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Send Money to the UK from Australia

Find your cheapest option to transfer money to the UK with the best exchange rates.

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, updated on August 18th, 2023       

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Find the best way to send money to the UK

When you’re wanting to send money to family or friends in the UK, it’s important to be on the lookout for cheap exchange rates, low fees and a simple transfer process. Compare a range of international money transfer providers here with Savvy to help you find the best exchange rates and lowest fees available. Consider a range of options with us before getting your international money transfer underway today.

site-logos OFX
  Minimum Transfer Amount Transfer Speed Transfer Fee Total Currencies Available  
site-logos $250 1-3 days $0 50+
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Special Offer: 5 fee free transfers (saving you up to $75 in fees) + preferential rates for international money transfers

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site-logos Instarem
  Minimum Transfer Amount Transfer Speed Transfer Fee Total Currencies Available  
site-logos $1 Within minutes From 0% to 1% 55+
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Enjoy $40 bonus on your first money transfers of $250 & above! Use code*: SAVVY20X2 (Minimum transfer of AUD 250 Valid till 31st August 2023)

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site-logos Xe
  Minimum Transfer Amount Transfer Speed Transfer Fee Total Currencies Available  
site-logos $0 1-3 days From $0 100
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Xe is a 2021 Canstar Award Winner and offers the best exchange rates, low to no fees so customers save the most money

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site-logos Western Union Money Transfer
  Minimum Transfer Amount Transfer Speed Transfer Fee Total Currencies Available  
site-logos $0 1 - 2 days $0 35
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Send money to over 200 countries and territories across the world online

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site-logos Wise Money Transfer
  Minimum Transfer Amount Transfer Speed Transfer Fee Total Currencies Available  
site-logos $0 1-3 days From 0.41% 53
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Send money cheaper and easier with Wise with no hidden fees.

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site-logos TorFX
  Minimum Transfer Amount Transfer Speed Transfer Fee Total Currencies Available  
site-logos $200 0-2 days $0 35
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Excellent exchange rates with no transfer fees. Trusted by over 325,000 customers. Awarded Canstar’s 5 star rating 2018-2021.

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site-logos Currencyfair
  Minimum Transfer Amount Transfer Speed Transfer Fee Total Currencies Available  
site-logos $5 Within minutes From $0 20+
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Send money overseas at better exchange rates, with no hidden fees.

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site-logos Remitly
  Minimum Transfer Amount Transfer Speed Transfer Fee Total Currencies Available  
site-logos $0 0-2 days From $0 21
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Remitly offers fast, safe and secure money transfers with excellent rates to over 100 countries

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site-logos Revolut
  Minimum Transfer Amount Transfer Speed Transfer Fee Total Currencies Available  
site-logos $0 Within minutes From $0 27+
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Fast and easy, with super competitive rates across all major currencies. Join 25+ million customers saving on global transfers.

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Disclaimer: Savvy is not advising or recommending any particular product to you. We provide general information on products for the purposes of comparison, but your personal situation or goals are not considered here. Although we try to make our comparisons as thorough as possible, we do not have information on all products on the market on our site.

If you decide to initiate a money transfer with one of the providers listed above via our website, you will not be dealing with Savvy; any applications or enquiries will be conducted directly with the provider offering that product.

More about sending money to the UK

What options do I have to send money to the United Kingdom?

It’s estimated that almost $360 million is sent to the UK each year, with the UK being the most popular international transfer destination from Australia. For this reason, there are many ways to transfer money to the UK. In terms of how to send your money to the UK, your options include:

International money transfer services

Specialist international money transfer services can move funds from your bank account to another in the UK without the money going through the international SWIFT payment system. This means they can transfer money faster and more cheaply than the banks can, with lower fees and markups on exchange rates. Your funds can be available at their destination seconds after you send them, or within two days in most cases. They are the best way and cheapest method of sending money to the UK.

Instant cash transfers

Some international transfer providers can send money to the UK almost instantly via cash transfer, for it to be collected by someone at the other end. However, instant cash transfers aren’t available from all providers and may not be the best way to send money to the UK. Often higher fees will be charged for cash transfers and the exchange rate you’ll be offered may not be the most competitive one available.

