Small transfers
Top ways to send money to India
Compare 20+ companies that send money to India from Australia.
Key takeaways
- Specialist providers such as Revolut and Wise are usually cheaper than the big four banks for sending money to India.
- Indian bank accounts use an 11-character IFSC code rather than an IBAN, so have it ready before you send.
- For transfers of A$10,000 or more, OFX charges no transfer fee and offers forex tools such as forward contracts.
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Verdict: Revolut is the best way for most people to send money to India from Australia, with a 0.15% transfer fee on its Standard plan for weekday transfers, while OFX suits transfers over A$10,000 and Instarem is our pick for speed.
The cheapest way to send money to India from Australia is usually a specialist online provider rather than your bank. Revolut is our top pick for everyday transfers, OFX for large amounts, Instarem for speed and Western Union for cash pickup. We've compared 20+ providers in the table below, and the right one for you depends on how much you're sending, how fast it needs to arrive and how your recipient wants to be paid.
Best provider to send money to India: quick answers
Who is the best overall provider to send money to India?
Revolut, for most people sending small to medium amounts. Its Standard plan fee for INR transfers to India is 0.15%, with a minimum of about A$0.41, according to Revolut's Australian fee schedule (for customers who joined from 17 January 2026). Revolut doesn't add an exchange fee on weekdays within your plan's fair usage limit, but Standard customers pay 1% on weekend exchanges.
Who is the cheapest to send money to India?
For transfers under A$10,000, Revolut and Wise are among the lowest-fee options we track. On a A$1,000 transfer, Revolut's 0.15% fee works out to about A$1.50, while Wise lists a fee of about A$5.32 when you pay by bank transfer or Osko (indicative, as at October 2026; check the provider for a live quote). Fees are only half the cost, so always compare the rupees your recipient receives.
Who is the fastest way to send money to India?
Instarem, Revolut, Wise and Remitly can all deliver within minutes in many cases. Wise says 77% of its transfers arrive in under 20 seconds and 95% within a day. Paying by card is usually faster than paying by bank transfer.
Who is best for large transfers to India?
OFX. It charges no transfer fee on amounts of A$10,000 or more (A$15 below that), offers forward contracts and gives you access to a dedicated account manager. Its minimum transfer is A$250.
Who is best for cash pickup in India?
Western Union, which has agent locations across India where your recipient can collect cash with ID and a transfer reference number. MoneyGram and Ria also offer cash pickup.
Who is best for business transfers to India?
Qantas Business Money, powered by Airwallex, which lets businesses earn Qantas Points on international currency conversions.
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How we picked these
Finder Score for money transfer
We review money transfer providers for different features to assign them a score out of 10. The higher the score, the more competitive the product.
Published fees vary by plan, amount and payment method. Revolut's Standard plan adds a 1% fee on weekend exchanges, OFX charges A$15 on transfers under A$10,000 and Instarem and Western Union fees vary by amount, payment and delivery method. Fees are indicative as at October 2026 and exclude exchange rate margins, so check the provider for a live quote.
Bank details you need to send money to India
India uses IFSC codes, not IBANs
- Account number: your recipient's Indian bank account number.
- IFSC code: an 11-character code that identifies the recipient's bank branch, for example SBIN0001234. The first four letters identify the bank, the fifth character is a zero and the last six identify the branch.
- SWIFT/BIC code: some providers ask for the bank's SWIFT code as well as, or instead of, the IFSC, particularly for international wire transfers.
- Recipient's full name: exactly as it appears on their bank account and government ID.
- Sending to UPI instead? You only need the recipient's name and UPI ID (for example name@bank), if your provider supports UPI.
The IFSC is assigned by the Reserve Bank of India and is used for India's domestic NEFT, RTGS and IMPS payment systems, which is how most money transfer providers deliver rupees into Indian bank accounts. Your recipient can find their IFSC on their cheque book, passbook or internet banking. India doesn't use IBANs, so if a form asks for one, check you're filling in the right field or ask your provider. Getting the IFSC wrong is one of the most common reasons a transfer to India is delayed or returned.
How much does it cost to send money to India?
Your total cost is the transfer fee plus any margin the provider adds to the mid-market AUD/INR exchange rate. The ACCC warns that suppliers advertising "fee-free" transfers may still charge a margin on the exchange rate, which is often hidden, so compare the total price and the amount your recipient will receive.
How to work out the real cost: take the mid-market rate (the RBA's reference rate was A$1 = INR 66.27 on 22 October 2026), multiply by the amount you're sending and compare that with the rupees the provider says your recipient will get. On A$1,000 at that reference rate, the mid-market amount would be about INR 66,270 before fees and margin. The gap between that figure and your quote, plus the transfer fee, is what you're really paying. This is an indicative example only, as at October 2026.
Cheapest way to send money to India
Specialist money transfer providers are usually cheaper than the big four banks. The ACCC's foreign currency conversion inquiry, and its 2024 update, found the big four were often more expensive than other suppliers for international money transfers and, for common currencies, rarely the cheapest option.
When you're hunting for the cheapest option, look at both parts of the cost:
- Transfer fees. Some providers charge a flat fee, others a percentage of the amount sent.
- Exchange rates. Providers add a margin to the mid-market AUD/INR rate. Some use the mid-market rate and charge a visible fee, while others advertise low fees and build their profit into the rate.
