Currency Transfer Australia: Currency Brokers

By 
Matt Di Vincere (Chief Editor)
Last Edited Aug 11, 2021

If you are looking for a reliable and safe international currency transfer company in Australia that will give you access to wholesale exchange rates, while providing bank-like safety and superior level of service, this international money transfer service comparison is for you.

Money Transfer Comparison compares and review currency brokers in Australia and outside of Australia since 2014. We have covered more than 60 global money transfer companies to date and compared the best money transfer services, and we are ALWAYS on the hunt for more. Our Australia currency broker listing is available below.

Best Currency Broker Australia

Only for bank-to-bank currency transfers, Updated for: March 2023

#1
Australia SendPayments: Friendliest Staff and Platform - Best in Australia
Local Australia Offices (Headquarters):
10 Rawlins St, Southport QLD 4215
96.1% Editorial rating
135 Client Reviews
Minimum transfer:
AU$100
Why Them?
  • Best Website - Friendly and Transparent
  • Easy to Sign Up and Trade, Excellent On-Boarding Team
  • Competitive Exchange Rates for Both Small and Large Transfers
+Read more
#2
Australia TorFX: Best for Large Transfers and Businesses
Local Australia Offices:
25 Elkhorn Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
93.4% Editorial rating
5,000 Client Reviews
Minimum transfer:
AU$100
Why Them?
  • Australian Specialists with Local Offices
  • 98% Client Satisfaction
  • Dedicated Dealer for Transfers above A$5,000
+Read more
#3
Australia OFX: ASX Traded, Australian Household Name
Local Australia Offices:
60 Margaret St, Sydney, NSW 2000
90.4% Editorial rating
5,000 Client Reviews
Minimum transfer:
AU$100
Why Them?
  • Australian Company
  • Traded Publicly
  • 20bn Turnover per Year
+Read more
#4
UK Spain Key Currency: UK to Australia Transfers, Bespoke Service by a British Broker
Local British Offices:
St Piran House, Technology Park, Heron Way, Truro TR1 2XN, United Kingdom
90.8% Editorial rating
800 Client Reviews
Minimum transfer:
€250
Why Them?
  • Fastest Growing UK Currency Transfer Provider
  • Strong Onboard Team, Get an Immediate Callback
  • Recipient of Multiple Industry Awards
+Read more

For Ecommerce and Business Clients Exclusively

#5
UK Australia Hong Kong Singapore Worldfirst: Best FX Rates Online
Headquarters:
Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP, UK
95.4% Editorial rating
7,000 Client Reviews
Minimum transfer:
AU$1,000
Why Them?
  • Great FX Margins for Businesses
  • Authorised by 6 Global Regulators
  • Asian Currency Specialists
+Read more

Most Innovative (Using Ripple infrastructure for Payments)

#6
Australia FlashFX - Innovation in Australian Payments
Headquarters:
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
79.6% Editorial rating
200 Client Reviews
Minimum transfer:
Not Mentioned
Why Them?
  • Innovative - Using Ripple Network for Payments
  • Solid Customer Reviews (although not many)
  • Strong Entrepreneurs with Banking Background
+Read more

Notes: Favouring companies with local Australian offices; these companies won’t allow domestic AUD-AUD transfers and are limited to international transfers from Australia, or, receiving payments Australia bank accounts.

International Currency Transfers in Australia for Individuals and Corporations

Traditionally, international currency transfer brokers in Australia and globally have been more focused on SME clients and prior to 2010 most of them did not accept individual clients at all. Nowadays, all the best money transfer companies in Australia as per our rating are happy to accept individuals – each with a different minimum transfer amount (CurrencyFair and Wise don’t have a minimum amount, true for March 2023).

With the above, being said, Australian SME clients are still extremely lucrative for money transfer companies and they are completely tailored to the boom in Australian SMEs that has not been set back tremendously by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

With our selection of best money transfer companies in Australia, you can

Transfer money from an Australian bank account to a bank account abroad for great exchange rate with no hidden fees.
Transfer money internationally from your bank account in Australia to a self-owned bank account abroad.
Send money overseas for regular payments.
Transfer money from internationally Australia to USA, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Spain, Italy, Germany or almost anywhere in the world with the exception of countries which are blacklisted.
Transfer money from USA, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Spain, Italy, Germany or almost anywhere to your bank account in Australia, getting the same margins as you do for outbound international money transfers.
Receive money from overseas to Australian bank account.
Get assistance on the right timing to make an AUD exchange.

