Find the Best Ways to Transfer Money from Australia to the United Kingdom

If you’re sending Australian dollars to the United Kingdom, you want your money to go as far as possible. We give you the insight to keep your currency exchange fees to a minimum by suggesting good alternatives to your bank. Learn the quickest, cheapest and simplest ways to transfer money from Australia to the UK.

Find the cheapest way to transfer money to the UK

Every bank and money transfer company offer different exchange rates and fees.

To find the best way to transfer money, you should compare your options.

 

How to compare international money transfers

Use our international money transfer comparison tool to track down the best deal for your situation.

  1. Enter how much you are sending overseas
  2. Compare your options
  3. Learn more about how it works, go to their website

How to transfer money to a UK bank account

1

Register your details To transfer money internationally, you'll need to register first. Make sure you have valid ID like your passport or driver's license

2

Provide money transfer details Your money transfer service will need to know the currency, amount, and the account or person you’re sending money to

3

Pay for your transfer Choose how you want to pay for the transfer. Your bank or money transfer service will then convert the money and send it overseas

Fastest Way to Send Money Overseas

Sometimes, you just need it done, now! The problem is, it's hard to work out the quickest way to transfer money to the UK. When you need to urgently send money overseas, we know which service you should use.

Transferwise

This company is great if you want a fast, hassle-free and low cost way to send money overseas. They even have a transfer calculator to give you a rough idea of how long your money transfer will take.

TransferWise offer a quick, easy to use online service and mobile app, ideal for sorting out your international money transfers right now.

  • It’s very fast and easy to create an account.
  • They offer the best exchange rates available.
  • You can pay via bank transfer, credit or debit card.
  • There’s no minimum transfer size.
  • Can't pay for your transfer via cash or cheque.
  • There’s limited customer support, you can’t call them so need to interact via email or through their website.
  • They don’t support all global currencies.

Transfer Cash to the United Kingdom

If you want to send cash directly to the recipient, rather than pay money into their bank account, you have three options — Western Union, MoneyGram or WorldRemit.

Western Union has the largest network and is competitive for certain destination countries like India. On the other hand, WorldRemit is usually cheaper and their online service is easy to use. MoneyGram is our least favourite. MoneyGram charge a variable transfer fee so your fee changes every time you send cash internationally.

WorldRemit

WorldRemit offers a same day service to selected banks around the world. They have a large presence in Asian countries, so they’re a great choice if that’s where your recipient is.

WorldRemit always displays the expected delivery time before you pay for the transfer, so you know exactly how long it will take. If you want transparency, this is the company for you.

  • Fee free option for first-time senders
  • Easy to use WorldRemit's website and mobile app
  • Quick and safe cash transfers
  • Good customer service
  • Some reports of delayed account set up
  • Some reports of glitching in the app and website

Helpful information, tools and videos

Here at The Currency Shop, you’ll learn how to save on transfer fees when sending money overseas from Australia.

We have fast and easy guides and tools including:

Knowledge centre

for everything you need to know about converting and sending money abroad.

Currency converter

to find today’s exchange rates.

Travel money tool

to get the best rate when you’re buying currency in Australia.

Money transfer comparison tool

to find the cheapest rates and lowest fees.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sending Money to the United Kingdom from Australia

What information do I need to make a transfer?

To send money to the UK from Australia, you’ll normally need the following information:

  • Your name, address, identity verification and payment details.
  • The name and address of the beneficiary or recipient you’re sending money to.
  • The recipient’s bank account details including the name of the bank and account number.
  • In all cases you will need to provide the BIC, SWIFT or sort code.

How long does it take to send money to the UK?

It depends on the provider you choose, how you pay for the transfer and how the recipient wants to get the money. Most money transfers to the United Kingdom via a specialist provider take one to three days.

How can I pay for my money transfer to the UK?

Depending on your provider, there are several different ways to pay. Many providers accept direct bank transfers, wire transfers, or debit or credit card payments. They may charge a small additional fee, depending on how you decide to pay.

Is it safe to use The Currency Shop to compare?

Yes. The Currency Shop holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (462269) and is a member of the Financial Ombudsman Service. We closely vet our providers and only partner with the largest, safest and most trusted money transfer companies in the world. That just makes sense.

How does The Currency Shop make money?

The Currency Shop does not charge you. Instead, we receive a referral fee from the banks and money transfer companies that we are partnered with. This does not affect the price you pay.

Keep your transfer fees to the United Kingdom to a minimum

Learning about currency transfer fees isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time, so we’ll keep this brief! When you convert Australian dollars to British Pounds and send that money to the UK, your bank, PayPal or a specialist currency transfer company may charge you in several ways:

 

As an increase on the standard exchange rate

this is the most common way you’ll be charged, and it’s simply a slightly worse exchange rate than the base exchange rate*. For example, the base exchange rate might be $100 AUD to £55, but a currency exchange provider offers you £53 for $100 AUD.

As a predetermined fee

some providers, especially banks, charge a flat rate of up to $35 AUD to convert between $AUD and British Pounds.

As a commission or service charge

some providers deduct an additional percentage commission or service charge on the money you’re sending.

*The standard exchange rate is also known as the standard, mid-market or interbank exchange rate.

Some providers charge just one type of fee, whereas others combine fees in different ways. In most cases, a specialist, lower-cost currency provider will only charge between 0.5 percent and 1.5 percent of the amount you’re sending. For more information, check out this video.

When we calculate how much your recipient will get in our money transfer comparison tool, we take into account all of the different fees. Trust us to keep things simple!

Your currency knowledge centre

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International Money Transfer Comparison and Reviews

Find the best international money transfer exchange rates to send money overseas from Australia. Compare the rates and fees from leading banks and money transfer services.

How to Transfer Money Overseas from your Australian Bank Account

Transferring money overseas from your Australian bank account is simple once you know how to do it, but you might be short on time to figure it out.

Need a hand? Call to speak to a human 1800 004 930 or send us an email.