-market rate
- Speed1-5 DaysPayment methodsFee & exchange rateFee: 0Exchange rate: 0This company uses individualised quotes that depend on many factors. To receive a quote specific to your requirements, you will need to sign up with the company and ask for it. The rate displayed is representative of what you can receive, but it is not guaranteed.0 below the mid-market rate
- Speed1-5 DaysPayment methodsFee & exchange rateFee: 0Exchange rate: 00 below the mid-market rate
- Speed1-3 DaysPayment methodsFee & exchange rateFee: 0Exchange rate: 0This company uses individualised quotes that depend on many factors. To receive a quote specific to your requirements, you will need to sign up with the company and ask for it. The rate displayed is representative of what you can receive, but it is not guaranteed.0 below the mid-market rate
- Speed0-2 DaysPayment methodsFee & exchange rateFee: 0Exchange rate: 00 below the mid-market rate
- Speed1-5 DaysPayment methodsFee & exchange rateFee: 0Exchange rate: 00 below the mid-market rate
- SpeedInstantPayment methodsFee & exchange rateFee: 0Exchange rate: 0This company uses individualised quotes that depend on many factors. To receive a quote specific to your requirements, you will need to sign up with the company and ask for it. The rate displayed is representative of what you can receive, but it is not guaranteed.0 below the mid-market rate
- Speed1-2 DaysPayment methodsFee & exchange rateFee: 0Exchange rate: 0This company uses individualised quotes that depend on many factors. To receive a quote specific to your requirements, you will need to sign up with the company and ask for it. The rate displayed is representative of what you can receive, but it is not guaranteed.0 below the mid-market rate
- Speed0-1 DaysPayment methodsFee & exchange rateFee: 0Exchange rate: 00 below the mid-market rate
4.7Speed1-3 DaysPayment methodsFee & exchange rateFee: 0Exchange rate: 0This company uses individualised quotes that depend on many factors. To receive a quote specific to your requirements, you will need to sign up with the company and ask for it. The rate displayed is representative of what you can receive, but it is not guaranteed.0 below the mid-market rate- 0SpeedPayment methodsFee & exchange rateFee: 0Exchange rate: 00 below the mid-market rate
3Speed1-3 DaysPayment methodsFee & exchange rateFee: 0Exchange rate: 0This company uses individualised quotes that depend on many factors. To receive a quote specific to your requirements, you will need to sign up with the company and ask for it. The rate displayed is representative of what you can receive, but it is not guaranteed.0 below the mid-market rate- 0SpeedPayment methodsFee & exchange rateFee: 0Exchange rate: 00 below the mid-market rate
0SpeedPayment methodsFee & exchange rateFee: 0Exchange rate: 00 below the mid-market rate
Send Money to Australia
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How to transfer money to an Australian bank account
Step 1: Compare a number of money transfer companies using our comparison tool
Start by exploring your options.
A wide range of companies can help you send money to Australia.
They all offer different rates, fees, and services.
Some might be faster, while others could be cheaper.
It's all about finding the right fit for your needs, but these are the most important things to consider:
- Cost (exchange rates and fees)
- Safety (regulation)
- Service and features
- Customer ratings
Using a comparison tool lets you see your options side by side, making it easier to spot the best deal at a glance.
Step 2: Sign up and get verified
Found your preferred provider? Great.
The next step is signing up.
You'll need to share some personal details before sending money.
Your chosen provider will likely ask for ID to verify your identity and your address.
Don’t fret – it's a standard step – all about keeping your money safe.
Just keep in mind, verification times can vary.
It may happen online in minutes, but sometimes further checks are necessary.
Allow sufficient time so that you’re not rushing and can go with your preferred provider.
Step 3: Set up your transfer
Once approved, you're ready to arrange your transfer.
You’ll need to specify how much you're sending and the Australian bank account it’s going to.
Do this either online, via an app, or by speaking to your dealer.
There are various details you need to provide to route an international transfer to Australia - we'll explain these in more detail later.
If you remain unsure, speak with your provider; they'll know exactly what you need to include.
Step 4: Agree to an FX rate
Currencies are traded 24 hours a day, all over the world.
As a result, rates are constantly moving and timing your trade correctly can get you more AUD at the end of your transfer.
Currency brokers will give you bespoke guidance on when to trade, taking into account your unique situation and risk appetite.
Remember, you won’t get the actual mid-market rate that banks trade at with one another.
Instead, the provider will show you their customer exchange rate and any associated fees.
More often than not, it’s down to you to calculate exactly how much you’ll be charged within the exchange rate itself.
When you’re happy, take a moment to review everything and proceed.
Step 5: Fund your transfer and track its progress
Finally, you need to pay for your transfer.
Providers usually offer a few options – bank transfer, Google/Apple pay, debit card, and maybe even credit card.
With some providers, fees can vary depending on how you pay, so choose wisely.
Once you've funded the transfer, you'll get a confirmation message.
You can often track your transfer online or with an app, keeping you in the loop until your money arrives.
How much does it cost to send money to Australia?
The cost of an international transfer is determined by two main factors:
- Fixed payment fees
- Exchange rate markup / variable fees
Different providers offer different payment fees and mark-ups on the exchange rate.
