How to send money overseas from Australia

If you live in Australia and need to send money abroad, whether it's to support family, pay for a holiday rental, or settle an international invoice, you're likely looking for a fast, secure, and low-cost solution.

For years, international money transfers from Australia were known for being slow and expensive. That's all changing now.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know about making an international payment online with Revolut, empowering you to manage your global finances with confidence. You don't have to settle for long waits or additional charges when you send money overseas with us.

Exchange and transfer fees, fair usage limits, and T&Cs apply.

The information provided is accurate as of 15 January 2026.

The content of this page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. If you have any questions about your personal circumstances, please seek professional and independent advice. Revolut is not a financial adviser.

International transfers: what to remember

When you're sending money overseas, taking a moment to plan your transfer can save you time, money, and hassle. International transfers aren't complex, but they involve more moving parts than a regular domestic payment or a simple PayID transfer.

How to send money overseas from Australia

1. Choose your provider: a modern app like ours helps you ‌manage your global transfers and avoid the complexity of older banking systems
2. Check the exchange rate: look for a competitive rate
3. Enter recipient details: provide the recipient's full name, IBAN or account number, and BIC/SWIFT code
4. Review and send: confirm the final amount and fees, then send your money in seconds

What you need to know to send money overseas

• Understand the methods: know the difference between SWIFT transfers and fast, low-cost local payment systems
• Master the cost structure: look beyond transfer fees to understand the impact of the exchange rate
• Time your transfers: choose the right speed and be aware of daily cut-off times
• Safety first: double-check recipient details and understand how your money's protected
• The Revolut solution: use our app for fast, simple, and cost-effective global payments

Fair usage limits and weekend fees may apply, depending on your plan.

Step 1: understand international transfer methods

When you send money from Australia to another country, it's not a single, immediate transfer. The money travels through different financial systems, which impacts the time it takes and the fees you pay.

Comparison: SWIFT vs local payment networks

The reality of SWIFT transfers

The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) is the established global messaging network used traditionally to communicate transfer instructions.

While reliable, the system's designed around a chain of communication, not speed. If you send money overseas with an Australian provider, it might pass through several intermediary institutions before reaching its destination. This multi-stage process creates friction and added costs.

• Speed: SWIFT transfers often take 3–5 business days, which can be longer if the payment's made over weekends or public holidays.
• Cost clarity: the biggest issue for customers is the lack of clarity. Intermediary institutions often deduct their own fees along the way. This means the recipient may receive less money than you intended to send.

The efficiency of local payment networks

Modern payment providers like us may use local payment systems instead of SWIFT wherever possible. These are domestic or regional systems, such as the New Payments Platform (NPP) in Australia, SEPA in Europe, and ACH transfers in the US.

By having access to networks in different countries, we can route money in seconds via the recipient's local system. That way, transfers with us may bypass the long, multi-stop SWIFT network. They avoid common delays and surprise fees.

Exchange and transfer fees, fair usage limits, and T&Cs apply.

Step 2: master international transfer costs

The total cost of sending money abroad from Australia is determined by 2 main factors: the transfer fee and the exchange rate.

Decoding the 2 types of transfer fees

Transfer fees are what the provider charges for the payment. You need to consider:

• The outgoing fee: the flat fee charged by the service you use. This should always be clear and upfront.
• Intermediary fees: these are the unpredictable costs that can be taken from your transfer by correspondent institutions along its way when it's sent via SWIFT.

We generally try to avoid the SWIFT system and use local payment networks where possible. This helps you avoid the intermediary fee and gives you more control over the final amount that goes to your recipient.

Exchange rates as a cost when you transfer overseas

The exchange rate is the price of one currency in relation to another, and it’s a factor determining the final value of your transfer. Many providers, including ourselves, apply a mark-up to the real-time exchange rate.

When a provider offers you a rate, they often widen the gap between this market rate and the rate they charge you. For example, if the real-time rate is 0.60 EUR to 1 AUD, but the provider offers 0.58 EUR to 1 AUD, that 2-cent difference is the provider's profit.

On large international money transfers, this difference quickly adds up.

At Revolut, we aim for clarity and competitive pricing. We offer you our competitive Revolut exchange rate for your money transfers overseas. You can look at the exchange rates at any moment in-app, and we’ll always show you it before your transaction's complete.

Timing your transfers to manage rate volatility

Global exchange rates are constantly changing based on market volume, news events, and economic data. For Australians, the AUD can be volatile against major currencies like the USD or EUR.

