Send Money to Nepal
from Australia
Compare fees, exchange rates and transfer times for IME, Wise, Western Union and more — updated 2026.
Live exchange rate
A$100 = ₨10287 NPR
Mid-market rate · Updated 4 Apr 2026, 12:02 am
Quick comparison
| Service | Fee | Speed | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏦 IME RemitRecommended | $0–$5 | Minutes – same day | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 💸 Wise (formerly TransferWise) | ~1–1.5% | 1–2 business days | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 🟡 Western Union | $5–$15 | Minutes (cash) / 1–2 days (bank) | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 📱 Remitly | $0–$3.99 | Minutes – 3–5 days (depends on tier) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 🏛️ Australian Bank (direct transfer) | $20–$35 per transfer | 2–5 business days | ⭐⭐ |
Detailed breakdown
IME Remit
Community favouriteSpecialist remittance · Fee: $0–$5 · Minutes – same day
Pros
- ✓ Most popular with Nepalis in Australia
- ✓ Very competitive NPR rate
- ✓ Cash pickup at 150,000+ agents in Nepal
- ✓ Free transfers above certain amounts
Cons
- ✗ App can be slow at peak times
- ✗ Limited to Nepal and select countries
Our verdict: Best overall for most Nepalis — great rate, fast, and widely trusted by the community.
Wise (formerly TransferWise)
Online transfer · Fee: ~1–1.5% · 1–2 business days
Pros
- ✓ Mid-market exchange rate (very transparent)
- ✓ Easy app and website
- ✓ Send to bank account in Nepal
- ✓ Good for large amounts
Cons
- ✗ No cash pickup option
- ✗ Slightly slower than IME
- ✗ Fee percentage adds up on small amounts
Our verdict: Best for sending to a Nepali bank account. Very transparent fees — what you see is what you get.
Western Union
Global remittance · Fee: $5–$15 · Minutes (cash) / 1–2 days (bank)
Pros
- ✓ Very wide agent network in Nepal
- ✓ Cash pickup available
- ✓ Reliable and established brand
- ✓ Available at many Australian post offices
Cons
- ✗ Higher fees than IME or Wise
- ✗ Exchange rate is often less competitive
- ✗ Fees vary significantly by method
Our verdict: Reliable backup option, especially useful if the recipient prefers a specific cash pickup location in Nepal.
Remitly
Online transfer · Fee: $0–$3.99 · Minutes – 3–5 days (depends on tier)
Pros
- ✓ Good first-transfer promotions
- ✓ Express option available (minutes)
- ✓ Easy mobile app
- ✓ Bank deposit and cash pickup
Cons
- ✗ Economy (cheaper) option can take 3–5 days
- ✗ Rate varies by transfer speed selected
Our verdict: Good alternative to IME — competitive on fees, strong app. Worth checking the current promo rate.
Australian Bank (direct transfer)
Bank wire (SWIFT) · Fee: $20–$35 per transfer · 2–5 business days
Pros
- ✓ Familiar if you already use internet banking
- ✓ Good for very large amounts
- ✓ No third-party service needed
Cons
- ✗ Very high fees ($20–$35+)
- ✗ Poor exchange rates
- ✗ Slow (2–5 business days)
- ✗ Recipient bank may also charge a fee
Our verdict: Avoid for regular transfers. Only consider for very large amounts where the flat fee becomes a smaller percentage.
⚖️ Only use licensed, legal services
All services listed on this page are licensed and regulated. In Australia, all money transfer businesses must be registered with AUSTRAC (Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre) under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006. You can verify any service at austrac.gov.au.
Never use informal or unlicensed money transfer operators — sometimes called hawala or hundi networks. These are illegal in Australia, offer no legal protection if your money is lost, and can result in serious criminal penalties for both the sender and recipient.
Large transfers must be reported. Australian banks and licensed remittance providers are legally required to report transfers of AUD $10,000 or more to AUSTRAC. This is automatic — you do not need to do anything extra. However, you should keep records of all transfers for your own tax records.
Hamro Find does not provide financial advice. This page is for informational purposes only. Always verify current fees, rates, and terms directly with the service provider before transferring funds.
💡 Tips for getting the best rate
- 1Always compare the total amount received in NPR — not just the fee. A $0 fee service can have a worse exchange rate that costs you more overall.
- 2Send larger amounts less frequently to reduce the impact of fixed fees.
- 3Check for first-transfer promotions — Remitly and Wise often offer fee-free or boosted rate deals for new customers.
- 4Avoid sending on weekends or public holidays if your recipient needs the money urgently — processing can be slower.
- 5IME Remit is consistently rated most popular by the Nepali community in Australia for its combination of rate and speed.
- 6Keep a record of your transfers for Australian tax purposes — overseas transfers may need to be declared if they are large.
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