ASIC Registered Money Transfer Companies & Currency Brokers: Australia

CompanyName on RegistryASIC Number
#1TorFXTOR FX PTY LIMITED246838
#2WorldFirstWorld First Pty Ltd331945
#3OFXOzForex Limited226484
#4WiseWise Australia Pty Ltd513764
#5CurrencyFairCurrencyFair Australia Pty Ltd402709
#6XE Money TransferHIFX Australia PTY Ltd240917
#7AzimoAZIMO PTY. LTDCould not find on register.
Potentially uses UK license.
#8SendSendFX Pty Ltd509635
#9WorldRemitWORLDREMIT PTY LTD.Could not find on register.
Potentially uses UK license.
#10RemitlyREMITLY AUSTRALIA, PTY LTDCould not find on register.
Potentially uses UK license.
#11AirwallexAirwallex Pty Ltd487221
#12InstaremNIUM PTY Limited464627
#13MoneycorpTTT Moneycorp Pty Limited302061
#14SingXSingX Australia Pty Ltd508309
#15PaysendPAYSEND PLCCould not find on register.
Potentially uses UK license.
#16Travelex International Money TransferTravelex Limited222444
#17AFEXAssociated Foreign Exchange Australia Pty Limited305246
#18OrbitRemitOrbitRemit Limited470646
#19TransfermateTransfermate Pty Ltd514851
#20PayoneerPAYONEER AUSTRALIA PTY LTD504803
#21RevolutRevolut Payments Australia Pty Ltd517589
#22Western UnionWestern Union Financial Services (Australia) Pty. Ltd.404092
#23MoneygramMoneyGram Payment Systems, Inc.Could not find on register.
Potentially uses US license.
#24Compass Global MarketsCOMPASS GLOBAL HOLDINGS PTY LIMITED426810
#25FlashFXFlash Partners Pty Ltd480834

Why Australia is the World’s #2 Currency Broker Hub?

Only second to UK’s currency transfer brokers, Australia is a massive international hub for international money transfer companies. That is particularly impressive considering Australia’s population being a mere 25m people, which is under 0.33% of the global population. So what makes Down Under so attractive in the eyes of money transfer services specializing on international transfers? the reason is multi-faceted.

  • Australians are considered more financially savvy than most of their international counterparts of the same age, and hence are more likely to sidestep the bank and be happy to put in the “effort” of signing up with non-bank providers to save money.
  • There are more than 300,000 Australian who reside abroad and need to transfer money periodically from their Australian bank account to USA / UK / Hong Kong/ New Zealand or wherever they currently reside (or the other way around, transfer money to relatives, friends, and business associates in Australia).
  • There are more than 1 million Britons who resides in Australia… and Brits are the ones who run the (money transfer) world. That means transferring money from UK to Australia, and from Australia to UK, is one of the busiest corridors.
  • The Australia-UK free trade deal make it extremely easy for regulated money transfer companies to onboard Australians.

We have been featured in the following publications:


Which Are the Best International Money Transfer Companies in Australia

Our Review and Comparison Guidelines Explained

We have compared more than 60 companies of which 13 are able to onboard Australia customers as per June 17, 2021.

ParameterWhat we look for
Level of Service
Quick and easy sign up process, readily available staff located in Austrlaia – courteous and understanding, or in simple words a money transfer service ready to go above and beyond for its clients.
Reputation
Reputable company with long trading history (including specifically in Australia)
Cheap International Money transfer Fees and Rates
Oo money transfer fees and better-than-bank exchange rate for Australian dollar
Features and Functions
Online money transfer website and mobile app (fully functional for tracking trades and conducting new trades)
Global Reach
Many currencies handled including exotic currencies, global office outside of Australia, regulated by several regulators, and constantly expanding into new territories.
Australian Presence
While the majority of money transfer companies are happy to engage in AUD money transfers and on-board clients from Australia, only a small subset of them actually have local Australian offices. We have selected the most localised towards the Australia market.

 

Additional Information on how we evaluate money transfer companies and decide on the top 10 money transfer companies in Australia can be found in our FAQ. Transfer money from Australia to UK or transfer money from Australia to USA – and this following guide will help you!

What’s the difference between a great money transfer company in Australia and a bad money transfer service?

 

Superb Money Transfer Service Experience
Straightforward answers from your representative.
Your money is in segregated bank accounts and you are not exposed to losing it .
You understand precisely which fees are involved and the other party knows how much money it will receive.
The staff will be able to provide guidance about the best timing to exchange the Australian dollar.
The service won’t be pushy and won’t try to persuade you to trade today at a worse rate than competitors.
You could DIY or have a representative on telephone or email to help you conduct your trade.
Lousy Money Transfer Service Experience
Takes long to sign up, have to come up with a lot of documents.
Not properly regulated and client funds are not separated from the company’s.
Money transfer fees and exchange rates are opaque.
There will be no one to guide you how to conduct the transfer, nor on whether this is the best timing to conduct such a transfer. No hedging tools will be offered.
Even if you transfer large amounts that will be no discount, and you will pay the default rates
A money transfer company that wants you to fax your details is definitely one to avoid. It signifies it has not kept up with progress.

