Planning on sending money to India? Securing a killer INR exchange rate is the best place to start. Whether you’re preparing for a work stint in India or want to send rupees to a loved one back home, scan the table below to see some of the best going exchange rates today.
$6,364 USD
$0.6364 USD
1-2 days
$200 minimum
$6,348 USD
$0.6351 USD
1-3 days
none
$6,349 USD
$0.6349 USD
1-2 days
$250 minimum
$500 monthly minimum for regular transfers
$6,343 USD
$0.6346 USD
1-2 days
Minimum transfer amount is $10 AUD
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice International money transfers Awards
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Want to become your own expert at sending money to India? Continue reading for a rundown of provider types, fees and rates, plus plenty more to ensure your next transfer to Indian rupees runs seamlessly!
How do international money transfers work?
Unlike your average travel money transaction which usually involves stashing Aussie dollars in a prepaid travel card or debit card for holiday spending, international money transfers are when a customer sends money through a foreign exchange provider to a nominated bank account overseas. In return for providing the customer with the service, the provider either applies a margin to the exchange rate or fee (but sometimes both).
Can I only send large amounts of money to India with IMT?
It’s a common misconception that international money transfers are only for the mega rich or investors with millions to send abroad. Well we’re here to tell you this isn’t the case! In fact, some banks, FX specialists and peer-to-peer services allow you to transfer as little as a few dollars.
What provider types can I choose from?
| Provider type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Banks Foreign exchange specialists Peer-to-peer services | - Often the home-grown Australian institutions you are familiar with and trust. - You’ll generally have easy branch access and face-to-face customer service. - The signup process could take less time if you send money to India with a bank you already use for general day-to-day banking. - Known for having lower exchange rate margins than banks, which means more Indian rupees in the beneficiary bank account. - Industry experts on the foreign exchange market, so you know your money is in safe hands. - Depending on the transfer amount and FX specialist, you may have access to a personal account manager to oversee each transfer and give you general advice on currency market conditions. - Allows you access to some of the best AUD to INR exchange rates thanks to the peer-to-peer model, which involves paying a fee per transaction, rather than a margin applied to the exchange rate. | - It is unlikely you’ll find the best exchange rate on offer at a bank. Banks are known to apply higher margins on top of INR exchange rates compared to FX specialists. - Your foreign exchange transfer options may be more limited if you choose a bank. - Most foreign exchange specialists operate solely online, so for the in-person experience, you may prefer to transfer your Aussie coins to Indian rupees with a bank. - FX specialists can be lesser known or new to the market, so you’ll need to ensure they are regulated and licensed by ASIC. Thankfully all providers compared by Mozo are qualified. - Some FX providers compared on this page are based abroad and transfers can operate within different time zones. - One potential disadvantage with choosing a peer-to-peer provider is the unpredictable waiting periods. This is due to your transfer depending on what funds “peers” are offering at the time (if you have a peer to transfer with at all). |
Scenario 1: Sending money to a loved one
Indian expat living in Australia Vivaan wants to send money to his mother for her birthday, and common sense tells him not to post it in the mail. It’s inefficient for Vivaan’s mother to exchange it into Indian rupees as she’ll get hit with an outrageous exchange rate, not to mention the envelope could go missing en route to India. The solution? An international money transfer which converts his Aussie dollars into Indian rupees electronically and deposits the funds directly into Vivaan’s mother’s bank account.
Scenario 2: Moving to India for work
Sally is moving to India temporarily for a new job. She has a bank account set up in the country already, which means transferring some funds into it before the first few payslips come in will be easy. She isn’t leaving for a few months, so Sally has time to keep an eye on exchange rates. She visits Mozo’s international money transfer hub regularly, and when the best rate catches her eye, locks it in and makes the transfer after clicking a “go to site” link on the page.
Whether you're like Vivaan and want to spoil your loved one or plan to follow in Sally's footsteps and make India your home for a stint, you'll need to ensure the foreign exchange provider you choose, offers the transfer features that will work for you. Which brings us to our next section, comparing your options to get the best INR outcome...
Exchange rates: These are the ultimate indicators of your return. As a rule of thumb, the highest exchange rate will give you the most Indian rupees. Let’s take a moment to compare how much two exchange rates can really skew the outcome. At the time of writing, transferring $10,000 AUD to rupees with TorFX will deposit ₹494,075 INR in a nominated Indian bank account. Whereas, an Australian bank we looked at, with a much lower exchange rate would bring the value of your transfer down by ₹24,815 IND to ₹469,260 INR.
Fees: When it comes to sending money overseas, you’ll soon discover each provider has their own unique fee structure. For example, sometimes a portion is taken out of the total amount you’re sending, or there’s a flat rate fee per transfer. You can also be charged more for converting your Australian dollars into a currency that is more difficult to obtain. These are often referred to as “exotic currencies”, but luckily Indian Rupees does not fall into this category.
Times: If you opt in for an FX service operating overseas, transactions will run according to its geographical time zone. Be mindful too that the FX market is closed on weekends, which can impact on the speed of your money transfer.
Speed: Sending money to India happens fast, with most banks and FX specialists taking no longer than two business days to finalise a transfer. If your transfer is urgent, find a provider that offers optional express delivery for an added cost.
Type: Now this part can be a little trickier to get your head around. Some FX specialists and banks have alternative transfer options. For instance, a “forward contract” involves locking in a favourable rate when you see it then and there for a transfer at a later date. This can be useful when you’re sending large sums of money to India such as for the purpose of buying property. It’s best to seek advice from a customer service rep or account manager offered by your chosen IMT provider if you’re wanting a flexible option like this.
So you’ve found the best AUD to INR exchange rate. Now what? Just breathe, as we take you through what you need to do...
Set up your account
Once you’ve clicked the “go to site” link located in the comparison table next to the best exchange rate, you’ll need to sign up for an account. This can involve confirming your identity with a passport or driver’s licence number, adding your bank account details and creating a username and password. Factor in a potential few hours waiting time for account activation before making that first transfer to India.
Authorise the transfer
You may need dual authorisation for online transactions, such as verbal approval over the phone with an FX account manager or a confirmation response via email. Once you’ve placed your order, expect the funds to be delivered within a couple of business days. Then that's it, you will have completed your international money transfer to India!