Sending money home
Sending money home
A transfer costs the fee plus the exchange rate margin.
Sending money overseas costs a fee and a margin on the exchange rate. The margin is not shown as a fee and can cost more than the fee.
What a transfer costs
Anyone supporting family overseas
The fee is the part you see. The rest is the margin: the gap between the rate you get and the mid-market rate on the day.
Fill in your details above to see your result.
Example figures. Your receipts show the margin you paid. Source: World Bank Remittance Prices Worldwide.
Before you send
Three checks for any provider
- Check the provider is on AUSTRAC’s Remittance Sector Register. Every Australian remittance business must be registered.
- Compare the rate you get with the mid-market rate on the day, not just the fee.
- Find out what the receiving end charges, such as cash pickup or a local bank fee.
Globally, banks are the most expensive way to send money: 14.99% on average for a small transfer, against 4.59% for digital services.
Source: AUSTRAC; World Bank Remittance Prices Worldwide, September 2025.
Search the registerWhat to know
Good to knowCheck the exchange rate, not just the feeA $30 fee looks like the price, but a 3.5% margin on $1,000 costs another $35. Compare your rate with the mid-market rate.Source: ACCC
RequirementCheck a transfer service is registered with AUSTRACEvery business sending money overseas from Australia must be registered with AUSTRAC. Its public register shows who is.Source: AUSTRAC
What we do
- Show what sending money home costs, fee and rate together
What we don’t
- Hold or move your money