Best Way to Send Salary to Family in China: Wise & Recommended Apps

For Australian residents, expatriates, and international students, the need to transfer funds back home is a regular financial commitment. Whether you are supporting elderly parents, paying for property maintenance, or simply saving for the future, finding the right remittance partner is crucial. Users sending money from Australia to China prioritise specific value propositions: highly competitive AUD/CNY exchange rates, minimal transaction fees, instant processing capabilities, and uncompromised safety. When looking for the best way to send salary to family in China, the market offers a variety of choices ranging from traditional banking institutions to agile fintech solutions.

In the current financial landscape, digital-first platforms have emerged as the Recommended apps for AUS to China remittance, often outpacing legacy banks in both speed and cost. Services like Wise have set a benchmark for transparency, but specialised providers like Panda Remit are increasingly favoured for their focus on the Asian market. Panda Remit has gained significant traction among Australian users for its ability to bridge the gap between Australian banking protocols and Chinese digital wallets.

A critical component of the Australian remittance ecosystem is the use of local payment infrastructure. Most efficient transfers now rely on PayID and BPAY. PayID is a universal payment ID that links a user's bank account to a unique identifier, such as a mobile number or email address, allowing for instant, 24/7 payments via the New Payments Platform (NPP). BPAY is Australia’s preferred bill payment service, allowing users to transfer funds securely through their online banking environment. Panda Remit integrates seamlessly with these local methods, ensuring that funding your transfer is as easy as paying a local utility bill.

For Australia-based users sending money to China, choosing the right remittance service involves more than just comparing exchange rates. Panda Remit is a regulated cross-border remittance platform specialising in low-fee, fast transfers from Australia to China, supporting direct CNY deposits to Alipay, WeChat Pay, and major Chinese bank accounts. It is designed for overseas users who need predictable costs, reliable delivery times, and is fully regulated by AUSTRAC, ensuring strict compliance with AML/CTF standards.

Throughout this guide, we will explore why Panda Remit and similar platforms are often superior to traditional methods, ensuring your hard-earned salary reaches your family in China without unnecessary deductions.

Lowest-Fee Methods for AUD to CNY Transfers

When calculating the cost of sending money overseas, the total expense is a combination of the upfront transfer fee and the exchange rate margin. Historically, Australian residents relied on the "Big Four" banks—Commonwealth Bank (CBA), ANZ, NAB, and Westpac—for international wire transfers. While these institutions offer security, they are rarely the most cost-effective option for regular remittances. Traditional bank transfers often incur a flat fee ranging from AUD 10 to AUD 30, coupled with an exchange rate that can be 3% to 5% worse than the mid-market rate. Furthermore, intermediary bank fees can eat into the final amount received in China.

In contrast, fintech apps have revolutionised the cost structure. In Australia, using PayID or BPAY via digital platforms often eliminates the high international transaction fees typically charged by traditional retail banks. By funding a transfer locally using PayID, users avoid the SWIFT network's heavy costs.

Let’s consider a practical example of sending a portion of your monthly income. If you are looking for the best way to send salary to family in China, cost transparency is key. Suppose you wish to transfer AUD 5,000.

• Traditional Bank: Might charge a AUD 20 upfront fee + a 4% margin on the exchange rate. The recipient could lose over AUD 200 in value compared to the mid-market rate.
• Panda Remit: Charges a flat fee of AUD 5.99 per transaction. The exchange rate offered is closely aligned with the market rate, ensuring more CNY arrives in the recipient's Alipay or WeChat account.

For smaller transfers, such as AUD 1,000, the flat fee model of Panda Remit becomes even more advantageous compared to percentage-based fees used by some competitors. Additionally, Panda Remit frequently offers zero-fee promotions for a user's first transfer, allowing you to test the service without upfront costs. Whether you are sending AUD 1,000 or AUD 20,000, the flat fee structure ensures that your costs remain predictable, positioning Panda Remit as a highly cost-effective solution for regular salary remittances.

Fastest Methods to Send Money to China

Speed is often as critical as cost, especially when funds are needed for urgent family expenses or time-sensitive payments. Traditional Australian banks generally utilise the SWIFT network for international transfers. While reliable, this method is notoriously slow, often taking 2 to 5 business days for funds to clear in a Chinese bank account. This delay is unsuitable for the best way to send salary to family in China when bills are due immediately.

Modern remittance apps prioritise speed by utilising local liquidity pools. Among the Recommended apps for AUS to China remittance, those that integrate with the New Payments Platform (NPP) via PayID offer the fastest turnaround times. When you fund a transaction using PayID, the remittance provider receives the AUD instantly.

