How to Send Money from Australia: Cheapest Remittance Services

Whether you're supporting family overseas, paying for a holiday home, or handling international business, sending money from Australia doesn't have to drain your wallet. In 2026, specialist remittance services beat banks hands down, often saving you 80-90% on fees and exchange rates compared to traditional options like NAB or CommBank.

We'll break down the cheapest remittance services for Aussies, with real comparisons, tips to minimise costs, and AUSTRAC-regulated picks that keep your funds safe. Let's get your money moving smarter.

Why Traditional Banks Aren't the Cheapest Option

Banks charge hefty fees—typically $25-45 per transfer—plus exchange rate markups of 4-6%, turning a $1,000 send into $50+ in hidden costs. For example, sending to Vietnam via a big four bank could cost $32 in fees alone, while online services slash that to under $5.

AUSTRAC, Australia's financial intelligence agency, regulates all remittance providers, ensuring your transfers are secure and compliant with anti-money laundering laws. Stick to licensed operators (check their AUSTRAC number) to avoid scams.

Key Costs to Watch When Sending Money from Australia

• Transfer fees: Flat rates ($3.99-$15) or percentages (up to 5%).
• Exchange rate markup: How much worse than the mid-market rate (e.g., Google '1 AUD to USD'). Aim for under 1%.
• Speed fees: Express options add $5-20 but arrive in minutes.
• Payment method: Bank transfer is cheapest; cards cost more (2-4%).

Pro tip: Always use each service's calculator for your exact corridor (e.g., AUD to PHP or INR), as rates vary by destination.

Top Cheapest Remittance Services in 2026

Based on 2026 comparisons, here are the standout options for Aussies. We prioritised low total cost (fee + markup), speed, and reliability for popular routes like Vietnam, Philippines, India, and UK.

1. EzyRemit: Cheapest for Australia to Vietnam

AUSTRAC-licensed (IND100838372), EzyRemit tops for AUD-VND with a flat $5 fee (free first transfer) and 0.5-1% markup. Send $1,000 to a Vietnamese bank or e-wallet (MoMo, ZaloPay) in 1-2 days. Bilingual support makes it Aussie-Viet family favourite.

Total cost for $1,000: ~$13. Perfect if you're wiring home to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh.

2. Wise: Best Overall for Multi-Currency Transfers

Wise uses the mid-market rate with 0.5-1.5% markup and $5-15 fees, serving 80+ countries. Great for UK, US, or Europe—holds 50+ currencies so recipients get local cash without conversion losses.

For small transfers under $20,000, it's unbeatable. Rated 4.4/5 for value by Finder users. Transfers land in 1-3 days; lock rates for predictability.

3. Remitly: Fastest Express Option

Starting at $3.99 fee + 1-2% markup, Remitly shines for 100+ countries with 'Express' delivery in minutes to cash pickup or banks. Ideal for Philippines or India emergencies.

App rating: 4.5/5. Economy mode saves more for 1-3 day delivery.

Other Strong Contenders

Service	Fee	Markup	Speed	Best For
WorldRemit	$3.99+	1.5-3%	Min-2 days	Mobile money (130+ countries)
Revolut	$0-5 (plan-dependent)	0-1% weekdays	Seconds (app-to-app)	Small transfers
TorFX / OFX	$0	0.5-1%	1-2 days	Large/business ($10k+)
Western Union	$10-30	2-5%	Min-2 days	Cash pickup (200+)

PayPal suits person-to-person ($2.99-4.99 + 3-4% markup) but avoid for large sums.

How to Compare and Choose the Cheapest Service

Don't guess—calculate total cost for your amount and route. Steps for Aussies:

1. Check mid-market rate: Use XE.com or Google.
2. Get quotes: Input details on 2-3 providers' calculators (e.g., Wise vs EzyRemit).
3. Factor taxes: No GST on remittances, but declare large gifts to ATO if over $10k (gifting rules apply).
4. Verify AUSTRAC: Search aust rac.gov.au for registration.
5. Test small: Send $100 first to confirm speed/reliability.

For $5,000+ transfers, contact TorFX or OFX for personal rates—no fees, dedicated dealers.

Aussie-Specific Tips for Low-Cost Remittances

• Use PayID or Osko for funding—fast and free via your Aussie bank.
• Avoid weekends: Markups spike on some apps.
• Batch sends: Services like Wise offer volume discounts.
• Track with apps: Most notify on arrival.
• Medicare/ATO angle: Remittances don't affect Centrelink but log for tax if business-related.

Is It Safe to Use Remittance Services?

Yes, if AUSTRAC-registered. Providers like Wise and EzyRemit use bank-grade encryption, 2FA, and refund undelivered funds. Scams target urgency—never pay via gift cards. Report issues to AUSTRAC or Scamwatch.gov.au.

In 2026, over 16 million use Wise safely, moving $15B monthly.

Next Steps: Send Smarter Today

Grab your phone, compare quotes on Wise or EzyRemit, and lock in savings. For big transfers, call OFX for a custom quote. You'll keep more dollars in loved ones' pockets—not providers'. Bookmark aust rac.gov.au for peace of mind, and happy transferring!