• Market hours: the most competitive exchange rates are generally available during global business hours (9am–5pm Monday–Friday). Outside these hours, particularly on weekends, currency markets are closed. Depending on your plan, we may charge a weekend fee.
• Fixed vs variable: we set the rate as soon as you tell us what you want to spend. We show that rate and any fees clearly before you hit Send.

Fair usage limits and weekend fees may apply, depending on your plan.

How to send money overseas without fees

While operational costs exist for all providers, you can minimise fees depending on your needs. Here's how you can get the most out of your money with us:

• Transfers between Revolut customers: these fast money transfers carry no fees, regardless of the country either person is in. Exchange fees may apply.
• Within your plan limits: all our plans, including Standard, offer allowances for currency exchange with no additional fees up to a certain limit each month.
• Local payment systems: since we use these wherever possible, you may avoid fees usually associated with SWIFT transfers.

Exchange 150+ currencies with the Revolut exchange rate. Fair usage limits and weekend fees may apply.

Step 3: understand transfer speed and timing

Speed is an important factor when deciding how to send money abroad from Australia. Your provider and the method you choose should depend on your needs.

The difference between fast, same-day, and multi-day transfers

• In seconds: these are typically possible between accounts on the same platform (like between 2 Revolut customers) or through integrated domestic systems
• Same-day: this is common for domestic payments or countries within major economic blocks when made before the provider’s daily cut-off time
• Multi-day (SWIFT): these can take 3–5 days due to the involvement of multiple intermediaries

When you use our money transfer app, we give you a clear, estimated arrival time before you confirm the payment.

How cut-off times impact international payments

Every financial institution has a daily cut-off time for processing international payments. In Australia, if you start a SWIFT transfer after this time, the provider won't begin processing it until the next business day.

This is a major consideration for multi-day transfers. A payment you start on a Friday afternoon often won't begin processing until Monday morning, adding 3 days to the arrival time. To get the fastest transfer time, always try to make payments during normal business hours.

By using alternative transfer options that are available 24/7, like sending to another Revolut customer or using a mobile wallet partner such as Alipay, you can avoid cut-off times.

Step 4: verify recipient details

Modern technology has made transfers fast, but you still need to be careful to protect yourself. Make sure your money's going to the right person.

The vital information you need

To successfully send money abroad from Australia to a non-Revolut customer, you generally need their:

• full name: must exactly match the name on their account
• address: may be required for security checks
• IBAN or account number: the unique identifying number for the recipient’s account
• Bank Identifier Code (BIC) or SWIFT code: used to identify the recipient’s financial institution

A small error can lead to significant delays or fees for returning the money. If the money can be returned, you could also end up getting less than you originally sent because of exchange rate changes.

Protecting yourself against transfer scams

Be vigilant against common transfer scams, which usually involve pressure or urgency. Remember, no reputable financial institution or authority will ever ask you to:

• transfer money to a 'safe account' after an unexpected phone call
• use a money transfer service to pay taxes or government fines
• send money to a stranger to receive a prize or lottery winnings

If a payment request feels off, stop and verify it through a trusted channel. You can check out our resources on fraud and scams to better protect yourself.

Step 5: transfer money overseas with Revolut

Our platform offers an alternative to the costs, delays, and complexities of older systems.

Sending money abroad in seconds, 24/7

Transfers between Revolut customers are completed in seconds, regardless of the location or time of day. Since the payment takes place within our network, there are no transfer fees and no cut-off times (currency exchange fees may apply). All you need is the recipient’s Revtag or phone number.

Clarity on Revolut exchange rates and fees

Before you confirm any payment, our app clearly displays:

• the exact amount you're sending
• the exchange rate being used
• any fees (can be low or zero, depending on your plan)
• the estimated arrival time

We believe managing global payments should be as easy as sending a text. With our app, you have full control from your phone.

You can set up new recipients, monitor ongoing transfers, and access your multi-currency accounts wherever you are. You can even use your travel money card to spend like a local when you're abroad.

How to send money overseas with Revolut

Here's a step-by-step guide to get you started:

1. Download our app from the App Store or Google Play and sign up for Revolut in a matter of minutes.
2. Open the app, then go to Payments.
3. Tap the + symbol in the top-right corner.
4. Select the method you prefer and add your recipient’s details.
5. Enter the amount and currency. We'll show you the final exchange rate, any fees, and the estimated time of arrival right away.
6. Confirm the transfer, and your money's on its way.