Receiving money from overseas
Everything you need to know about receiving money from abroad.
There may be times in your life when you need to receive money from overseas. Be it from friends or family, or maybe you are an expat living abroad. With the right tools at your disposal, you can find the best way to save money on fees and secure a strong exchange rate.
What is the best way to receive money from overseas?
1. International money transfer service
Money transfer specialists such as OFX and Wise are one of the cheapest options for receiving money from abroad. Unlike banks, these services typically don't charge customers to receive a payment. From here, you can move your money back to your bank account. On average, transfers take 1-3 business days. Use our comparison table to find a money transfer company that suits your needs before you receive your transfer.
2. International wire transfer
Wire transfers are the most popular way to receive money but you pay extra for the convenience. Also known as a telegraphic transfer or a bank-to-bank transfer, it involves sending money from a bank overseas to your bank account in Australia. International wire transfers often get charged fees on both ends of the transaction, so tend to work out as an expensive option. For example, ANZ charges up to $15 to receive an international payment. Bank transfers can take 2-5 business days.
3. Cash pickup
Western Union, Remitly and MoneyGram are among the most common ways to receive cash. You will need to visit a money transfer agent in person to collect the cash. Another option is going to your local 7-Eleven or Australia Post as they have both partnerships with MoneyGram and Western Union. Money can be received instantly but the exchange rates are weaker as a result
4. PayPal
PayPal is a trusted brand for digital payments, particularly for small transfers. Despite being convenient, PayPal charges extra fees for receiving money. However, the platform's quick transfers make it appealing to users. PayPal is available in over 200 countries and supports 25 currencies.
5. Money order
An international money order works the same way as a domestic money order and allows you to prepay an amount that will be used as a secure form of payment. It is a physical document, similar to a check, which can be purchased from a bank or post office. Money orders typically have a limit on the maximum amount you can transfer and may come with additional fees.
Compare international money transfer companies to receive money from abroad
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Finder survey: How many Australians of have sent money abroad?
| Response | 75+ yrs | 65-74 yrs | 55-64 yrs | 45-54 yrs | 35-44 yrs | 25-34 yrs | 18-24 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | 58.62% | 66.86% | 73.26% | 71.5% | 64.97% | 66.06% | 58.76% |
| Yes | 41.38% | 33.14% | 26.74% | 28.5% | 35.03% | 33.94% | 41.24% |
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1110 Australians, December 2023
How does receiving money from overseas work?
The process may differ depending on the service provider used to send the funds. With some money transfer services, you need to request the transaction reference number from the sender and present the number along with your identification documents. You may also be required to fill out a receive form to access your funds.
With online transfers, the funds are deposited into your account, after which you can withdraw them. You can also receive funds through a prepaid card or mobile wallet.
Bank information needed to receive money
Keep in mind, in order to receive money from overseas, you'll need to provide specific bank details, including:
- Full name
- Bank account number
- BIC/Swift Code — you can get this from your bank
- Bank State Branch (BSB)
- Street address
Do I need to pay fees if I'm receiving money from overseas?
While most fees are incurred by the sender, your bank may charge a fee for processing and depositing the money you have received from overseas.
It is also worth keeping in mind you could be required to pay intermediary fees. Intermediary banks act as the 'middleman' through which money passes when transferring between two financial institutions. As a result, they take a small fee from the funds being transferred. This is separate to the fees charged by banks or money transfer services.
How do exchange rates and margins affect the amount I receive?
The amount you receive in the end may be less than expected if the sender doesn't pay the currency exchange rate at the beginning of the transaction.
Most banks and money transfer providers will quote an exchange rate that's higher than the mid-market rate, otherwise known as the midpoint between the buy and sell prices. This markup is also known as a margin, which is how these companies make a profit.
The exchange rate margin is often the reason why there is a difference between the amount that is sent and the amount that is received. Small differences can put a big dent in the end amount, especially when receiving larger amounts of money.
Frequently asked questions
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Can you guys help us with bad credit in the US?
Hi Will,
thanks for the question.
Unfortunately at this current time we only compare lenders in Australia.
Sorry we couldn’t help,
Marc.