
Sending money from Australia to Kenya can be tricky and expensive, but there are several options for transferring money between the two countries. The most popular method is to use a third-party service such as Remitly, Wise, Skrill, WorldRemit, Paysend, or a traditional transfer operator like Western Union, MoneyGram, or Small World. These services enable you to send money from Australia to M-Pesa accounts in Kenya quickly and easily. Bank transfers are also an option, but they can be slower and more expensive.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Money Transfer Services | Wise, Paysend, Remitly, Western Union, WorldRemit, Skrill, Halo Financial, MoneyGram, Small World, Ria Money Transfer |
| Transfer Fees | Paysend: 3.9 AUD |
| Wise: Small fee and a percentage of the amount converted | |
| Remitly: 2.6% for 100 AUD transfers (percentage decreases with larger amounts) | |
| Transfer Time | Wise: 60% of transfers arrive in under 20 seconds, 95% in less than a day |
| Paysend: Same-day transfers | |
| Ria Money Transfer: Debit/credit card or cash transfers arrive within minutes; Bank transfers arrive in 3-5 business days | |
| Transfer Amount | Paysend: Up to 170 countries |
| Remitly: Up to $2,999 within 24 hours and $10,000 within 30 days | |
| Wise: Up to 45,000 AUD | |
| M-Pesa: Up to 150,000 KES per transaction, 300,000 KES per day, and 300,000 KES maximum wallet balance | |
| Exchange Rate | Wise: Mid-market exchange rate |
| Paysend: Currency exchange rate displayed before transfer | |
| Recipient Details | Wise: Recipient's mobile number, mobile phone provider, and name |
| Paysend: Recipient's bank account details or mobile number | |
| Remitly: Recipient's mobile number and name |
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What You'll Learn

Using a third-party service like Remitly, Wise, or Western Union
If you're looking to send money from Australia to Kenya, one option is to use a third-party service like Remitly, Wise (formerly TransferWise), or Western Union. These services can be useful if you or your recipient in Kenya use M-Pesa, as they enable you to send money quickly and easily to an M-Pesa account.
Remitly
Remitly is a well-known third-party money transfer service that offers low fees and competitive exchange rates. When sending from Australian dollars to Kenyan shillings, Remitly charges a percentage fee that decreases the more money you send. For example, sending 100 Australian dollars to Kenya will cost around 2.6% in fees. Remitly also offers an Express option for faster transfers, but this comes with higher fees.
Wise
Wise is another popular option for sending money from Australia to Kenya. They are known for their commitment to mid-market exchange rates and low, transparent fees. Wise does not charge any hidden fees and always shows your fees upfront. They claim that 60% of transfers arrive in under 20 seconds, and 95% arrive within less than a day.
Western Union
Western Union is a traditional money transfer operator that offers in-person and online services. While they may not always be the cheapest option, they usually offer decent exchange rates.
When choosing a third-party service to send money from Australia to Kenya, it's important to compare the fees, exchange rates, transfer speeds, and security measures offered by each provider to find the best option for your specific needs.
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Transfer directly to a bank account in Kenya
There are several options available for transferring money from Australia to a bank account in Kenya.
One option is to use a specialist money transfer service such as Remitly, Wise (or TransferWise), WorldRemit, Skrill, or MoneyGram. These services can offer better exchange rates and lower fees than traditional banks. For example, Remitly has been the cheapest provider for transfers to bank accounts in Kenya, with an average total cost of -0.3% of the amount sent (including fees and exchange rate margin). Wise is another popular option, with over 12.8 million users, and offers low fees and fast transfers.
To use these services, you will typically need to sign up for an account and provide your name, address, contact details, proof of ID, and payment method. You will also need to provide the recipient's name, contact information, and bank details, including the account number, SWIFT or IBAN, and their bank branch's address.
Another option is to use a third-party service such as Xoom, a PayPal service. With Xoom, you can log in with your PayPal credentials or create an account. You will then need to enter the amount you wish to send, the recipient's details, and select a bank in Kenya, such as Equity Bank. You can pay with PayPal, a bank account, credit card, or debit card. Xoom guarantees that your money will be received, or they will refund your payment.
It is important to note that the cost and speed of transfers can vary depending on the service and payment method used. For example, transfers funded with debit cards, credit cards, or cash usually arrive within minutes, while transfers from bank accounts can take 3-5 business days. Additionally, exchanging Australian dollars for Kenyan shillings can be tricky and expensive, so it is recommended to compare exchange rates and fees before choosing a service.
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Use a mobile app such as Paysend
If you're looking for a mobile app to send money from Australia to Kenya, Paysend could be a good option. It is a money transfer service that allows you to send money to over 170 countries, including Kenya, and supports multiple currencies.
The Paysend app is available for download on the App Store, Google Play, and AppGallery. It offers a convenient way to send money online and track your transfers anytime, anywhere. The app provides a secure and affordable alternative to traditional remittance methods, helping businesses streamline their payment processes and save money on international transactions.
