Are you looking for a foreign exchange provider that can help you send money to Singapore now? Or are you just tracking exchange rates for a transfer down the line? Either way, our free online exchange rate calculator below can help you find a good deal for your money. Simply plug in the amount of dollars you want transferred and let our calculator do the rest.
$6,526 USD
$0.6526 USD
1-2 days
$200 minimum
$6,513 USD
$0.6513 USD
1-3 days
none
$6,479 USD
$0.6479 USD
1-2 days
$250 minimum
$500 monthly minimum for regular transfers
$6,503 USD
$0.6503 USD
Within minutes
$0 minimum
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice International money transfers Awards
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The convenient thing about dealing with a popular currency like Singapore dollars is that there’s a wide range of providers offering money transfers from Australia. But the flipside of having too many options is that shortlisting the best one can sometimes be tricky. So if you’re feeling a bit confused with all the providers listed above, read on for some expert tips that’ll help you reach the best decision for you in no time.
First of all, it’s important to understand the difference between the types of forex providers you can choose from. You obviously recognise the big banks featured in the exchange rate calculator above, but you may not be familiar with some of the other names mentioned there. But that doesn’t mean they’re not good options - in fact, in most cases, independent IMT specialists are the most cost effective way to transfer your money overseas. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the three main options you have:
Banks.
Like we said, banks are generally trusted brands that you’ve dealt with before. You may already have a savings account or a home loan with one of them - so it’s easy to understand why you might be tempted to go with them. But before you do, keep in mind they’re not always the cheapest option as they generally apply a higher margin to the exchange rate and have a higher fee compared to IMT specialists.
IMT specialists.
These are companies that dedicate all their time and energy towards dealing with international currency transactions. They generally offer competitive exchange rates at lower transfer fees. And as long as they’re regulated by ASIC, you needn’t worry about the trust factor - a licensed provider is a safe choice for handling your money.
Peer-to-peer platforms.
This is quite a unique and simple solution for transferring money overseas. Here’s how it works - say you want to convert AUD $500 to Singapore dollars, the provider will find other members who are also looking to convert a matching amount of Singapore dollars to Aussie currency. You can then transfer the money to the provider who will process the exchange. The good thing about peer-to-peer providers is that they don’t generally have a limit on the minimum amount you can transfer, apply the actual exchange rate (known as the mid-market rate) and have a low transfer fee.
You’ve probably got a clearer picture on what it means to go with each of these provider types now. But to really break it down in terms of actual numbers, consider this scenario - Katie’s invested in a business in Singapore and needs to make a transfer of $35,000. She makes a quick comparison using Mozo’s exchange rate calculator, and these are some of her choices:
| Fees and features | NAB | TorFx | CurrencyFair |
|---|---|---|---|
| SGD exchange rates | SGD $0.9586 | SGD $1.0083 | SGD $1.0085 |
| What she gets for $35,000 | SGD $33,530 | SGD $35,352 | SGD $35,295 |
| Online transfer fee | $22 | $0 | $4 |
| Transfer limit | Subject to daily withdrawal limit | $200 minimum | No transfer limits |
*Data correct as at 8/7/2016
Who do you think she should go with?
At Mozo, we’re all about scouting the most cost effective deals in the market, and foreign exchange is no different! Our research into the world of international money transfers has led us to the following secrets of finding the cheapest IMT offers:
Check out special offers for Mozo clients.
Yep, in our quest to find you good rates and low fees, we’ve struck an arrangement with providers like World First who offer to waive the transfer fees for Mozo clients!
Take advantage of the first transfer free offers.
A good trick to get around the high transfer fee is to look for providers that offer the first transfer for free. You can easily avoid the bite by looking for a provider like OFX that offers not one but two free transfers!
Look for offers based on your transfer amount.
Did you know that some providers offer fee free transfers if you’re sending a large sum of money? For instance, HiFx won’t charge a transfer fee if you’re sending over $10,000.
Go for online transfers.
Exchanging your money online is generally always the cheaper option, compared to making transfers in branch. Here’s an example - Westpac charges $20 for transferring Singapore dollars online, whereas it charges $32 if you want to make the transfer in person.
Check for offers based on transfer frequency.
Will you be making a one off transfer or sending money overseas on multiple occasions? If the answer is the latter, then keep in mind some providers offer to lower the transfer fees (or remove them altogether) if you sign up for regular transfers.
Lock in a competitive rate for the future.
If you spot a good exchange rate, but you’re not actually looking to transfer money right away, you can still make a booking. Many providers offer a ‘forward contract’ that lets you lock in a competitive rate now for a transfer you’re planning later on. This can save you money in the case the exchange rate takes an unfavourable dip.
Now that you’re in the know when it comes to transferring money to Singapore, it’s time to kick off the actual process. Here’s how to go about it:
Step 1: Compare exchange rates
Scroll up to the top of this page and compare forex providers to shortlist the best SGD exchange rates. Remember the most competitive rate will give you the best return on your money!
Step 2: Read more about the shortlisted provider
After you’ve found the provider that’s offering the best SGD exchange rate, you can click on the ‘Read more’ button if you’re looking for more information on the provider’s key features and fee structure.
Step 3: Go to the provider’s website
Now that you know everything about the provider, click on the blue ‘go to site’ button to register an account on the provider’s website directly.
Step 4: Provide all necessary details
Confirm that you’re happy with the exchange rate and then provide all the information required to make the transfer. This will include your proof of identity and the recipient’s contact info as well as bank details.
Step 5: Transfer the money
If you’re happy with everything, then go ahead and transfer the funds to the provider’s account. After the provider receives the money, they will send it to the recipient’s bank account in Singapore.
The entire process is quite simple and generally takes around 2-5 days. So get started, and compare exchange rates now!
