How to Transfer Money Overseas with CommBank

Find all the details on one page of how to make an international money transfer with CommBank.

Do you need to know how to transfer money overseas with CommBank? We have you covered. CommBank is one of the most popular bank in the country and if you want to transfer money overseas, it gives you the option of sending currency to many countries around the world. Read this article to find out how to transfer money overseas using your CommBank account. We'll also discuss some cheaper options if you want to save some money.

How to transfer money overseas with Commonwealth bank

How to transfer money overseas with CommBank

Step 1: Hold a CommBank account

You need to be a customer of CommBank to use their services. You can apply for a CommBank bank account online or visit a local branch.

Step 2: Register to send money overseas

You can register through Commbank’s online service, NetBank or through the CommBank app.

This can be updated to a daily limit to $5,000. Higher payment amounts can be arranged by calling CommBank on 13 2221 or going to a branch.

Step 3: Register for NetCode in NetBank

Customers must be registered for NetCode SMS or NetCode Token, to send an international money transfer using the NetBank online service.

Log on to NetBank, go to Settings then select NetCode.

Step 4: Arrange transfer overseas

To arrange to send money internationally, log on to NetBank, go to More, then select Payment limits, and follow the onscreen prompts.

Through the app, go to the top left menu and select Settings, select Payment limits and International money transfer and follow the prompts.

 

How much you can transfer abroad

To set your daily international limit in NetBank

Log on NetBank, go to Settings then select Payment limits.

CommBank app

Open the app, tap on the menu in the left-hand corner, select Settings and then Payment limits.

If you have any issues, contact CommBank on +61 2 9999 3283.

Increasing a daily limit may increase liability for unauthorised transactions. You’re able to set your international daily limit to $5,000. For money transfers larger than $5,000 you will need to call CommBank on 13 2221.

Understand how much money you’re sending and who you’re sending it to

  1. Review your bank account and finances to understand how much you need to send.
  2. Work out what currency you are going to be transferring money into.
  3. Get the full name, address, and account number of the person or business you’re sending money to.
  4. Get the full bank name, address, and SWIFT BIC (Bank Identifier Code) or Branch Number (some countries accept this) of the recipient’s bank.
  5. Get the IBAN (for payments to Europe and selected other countries) or Routing Number (for payments to the US).
  6. Destination countries sometimes have extra information requirements for transferring funds. This information varies depending on the country you have chosen to transfer funds to.

3 Ways to make an overseas transfer with Commbank

There are several ways to make a transfer through CommBank.

Online: online banking service

  1. Log into NetBank, CommBank’s online banking portal here.
  2. Go to Transfers & BPAY.
  3. Choose International Money Transfer.
  4. Input all of the relevant details for the recipient and their bank.
  5. Choose Next to confirm the account you’re making the transfer from, the currency it’s in and the amount you’re sending overseas.
  6. Fund your transfer.
  7. You’re done!

Smartphone: CommBank app

  1. Go to Pay Someone.
  2. Go to Overseas transfer (to pay someone in your international address book) or click “+” (to pay a new recipient).
  3. Follow the prompts to complete your transaction.

Over the Phone: CommBank call centre

  1. Call CommBank.
  2. Give the customer service agent your details and security information.
  3. Give all the relevant details for the recipient and their bank.
  4. Fund your transfer.
  5. You’re done!

How long it takes

Depending on the country you’re sending money to, and the currency that you’re exchanging into, funds are normally deposited into the recipient’s bank account within 2 to 6 working days.

CommBank fees for transferring money overseas

The Commbank has a lot of fees listed below:

  • Internet banking — $12 for sending money online via NetBank or through the CommBank app or $6 for amounts under $1,000
  • In branch — $30 for sending money from a branch.
  • Receiving bank fees — International money transfers sent to or from an overseas bank may be subject to commissions, fees, and other charges applied by that bank. These are typically deducted by the overseas bank from the funds paid to the recipient.
  • Receiving a money transfer — up to $11 per transfer
  • Tracing a money transfer — $25 per request
  • Changing details on a money transfer — $25 per request
  • Cancelling a money transfer — $25 per request

To avoid these fees use a money transfer service on our comparison table

Advantages of sending money internationally with CommBank

  • Very convenient if you already have a CommBank bank account.
  • It’s a simple and straightforward process.
  • You can make transfers online and through the CommBank app.
  • You’re protected from fraudulent transactions with a 100% secure guarantee.
  • Send money to over 200 countries around the world in over 30 currencies.
  • Send money just using the recipient’s mobile number.
  • Easily send money to a recipient in the UK through the Pingit app using their UK mobile phone number.
  • CommBank also provides foreign currency bank accounts.

Disadvantages of transferring money abroad with CommBank

  • Higher fixed fees than a dedicated currency exchange provider.
  • Worse exchange rates than a specialist money transfer company.

 

Further information on sending money internationally with CommBank

There are a lot of numbers and information you hear about when it comes to international money transfers. Below there are extra details you might need to send money overseas and the things you don't.

Commonwealth IBAN number

IBAN is an account format used by European banks. Australian banks do not use this format and an IBAN is not required to send money to a Commonwealth bank account in Australia. Other parties with an IBAN field on their overseas payment form can simply leave this field blank. However, payers in certain countries may require you to provide one. In that case, your BSB and account number should be combined. Do not include any spaces or hyphens.

