5 Best Ways To Send Money To Australia from the UK (2025 Comparison)

If you're in the UK and need to send money to Australia—whether for family, business, or personal expenses—finding the right provider can make the process faster and more cost-effective.

Having worked in the money transfer industry myself, I’ve put together this guide to help you navigate the search with ease. In this post, I’ll break down the five service providers to send money to Australia in 2025, covering everything from fees and exchange rates to transfer speed and limitations.

Let’s get started.

When sending money to Australia from the United Kingdom, you’ll need to provide specific details to ensure a smooth transaction. Here’s what you should have ready:

• Recipient’s details – Full name and address 
• Recipient’s bank account and BSB information – Bank name, bank account details, account number, and BSB (Bank-State-Branch) code. The BSB is a six-digit identifier used to distinguish banks and their branches throughout Australia.
• SWIFT/BIC code – SWIFT/BIC code is a unique international identifier for a bank, ensuring accurate cross-border transactions.
• Transfer amount and currency – Specify how much you’re sending and in which currency. In this case, it’s typically British pounds being sent to be converted into Australian dollars. The exchange rate between these two currencies will determine how much AUD the recipient gets for the £ you send.
• Payment method – You will also need to decide on method for transferring funds , such as paying through bank transfer, credit or debit card.
• Purpose of transfer – Some banks require a reason, such as family support or business.

OFX is a financial technology company headquartered in Sydney that offers foreign exchange, payment services, and Software as a Service (SaaS). It serves businesses and individuals and specialises in FX tools like rate alerts, spot transfers, limit orders, and forward contracts.

Popular destinations for OFX international transfers include Australia, Canada, Europe, India, the UK, and the USA. OFX can transfer funds from UK banks to almost any bank in Australia, including Westpac, ANZ, HSBC, Commonwealth Bank, NAB and more. You will also gain access to AUD forecasting on the platform.

Step 1: Visit https://secure2.ofx.com/registration 

Step 2: Choose either a personal or business account.

Step 3: Fill in personal or business information and transfer details.

Step 4: Verify your identity by providing a government-issued photo ID, proof of address, and a quick video or selfie using a webcam or a smartphone. For business accounts, additional documentation may be required, along with a client agreement form.

Step 5: After successful registration, an OFX staff will contact you for a call to finalise your account setup and answer any questions.

Western Union is a US-based financial services company recognised for personal money transfer services supporting bank transfer, card transfer and cash delivery.

Notably, Western Union partners with the UK Post Office, enabling money transfers from its 4,000 branches. It also has a vast cash pickup network, with agent locations worldwide, including in Australia, from Perth to Brisbane.

Step 1: Visit https://www.westernunion.com or download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Step 2: Click "Register" and enter your full name, address, phone number, nationality, date of birth, and occupation. Make sure your name matches your ID.

Step 3: Upload a valid ID. Choose a passport, EU/UK driving licence, national ID card, or residency card.

Step 4: Enter your email. Your email will be used for confirmation and transaction receipts.

Step 5: Check your inbox for a confirmation email. Once approved, you can start using the service. 

Wise, formerly TransferWise, is a US-based technology company that provides services for both individuals (Wise) and businesses (Wise Business). Its core offering is multi-currency accounts, which allow users to hold, receive, and send money in multiple currencies, including £ and AUD. This enables efficient money transfers.

Wise also offers cards for spending abroad with 0 transaction fees, and features to pay employees.

Step 1: Visit https://wise.com/register or download the Wise app from the App Store or Google Play. Click "Register"

Step 2: Fill in your email address or sign up using your Google, Facebook, or Apple account.

Step 3: Provide the required information:

• For personal accounts: Enter your full name, address, and date of birth.
• For business accounts: Submit details about your business, including its registration, trading address, and information about key stakeholders.
  
  

Step 4: Complete the verification process:

• For individuals: Upload a valid photo ID (such as a passport, driver’s license, or national ID card), proof of address, and a selfie holding your ID.
• For businesses: Provide necessary documents verifying who manages the business. Wise will inform you about the required paperwork.

