5 Cheaper Ways to Send Money to Australia from the US
Are you interested in how to and how much it costs to send money to Australia from the United States? We've found the fastest and cheapest ways to transfer money online. Using a bank can be familiar, but they are very costly. The 5 money transfer companies below make it easy, time efficient and cheap to get a better exchange rate for foreign currency transfers.
Use our guide to find out who has transparent costs, cell phone apps and available delivery options to make your international money transfers easier.
The 5 Best money transfer companies to send money to Australia from the USA
Currencies Direct
Currencies Direct are particularly good for larger transfers because they have personal account managers that are really helpful, particularly if it's your first time sending money to Australia. They also offer better exchange rates, the more you transfer.
It's important to know that they don't operate in every state. Currencies Direct cannot help you transfer money if you live in Arkansas, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, Oklahoma, Vermont, Washington or West Virginia.
How much does it cost to transfer funds to Australia from the United States?
Transfer Fee: Free, but there can be hidden charges at the local bank.
Exchange Rate: The exchange rate you receive depends on the amount of your transfer. It is marginally above the mid market rate or the rate on google.
How to transfer money with Currencies Direct?
- Set up account online or over the phone.
- Tap in how much, where to and which currency.
- Pay Currencies Direct and they will transfer the funds to your recipients bank account.
How long does it take?
Allow 1-3 business days for international money transfers.
Is Currencies Direct safe?
Yes they are. They are registered with Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and are part of a global conglomerate of money transfer services that include TorFX and Foremost Currency Group.
Best features:
- Fee free transfers and minimum amounts for international money transfers
- Well known and trusted brand, scores 9.2/10 from Trustpilot
- Rate alert set up available
Service details:
For help, you can find their contact details here. In the USA, you can call +1 407 900 2174 or email usa@currenciesdirect.com
WorldRemit
If you're looking to send small amounts of cash to Australia from the US, WorldRemit is a great option. They offer competitive exchange rates and more flexible delivery options than PayPal, Western Union or MoneyGram. They specialize in small remittances and transfers, which make them perfect for personal international money transfers to Australia from the US of up to US$10,000.
How much does it cost to transfer funds to Australia?
Transfer Fee: US$3.99 per transaction.
Exchange Rate: WorldRemit add a margin to the exchange rate. Click here to get an indicative exchange rate to send money from the USA to Australia.
Maximum transfer amount: AUD$10,000
How to transfer money with WorldRemit?
- Create an online account and login.
- Tap in how much, how you want to transfer (cash pickup, bank deposit, Mobile Money or Airtime top-up) and where to. Enter your recipients details
- Make local US payment to WorldRemit using a bank account, debit card, credit card, SOFORT, INTERAC, POLI or iDEAL (web).
How long does it take?
Depends on your delivery choice. For a wire transfer they will get Australian dollars (AUD) in 0-2 business days. For cash delivery it can be ready instantly if you have valid photo ID and the transaction reference number.
Is WorldRemit safe?
Yes they are. Learn more about how trustworthy WorldRemit are.
Best features:
- Offers cash pick-up, bank deposits, Mobile Money and Airtime top-up
- Easy online platform and cell phone app
- Transparent costs with accurate calculator tool
- 24/7 customer support
Service details:
OFX
OFX is one of the oldest money transfer companies and have a good track record for security. Recently, OFX stopped charging a flat transfer fee to customers in the USA. They are a good option for online users who still want strong customer service over the phone.
How much does it cost to transfer funds to Australia?
Transfer Fee: Free transfers from the United States.
Exchange Rate: OFX add a margin to the exchange rate when you convert your US dollars into Australian dollars.
Minimum Transfer Amount: US$150 for single transfer; US$250 for recurring transfers or regular payments.
OFX has a currency exchange calculator, but it shows the interbank rate. This is the rate BEFORE they apply their margin. To get an accurate quote, you need to set up an account with OFX. Alternatively, use our exchange rate comparison engine. You'll see OFX's actual exchange rates and fees and comparison with other services.
How to transfer money with OFX?
- Create a free online account and login to get a live quote for your transfer.
- Enter your recipients details including the name on the bank account, bank state branch (BSB) and account number..
- 'Finalize transaction' and pay using a bank or wire transfer. Business customers can use direct debit.
How long does it take?
Your recipient will get the money in Australian dollars into their account in 1 business day.
Is OFX safe?
Yes they are. Read on for more information on the safety measures at OFX.
Best features:
- Easy online set-up
- Great exchange rates and lock-in rate for larger amounts
- 24/7 phone support
- Forward contracts available
Service details:
TransferWise
If you prefer to transfer money online, TransferWise is the easiest way to do it. It's incredibly simple to set up an account or make a transfer using their app. They also have the competitive exchange rates, because they offer the same market rate you see on XE or Google and don't add any hidden exchange rate mark ups.