Also check that the provider is on AUSTRAC's remittance sector register and, where it deals in financial products, holds an Australian financial services licence from ASIC. Registration isn't a government guarantee that a provider is safe, so it's still worth reading the terms.
Did you know
India is the world's largest recipient of remittances, with inflows estimated at about US$129 billion in 2024, ahead of Mexico (US$68 billion) and China (US$48 billion), according to the World Bank. That scale means there's strong competition on the Australia to India route, which is good news for your fees and exchange rate.
Fastest way to send money to India
The fastest way to send money to India is usually a card-funded transfer with a digital provider such as Instarem, Revolut, Wise or Remitly, or a cash pickup with Western Union. Actual transfer times depend on the amount, how you pay and how your recipient is being paid.
- Card payments: usually the fastest, but card fees can be higher. Wise, for example, lists A$8.58 by debit card and A$14.82 by credit card on a A$1,000 transfer, compared with A$5.32 by bank transfer.
- Bank transfer or Osko: cheaper, but can add time while your payment reaches the provider.
- UPI delivery: Wise says UPI transfers should arrive in about 30 minutes.
- Cash pickup: often available within minutes once the transfer is paid for.
Sending money to a UPI ID in India
Some Australian providers now let you send money straight to an Indian UPI ID, the mobile payment address most people in India use. Wise and Remitly both offer UPI delivery from Australia. With Wise, UPI transfers are capped at INR 200,000 per transfer and can't be used for investments or charitable donations, according to Wise. Make sure your recipient's UPI ID is active and linked to their bank account before you send.
Large money transfers to India
If you're sending a large amount to India, a specialist such as OFX or TorFX may get you a better INR rate and more support. OFX charges no transfer fee on amounts of A$10,000 or more.
Large transfer specialists can offer:
- Forex tools. Forward contracts and limit orders can help you lock in or target an AUD/INR rate.
- Account manager. A dedicated contact to help with timing and paperwork.
- Phone support. OFX and TorFX let you talk your transfer through with a person.
- Tax awareness. Large transfers can have tax implications for you or your recipient in Australia or India. Check the ATO's guidance and consider professional advice, as a transfer provider can't give you tax advice.
How to send money to India from Australia
To send money to India, you'll need photo ID, your recipient's bank, UPI or cash pickup details and a way to pay.
- Compare your options.Use our table to find a provider that sends to India and suits how your recipient wants to be paid: bank account, UPI or cash pickup. Click "Go to site" when you've chosen.
- Create an account.Give your name, address and contact details, upload photo ID and choose how you'll pay.
- Add your recipient's details.For an Indian bank account, enter their full name, account number and 11-character IFSC code (plus a SWIFT code if your provider asks for one). For UPI, enter their UPI ID. For cash pickup, enter their name exactly as it appears on their ID.
- Enter your transfer amount.Check the fee, exchange rate and delivery time, and double-check the total rupees your recipient will get.
- Pay and track your transfer.Pay by bank transfer, Osko, debit card or credit card, then keep your transaction reference number. Your recipient may need it, especially for cash pickup.
Top picks for sending money to India
Revolut: best for small and everyday transfers
Revolut is our favourite app for smaller, regular transfers. On the Standard plan the INR transfer fee to India is 0.15%, with a minimum of about A$0.41 and a maximum of A$500, according to Revolut's fee schedule for customers who joined from 17 January 2026. There's no extra exchange fee on weekdays within your plan's fair usage limit, but Standard customers pay 1% on weekend exchanges, so send Monday to Friday if you can.
OFX: best for large transfers
If you're sending A$10,000 or more, OFX charges no transfer fee (A$15 below that) and has a A$250 minimum. You'll get access to forex tools such as forward contracts and an account manager. OFX was founded in Sydney in 1998 and is listed on the ASX. It accepts bank transfer or BPAY payments only, and it's less competitive for small amounts.
Instarem: best for fast transfers
Instarem specialises in fast transfers, with money typically arriving within minutes or on the same day. Paying by debit or credit card is usually quickest. Instarem has run fee-free first-transfer offers for India in the past, so check its site for any current new-customer offer and its terms.
Western Union: best for cash pickup
Western Union, founded in 1851, has one of the largest agent networks in India, so it's a strong choice if your recipient doesn't have a bank account or needs cash fast. Your recipient will need government-issued ID and the transfer reference number (MTCN) to collect.
Qantas Business Money: best for business transfers
Qantas Business Money is powered by Airwallex and lets businesses open local currency accounts and earn Qantas Points on international currency conversions. When it launched, Airwallex said members earn 1 Qantas Point per A$10 converted. Check the current earn rate and fees on the Qantas Business Money site before you sign up.
AUD to INR exchange rate: is now a good time to send money?
The Australian dollar bought INR 66.27 on 22 October 2026, according to the Reserve Bank of Australia's daily exchange rate table, down from INR 68.35 on 8 September 2026. The rate moves every day, so treat this as a reference point and check a live AUD/INR quote before you send.
The AUD/INR rate is driven by Australian and Indian monetary policy, commodity prices and global risk appetite. The RBA raised the cash rate target by 0.25 percentage points to 4.60%, effective 30 September 2026, after holding it at 4.35% in June and August. The RBA has no control over the rupee, and short-term currency moves are hard to predict, so it's usually better to compare providers on total cost than to try to time the market. For large amounts, a forward contract can lock in a rate.
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