After verification, your account will be activated and ready for use.

Founded in 2010, CurrencyFair is an online platform offering cross-border payment and currency exchange services for both individuals and businesses. It supports 20 currencies, with popular pairs including GBP, AUD, and EUR.

Headquartered in Ireland, CurrencyFair also operates offices in Australia, the UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong. In addition to regular money transfers, the company offers specialised services such as receiving overseas pensions, transferring proceeds from share sales, and helping with overseas property purchases.

Step 1: Visit https://app.currencyfair.com/register/ and click on 'Sign Up'.
Step 2: Select whether you want to create a personal or business account.

Step 3: Enter essential details like your name and date of birth.

Step 4: Upload a clear photo or scan of the applicant's or the business’s shareholders' IDs. Acceptable IDs are passports, driver's licenses, and national ID cards. Make sure the ID is in colour and contains your full name, date of birth, signature (if applicable), a valid expiration date, and the complete machine-readable zone (MRZ) code at the bottom of the passport.

Step 5: Complete a selfie verification. 

Step 6: You might be asked to submit proof of address. Acceptable documents include statements from your bank or credit card, a driver's license with your full address, utility bills (e.g., internet, gas, water, electricity, phone), local council or tax documents, and renewal notices for household or insurance policies such as car, health, or home insurance.
Step 7: Wait for approval. Once your account is activated, you can start sending and receiving international payments.

Founded in 1996 in Europe, Currencies Direct is a money transfer provider serving both individuals and businesses. What makes Currencies Direct stand out is its wide range of service options, including an online platform, mobile app, phone-assisted transfers, and physical retail branches. With a presence in over 25 locations across the UK, Spain, France, Portugal, the USA, South Africa, and India, it offers convenient and accessible financial solutions worldwide.

In addition to money transfers, the company provides multi-currency accounts for businesses and specialised services in areas such as property transactions, luxury goods, foreign investments, overseas employment, pensions, emigration, and education.

Step 1: Register online at https://register.currenciesdirect.com, over the phone at +44 (0) 20 7847 9400, or by emailing customer.s@currenciesdirect.com.

Step 2: Fill in or provide your personal information.

Step 3: You may be asked to provide proof of identity and/or proof of address documentation during the registration process.

When sending money from the UK to Australia, there are several important factors to consider before you initiate the transfer. In this section, I list the key things to keep in mind to ensure your transaction goes smoothly and without unexpected complications.

When transferring money from the UK to Australia, it's crucial to ensure you have the correct banking details, such as the BSB (Bank State Branch) code, account number, and SWIFT code. Unlike the UK and EU, which use the IBAN system, Australia follows its own banking system, requiring the BSB code instead of an IBAN.

When transferring money from the UK to Australia, different tax regulations may apply depending on factors like the purpose of the transfer, the amount, the origin of the funds, and whether they’ve already been taxed. 

For instance, while Australia doesn’t impose a formal "gift tax," certain transfers, such as gifts of property, shares, or crypto assets, may be subject to tax or capital gains tax (CGT), especially if the funds come from a non-resident trust.

Australia observes unique holidays not celebrated in the UK, such as 27 January (Australia Day) and 25 April (Anzac Day). 

Additionally, Australian holidays vary by state and territory. For example, 10 March is Canberra Day in the Australian Capital Territory, 5 May is May Day in the Northern Territory, and 4 July is Alice Springs Show Day. In Western Australia, Monday, 2 June is Western Australia Day. On these days, local banks in certain areas may be closed.

As a result, transfers will not be processed on these holidays. Be sure to check the local holiday calendar to avoid scheduling your transfer during a time when banks may be closed.

Sending money from the UK to Australia doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right provider, you can make fast, secure, and affordable international transfers. Always keep in mind the transfer fees, exchange rates, and the specifics of Australian banking systems to ensure a smooth transaction.