How to Send Money From Australia to Japan

Domestic transfer versus SWIFT

Wise's published guide explains that JPY can be sent to any Japanese bank account either domestically or through SWIFT, and — separately — to international accounts outside Japan that can receive JPY through SWIFT if the amount is over 1 million JPY (wise.com/help, fetched September 2026). For a recipient with a Japanese bank account, Wise recommends asking for a domestic account for local transfer (furikomi, 振込) purposes where possible, since it says sending to a domestic recipient is cheaper and faster than routing through SWIFT. OFX also lists JPY among its supported currencies (ofx.com, fetched September 2026).

What the recipient's Japanese bank details look like

For a local (domestic) payment, Wise's published requirements are the full bank account name — usually written in Katakana, matching exactly what's printed on the first inside page of the recipient's bankbook — the account number (usually 7 digits), the account type (普通/Futsuu for savings/general, 貯蓄/Chochiku for savings deposit, or 当座/Touza for checking/current), and the bank name and branch, which can be given in Latin alphabet, Katakana, Kanji, or as a bank/branch code. For a SWIFT payment instead, you'll need the recipient's full name in Latin alphabet, their SWIFT/BIC code, and their account number (wise.com/help, fetched September 2026).

Amount thresholds that change the payment method

Wise's published guide sets specific thresholds: for a Wise account registered inside Japan, up to 1 million JPY can be sent from the Wise account itself, and up to 150 million JPY using Wise Send when paying from outside the Wise account (a bank account or card). For a Wise account registered outside Japan, up to 150 million JPY can be sent to a domestic Japanese recipient regardless of how you pay — but sending more than 1 million JPY to a recipient with only a SWIFT account requires the account to accept SWIFT payments over that threshold (wise.com/help, fetched September 2026). In short, a small transfer to a domestic account is straightforward; a larger amount, or any amount to a SWIFT-only account, involves different rules.

Speed

Wise's published guide states that once it converts the money, a domestic transfer usually takes 1 working day to arrive, with conversion itself taking up to 2 working days. A SWIFT payment takes longer, and Wise notes that correspondent banks handling a SWIFT payment along the way may deduct their own handling fees before the funds reach the recipient's bank — something to flag to the recipient in advance so an apparently short payment doesn't look wrong (wise.com/help, fetched September 2026).

Fees, the exchange rate, and AUSTRAC

Your Australian bank publishes its own SWIFT fee and states how it sets the AUD/JPY exchange rate on its transfer page — check the current figure directly. A specialist provider quotes both the fee and the rate at the time you set up the transfer. Every transfer your bank or provider sends is reported to AUSTRAC automatically as an international funds transfer instruction, regardless of the amount; this is a reporting obligation on the institution, not a step you take, and the AUD 10,000 figure sometimes cited online applies to physical cash, not to an electronic transfer.

Common mistakes

Asking for a SWIFT-only account when the amount is under 1 million JPY and a domestic account would have been cheaper and faster — always ask the recipient whether they have a Japanese domestic bank account before defaulting to SWIFT.

Getting the bank account name wrong. Wise's guide specifies the name usually needs to be in Katakana and must match exactly what's printed in the recipient's bankbook — a name given in Kanji or romanised English where Katakana is required is a common cause of a rejected local transfer.

Assuming a claim about needing a specific Japanese personal identifier to receive an international remittance is universal bank policy — this varies by bank and isn't something this guide states as a general rule; check directly with the recipient's bank if asked for identification you weren't expecting.

Should I send to a domestic Japanese account or use SWIFT?

Wise's own guidance is to ask for a domestic account where possible for amounts of 1 million JPY or less, since it's cheaper and faster; SWIFT is used for larger amounts or when the recipient's account can only receive SWIFT payments (wise.com/help, September 2026).

What bank details does a Japanese recipient need to give me?

For a domestic transfer: their bank account name (usually in Katakana, matching their bankbook), account number, account type, and bank/branch name. For a SWIFT payment: their name in Latin alphabet, SWIFT/BIC code, and account number (wise.com/help, September 2026).

How long does a transfer to Japan take?

A domestic transfer usually takes around 1 working day after conversion, per Wise's published guide; a SWIFT payment takes longer, and correspondent banks along the way may deduct additional fees (wise.com/help, September 2026).

Is there a limit on how much I can send to Japan?

Australia doesn't cap outbound transfers. Specialist providers set their own thresholds — Wise, for example, publishes limits up to 150 million JPY depending on where the Wise account is registered and how the transfer is funded (wise.com/help, September 2026).

Do I need to report a transfer to Japan to AUSTRAC myself?

No. Your bank or provider reports every international transfer automatically, regardless of amount. The AUD 10,000 figure some people mention online applies to physical cash and doesn't apply to an electronic transfer.