How to send money from Australia to China

Overview

Sending money from Australia to China is common for family support, education funding, and business payments. Australia's outbound requirements are straightforward (AUSTRAC reporting, no cap), but China's receiving side involves bank verification of the funds' purpose and source, particularly for larger amounts.

Australia's outbound rules

No outbound cap. AUSTRAC requires automatic reporting of all international funds transfer instructions. Cash transactions above AUD 10,000 trigger TTR reporting (AUSTRAC).

China's inbound rules

China permits personal inward remittances. The recipient's Chinese bank credits the funds and converts foreign currency to CNY. For amounts above USD 5,000 equivalent received in a single day, the bank may request the recipient to declare the purpose and provide documentation (employment contract from the sender, gift declaration, or family relationship proof). For amounts below this threshold, the conversion is typically automatic (SAFE).

Chinese recipients receiving frequent or large remittances may face enhanced due diligence from their bank.

Fee comparison

Australian banks: AUD 20–35 transfer fee, 2–5% exchange rate margin on AUD/CNY. SWIFT routing through one or two intermediary banks.

Specialist services: Wise, OFX, Remitly, and others offer AUD-to-CNY transfers with margins of 0.5–2% and fees of AUD 2–15. Some support delivery to Alipay or WeChat Pay accounts, which can be faster than bank deposit.

Alipay/WeChat delivery: Some transfer services offer delivery directly to a recipient's Alipay or WeChat Pay balance, bypassing the traditional bank wire. This is convenient for smaller amounts and family support payments.

Speed

Specialist services: 1–2 business days for bank deposit. Same-day for Alipay/WeChat delivery through supported providers.

Bank SWIFT: 2–4 business days.

Tax implications

Australia: No tax on outbound transfers. If funds represent business payments, GST and withholding tax rules may apply depending on the nature of the payment.

China: Inward remittances are not automatically taxed. However, if the funds represent income (salary, consulting fees), Chinese income tax applies. Gift money from overseas relatives is not taxed.

Common mistakes

Not informing the Chinese recipient to expect the transfer. Chinese banks may hold incoming transfers pending recipient verification. If the recipient is not prepared to visit the bank or respond to the bank's queries, the funds can be delayed.

Using bank SWIFT for small recurring transfers. The fixed fees on bank wires make them poor value for small monthly remittances. Specialist services with low or no fixed fees are far more cost-effective for regular small transfers.

How much can I send from Australia to China?

No Australian cap. China permits personal inward remittances, but the recipient's bank may request documentation for larger amounts.

How long does a transfer take?

Specialist services: 1–2 business days. Bank SWIFT: 2–4 business days. Alipay/WeChat delivery: same day through supported providers.

Can I send money to an Alipay or WeChat account?

Some specialist services support delivery to Alipay or WeChat Pay. Check current provider offerings.

Will the recipient pay tax on the money?

Not on personal gifts or family support. Income-related payments may be taxable in China.