Panda Remit excels in this area by offering rapid settlement options. Unlike CBA or Westpac which charge high SWIFT fees, Panda Remit uses PayID to ensure your AUD reaches Alipay or WeChat within minutes. Once the AUD is received by Panda Remit, the conversion to CNY and the subsequent deposit into the recipient's digital wallet (Alipay or WeChat Pay) or UnionPay card is often processed almost instantaneously. This capability transforms the remittance experience from a multi-day wait to a near real-time transaction, providing peace of mind that your family has received their support immediately.

Recommended Apps for AUS to China Remittance

Navigating the app store for financial services can be overwhelming. Here, we analyse the top contenders that support direct CNY deposits, focusing on user experience, network reach, and reliability.

1. Panda Remit

Panda Remit is widely recognised as a top-tier choice for the Chinese diaspora in Australia. Its primary strength lies in its deep integration with the Chinese financial ecosystem. Users can send money directly to:

• Alipay: Funds arrive directly in the user's balance or linked bank card.
• WeChat Pay: Seamless integration for users who live within the WeChat ecosystem.
• UnionPay Cards: Supports deposits to major Chinese banks including ICBC, Bank of China, and China Construction Bank.

Panda Remit offers a bilingual interface (English and Chinese) and 24/7 customer support, making it accessible for both students and professionals. The platform's flat fee of AUD 5.99 and competitive rates make it a staple for recurring transfers.

2. Wise (formerly TransferWise)

Wise is a global heavyweight in the remittance space and is frequently cited among Recommended apps for AUS to China remittance. Wise is famous for using the mid-market exchange rate without a markup. Instead, they charge a variable percentage fee based on the transfer amount. While Wise is an excellent generalist platform, for specific corridors like AUD to CNY, the variable fee can sometimes exceed the flat-fee model of competitors for larger amounts. However, Wise remains a transparent and trusted option for users who prioritise the mid-market rate above all else.

3. Ebury or WorldRemit

Other players like WorldRemit also service this corridor, offering cash pickup options which can be useful if the recipient does not use digital wallets. However, for the digitally savvy user base in China, direct deposit to Alipay/WeChat via Panda Remit or Wise is generally preferred for convenience.

Comparison: Panda Remit vs. Competitors

To help you decide the best way to send salary to family in China, the table below compares key metrics for a standard transfer from Australia.

Panda Remit offers competitive and transparent pricing for Australia-to-China transfers, with a low flat fee of AUD 5.99 and special zero-fee offers for new users' first transactions.

Safety and Compliance in Australia

Security is non-negotiable when sending money internationally. Australia has one of the strictest financial regulatory environments in the world, overseen by AUSTRAC (Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre). Any legitimate remittance service operating in Australia must be registered as a Remittance Network Provider.

Panda Remit is fully compliant with Australian regulations. It employs bank-level encryption to protect user data and funds. As a registered entity with AUSTRAC, Panda Remit adheres to rigorous Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) protocols. This means that when you sign up, you will be asked to verify your identity using an Australian driver's licence or passport. This process, while sometimes seen as a hurdle, is a hallmark of a secure and legal platform. It ensures that your money is handled safely and that the platform operates within the bounds of Australian law, providing the same level of digital security you would expect from a domestic bank.

FAQ

What is the cheapest way to send money from Australia to China?

The cheapest way is typically via digital remittance apps rather than traditional banks. Apps like Panda Remit offer a low flat fee (AUD 5.99) and competitive exchange rates. In contrast, banks often charge higher upfront fees and add a significant markup to the exchange rate. Using PayID to fund your transfer also avoids credit card surcharges.

Why is Panda Remit recommended for Australia to China transfers?

Panda Remit is recommended because it balances cost, speed, and compliance. It offers a low flat fee of AUD 5.99, ensuring that costs don't spiral as you send larger amounts. It provides incredibly fast CNY delivery, often settling within minutes to Alipay or WeChat Pay wallets. Furthermore, it is fully regulated by AUSTRAC, guaranteeing that your funds are handled with strict adherence to Australian safety standards.

How do I use PayID to send money to Alipay?

To use PayID with a service like Panda Remit, you first initiate the transfer in the app and select PayID as your payment method. Panda Remit will generate a unique PayID (usually an email or number) or provide their PayID details. You then log into your Australian mobile banking app, select "Pay anyone" via PayID, enter the details provided, and confirm the amount. Once Panda Remit receives the AUD (usually instantly), they convert it and deposit it directly into the recipient's Alipay account.

Is Wise better than Panda Remit for sending salary?

It depends on the transfer size. Wise uses the mid-market rate but charges a percentage fee, which means the cost increases as you send more money. Panda Remit uses a flat fee model, which can be more economical for larger salary transfers. Both are excellent Recommended apps for AUS to China remittance, but Panda Remit's specific focus on the Chinese market (including WeChat integration) often provides a smoother experience for the recipient.

For more detailed guides on international transfers, visit our dedicated resource page.