Australia to Kenya: Best Money Transfer Services 2025
Australia has a significant Kenyan community, particularly in Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth. This guide compares your options for sending Australian dollars home to Kenya.
Quick Comparison: Australia to Kenya
| Provider | Fee (AUD 500) | Rate | Speed | M-Pesa |
| Wise | AUD 5 | Mid-market | 1-24h | ā |
| Remitly | AUD 3.99 | 1.5% markup | Minutes | ā |
| WorldRemit | AUD 4.99 | 2% markup | Minutes | ā |
| OFX | AUD 0 | 1% markup | 1-2 days | ā |
| Western Union | AUD 12+ | 4% markup | Minutes | ā |
What Your Recipient Gets
Sending AUD 1,000 to Kenya:
| Provider | Fee | Rate (KES/AUD) | Recipient Gets |
| Wise | AUD 9.50 | 86.50 | KES 85,693 |
| Remitly | AUD 3.99 | 85.20 | KES 84,858 |
| WorldRemit | AUD 4.99 | 84.80 | KES 84,373 |
| Western Union | AUD 15 | 83.00 | KES 81,755 |
Top Providers from Australia
1. Wise - Best Exchange Rate
Why Wise:
- Real mid-market rate
- ASIC regulated
- PayID for instant funding
- Borderless account available
Australian Payment Methods:
- PayID/Osko (instant, free)
- Bank transfer
- Debit card
- POLi
Speed: 1-24 hours
Fee: ~0.95%
2. Remitly - Fastest Delivery
Why Remitly:
- Arrives in minutes
- Great app experience
- First transfer promotions
- 24/7 support
Payment Methods:
- Bank account
- Debit/credit card
- Apple Pay
3. WorldRemit - Reliable Choice
Why WorldRemit:
- Multiple receive options
- Established provider
- Good customer service
- Frequent promotions
4. OFX - Best for Large Amounts
Why OFX:
- No transfer fees
- Competitive rates for AUD 5,000+
- Australian company
- Personal dealer service
Note: Bank transfer only, no M-Pesa
Australian Regulations
ASIC & AUSTRAC
Money transfer services must be registered with:
- AUSTRAC (anti-money laundering)
- ASIC (financial services)
ID Requirements
- Australian driver's license
- Australian passport
- Medicare card (as secondary)
Large Transfers
- AUD 10,000+: Reported to AUSTRAC
- Not taxed, just monitored
Time Zone Consideration
Australia is 7-10 hours ahead of Kenya:
- Send in Australian morning = Kenya evening processing
- Send Friday afternoon = May delay to Monday
Payment Methods
PayID/Osko (Recommended)
- Instant bank-to-bank
- Free with most providers
- Works 24/7
Bank Transfer
- 1-2 day processing
- Free or low cost
- Higher limits
Debit Card
- Instant processing
- Higher fees (1-2%)
- Convenient
POLi
- Pay from bank account
- No card needed
- Some providers only
Comparison by Amount
| Amount (AUD) | Best Provider | Why |
| Under 500 | Remitly | Low fees |
| 500-2,000 | Wise | Best rate |
| 2,000-10,000 | Wise | Scales well |
| 10,000+ | OFX | Negotiated rates |
Tips for Australian Senders
- Use PayID - Instant and free funding
- Check AUD/USD first - Affects AUD/KES rate
- Avoid weekends - Processing delays possible
- Use the app - Often has better deals
- Set up rate alerts - Wise and XE offer this
FAQs
Can I send to M-Pesa from Australia?
Yes! Wise, Remitly, and WorldRemit all support M-Pesa.
How long does Australia to Kenya take?
- Fastest: Minutes (Remitly Express)
- Standard: 1-24 hours (Wise)
- Slowest: 2-4 days (bank transfers)
Is sending money from Australia taxed?
No, remittances are not taxed in Australia.
What's the cheapest for regular monthly transfers?
Wise with PayID funding - consistent low fees and best rates.
Conclusion
For most Australia to Kenya transfers, Wise offers the best value with PayID funding and mid-market rates. For urgent transfers, Remitly delivers in minutes. For large amounts (AUD 10,000+), OFX provides personalized service.
Last updated: January 2025