Commonwealth Bank routing number

You may need a National Clearing Code, Routing Number, BSB Number or Sort Code, you should use the first six digits (bank and branch codes) of your account number for which you wish to receive the payment into. For example, if the account number is 01-0123-0123456-00 use 010123.

Commonwealth Bank international SWIFT code

You shouldn't need Commonwealth's SWIFT code for making a transfer overseas. Generally this is only needed when you're transferring money back into the country.

Commonwealth Bank address for international transfers

When it comes to making an international money transfer through Commonwealth Bank, you shouldn't need Commonwealth's address. You will most likely need the address of the receiving bank account. If you do need CBA's it will just be the address of your local branch.

Commonwealth account number details

You should just need the account number details of the person you're sending the money to from your Commonwealth Bank account.

Notes on international bank drafts or cheques

International bank cheques or drafts can be deposited into a Commonwealth Bank account. It can be a lengthy process. If it is in a foreign currency it will take longer to process as it will need to be returned to the country of origin for clearing. Additionally, the fees associated with these types of payments are very high. This means that we would never suggest using international bank drafts or cheques. It would be better to use a different payment method.

International currencies supported by CommBank

Here’s the current list of currencies that CommBank supports.

  • US Dollar – USD
  • Great British Pound – GBP
  • Argentine Peso – ARS
  • Brazilian Real – BRL
  • Canadian Dollar – CAD
  • Chilean Peso – CLP
  • Chinese Renminbi – CNY
  • Croatian Kuna – HRK
  • Czech Koruna – CZK
  • Danish Kroner – DKK
  • Euro – EUR
  • Fijian Dollar – FJD
  • Hong Kong Dollar – HKD
  • Hungarian Forint* – HUF*
  • Indian Rupee – INR
  • Indonesian Rupiah – IDR
  • Israeli New Shekel – ILS
  • Japanese Yen – JPY
  • Kuwaiti Dinar – KWD
  • Lebanese Pound – LBP
  • Malaysian Ringgit – MYR
  • Mauritian Rupee* – MUR*
  • Mexican Peso – MXN
  • New C/Tahiti Franc – XPF
  • New Zealand Dollar – NZD
  • Norwegian Kroner – NOK
  • Oman Rial – OMR
  • P.N.G. Kina – PGK
  • Philippine Peso – PHP
  • Polish Zloty – PLN
  • Qatari Rial – QAR
  • Saudi Riyal – SAR
  • Singapore Dollar – SGD
  • Solomon Island Dollar – SBD
  • South African Rand – ZAR
  • South Korean Won – KRW
  • Sri Lankan Rupee – LKR
  • Swedish Kronor – SEK
  • Swiss Franc – CHF
  • Taiwan Dollar – TWD
  • Thai Baht – THB
  • Tonga Pa’anga – TOP
  • Turkish Lira – TRY
  • U.A.E. Dirham – AED
  • Vanuatu Vatu – VUV
  • Vietnamese Dong – VND
  • Western Samoa Tala – WST

View currency exchange rates for CommBank

Daily rates for transferring funds internationally through CommBank are available here.

They also have a helpful foreign exchange calculator.

The currency exchange rate you will get does vary from moment to moment.

You will get the up-to-date, dynamic rate when you are booking your transfer through online banking or over the phone.

Cheaper alternatives to transferring money internationally with CommBank

If you already bank with CommBank, then using them to transfer money overseas is the easiest option – but it may not be the cheapest.

To work out if you can save money by using a money transfer company instead of CommBank, compare the exchange rates and fees at CommBank to your other options in our comparison table below.

Compare international money transfer exchange rates and fees

Related video: Cheaper alternatives to CommBank

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CommBank disclaimers

CommBank does not check payment details. If payment details are incorrect it may result in an unsuccessful transfer or the wrong account receiving funds. It is pivotal that you make sure all the details you provide to the payer are correct. As a result, this will save time for both of you and ensure you receive your payment in a timely manner.

How much it costs to send money with CommBank

Sending money abroad using your bank can be expensive. You will pay higher fees and get a worse exchange rate than you can using a dedicated money transfer specialist.

These specialist currency providers are fast and easy to use, offer excellent exchange rates and have low or non-existent fees, so your money goes further. As an example, here’s what it would cost to convert $10,000 AUD into US dollars, via CommBank and a couple of our top rated money transfer specialists.

  • CommBank — $10,000 AUD to USD — $12 fee, exchange rate of 0.67840 means the recipient gets $6,772 USD and it takes between 2 and 3 days.
  • TorFX — $10,000 AUD to USD — $0 fee, exchange rate of 0.7151 means the recipient gets $7,151 USD and it takes between 2 and 3 days. $379 more with TorFX.
  • OFX — $10,000 AUD to USD — $0 fee, exchange rate of 0.7077 means the recipient gets $7,051 USD and it takes between 1 and 3 days. $279 more with OFX.

*All details shown above are correct as of August 2020.

Using OFX, TorFX or another dedicated currency exchange provider could save you over hundreds on a transaction like this. To see how much you could save, take a look at our free online comparison tool.

Summary

And that’s it! That's everything you need to know about transferring money overseas using CommBank. Here at The Currency Shop, we want to give you the right information to help you save money and make an informed choice for all your currency exchange needs.

The next time you or someone else needs to send money internationally, check how much you can save using our money transfer comparison tool.

Oscar Murray
Read more
Last updated
March 4th, 2021