Although it isn't close geographically, Australia is well-connected to western countries and the rest of the world. Thanks to the specialized international money transfer providers, you can send funds to over 170 countries worldwide. These companies offer more affordable and faster transfers than the alternatives, setting the bar high for the competitors.

Direct bank transfers via the SWIFT banking system could take days, and the intermediary fees are huge. And using digital wallets is a faster option, but you could end up losing a lot on fees and conversion rates.

If you send money from Australia to the UK, you'll have many options available, so consider which method you and the sender prefer. These documents will be necessary to finalize the transaction:

• Personal ID: Online providers require registering a free account and validating your identity - you can do this with a passport, drivers license or a proof of age card in Australia. Even if you deposit cash in-store, you'll need to identify yourself

• Payment method: You can normally pay for your transfer with a debit or credit card, or directly from your bank account

• Recipient's info: Check for the correct name and the receiver's address, and enter them carefully. Depending on the delivery method, you might need the account number and sort codes when sending money to a bank account in the UK

What if you want to send money back to Australia? We'd suggest checking out our Australia country guide, which has all the information about sending funds to this destination.

Senders rarely have to worry about paying taxes for individual transactions to other countries. If you send money from Australia to the UK to a family member or friend, there are no applicable taxes on your side. However, if you are transferring more than AUD 10,000, you or the provider must report the transaction to the authorities. It's part of the anti-money laundering rules applied by the country.

Large transactions, such as property acquisition, might come with taxes to pay in the destination country. Also, if you are doing a business transfer, it's best to check you comply with relevant regulations in Australia and the target country.

Here are the common options for collecting funds sent from Australia and other countries to the UK:

• Cash collection: Western Union has over 4,000 agent locations in the UK, and you'll also find MoneyGram and other cash pickup agents across the country. If the sender uses a money transfer provider, cash collection is the fastest way to get the money

• Bank transfers: If you have a valid bank account, you can receive money directly from it. It's arguably safer since you don't have to collect any cash – you can then withdraw the money in your own time

• Home delivery: it's great if you don't have a bank account or the nearest cash collection point is miles away. However, the delivery service comes with an extra fee

• Mobile wallets: Receiving money via digital wallets is another option. The delivery is instant, but you need to make a withdrawal to transfer funds to a bank account if you want to collect cash

Check out our guide on how to send money to the United Kingdom to learn more about each method to receive the funds.

Here's what you'll need to collect the funds:

• Identification document: It's best to have a photo-card driving license, or a valid passport to confirm your identity

• Transaction reference number: It's a unique code that most providers have, which is necessary to acquire from the sender and show it at the collection point

• Other details : Some providers have a completed form, while others will require you to provide the sender's name and how much money you expect to receive.

Remittances aren't taxable if you keep them under GBP 3,000 annually. If you receive a higher sum, the tax rate could go as high as 45%, although it depends on your tax bracket.

Gifts sent to the UK are also not taxable. For example, a wedding gift to a family member could go to GBP 5,000 tax-free. Gifts to friends have an exemption limit set at GBP 1,000. If you receive money for business purposes, such as completing a job, it's best to consult an expert to check if there are any relevant taxes to pay.

If you want to send money abroad using a credit card, you can use a money transfer provider to pay for your transfer to the [COUNTRY_TO_NAME].

Credit cards offer a convenient and secure way to pay for your money transfer from the UK to Australia, and they are often quick to process too. Some credit card companies even offer certain benefits for using your card, such as cashback or reward points.

However it’s important to be aware of the high fees involved - these transactions will be seen as cash advances, which carries its own cost, while there are also currency conversion fees and usage fees to be aware of. You may even risk paying interest on what you spend if you don’t pay it back in time, and there is also the possibility of it affecting your credit score.You can read our guide on wiring money with a credit card to learn more about this payment method.

You can also send money online to [COUNTRY_TO_NAME] using your debit card. But before making a payment, make sure you understand all the processing fees in place.

Debit and credit cards are equally secure. The financial services compensations scheme protects you in case there is any card use without authorization. Major financial institutions worldwide protect these payment methods, and even top issuers are famous brands like Visa and MasterCard.

Lower fees associated with debit card maintenance make it a better option than credit cards. Although also instant, debit cards have lower fees when you use them for sending money from Australia to the UK. But don't forget that you may still pay transaction charges and currency exchange rate fees, so consider all factors before choosing debit cards for international transactions.

Bank transfers are the most common ways of sending money to the [COUNTRY_TO_NAME] as they are secure, reliable, and convenient. You can use a money transfer provider to send money using a bank transfer at a great rate as long as you’re happy for your transfer to take a little longer to process.

Paying for your international money transfer from the UK to Australia directly from your bank is generally the cheapest option too. You’ll only need to pay a fee to the money transfer provider, and it’s faster and easier than making a direct transfer through the SWIFT network. It may take a little longer to process your transfer, however, compared to paying by credit or debit card.

Digital wallets are becoming more popular than ever. And while they are great for paying merchants, they are far from the best option for sending money from Australia to the UK. PayPal and similar e-wallets can secure fast transfers and make money instantly available in the user's account, but there are a few problems.

For starters, both the sender and the receiver need a registered PayPal account. The recipient will only have the money available in the wallet, so there's another step of transferring it to a bank account or card, which extends the total transaction time. And the fees involved are much higher than when using a money transfer provider.