Bank transfers

You could look at using your normal bank to send money to the UK. However, be prepared to pay $6 up to $30 or more in transfer fees, as well as not receiving the best exchange rate. It’ll also typically take from three to five business days for your money to arrive in the UK, or longer if there’s a weekend or public holiday in the way.

PayPal

PayPal offers same-day global money transfers; however, even though the money will appear in the UK PayPal account the same day, there will still be a three to five-day delay to get that money from PayPal to your recipient’s bank account. Transfers with PayPal often attract higher fees and a weaker exchange rate too.

In almost all cases, international money transfer services will get your money overseas more quickly and at a lower cost than your bank or PayPal can. Compare rates with Savvy and get a quote before booking your transfer today.

How much will it cost to send money to the UK?

The UK is one of the cheapest places to send money to from Australia, as there’s such a large volume of currency being transferred each day and no issues with the availability of British pounds. There are two cost aspects to look at when transferring money internationally: the fees charged to make the transfer and the exchange rate you’re offered.

Exchange rate

Look for an exchange rate that is closest to the mid-market exchange rate, as this will be the cheapest exchange rate available. The mid-market rate is halfway between the buy price and the sell price on the international money markets, and it’s the accepted standard inter-bank exchange rate. The closer to the mid-market rate you’re offered, the better the deal and the more British pounds you’ll be able to buy with your Aussie dollars. This is especially relevant if you’re sending a large transfer of thousands of dollars, so it’s important to compare this aspect when choosing your ideal transfer provider.

Fees charged

Some international money transfer companies charge a set fee (often between $6 and $15), whilst others charge a percentage of the transfer amount (which ranges from 0.4% to 0.65%). In general terms, those companies who charge a percentage fee are the cheapest for smaller transfers (under $5,000), whilst set fees advantage larger transfers.

The reason for this difference between percentage fees and set fees is easy to understand with just a simple percentage calculation. 0.5% of $200 is just $1, which is a very small fee to pay to transfer that money to the UK. However, if you were looking to transfer $20,000, the 0.5% fee would rise to $100, which is a far more substantial fee. In this case, it’s easy to see that a $15 set fee for that $20,000 transfer would be a far cheaper option.

How else do I compare transfer services when sending money to the UK?

While the exchange rate you receive is the most important factor which will determine how many pounds are received in the UK, there are other factors to compare when looking at which transfer company is the right one for your transfer:

Minimum and maximum transfer limits

There are usually minimum and maximum transfer limits for international money transfers. For example, TorFX has a minimum limit of $200 and a maximum of $50,000. However, there are other companies that will set their maximum at a much higher level (such as Xe) having a maximum transfer limit of USD $500,000. Other companies allow you to transfer as little as $1 and have maximum limits in the millions in certain cases. Compare and check transfer limits to make sure you choose a transfer service provider compatible with your needs.

Exchange rate guarantees

Check to make sure the money transfer provider you choose offers a guaranteed spot price on the quoted exchange rate. The price you’re quoted should be guaranteed not to change for a set number of hours, often up to 36. This is an important point to check if you don’t wish to make your transfer immediately, as exchange rates are often quite volatile and can change rapidly in a short space of time.

Currency exchange tools

Some companies offer a range of tools to assist you to get the best exchange rate when you’re transferring your money to the UK. You can receive an alert when the currency exchange rate reaches a set limit you’ve had your eye on. As well as exchange alerts, there are also limit orders that only send your transfer through once a specific exchange rate is reached. Forward contracts can help you lock in your exchange rate for up to a year in advance, which can be useful if you’re thinking of making regular transfers to the UK. All these tools can help you access the best exchange rate for your international money transfer, so compare these features before deciding which money transfer is the right one for you.

Payment methods

Check whether you can pay for your international transfer using the method most convenient to you, either in cash, by EFTPOS, BPAY or direct debit. Be aware that if you choose to pay for your transfer by credit card, you may also be charged international exchange fees by your card provider, which can turn out to be very expensive. A direct debit, cash or EFTPOS will be your cheapest payment options. It’s also important to consider how your recipient will be able to receive the funds in the same way, so you should always compare these factors when choosing your international money transfer service.

What documents will I need to transfer money to the UK?

