Send Money to Australia
Australia is home to a large expatriate community and receives significant international transfers. Here is how to send AUD at the best possible rate.
Check live USD to AUD rate โBest Services for Sending Money to Australia (2026)
Wise
$1 - $7
Mid-market (0% markup)
1-2 business days
$1,000,000/transfer
OFX
$0 (min $1,000)
0.3-0.8% markup
1-3 business days
No limit
Remitly
$0 - $4
0.5-1.5% markup
Minutes - 1 day
$10,000/transfer
CurrencyFair
$2 - $4
0.3-0.5% markup
1-2 business days
Varies
WorldRemit
$2 - $5
0.5-2% markup
Minutes - 2 days
$5,000/transfer
Bank Wire (SWIFT)
$25 - $50 + intermediary
2-4% markup
3-5 business days
No limit
| Service | Fee | Exchange Rate | Speed | Limit | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | $1 - $7 | Mid-market (0% markup) | 1-2 business days | $1,000,000/transfer | |
| OFX | $0 (min $1,000) | 0.3-0.8% markup | 1-3 business days | No limit | |
| Remitly | $0 - $4 | 0.5-1.5% markup | Minutes - 1 day | $10,000/transfer | |
| CurrencyFair | $2 - $4 | 0.3-0.5% markup | 1-2 business days | Varies | |
| WorldRemit | $2 - $5 | 0.5-2% markup | Minutes - 2 days | $5,000/transfer | |
| Bank Wire (SWIFT) | $25 - $50 + intermediary | 2-4% markup | 3-5 business days | No limit |
Australia's Payment System
Australia uses the New Payments Platform (NPP) with PayID for instant domestic transfers. International transfers are received via the standard SWIFT banking network. Most money transfer services deposit directly into Australian bank accounts using the BSB (Bank-State-Branch) number and account number system.
To send money to an Australian bank account, you need the recipient's BSB number (6 digits, identifying the bank and branch) and their account number (typically 6-10 digits). If sending via SWIFT, you will also need the bank's SWIFT code.
OFX: An Australian-Born Service
OFX was founded in Sydney as OzForex and has deep roots in the Australian market. They offer some of the best rates for transfers to and from Australia, particularly for large amounts. OFX charges no transfer fees (with a minimum transfer amount of around $1,000) and offers exchange rate markups starting at 0.3% for large transfers.
For transfers over AUD $50,000, OFX assigns a personal dealer who can negotiate even better rates and offer forward contracts to lock in rates for future transfers. This makes OFX particularly attractive for property purchases, business payments, or large personal transfers.
Sending Money from India to Australia
With a large Indian-origin population in Australia, the INR to AUD corridor is well-served by multiple services. Wise and Remitly offer the best rates for most transfer amounts. For amounts up to INR 5 lakh (approximately AUD $9,000), Remitly often has promotions offering zero-fee transfers.
Indian senders should be aware of the Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS) limit of $250,000 per financial year and the 20% TCS on remittances exceeding INR 7 lakh. Always use authorized dealer banks or RBI-approved services for outward remittances from India.
Sending Money from the UK to Australia
The UK-to-Australia corridor benefits from strong competition between services. Wise consistently offers the best GBP to AUD rates with their mid-market rate and no markup. CurrencyFair, an Irish company popular with UK residents, offers a peer-to-peer marketplace where you can sometimes get even better rates by matching with someone converting in the opposite direction.
Tax Considerations
Australia does not tax incoming personal remittances or gifts. However, if you are transferring money related to income (such as salary or investment returns from overseas), it may be taxable. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) receives information about international transfers over AUD $10,000 through the International Funds Transfer Instructions (IFTI) reporting system.
If you are a new migrant to Australia, be aware of the tax residency rules. Australia taxes its tax residents on worldwide income, so money earned overseas and transferred to Australia may be taxable depending on your residency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to send money to Australia?
Wise offers the best overall value for most amounts with mid-market rates. OFX is better for large transfers over AUD $10,000 with lower percentage markups.
How long does it take to send money to Australia?
Online services like Wise typically deliver in 1-2 business days. Once in the Australian banking system, NPP enables instant crediting to the recipient's account.
What is a BSB number?
BSB stands for Bank-State-Branch. It is a 6-digit number that identifies the specific bank and branch for Australian bank accounts. The first two digits identify the bank, the third identifies the state, and the last three identify the branch.
Is there a limit on receiving money in Australia?
There is no limit on receiving international transfers in Australia. However, transfers over AUD $10,000 are reported to AUSTRAC (Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre) as standard practice.