How much does it cost to transfer funds to Australia from the United States?
Transfer Fee: 0.45% up to US$135,000 or 0.35% above US$135,000, plus a transaction fee of US$2.
Exchange Rate: TransferWise gives you the best possible rate for currency transfer. They do not use a margin.
Additional Fees: Bank debit (ACH) is the cheapest; then bank wire transfer; followed by debit card and credit card.
How to transfer money with TransferWise?
- Create an online account, login and set up your first transfer.
- Tap in how much and where to. Enter your recipients details.
- Make local US payment to TransferWise, using a bank transfer, SWIFT, or your debit or credit card.
How long does it take?
Your recipient will get the money in Australian dollars (AUD) directly from TransferWise's local bank account within 0-1 business days.
Is TransferWise safe?
Yes they are. To find out more about TransferWise read our full review here.
Best features:
- Quick online set-up
- Transparent fees and offer the best rates online
- Very fast transfers to a bank account
- Simple cell phone app
Service details:
Xoom powered by PayPal
Xoom is convenient for money transfers, but costly when compared to other money transfer specialists.
How much does it cost to transfer funds to Australia from the United States?
Transfer Fee: Differs depending on amount or transfer type. Under $1,000 there's a flat fee of $4.99 for bank transfer payments, but it's free above $1,000. For $1,000 debit or credit card costs over $30. For a cash pick up the fees are $4.99 with a bank transfer, $20+ for debit card or credit card.
Exchange Rate: About a 2% margin is added to the exchange rate when you convert your US dollars (USD) into Australian dollars (AUD).
Maximum Amount: Up to US$10,000 with 24 hrs with social security or passport number.
Get a quote: Click here to find out the cost to transfer money to Australia with Xoom.
How to transfer money with Xoom?
- Sign up to an account and login.
- Tap in how much and where to. Enter your recipients details. Enter how you would like to pay.
- Recipient receives money in bank account or in cash available for pick up at agent location.
How long does it take?
It will take 1-2 business days.
Is Xoom (PayPal) safe?
Yes they are. They are powered by PayPal, which is one of the oldest online payment platforms trusted for secure online money transfers.
Best features:
- Safe, trustworthy, fully licensed and authorized company
- Pay recipients bills or phone reloads via app
- Cash pick up locations available through Ria outlets
Service details:
Xoom help phone number: (877) 815-1531 (toll free) or +1 (415) 395-4225 from US
FAQs
These vary depending on which online money transfer company you use.
For minimum transfer amounts, XE and TransferWise have no limits. OFX have a minimum of US$150 per single transaction.
For maximum transfer amounts, TransferWise has maximum limits of US$50,000 for personal accounts. For business accounts they have a maximum limit of US$250,000 in unlicensed states and up to US$1,000,000 in licensed states.
OFX and XE have no maximum transfer amounts. Meanwhile, Xoom has a limit of US$50,000 over 24 hours if you have the required documents.
Safety is very important and all of the online companies above take their legal responsibilities very seriously. They take extreme measures to protect the sensitive data you provide them like your personal details and identification. However, it's still better to be safe than sorry. Here are some additional ways you can transfer funds safely:
- Double check privacy policies and tracking process for your money transfer provider
- Use a strong, long and unique password with a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols when you set-up your account
- Ensure your money transfer service provides two-factor authentication, including SMS or email-based security code
When you make a deposit into an Australian bank account, you'll need a swift code or BIC (Bank Identifier Code). The Swift code helps identify each bank in Australia and the code is unique to each bank. It's a combination of numbers and letters. The major banks are Westpac - WPACAU2S, Commonwealth - CTBAAU2S, NAB - NATAAU33, ANZ - ANZBAU3M and Citibank - CITIAU2s
The mid market rate is the rate issued online, the banks use it as their interbank rate. Money transfer companies can charge a fee or a margin on top of the mid market rate for their service. A bank will charge you a larger margin and an approximate fee of US$30 for an international money transfer.
Yes. When you have an account with any of the online money transfer services highlighted above, you can make transfers through their website, or via their iOS Apple and Android apps. However, some are easier to use than others.
The most common countries or currencies money is sent to from the US includes: Mexico (MXN), China (CNY), India (INR), Germany (EUR), France (EUR), South Korea (KRW), United Kingdom (GBP), Japan, (JPY), Italy (EUR) and Australia (AUD).
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General advice: The information on this site is of a general nature only. It does not take your specific needs or circumstances into consideration. You should look at your own personal situation and requirements before making any financial decisions.