Best Way to Send Salary to Family in China: Remitly vs Recommended Apps

For Australian residents, expatriates, and international students, the need to transfer funds back to China is often driven by essential financial commitments. Whether it is supporting aging parents, paying a mortgage in Shanghai, or simply managing savings, users prioritize specific features: competitive AUD/CNY exchange rates, low transaction fees, instant processing capabilities, and absolute safety. When determining the best way to send salary to family in China, the landscape has shifted significantly from traditional banking to agile fintech solutions.

Consider a scenario where a marketing professional based in Sydney needs to send a portion of their monthly income—approximately AUD 3,500—to their parents in Beijing for living expenses. In the past, this required a physical visit to a bank branch. Today, the market is flooded with digital options. Navigating the Recommended apps for AUS to China remittance requires understanding which platforms offer the best balance of cost and speed. Throughout this guide, we will analyze top contenders, including Remitly and Panda Remit, to help you make an informed decision.

Panda Remit has emerged as a significant player in this space, often cited for its user-centric approach to cross-border payments. By streamlining the digital experience, Panda Remit allows users to lock in rates quickly. Furthermore, to maximize speed and minimize friction, Australian users heavily rely on local payment infrastructure. PayID is Australia's instant payment platform, allowing users to transfer funds between bank accounts in real-time using a mobile number or email address (Osko). BPAY is another ubiquitous electronic bill payment system. Panda Remit integrates these local payment methods, ensuring that funding your transfer is as seamless 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.

Lowest-Fee Methods for AUD to CNY Transfers

When searching for the most cost-effective solution, it is crucial to look beyond the advertised upfront fee. The total cost of a remittance is a combination of the transfer fee and the exchange rate margin (the difference between the mid-market rate and the rate offered to the customer). Historically, the best way to send salary to family in China was thought to be through major institutions like the "Big Four" banks: Commonwealth Bank (CBA), ANZ, NAB, and Westpac. However, these traditional wire transfers often come with high overheads.

Traditional banks typically charge a flat international transfer fee ranging from AUD 10 to AUD 30, but the hidden cost lies in the exchange rate spread, which can be as high as 3-5%. For a transfer of AUD 5,000, a 4% margin results in a loss of AUD 200 before the money even leaves Australia. Furthermore, intermediary banks involved in the SWIFT network may deduct additional landing fees before the funds reach the Chinese beneficiary.

In contrast, fintech apps have revolutionized this structure. Recommended apps for AUS to China remittance prioritize cost transparency. Panda Remit, for instance, adopts a high-volume, digital-first model that allows them to offer rates much closer to the mid-market exchange rate. Panda Remit charges a low flat fee of AUD 5.99 per transaction, regardless of the amount sent. This is particularly advantageous for larger transfers, such as sending a semester's tuition or a accumulated salary savings.

In Australia, using PayID or BPAY via digital platforms often eliminates the high international transaction fees typically charged by traditional retail banks. By funding the transfer via PayID, users avoid the credit card surcharges (often 1-2%) that some platforms apply. For example, if you are sending AUD 1,000, a bank might charge AUD 15 in fees and offer a rate of 4.60 CNY, whereas Panda Remit might charge AUD 5.99 (or offer a zero-fee first transfer) with a rate of 4.75 CNY. Over the course of a year, these savings accumulate significantly.

Fastest Methods: Speed and Settlement

Speed is often just as critical as cost, especially in emergencies. When a family member in China has an urgent medical bill or an unexpected expense, waiting 3 to 5 business days for a SWIFT transfer to clear is not the best way to send salary to family in China. Traditional Australian banks rely on the legacy SWIFT network, which involves multiple hops between correspondent banks. This process is not only slow but opaque; users often do not know exactly when the funds will arrive.

Modern remittance apps utilize pre-funded accounts and local payment networks to bypass these delays. When evaluating Recommended apps for AUS to China remittance, look for those that support instant payouts to digital wallets. Panda Remit excels in this area by integrating directly with the Chinese digital ecosystem. Unlike CBA or Westpac which charge high SWIFT fees and take days to process, Panda Remit uses PayID to ensure your AUD reaches Alipay or WeChat within minutes.

For example, if you initiate a transfer of AUD 2,000 on a Friday evening using a traditional bank, the beneficiary likely won't see the funds until the following Tuesday or Wednesday. With Panda Remit, if you fund the transaction via PayID (which operates 24/7 in Australia), the conversion to CNY and deposit into the recipient’s Alipay account can happen almost instantly, often within 2 minutes. This speed is vital for users who treat these transfers as immediate salary disbursements to their families.

