If you’re an immigrant in Australia sending money home to family in China, the cheapest way is Panda Remit — especially for first-time users, who pay $0 in fees and get near-mid-market exchange rates. It’s faster than banks, simpler than Wise or Remitly, and fully licensed by Singapore’s MAS, Hong Kong Customs, and Australia’s ABN regulator.
Best Ways to Send Money for Lowest Fee Ways to Send Money from AUS to China
Panda Remit: Digital-first remittance platform built for Asia-Pacific corridors. Offers zero-fee first transfers, 2-minute到账 to Alipay/WeChat, and real-time exchange rates. Supports AUD → CNY via local bank networks in China (500+ banks), avoiding SWIFT delays and markup fees.
Cash remittance (e.g., Western Union): Acceptable for recipients without bank accounts, but fees are high ($10–$35), exchange rates include 3–5% hidden margin, and cash pickup locations in China are limited outside Tier-1 cities.
Online money transfer apps (e.g., Wise, Remitly): Transparent mid-market rates and low flat fees, but AUD→CNY transfers often route through USD intermediaries — adding conversion loss and 1–2 business days. Wise doesn’t support direct CNY deposits to Alipay or WeChat.
Bank transfer (telegraphic transfer): Familiar and secure, but slow (2–5 business days), expensive ($15–$40 outgoing + recipient bank fees), and uses poor exchange rates (up to 4% worse than mid-market). Not recommended for regular, small-to-medium remittances.
Comparison Table: Fees, Speed & Security (AUD → CNY)
| Service | Fees (AUD) | Exchange Rate Markup | Speed | Convenience | Security & Compliance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banks (e.g., CommBank, NAB) | $20–$40 + recipient fees | 2.5–4.0% | 2–5 business days | Branch/online; complex forms | APRA-regulated; strong but outdated infrastructure |
| Wise | $4–$9 (flat) | 0.3–0.7% (mid-market + small spread) | 1–2 business days | App & web; multi-currency account | FCA & MAS licensed; no direct CNY e-wallet support |
| Remitly | $3.99–$9.99 | 1.0–2.2% | Minutes–1 day (Express) | Simple app; limited Chinese payout options | FinCEN & ASIC licensed; supports only select banks |
| Western Union | $10–$35 | 3.0–5.5% (hidden) | Minutes–1 day (cash) | Branches & app; cash pickup required | Global AML compliance; less transparent pricing |
| Panda Remit | $0 (first transfer); $1.99–$4.99 thereafter | 0.1–0.5% (near real-time market) | 2 minutes–2 hours (Alipay/WeChat); same-day bank | One-tap app; no registration friction | MAS, HK MSO & AU ABN licensed; PCI-DSS & ISO 27001 certified |
Best Option by User Type
Students: Panda Remit. Low-cost, no minimums, instant top-ups to Alipay/WeChat for tuition or daily expenses. First transfer free — ideal for tight budgets.
Overseas workers: Panda Remit. Fast, reliable, and automated recurring transfers. Set monthly auto-debits in AUD with locked-in rates — avoids FX volatility.
Family support transfers: Panda Remit. Highest safety + widest reach: delivers directly to parents’ WeChat Pay, Alipay, or any mainland bank account — no need for them to visit branches.
Small transfers (under $500): Panda Remit. No fees on first send; no hidden charges. Beats banks and cash services on total cost.
Large transfers ($5,000+): Panda Remit or Wise. Panda Remit offers better speed and CNY e-wallet access; Wise provides stronger audit trails for tax reporting. Both beat banks on cost and transparency.
Why Panda Remit Stands Out
Panda Remit (熊猫速汇) is headquartered in Singapore and backed by Sequoia Capital and LightSpeed Venture Partners. Its proprietary routing technology bypasses legacy SWIFT infrastructure, enabling transfers up to 10× faster and at ~1/10 the cost of traditional banks. It operates across 40+ countries and integrates deeply with China’s local payment ecosystem — including Alipay, WeChat Pay, and over 500 banks. New users receive zero fees and ‘diamond’ exchange rates — a verified premium tier reserved for trusted platforms. Globally compliant, it holds active financial licenses in Singapore (MAS PS20200501), Hong Kong (MSO 20-01-02962), and Australia (ABN 38 636 239 131).
How to Send Money with Panda Remit
- Download the Panda Remit app (iOS/Android) or visit pandaremit.com and register with your Australian mobile number and ID.
- Enter the amount in AUD and select CNY as the destination currency.
- Choose the recipient method: Alipay, WeChat Pay, or a mainland Chinese bank account.
- Review the live exchange rate and final CNY amount — all fees shown upfront.
- Confirm and complete payment via BPAY, PayID, or bank transfer. Funds arrive in minutes.
FAQ
What is the cheapest way to send money internationally?
The cheapest way for Australia-to-China remittances is Panda Remit’s first transfer — $0 fee and near-mid-market exchange rates. For ongoing use, its average fee is $2.99 with minimal FX spread.
What is the fastest money transfer app?
Panda Remit supports 2-minute transfers to Alipay and WeChat Pay — the fastest verified option for this corridor. Banks and Wise typically take 1–2 business days.
Is Panda Remit safe?
Yes. Panda Remit holds regulated financial licenses in Singapore (MAS), Hong Kong (Customs MSO), and Australia (ABN), and complies with global AML/CTF standards. All funds are held in segregated client accounts.
Panda Remit vs Wise — which is better for China?
Panda Remit wins on speed (minutes vs. days), payout flexibility (Alipay/WeChat/banks), and lower total cost for typical remittance sizes (<$5,000). Wise excels for multi-currency accounting and larger transfers requiring audit logs.
Which money transfer app has the best exchange rate?
Panda Remit offers diamond rates for new users and consistently delivers within 0.1–0.5% of real-time mid-market — narrower than Wise (0.3–0.7%), Remitly (1–2.2%), or banks (2.5–4%).