Legal and tax requirements for transferring large sums of money into Australia
Here’s what you need to know about Australian money transfer regulations for large sums of money.
Transferring money ahead of immigrating, selling a property or inheriting money from family overseas? Whatever your reasons for sending money to Australia, there's a lot to consider.
You can't avoid the laws and legal paperwork that go along with transferring large amounts of money. So before you move your cash into Australia, familiarise yourself with these laws and regulations.
Do I have to report large transfers into Australia?
If you're receiving more than AUD$10,000 or a foreign currency equivalent, this will need to be reported to the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC). This is to help reduce the risk of money laundering or terrorism financing.
Any amount of money transferred into Australia as international funds transfer instruction (IFTI) must have an IFTI-E report submitted within 10 business days. Some money transfer providers, which often solely send money between countries, sometimes have reporting thresholds as low as AUD$1,000.
Tax implications of large money transfers
Outside of large sums needing to be reported to AUSTRAC, you will also need to be aware of any tax implications of someone sending a large amount of money to you in Australia. Depending on the reason why it has been sent, then you may be on the hook for taxes regulated by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
When might I need to pay taxes?
Whether or not you need to pay tax on money transferred from abroad will depend on the source of the funds. To help you out, we've broken these down into when a transfer is a taxable event and when it's not.
Taxable event
If your international money transfer involves any of the following, then chances are you will need to declare it.
- Property investments. Payment received via money transfer for rental properties or property sales will have to be reported as foreign investment income.
- Business transactions. You are obligated to pay tax on the income generated from your business overseas.
- Employment income. The money you earn as an employee overseas will be taxed regardless of your status as full-time, part-time or other.
- Pension or superannuation. Funds received as an overseas pension or superannuation are subject to tax and need to be declared on your tax return.
Non-taxable event
There are cases for bringing money into Australia without paying tax. The following large money transfers generally aren't subjected to tax:
- One-time gift. Money transfers that are seen as one-off gifts or rewards won't be subject to gift tax. This includes if the gift money is part of a business-like activity or if it's related to how you earn income. If you decide to invest this gift money, the income it generates can be taxed.
- Inheritance. If you're a beneficiary, you won't need to pay taxes on the inheritance money you receive from abroad. If you chose to invest this money, the interest earned may be taxable and should be reported on your tax.
- Savings you bring into Australia when emigrating. If you're moving to Australia for the first time, and the amount is more than AUD$10,000 or a foreign equivalent, you'll still need to declare it to customs.
Just keep in mind, for the above non-taxable events, you will still need to check any local tax responsibilities in the country the transfer is being sent from.
If you have any confusion over whether your money transfer is taxable, it is best to speak to a tax professional to make sure you comply with Australia's taxation regulations.
What happens if I don't declare my taxable money transfer?
If you receive a taxable money transfer and choose not to pay the tax, then you risk fines and other penalties. More serious consequences include criminal convictions and even prison sentences.
Criminal convictions can affect your employment and ability to travel outside the country. So it is important to report any large money transfers on your annual tax returns to the Australian Taxation Office. If you have any doubts, speak to a tax professional for guidance.
What steps can I take to avoid legal or tax problems?
There are things you can do to make sure you avoid getting into any legal or tax difficulties. Here are some tips:
- Record everything. The best way to protect yourself from legal issues is by providing records of each transaction to prove the source of your money. Remember, large money transfers that may be subjected to tax will be reviewed.
- Seek professional advice. To avoid severe penalties that come with a failure to report large sums of money being brought into the country, speak with a professional to guarantee that everything is above board and complies with the laws of all countries involved.
- Use a reputable money transfer provider. Take a look and compare our recommended money transfer providers. Reputable providers will abide by AUSTRAC regulations and obligations such as reporting their financial transactions and any suspicious activity.
Finder survey: How many international transfers have Australians made in the last 12 months?
Response | |
|---|---|
| 2-5 | 38.89% |
| 1 | 21.11% |
| 0 | 17.78% |
| 10+ | 12.22% |
| 6-9 | 10% |
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1110 Australians, December 2023
How to make a large international money transfer
If you are looking to send a large amount of money to Australia, you'll typically find specialist international money transfer providers offer lower transaction fees and more competitive exchange rates. You can use our comparison table to compare our hand-picked list of specialists.