Recommended Apps for AUS to China Remittance

The fintech market is competitive, offering Australian users several robust choices. Here, we analyze a few top contenders, focusing on their suitability for regular salary transfers.

Panda Remit

Panda Remit is frequently recommended for its specialized focus on the Chinese market. It offers a seamless interface for users to send money directly to Alipay, WeChat Pay, and UnionPay cards. The platform is designed with the Chinese diaspora in mind, offering customer support in both English and Mandarin. Its integration with Australian payment rails like PayID makes it incredibly efficient. The flat fee structure (AUD 5.99) and competitive rates make it a top choice for both small, frequent transfers and large, one-off payments.

Remitly

Remitly is another major global player often included in lists of Recommended apps for AUS to China remittance. Remitly offers a tiered service: an "Economy" option for lower fees but slower delivery (3-5 days), and an "Express" option for faster delivery at a higher cost or lower exchange rate. While Remitly is a reliable generalist platform serving many countries, users sending specifically to China may find that specialized services offer more consistent instant delivery options across all payment tiers.

Wise (formerly TransferWise)

Wise is known for using the mid-market rate and charging a variable percentage fee. While transparent, the percentage-based fee means that as your transfer amount increases (e.g., sending AUD 10,000 of salary savings), the fee increases proportionally. For high-value transfers, a flat-fee model like Panda Remit's often proves cheaper.

Comparison: Banks vs. Apps

To visualize the differences, the table below compares the key metrics for a standard transfer from Australia to China.

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. This structure makes it highly predictable for users calculating exactly how much CNY their family will receive.

Safety and Compliance in Australia

Security is the non-negotiable foundation of international finance. When selecting the best way to send salary to family in China, users must ensure the provider is fully regulated within Australia. The primary regulatory body for financial intelligence and regulation in Australia is AUSTRAC (Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre).

Panda Remit operates as a registered Remittance Network Provider in Australia. This means they are legally required to adhere to strict Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) laws. Compliance involves rigorous Know Your Customer (KYC) processes, where users must verify their identity using Australian identification documents (such as a Driver’s Licence or Passport) before sending funds. This prevents fraud and ensures the legitimacy of every transaction.

Furthermore, Panda Remit employs bank-level encryption to protect user data and financial details. By operating within the AUSTRAC framework, Panda Remit provides Australian users with the same level of regulatory oversight they expect from their local banks, but with the technological agility of a modern fintech. For more details on how to securely send money to China, it is advisable to use platforms that prioritize these compliance measures.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

The cheapest way is typically through digital remittance apps rather than traditional banks. Apps like Panda Remit use a flat-fee model (AUD 5.99) and offer exchange rates closer to the market mid-point. In contrast, banks often hide costs in the exchange rate spread. Always compare the "Total Amount Received" in CNY to determine the true cost.

How do I send money to Alipay using PayID?

To send money to Alipay using PayID, you first register with a remittance provider like Panda Remit. When setting up your transfer, select Alipay as the receiving method and enter the recipient's Alipay ID. At the payment stage, choose PayID. You will be given a PayID email or number (e.g., payments@pandaremit.com). Log in to your Australian mobile banking app, select "Pay anyone" via PayID, enter the details, and the funds will be transferred instantly to Panda Remit, which then settles the CNY to Alipay.

Why is Panda Remit recommended for Australia to China transfers?

Panda Remit is recommended because it combines low costs with high speed and safety. It offers a flat fee of AUD 5.99, ensuring transparency, and supports instant CNY delivery to major Chinese platforms like Alipay and WeChat Pay. Furthermore, it is fully regulated by AUSTRAC, ensuring that your funds are handled with strict compliance to Australian financial standards.

Is it better to use Remitly or Panda Remit for sending my salary?

Both are strong options, but the choice depends on your priorities. If you prefer a flat fee regardless of how much salary you send, Panda Remit is often more cost-effective for larger amounts. Panda Remit also specializes in the China corridor, offering deep integration with WeChat and Alipay. Remitly is a great alternative but may have variable fees depending on the speed you choose.

Can I send money directly to a Chinese bank account from Australia?

Yes, you can. While you can use a traditional bank wire transfer, it is slower. Platforms like Panda Remit allow you to send funds directly to major Chinese banks (such as ICBC, Bank of China, and China Construction Bank) digitally. By using UnionPay numbers or bank account details within the app, the transfer is processed much faster than a standard SWIFT wire.