How to send money from Australia to the Philippines

Overview

Filipino-Australians represent one of the largest remittance-sending communities from Australia. The Philippines actively encourages inward remittances — they are a significant part of the economy — and the regulatory framework is designed to make receiving money easy through multiple delivery channels.

Australia's outbound rules

No cap. AUSTRAC reporting applies to all international transfers automatically (AUSTRAC).

Philippines inbound rules

The BSP imposes no cap on personal inward remittances. Funds received through authorised banks and remittance agents are credited to the recipient's account or made available for cash pickup. BSP encourages the use of formal channels and has streamlined the inward remittance process through its regulations (BSP).

Fee comparison

Specialist services (Wise, OFX, Remitly, WorldRemit): AUD-to-PHP margins of 0.3–1.5%, flat fees of AUD 2–15. Most support bank deposit and some support GCash or Maya e-wallet delivery.

Remittance providers (Western Union, MoneyGram, Cebuana Lhuillier partners): Higher fees but offer extensive cash pickup networks across the Philippines, including rural areas. Useful when the recipient does not have a bank account.

Australian banks: AUD 20–35 fee plus 2–5% exchange rate margin. Least cost-effective for this corridor.

Delivery options

Bank deposit: Direct to the recipient's Philippine bank account (BDO, BPI, Metrobank, etc.). Typically 1 business day.

E-wallet (GCash, Maya): Some providers deliver directly to GCash or Maya accounts. Near-instant delivery.

Cash pickup: Available through Western Union, MoneyGram, and their Philippine partner networks (Cebuana Lhuillier, MLhuillier, Palawan Express). Available within minutes.

Speed

Specialist services: minutes to one business day for bank deposit and e-wallet. Cash pickup: minutes. Bank SWIFT: 1–3 business days.

Tax implications

Australia: No tax on outbound transfers.

Philippines: Inward remittances are not taxed. The Philippines does not impose income tax on personal remittances received from overseas family members.

Common mistakes

Using bank SWIFT for regular family support. For monthly remittances of AUD 200–1,000, specialist services and remittance providers are far cheaper than bank wires. The fixed SWIFT fee alone (AUD 20–35) can exceed the entire cost of a specialist service transfer.

Not checking the recipient's preferred delivery method. Some recipients prefer cash pickup (especially in regional areas), others prefer bank deposit, and younger recipients may prefer GCash. Matching the delivery method to the recipient's preference matters.

How much can I send from Australia to the Philippines?

No Australian cap. The Philippines has no cap on inward personal remittances.

What is the fastest way to send money?

Cash pickup (Western Union, MoneyGram) and e-wallet delivery (GCash, Maya) are near-instant. Bank deposit takes minutes to one business day through specialist services.

Can I send money to GCash from Australia?

Yes, through selected specialist services and remittance providers that support GCash as a delivery option.

Will the recipient pay tax on the money?

No. Personal remittances received from overseas are not taxable in the Philippines.