When you first set up an international money transfer account, you’ll need a form of Government-issued ID to prove your identity as part of the account establishment process. This could be:

  • your passport
  • your driver’s licence
  • a government-issued identity card or veteran’s card
  • a Medicare card plus another form of ID that shows your signature

In addition, you’ll need details of who you’re sending the money to. This will include their full name as it appears on their identity documents, which is particularly important if you’re sending a cash transfer. The name of the UK recipient you give has to match the ID of the person collecting the money exactly, or there may be delays in handing over the money.

If you’re sending a transfer to a UK bank account, you’ll also need all their bank account details which will include:

  • their six-digit sort code (which we call a BSB number in Australia)
  • an eight-digit account number (which is their individual bank account number at a particular bank branch)

Once you’ve set up your account with a transfer provider, you won’t need to prove your identity each time you make another transfer.

Transfers over $10,000

If you wish to transfer more than $10,000 out of Australia, that transfer must be reported to the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC). Your transfer service provider will complete the AUSTRAC declaration on your behalf, as it’s their responsibility to report on all transfers they make over $10,000. However, you may be asked to provide further details to be included in the AUSTRAC declaration, particularly if you intend to make large transfers quite frequently. The details you may be asked to provide may include:

  • the reason for the transfer
  • the full identity of the UK recipient
  • proof of the source of the funds being transferred

For example, these are some of the documents you may be asked to provide to back up your transfer information:

  • if you’re conducting a business transfer involving the purchase of goods or services, a copy of the sales or engagement contract may be required to be provided
  • if the transfer involves the purchase of a property in the UK, an AUSTRAC compliance officer may ask to see the property sales contract
  • if the transfer involves sending an inheritance from a deceased estate, a copy of the Will bequeathing the money may be required

If additional detailed documentation such as this is required, it may cause slight delays in your transfer while your documentation is being checked for compliance. However, smaller transfers of less than $10,000 won’t be subject to AUSTRAC regulations so they’ll frequently be received in the UK on the same day.

Frequently asked questions about money transfers to the UK

Is there a limit to the amount of money I can send to the UK?

No – there are no UK government limits on how much money you can send to the UK. The only limits that you may come across are those set by transfer companies themselves. Your bank may also have a daily withdrawal limit from your transaction account, which could be set at $5,000, so check if it does before making your transfer.

Can I send money to someone in the UK without a bank account?

Yes – in terms of how to send money without a bank account, pre-paid SIM cards in mobile phones can receive money through telecommunication providers. However, be aware that if you do use this method to transfer money to the UK, the exchange rate you’ll be given may not be a good one and you may also be charged expensive fees for this service. For example, one provider of phone recharge services charges a fee of $12 to send a $200 recharge to a UK phone. Cash transfers also sidestep the need for a bank account to receive the funds, but these can also be a very expensive option.

What factors can affect the speed of an international transfer to the UK?

The timing of your transfer can affect how quickly your money arrives in the UK. Since London time is between nine and 11 hours behind Australian time (depending on where you live in Australia), you’ll get the fastest service if you make your transfer on a weekday with plenty of time for it to arrive before the weekend (which can delay the arrival of the transfer). Also be aware that public holidays in the UK can affect transfer times too, as the international banking system closes down during this time which can lead to delays. Also, as mentioned, if you’re sending a particularly large transfer, it may be held up slightly by AUSTRAC.

Can I get a free money transfer to the UK?

Yes – some providers offer free transfers for a variety of reasons, but mainly to attract new customers. For example, some transfer companies offer the first one to two transfers free as an incentive to attract new customers, but after this, any further transfers will incur the normal fees. Others offer transfers over a certain limit fee-free (such as $10,000) which can attract larger business customers. Other companies don’t charge a fee for transferring money at all, instead making their profit on the exchange rate offered. It’s always worth comparing the rates on free transfers, as they could end up costing you more if they don’t stack up to other companies who may charge a small fee for their service.

Do I have to pay a transfer tax if I send money to the UK?

No – there are no taxes imposed on making money transfers to the UK, although if you use a bank transfer, your recipient may have to pay a receiving fee. These fees are charged by some of the major banks in the UK. However, if you use an international money transfer specialist, your recipient won’t have to pay such receiving fees, as they don’t use the SWIFT banking system.

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