How to send money to China from Australia with the best AUD-CNY rate

Comparing based on your specific needs is the best way to send money from Australia to China with confidence.

Right now, for AUD/CNY

• Wise is our top choice for AUD to CNY transfers. Sending 1,000 AUD to CNY will cost you $12.95 in fees, and you will receive 4,765.25 CNY. The delivery time usually is within minutes.

• Western Union offers the lowest fees of the 9 available options. This cost combines the exchange rate between the Australian Dollar and Yuan Renminbi that is -1.16% different to the mid-market rate and the fee of 0 AUD.

• Fastest way to transfer money to China from Australia is with Wise. For example, sending $1,000 to China with Wise will be within minutes. But, it can be quicker or longer depending on the exact amount, as well as the day and time of your transfer.

Our analysis, and search results, include 9 providers that operate between Australia and China. These are ranked by speed, overall cost and ease of use.

Through this, you get a comprehensive view of all the options you have in Australia when you need to send money to China.

The exchange rate determines the price you’ll pay for Yuan Renminbi when you send Australian Dollar to China.

The current exchange rate between the Australian Dollar and Yuan Renminbi is 4.837, but it constantly changes.

When calculating the costs of money transfers between Australia and China, opt for the best combination of fees and exchange rates:

• The Mid-Market and Exchange Rates: Today, the AUD-CNY mid-market rate equals 4.837 CNY per Australian Dollar.

• Fees: Fees are charged on top of a transfer. The company offering the lowest fee is Western Union, only 0 AUD. We would recommend searching for your exact send amount to get an idea of fees.

• Amount Received: The amount received in Yuan Renminbi is the biggest indicator the total cost of sending money from Australia to China. Essentially, the more the recipient receives in China, the less it is costing to send from Australia.

It’s possible that waiting a day or two can help you get more CNY for the same amount of Australian Dollar. But, the best way to lock in a price between Australia and China is by using a forward contract.

A bank transfer is the our recommended option for money transfers between Australia and China.

Here are all the ways to send money from Australia to China:

Bank transfers

Paying via a bank transfer is often the better option for sending money from Australia to China.

By using a money transfer company such as Western Union for transfers from Australia to China, you can send money and while benefit from lower fees and more favorable exchange rates than you would get with a traditional bank. 


Debit and prepaid cards

Sending money from Australia to China with a debit or a prepaid card is easy with Wise.


Wise is a one of the better options in the market for international debit card transfers from Australia to China.

Credit cards

When it comes to credit card transfers from Australia to China, we recommend comparing your options to get the best deal.

Always choose providers that are regulated by financial authorities in both Australia and China to ensure funds are protected.

Please refer to our directory of financial regulators worldwide for key regulatory bodies for money transfers between Australia and China.

Some services have minimum or maximum thresholds on how much you can transfer from Australia to China.

Companies will offer different rates and fees for different transfer amounts. Some companies will become more expensive after certain thresholds are hit.

We’d recommend using Wise if you need to send large amounts of AUD to China. The combination of rates and fees when sending to China is the most competitive, even at larger amounts.

Also, always check with the recipient and understand any declarations needed on large amounts of money leaving Australia, or entering China. Mis-understanding these could result in a slower, or even failed, transfer.

There are different ways to receive money in China. You can do a direct bank deposit, cash pickup, use a mobile wallet or receive money into a multi-currency account. It’s likely not all providers serving transfers from Australia to China will offer every method, so it’s best to check ahead of time.

A direct transfer to a bank account is one of the more common ways to transfer from Australia into Yuan Renminbi. Wise is the best company for bank transfers between Australia and China.

And if you need cash right away, check if cash pickup is an option for transfers between Australia and China.

Mobile wallet services and payment apps like PayPal, Xoom, and CashApp are popular too, but they come with more limitations and higher costs compared to money transfer providers like Western Union.

When signing up to a money transfer company to send between Australia and China, you will need to verify your ID.

The exact documents you need might vary and in some cases you will need more than one.

For the most part, in Australia this will be a government ID like a passport or driver's license. In China it will be a similar set of documents, although this should only be needed if you are opening a new account in China, or collecting in cash.

Big transactions between Australia and China, are subject to additional checks. A provider may ask you for proof of address or may want to know where the money comes from.

We recommend Wise in part due to their easy sign up process in Australia.

When sending large amounts of money between Australia and China there will be tax implications to consider.

Some transfers into Yuan Renminbi may need to be reported to tax authorities in China, particularly where inheritance or property purchases are involved.

Tax limits and personal allowances differ in China based on age, income and a few other elements. When in doubt, please contact a tax professional in Australia or China to discuss your personal circumstances.