Thus, how much you pay is largely down to who you choose to handle your transfer.
Another important factor is where you’re sending money from.
If you’re transferring money to Australia from an ‘exotic’ currency, you can expect to pay more in both transfer fees and exchange rate markup.
The costs that the provider’s encounter for trading ‘exotic’ currencies are higher, so they are for you too.
On the flip side, if you’re sending money from a major currency like GBP, EUR or USD, there’s more competition for your business and the costs are lower.
Now, let’s understand the two different types of fees involved in international transfers.
I’ll explain international money transfer fees first.
As a general rule of thumb:
- Banks and remittance companies charge high payment fees
- Money transfer apps charge low payment fees
- Currency brokers charge no payment fees
Banks in certain countries charge much higher payment fees than in others.
These are the sort of transfer fees you can expect to pay from some of the most popular countries to send money to Australia:
| Country | Guideline Transfer Fees |
|---|---|
| UK | £0 - £30 |
| Europe | €0 - €100 |
| Canada | C$1.99 - C$25 |
| USA | $0 - $50 |
| New Zealand | NZ$15 - NZ$30 |
Even though transfer fees quickly start to add up when you make regular international transfers, they're just a small part of the overall equation.
The much costlier element is the exchange rate markup, sometimes presented as a variable fee.
As it’s calculated as a percentage, it increases with the more you send and often dwarfs the payment fee.
Comparing quotes from multiple providers is vital if you want to save money but you can use these as a guide:
| Money Transfer Provider | Guideline Margin |
|---|---|
| Bank | 2.5%+ |
| Currency broker | 0.15% - 2% |
| Money transfer app | 0.4% - 1.2% |
| Remittance company | 0.8% - 4% |
The lower end of the margin applies for higher-value payments and transfers from major destinations.
The upper end applies to low-value payments and transfers from exotic currencies.
As you can calculate, you stand to save thousands by choosing the right provider.
Cheapest way to transfer money to Australia
The cheapest way to transfer money to Australia depends on how much you’re sending, and where you’re sending it from.
If cost is one of your primary concerns, it’s always best to avoid these providers in almost every scenario:
- Traditional banks
- Cash pickup services
- Digital wallets (for instance, PayPal)
Going down any of these routes can easily see you lose 5%+ of your transfer.
This is what we’d recommend instead.
For transactions exceeding AU$10,000, the cheapest way to send money to Australia is usually via a currency broker. Brokers excel in handling large sums. Learn more about how to transfer large amounts internationally.
They offer attractive exchange rates with no fees, plus a dedicated account manager to navigate you through the process.
But, you’ll get less favourable exchange rates for small amounts.
Therefore, for transactions below AU$10,000, money transfer apps are your best bet.
The process is entirely self-service, without personal assistance.
While most apps offer competitive rates, they typically include small fees.
How long does it take to transfer money to Australia?
It all depends on where you’re sending money from, who you use, and the type of transfer you select.
As a general rule of thumb, you’re looking at 1-4 working days to send money to Australia.
When there’s a significant crossover of working hours, it’s more likely your transfer will reach its destination on the same day.
Likewise, the less companies touching your transfer, the less hold ups there are.
Transfers over the SWIFT network often involve ‘intermediary banks’, so you’re not just waiting for the sending and receiving party to do their part.
Overall, banks tend to be the slowest route.
Using a specialist money transfer service can speed things up.
If you send money to another user on the same platform, it’s almost instant.
Even when you’re paying an external bank account, some money transfer companies can leverage their local settlement accounts across the globe to improve transfer times.
One final thing to be aware of – speed can also depend on how you pay for the transfer.
Paying by bank transfer might add time, while a debit card will settle the trade immediately.
What details are required to transfer money to Australia?
When transferring money to Australia, you'll likely need:
- Destination SWIFT/BIC
- Beneficiary details (account number, name + address)
- 6-digit BSB Code
Australia does not use an IBAN format, which helps to route international payments to specific accounts.
Every Australian bank will have its own unique SWIFT/BIC which is key for any international transfer made over the SWIFT network.
Here are the SWIFT codes of the five largest Aussie banks:
| Bank | SWIFT/BIC |
|---|---|
| ANZ | ANZBAU3M |
| Commonwealth Bank | CTBAAU2S |
| Macquarie Bank | MACQAU2S |
| NAB | NATAAU33 |
| Westpac | WPACAU2S |
By combining a bank’s SWIFT code with the beneficiary account details and BSB code, all the required information is there to successfully route payments to an Australian account.
Best way to transfer money to Australia in 2026
When it comes to money transfers, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
Your decision hinges on your personal preferences and necessities.
Be it service quality, security, speed, or affordability, selecting a provider that aligns with your criteria is crucial.
Embarking on a comparison journey to discover your 'ideal method' is highly recommended.
Keep in mind, we constantly update our database.
The cheapest provider for transfers to Australia today might not be the same tomorrow.
If you’re concerned about security, take comfort in knowing that every provider listed on MoneyTransferAustralia is reputable, regulated, and secure.
Regulation is key - it’s synonymous with safety in usage.
Our comparison tool further allows you to evaluate the speed, rates, and fees of each provider.