However, if you want to explore other ways of transferring a large amount internationally, take a look at our detailed guide which breaks down alternative options.
Services that can help with large transfers
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How we picked theseBringing money into Australia
There is no limit on the amount of money you can bring into Australia. However, if the combined value of cash in the local or foreign currency you are carrying is equivalent to AUD$10,000 or more, it needs to be declared.
There are two types of money you can bring into Australia: physical cash and bearer negotiable instruments (BNIs).
Physical currency
Cash can be declared when you enter Australia at the international airport or seaport. The declaration form only needs to be completed when the total cash value you bring into Australia exceeds AUD$9,999 - not counting BNIs.
BNIs
These are non-cash forms of money and include cheques, bearer bonds, money orders and promissory notes. Money items without an assigned value or a specified payee (like black cheques) are also considered BNIs. You only need to declare these if it is requested by customs.
Rules to be aware of
You could face penalties if you violate any of the following rules:
- Children are not exempt from declaring money when necessary.
- Travellers are allowed to carry money for someone else, but this must be declared. Personal information and details of who they are transporting the money for needs to be reported.
- Splitting up a large amount across individuals within a group to avoid the AUD$10,000 cap, or "structuring", is illegal.
Frequently asked questions
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I have recently made money from crypto with a broker and am getting a bank transfer it is a sum of over 4m aud
Now I know I have to report it to the ato but which kind of legal advice should I take or would a tax accountant be the right avenue to go down ?
Hi Shaun,
Because you’ll need to declare the investment return to the ATO, you’re best off speaking to an accountant in the first instance. We recommend you look for an accountant with cryptocurrency experience, as there are many complexities to navigate.
Hope this helps!
Hi,
If I sell my personal yacht in the Philippines, will I be taxed on the money if I send it all to Australia?
Is there anything I need to be aware of?
Hi Reece, We’re not permitted to give personal or taxation advice, so we’d suggest you contact a qualified accountant for some advice about your situation.
All the best with your sale!
many thanks,
Sarah
Hi, I will be paid my retirement fund from my current employer in South Africa. Once this money is received into my personal account, I would like to open an AUS bank account and transfer into it. We are emigrating in Nov. Is this ok to do? We are estimating approximately AUS$14,000. Will this be in order? If needed how do I report this to AUSTRAC from South Africa?
Thank you kindly
Regards
Robyn
Hi Robyn,
Thank you for getting in touch. Yes, it is possible to transfer AUD$14,000 from South Africa to an Australian bank account. The most cost-effective way to do this would be to use a legitimate money transfer provider. The provider will also be responsible for submitting an International Electronic Funds Transfer Instructions Report (IFTI-E) to AUSTRAC. This applies to any amount over AUD$10,000 and should be submitted within 10 days of your transaction.
Please don’t hesitate to message us back if you have any more questions.
Best,
Kate
Hi,
We have recently moved to Australia from the UK and looking to transfer more than AUD$10,000 in savings from our UK bank account to an Australian bank account.
In the section “Do I have to report large transfers into Australia” it suggests that this needs to be reported to AUSTRAC and an IFTI-E submitted. Am I correct in understanding that according to the FAQ question “Are there any forms or documents specific to sending large amounts of money into Australia” these forms are not needed if it’s done through a “legitimate money transfer provider” rather than a bank transfer?
Many thanks
Hi Christiaan,
Thank you for your question. If you are using a legitimate money transfer provider then the provider is responsible for submitting an International Electronic Funds Transfer Instructions Report (IFTI-E) to AUSTRAC. This should be submitted within 10 days of your transaction.
I hope this was helpful. Please don’t hesitate to message us back if you have more questions.
Best,
Kate
Hi, I just moved to Australia 3 years ago. I had a house back home which I sold a little over a year ago. Now I want to transfer the money over to Australia to buy a house here. Will I be charged for taxes as I paid the tax when I sold the house? What should I do to avoid a problem with this transfer? Thanks
Hi James,
Thanks for your question. Transferring large amounts of money anywhere in the world needs to be filed accordingly and within laws and regulations of the country concerned. Also, the tax for selling the house is different and separate from the tax for transferring money. Before you proceed with the transfer, prepare the required documents as stated on our page and seek assistance from a tax expert to ensure your transfer will not attract further fees and charges.
Hope this was helpful. Don’t hesitate to message us back if you have more questions.
Best,
Nikki