Best Way to Send Money from France to Australia
Because banks shouldn't hide your money in spreads.
We expose the real cost of every transfer — the spread, the fees, the delivery time — and rank providers by what actually lands in your recipient's account. No sponsored ordering. Ever.
Which provider is cheapest to send money from France to Australia in 2026?
Hover any card to see exactly what it costs you.
How has the EUR/AUD exchange rate changed recently?
vs Traditional Banks
You save up to AUD 120
on a EUR 900 transfer
Wise
BEST RATEBank of America
+5% markup + $35 wire fee
Wells Fargo
+4.5% markup + $25 wire fee
Sending euros to Australian dollars doesn't have to mean losing 5% to your bank. This step-by-step guide shows you how to compare providers, avoid hidden exchange rate markups, and pick the right speed tier for your transfer.
In Australia, recipients can access funds directly at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the country's largest financial institution. By using Wise instead of a traditional bank wire, your recipient gets approximately 70 AUD more on a $1,000 transfer — because digital providers pass the real exchange rate directly. Worth knowing about the local currency: Australia's $10 polymer note features a transparent window with a diffractive image — a world first when introduced in 1992.
Our verdict: Skip your French bank and use Wise or Revolut — you'll save 3-8% on the exchange rate alone, with transparent fees and delivery directly to Commonwealth Bank or ANZ.
Step 1: Understand the EUR to AUD Corridor
Before you initiate your first transfer, take a moment to understand who uses this route. The France-to-Australia corridor is dominated by expatriates supporting family back home, French retirees funding lifestyle accounts in Sydney or Melbourne, students paying university fees, property buyers settling deposits, and businesses paying Australian suppliers. Remittances play an important role in Australia's economy, supporting both household incomes and the broader services sector. Knowing your category matters — a one-time AUD 50,000 property payment requires a different strategy than monthly AUD 500 family support transfers.
Step 2: Gather Your Documents and Recipient Details
Before opening any provider, collect everything you need in one place. You'll need your French ID or passport, a proof of address (utility bill or French bank statement), and your IBAN for the funding account. From your recipient in Australia, request their full legal name, BSB code (6 digits), account number, bank name, and the SWIFT/BIC code if the provider asks for one. Standard banking regulations apply for sending from France to Australia, but most digital providers will require source-of-funds documentation for transfers above EUR 10,000, so prepare a payslip or sale contract if you're moving a large sum.
Step 3: Spot the Hidden Fees Before You Pay
This is where most first-timers lose money. Every transfer has two costs: the flat fee (visible) and the exchange rate markup (hidden). To check the markup, open Google and search "EUR to AUD" — that's the mid-market rate. Now compare it to the rate your provider is offering. The difference is the real cost. French high-street banks like BNP Paribas, Société Générale, and Crédit Agricole typically charge a flat fee of EUR 15-30 plus a markup of 3-5% baked into the exchange rate. On a EUR 5,000 transfer, that hidden markup alone can cost you EUR 150-250.
Step 4: Choose a Digital Provider Over Your Bank
Skip the bank. Digital specialists — Wise, Remitly, Revolut, and WorldRemit — consistently beat traditional banks by 3-8% on the total cost. Wise uses the true mid-market rate with a transparent fee around 0.4-0.6%. Revolut offers free transfers up to a monthly limit on its Standard plan. Remitly and WorldRemit run promotional rates for first transfers. Open accounts with two providers and compare quotes side by side for your specific amount — the cheapest provider varies by transfer size and payout speed.
Step 5: Pick Your Speed Tier
Most providers offer two options. Choose "instant" or "express" (arrives in minutes to a few hours) when paying urgent invoices, settling property deposits, or covering school fees with a deadline. Choose "economy" (1-3 business days) for routine family support or non-urgent transfers — it can save you up to 50% on fees. If you fund the transfer by SEPA bank debit instead of card, you'll usually pay less but wait an extra day.
Step 6: Verify the Delivery Path
Most digital providers can deliver directly to Australian bank accounts at the two largest receiving banks, Commonwealth Bank and ANZ, as well as Westpac and NAB. Confirm your recipient's BSB code matches their bank — entering the wrong BSB is the most common reason transfers get returned. Direct deposits to Commonwealth Bank or ANZ accounts typically clear faster because of their established correspondent networks.
Step 7: Time the Market and Set Alerts
The EUR/AUD pair moves daily. Follow these practical rules:
- Set rate alerts on Wise or Revolut for your target rate — get notified the moment it hits.
- Avoid transferring on weekends; rates lock at Friday's close and providers add a weekend buffer of 0.5-1%.
- For amounts above EUR 5,000, ask providers about tiered pricing — fees often drop sharply past this threshold.
- Schedule recurring transfers on Tuesdays or Wednesdays when liquidity is highest and spreads tightest.
- Avoid the first and last hour of the trading day, when volatility spikes.
Step 8: Save Your Confirmation and Track
After sending, save the transaction reference number and tracking link. Share the link with your recipient so they can monitor delivery in real time. Keep records for tax purposes — French residents may need to declare large outbound transfers under TRACFIN reporting thresholds.