Australia has long been one of the most popular destinations for Britons emigrating, retiring or taking a working holiday. Converting pounds sterling (GBP) into Australian dollars (AUD) is often a once-in-a-lifetime transfer, such as the proceeds of a UK house sale, alongside regular payments like a UK pension paid to a retiree in Queensland or support for children who have settled in Sydney.
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The rate you see on the news or on Google is the mid-market rate. Most banks and providers add a margin on top of this, which is how they make money on your transfer. That margin is often bigger than any fee they show you up front.
Comparing providers lets you see the full cost of sending pounds to Australian dollars, including the rate and any fees. With The Money Cloud, you enter your amount once and see how much AUD each provider will deliver, so you know exactly what lands in the account in Australia.
Bank transfers
Most UK high street banks can send money to an Australian bank account. It feels familiar and secure, but it is rarely the cheapest option. Banks tend to offer weaker exchange rates and may charge a flat fee for international payments. Your payment can also pass through intermediary banks, which may take their own fee and slow things down.
Money transfer services
Specialist money transfer providers focus on international payments. They usually offer better exchange rates than banks, lower fees and quicker delivery, often within one or two working days. Many also offer extra tools for larger transfers, such as rate alerts, forward contracts and a dedicated account manager. The Money Cloud compares these providers for you, so you can pick the one that suits your transfer.
Peer-to-peer payment apps
Payment apps can be handy for sending smaller amounts to friends or family in Australia. They are quick and simple to use. However, they often have limits on how much you can send, and they are not usually the best choice for large payments such as a property deposit.



We bring together a range of regulated providers so you can compare rates and fees side by side without having to open multiple tabs, create multiple accounts or wade through pages of small print.
We compare regulated providers. Every provider on our platform is authorised and regulated, reassuring you that your money is in safe hands.
We show the full picture. We look at exchange rates and fees together, so you can see the actual euro amount you are likely to receive, not just the headline rate.
We cover all transfer sizes. Whether you are sending a few hundred pounds or a six-figure sum for a property purchase, there are providers suited to your needs.
We work for personal and business customers. From one-off transfers to regular business payments, we help both individuals and companies compare their options.
There is no obligation. Comparing on The Money Cloud is free and does not commit you to anything. You choose if and when to proceed.
This determines how many euros the recipient receives. Even small differences matter for larger amounts.
Some providers charge a flat fee. Others build their cost into the rate. Some do both. Look at the total cost, not just one or the other.
Faster transfers can carry a premium. If your payment is not urgent, a standard transfer may give you a better rate.
Some providers have minimum or maximum transfer amounts. Check these to see if they match your needs before you start.
Confirm that any provider you use is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority or an equivalent regulator. This matters if anything goes wrong.
For large or time-sensitive payments, having access to a real person can make a real difference.

Most people start with their bank because it is familiar and feels straightforward. For simple domestic payments, that convenience makes sense. For international transfers, it often comes at a cost.We bring together a range of regulated providers so you can compare rates and fees side by side without having to open multiple tabs, create multiple accounts or wade through pages of small print.
Banks typically apply wider exchange rate margins than specialist providers and may charge additional fees on top. The combination can make a meaningful difference to the final amount received, particularly on larger transfers.
Specialist money transfer providers exist specifically to handle international payments. They tend to offer more competitive rates, clearer pricing structures and, in many cases, extra features such as rate alerts, forward contracts and dedicated support for larger or time-sensitive transfers.
Neither is automatically better for every situation. The right choice depends on the amount you are sending, how quickly it needs to arrive and what level of support you need. That is why comparing is the sensible first step.
Delivery times vary by provider, destination and payment method. Some payments arrive on the same working day, while others take one to three working days. The estimated delivery time should be checked before confirming the transfer.
You will usually need the recipient’s full name, address, IBAN and, in some cases, their bank’s BIC or SWIFT code. Business or high-value payments may require additional information about the recipient and the purpose of the transfer.
Some currency providers offer forward contracts, which allow you to agree a rate for a payment due at a later date. This can help with budgeting for property purchases, supplier invoices and other planned expenses, although eligibility, deposits and terms vary between providers.