To use Paysend, simply download the app and create an account. You can then choose to send money using bank cards, bank accounts, or simply a mobile number. Paysend displays the currency exchange rate, transfer fee, and the amount your recipient will receive before you make the transfer. This transparency ensures you know exactly how much you are spending. The fee for sending money from Australia to Kenya is 3.9 AUD, and the money is typically delivered within seconds to your recipient's bank or digital wallet.
One of the key advantages of using Paysend is its safety and security. All money transfers are certified by Visa, Mastercard, China UnionPay, the FCA, and are PCI DSS certified. Additionally, Paysend provides 24/7 customer support, so you can always reach out for assistance if needed.
Overall, if you're looking for a mobile app to send money from Australia to Kenya, Paysend offers a convenient, secure, and transparent option with competitive fees and fast transfer speeds.
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Send money to an M-Pesa account
M-PESA is a financial platform operated by telco Safaricom, which offers customers with an eligible cell phone and SIM ways to send and receive payments, access finance, and complete other transactions without a bank account.
How to send money to an M-PESA account
If you're in Australia and would like to send money to your recipient's M-PESA account in Kenya, you'll need a third-party service. Services like Remitly, Wise, Halo Financial, WorldRemit, Skrill, Western Union, MoneyGram, or Small World enable you to send money from Australia to M-PESA in Kenya quickly and easily.
- Sign up on one of the platforms mentioned above. The process is usually quick, easy, and free.
- Choose M-PESA as your delivery method.
- Enter the recipient's mobile number and name.
- Make a bank or card transfer from your Australian bank account to their M-PESA account in Kenyan shillings.
The money will typically arrive in Kenya in only a few minutes, and you can track the transfer status online.
Additional Information
- The costs of using M-PESA to send a payment may depend on where your phone is registered and how you set up your payment.
- In some cases, there may be no specific M-PESA transfer fee, but an exchange rate markup will apply.
- M-PESA customers in Kenya can receive global payments to M-PESA from a selection of countries, including the US.
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Compare money transfer providers
When comparing money transfer providers, it's important to consider factors such as cost, speed, convenience, and security. Here are some key points to help you compare different providers for sending money from Australia to Kenya:
Cost
The cost of transferring money can vary significantly between providers. Some providers may offer lower fees, while others may provide more favourable exchange rates. It's important to consider the total cost, including both fees and the exchange rate. For example, Paysend offers a low, flat fee of 3.9 AUD for transfers to Kenya, while Wise advertises low fees and the use of the mid-market exchange rate, which is considered the fairest rate.
Speed
The speed of transfers can also vary. Some providers, like Wise, claim that 60% of their transfers arrive within 20 seconds and 95% within a day. Remitly has also been identified as one of the fastest providers for transfers from Australia to Kenya. It's worth checking recent statistics and user reviews to get an accurate idea of transfer speeds.
Convenience
Consider the convenience of the transfer process. Some providers may offer user-friendly websites or mobile apps that allow you to send money in just a few clicks. Wise, for example, allows you to send money via its website or mobile app. Paysend also offers a mobile app for convenient transfers on the go. Additionally, check whether the provider supports your preferred payment method, such as bank transfer, card, or mobile payment options.
Security
When choosing a money transfer provider, it's crucial to ensure that your funds will be secure. Look for providers that utilise encryption, two-step verification, and fraud protection measures. Wise, for instance, employs HTTPS encryption and 2-step verification for transfers. They also have over 1,000 anti-fraud specialists to ensure the security of your transactions.
Other Considerations
- Exchange Rate Lock: Some providers, like Wise, allow you to lock in an exchange rate for a certain period, protecting you from volatile markets.
- Transfer Limits: Be aware of any transfer limits imposed by the provider. For example, M-PESA wallets have a maximum limit of 300,000 KES at a time.
- Customer Reviews: Check independent customer reviews on sites like Trustpilot to gauge the reliability and satisfaction levels of other users.
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Frequently asked questions
The cheapest way to send money from Australia to Kenya is by using a Wise balance. Wise is free from hidden fees and uses the mid-market exchange rate. Bank transfers are also a cheap option, but they can be slower.
Wise, WorldRemit, Remitly, Skrill, and Halo Financial all offer instant money transfers from Australia to Kenya.
The cost of transferring money from Australia to Kenya depends on the amount of money being transferred and the platform being used. Paysend, for example, charges a fee of 3.9 AUD, while Remitly charges a percentage fee of 2.6% for transfers up to 100 AUD.
To send money to M-Pesa in Kenya, you can use a third-party service such as Remitly, Wise, WorldRemit, Skrill, Western Union, or MoneyGram. You will need the recipient's mobile number, the details of their mobile phone provider, and their name.









