Send money to Australia

Looking for the best way to send money from the United Kingdom to family, friends or businesses in Australia (or even to your own bank account)? Don't head straight to your British bank - turn to online money transfer services instead. They nearly always offer better exchange rates and lower fees - which means for the same amount of pounds you send, the recipient will receive more dollars.

Compare ways of sending money to Australia

Use our table below to compare services that send money from the UK to Australia. Compare the money transfer providers' fees and speeds, then click "Go to site" when you've found the best one to send your Pounds to Australia.

What documents do I need to transfer money to Australia?

To send money from the United Kingdom to Australia, you'll need the following:

1. Photo identification

Most providers require a driver's license, passport or other British government-issued ID. You can send transfers without ID but may need to give your instead.

2. Payment method

Your options depend on the provider's services. Popular methods include cash, debit or credit card payments, bank account transfers and personal cheques.

3. Recipient information

You'll need their name (matching their ID) plus contact details. If sending to an Australian bank account, you'll need the a/c number, SWIFT and branch details.

What documents do I need to receive money in Australia?

To collect money in person in Australia, the recipient will need:

1. Transfer number

The reference number - sometimes called a PIN, MTCN or tracking number.

2. Government-issued ID

An official ID, such as an Australian passport or driving license.

3. The transfer amount

To know how much has been sent, usually to within 10% of the total.

4. Sender information

The sender's name and address and the country from where the money was sent.

How much does it cost to send money to Australia from the UK?

The cost of sending money to Australia from the United Kingdom depends on the exchange rate between GBP to AUD, the fees, how you want your recipient to receive your transfer and the turnaround time:

• Exchange rates. The mid-market rate is the rate banks and transfer services use to trade between one another. It is the best rate that you can get. But not all money transfer providers offer you this mid-market rat so compare the exchange rate you're offered to the mid-market rate and look for the smallest difference.
• Transfer fees. Are you being charged a flat fee or a percentage of your transfer amount? For example, a provider offering to transfer your money to Australia for a flat or low fee might work out better if you plan to send a large amount.
• Transfer speed. If you need your transfer to arrive quickly, you can pay for a quick delivery. Companies such as offer instant cash pickups but may charge more. If you're not in a rush, online money transfer services can offer the best value, usually getting your money to Australia faster and cheaper than banks.
• Transfer limits. Find out how much you can send with each service. For example, one provider may have a send limit of £10,000 while another may allow you to transfer up to £1 million. For smaller transfers, check the fees. For large transfers, look harder at the exchange rate. Some providers encourage large transfers with low fees.
• Transfer type. Does your recipient have an Australian bank account or is cash or cell phone top up the better option? Each transfer type will have different fees. For example, instant cash pickups tend to be more expensive than bank transfers.
• Discounts. Some providers may offer you a free transfer simply for signing up while others may offer you a discount if you transfer more than a certain amount.

Frequently asked questions

• How much money can I send online to Australia?

  How much money you can send to Australia will depend on the provider you choose as each will have its own sending limits. Some may only offer small amount transfers of say, $1,000 or under, while other providers may allow you to send $10,000 or more. If you need to send a large transfer, look for a provider that has higher or no sending limits to Australia.

• Do I have to pay taxes to send money from the United Kingdom to Australia?

  When you send money to an Australian recipient, the first $15,000 for each recipient is exempt from HMRC taxes under the Gift Tax policy. If you would like to send $15,000 to multiple recipients, you still won't have to pay any gift taxes.If you do send more than $15,000, you'll need to file an IRS Form 709 to disclose the gift. On top of the $15,000 annual exclusion, you get an $11.7 million lifetime exclusion in 2021. Should you be fortunate enough to have remitted over $11.7 million, you may then be liable for gift taxes at a rate anywhere from 17% to 40%.

• How long will it take for my money to arrive in Australia?

  The turnaround time for a money transfer to Australia will depend on the provider and how you pay for the transfer. Expect your transfer to arrive within minutes if you pay cash, or with a debit or credit card. Meanwhile, paying by bank transfer can take longer - usually between 2-5 days.

• Is it safe to send money to Australia online?

  Make sure the provider you choose is overseen by a government regulator. Most money transfer providers allow you to track your transfer, so you can monitor your cash when it's on the move.

• Can I send money to Australia without a bank account?

  Yes, you can send a money transfer if neither you or your Australian recipient has a bank account. Look at cash transfers providers where you can pay in cash and where your recipient can collect in cash or as a cell phone reload instead.