 

Money Transfer Companies in Australia – The History and The Now

Australia were a little slow to wake up to it, the US are still way behind on it and the UK has led the charge on it. What are we talking about? Specialised international money transfer companies of course. Bringing a breadth of new payment options with little to no fees and considerably better currency exchange rates. There are now more money transfer companies in Australia than ever before, joining the original innovator OFX (previously OzForex).

Australian FX Companies – Where Did it Start?

Whilst we might say Australia have been behind the curve OFX was actually founded in 1998 as one of the first dedicated international money transfer companies to ever exist. Today it’s had over one million customers and traded over $150b AUD for its clients. So why has it proved so popular and, like many other Australian FX companies, still remained a relative unknown in Australia?

It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly why, but when we consider the UK had at least 10 dedicated money transfer companies launching in the 1990’s and 2000’s and they still only had around 5% of the whole UK international money transfer market at the time then we can probably see why OFX might not have been a household name. The rest of the UK market belonged to 4 big banks (read about the current state of affairs in the UK banks join the money money transfer race). Sound familiar? That’s because it’s been much the same story in Australia.

Are We Seeing a Shift To More Currency Brokers in Australia and Why?

So what’s changed and why has the mentality shifted away from banks and towards international currency brokers in Australia? Part of it has to be that people have come around to the idea of managing their finances online or even through their mobile. Just as we use mobile banking these days we know there are a number of new innovative solutions challenging the big banks that provide us with more functionality at a reduced cost. It may feel longer but let’s not forget the first iPhone was only announced in 2007 and things have only moved faster the more time progresses.

There are a number of other reasons to use an Australian FX company as well of course. Looking at the infographic above, based on rates taken 29 January 2020, customers will receive more in their destination currency when using OFX vs both ANZ and Commonwealth Bank. In fact, when using an Australian bank, your currency exchange spread can be as much as 5% worse than the current interbank rate (the rate at which banks trade currencies with each other).

So let’s say you were making an international money transfer from Australia to UK of $1000 that would be $50 taken in the margin by the bank.

International payment fees are also likely to be between $10-$30 with an Australian bank whilst most Australian FX companies will charge no payment fees.
We won’t touch on the availability of payment and hedging solutions with money transfer companies in Australia compared to banks, as we cover this in our other resources. But suffice to say forward contracts, batch payments, regular transfers, swaps and limit orders will not be available with your bank are are so with dedicated Australian FX companies. Helping you achieve your desired exchange rate which can have a huge impact on the amount you receive.

Nowadays there are a whole host of other providers to have launched as money transfer companies in Australia. UK headquartered WorldFirst were the first international company to launch in Sydney in 2009 and they clearly detail their pricing matrix online (perhaps the cheapest of all Australian FX companies) which is dependent on the annual AUD volumes you are trading, whether as an individual or business. UK based TorFX then launched in 2013 and has been a mainstay ever since.

WorldFirst Australia – Best AUD FX Rates for Businesses

For Business Clients Only & Online Sellers
Australia Excellent Rates and Margins FOR BUSINESS CLIENTS ONLY
Headquarters:
Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, Westminster, London SW1P 4QP, UK
95.2% Editorial rating
3,000Client Reviews
Minimum transfer:
£1,000 - Only Business Clients and Online Sellers
Why Them?
  • Industry Leader in the eCommerce Space, Owned by Ant Financial (AliPay)
  • Specialising in Asian Currencies and Online Sellers
  • Since 2004
  • Global offices
  • Very Strong Rates - Best Exchange Rates for Business Customers
  • Collection Bank accounts available in UK, France, Germany, USA, and Canada, as well as Singapore, China and Japan (recent additions)

Overview of Rates offered:

 

Nowadays you will also find the global juggernaut TransferWise offering online only transfers from Australia, as well as World Remit and many, many more. If you’re considering an international money transfer from Australia to UK, or indeed any other country, it pays to do your research with both online transfer companies (such as TransferWise) and dedicated Australian money transfer companies (such as TorFX, OFX and WorldFirst). As Australian awareness builds for non-bank solutions for international money transfers so too does the number of Australian FX companies.

Final Words about Currency Transfers & Currency Brokers Australia

There is a significant selection available to those in Australia, individuals or businesses, who are looking for a reliable money transfer service which will allow them to transfer money internationally for cheap to and from Australia. We have included 5 of the top known money transfer companies in Australia on our list, but there are additional foreign currency providers out there – while some of those companies could be highly reliable and good it is important to follow through on the three golden rules:

  • Regulated company (the best combination is being regulated domestically in Australia by ASIC as well as another prominent regulator).
  • Has local offices and representatives (and support…) in Australia.
  • Have been in this business for a long time and there are thousands of customer testimonials you can read about them (in an OBJECTIVE third party site and not on their own website).
  • Have both dedicated dealers to help with larger trades and currency hedging as well as friendly online system and mobile app.