ING international transfer: Fees, rates and alternatives 2024

ING Australia offers every day banking services, credit cards, loans, insurance and more. If you have a bank account with ING and need to send money, you may be hoping to use ING to send an international wire. The bad news is that ING doesn’t support international transfers – but you do have other options.

This guide explores popular alternatives, including Wise, OFX and WorldRemit, so you can find the right service for your payment, based on fees, rates, convenience and speed.

Does ING work internationally?

ING account holders can not send money overseas directly from their ING bank accounts. However, it is still possible to send a payment abroad, and pay from ING. You’ll just need to manage your transfer through a third party provider like Wise, OFX or WorldRemit. This guide walks through how to make a payment overseas via a third party, and offers a bit more information about these popular providers to help you pick.

It’s worth noting also that ING debit and credit cards can still be used internationally. Foreign transaction fees – usually around 3% – can apply on overseas spending, but some cards offer ways to have this fee waiver by meeting eligibility criteria. Check your card terms and conditions before you spend, so you know what to expect.

Comparing ING alternatives on international transfers

You can’t send international payments with ING. However, you can pick a third party provider of international money transfers, and set up your payment that way. You’ll still be able to pay using a local transfer from ING, and the third party service will then process your transfer and deposit your money in the overseas bank account of your choice.

To find the perfect provider for you we’ll compare 4 alternatives to ING – Wise, OFX, WorldRemit, and PayPal.

• Wise – for great exchange rates and speedy transfers to 160+ countries
• OFX – if you want low fees and a personal service 24/7 over the phone
• WorldRemit – which offers cash pickups via a huge agent network
• PayPal – make global payments to and from PayPal accounts all over the world

Here’s a head to head comparison on the alternatives to ING we’ve picked out for this guide. Later we’ll dive into more detail to help you decide which might suit your specific needs best.

Go to WiseGo to OFX

Each of the ING alternatives has its own advantages. Which works best for you may depend on your priorities, where you’re sending money to and how you want the payment to be received. Wise offers fast payments to bank accounts, for example, while WorldRemit has ways to send cash to someone abroad if that’s better for you. Here’s why each of our ING alternatives may be a great option for you:

• Wise – often one of the lowest cost providers for payments to bank accounts, you can generate a quote online with no need to register an account, to compare costs

Full Wise review here

• OFX – good pick if you’re not sure about how to set up your payment and want a personal service over the phone

Full OFX review here

• WorldRemit – perfect if you need to get money fast to someone without access to a bank account, with payments to mobile money accounts and for cash pickup

Full WorldRemit review here

• PayPal – offers great global reach, and instant deposits to other PayPal users around the world

Full PayPal review here

Keep reading to learn more about each of our ING alternatives.

Wise

Wise is a specialist in international transfers and multi-currency accounts for personal and business customers. Wise has 16+ million users around the world, and offers low cost options for currency conversion and cross border payments in 40+ currencies.

• Currency conversion uses the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees for payments
• Multi-currency accounts and cards available for customers to hold and exchange 40+ currencies
• Send payments to 160+ countries, in 40+ currencies, or open a Wise Account to receive foreign currency payments with local and SWIFT account details, and to spend with a linked Wise card in 150+ countries
• Fast transfers – 50%+ arrive instantly

Pros and Cons of Using Wise

Pros

• Low fees and the mid-market exchange rate
• Personal and business services available
• Send to 160+ countries and receive money with local and SWIFT account details in many major currencies

Cons

• Fees vary based on destination country
• No cash services for pay in or pay out

OFX

OFX has offices in 9 global locations, which allows it to offer a 24/7 phone service to customers around the world. OFX personal customers can make international transfers in 50+ currencies, and access currency risk management products too. Business customers can do all this, plus open multi-currency accounts to hold, send and receive payments easily.

• 24/7 personal phone service, plus a range of currency risk management tools and products
• One off and recurring international transfers to a huge range of countries, in 50+ currencies
• Personal and business services, including multi-currency accounts aimed at businesses and online sellers
• Known for great service, with a 15 AUD fee for transfers under 10,000 AUD in value and no transfer fee for higher value payments

Pros and Cons of Using OFX

Pros

• Personal phone service if you need help and advice, plus no upfront transfer fee
• Send payments in 50+ currencies and get more complex currency products like limit orders
• Good range of business services

Cons

• Exchange rates include a markup
• 15 AUD fee for transfers under 10,000 AUD in value

WorldRemit

Send a WorldRemit payment to a bank account, for cash collection, to a mobile money account or as an airtime top up. You can make payments to 130+ countries, on popular remittance routes, which can be particularly helpful for people looking to get money home quickly when working overseas.

• Great range of payout options including cash collection
• Transfers can be instant, depending on payment method
• Pay by bank deposit, credit or debit card
• Frequent promotions and new customer offers which can bring down the cost

Pros and Cons of Using WorldRemit

Pros

• Great range of payout options and 130+ countries covered
• Set up payments online or in the app for convenience
• Low fees, which are displayed when you model your payment online

Cons

• Not all services are available in all destination countries
• Exchange rates include a markup

PayPal

PayPal is a huge global giant in electronic payments. As so many people all around the world already have a PayPal account this may be a fast and easy option for your transfer, although your payment will land in your recipient’s PayPal account rather than their bank account.

• Popular and secure option with a broad range of services
• Transfers can be deposited instantly if you pay with card or PayPal balance
• Huge global coverage with millions of users
• Pay with just an email address – no need to get bank details

Pros and Cons of Using PayPal

Pros

• Huge global reach covering pretty much every country on earth
• Instant payments to PayPal accounts in a good range of currencies
• Send payments with just the recipient’s email or phone number for convenience

Cons

• Fees can be high, at 5% + 3% to 4% currency conversion costs
• Money is deposited into a PayPal account – extra fees may apply to withdraw the funds to a bank

Can you send money internationally with ING?

ING does not offer its own international payment service. However, you can still make an overseas payment using a third party, and pay from your ING account. Consider one of the ING alternatives we’ve picked out in this guide to get started.

All you’ll have to do is register an account on the provider’s website or app, and then enter the details of the payment you need to make. All of these providers allow you to pay from your Australian bank using a local payment method – you may be able to make a bank transfer or use PayID or BPay for example. Send your money to the provider in AUD, and they’ll convert it to the currency you need and pass it on to the recipient, either as a bank or mobile wallet deposit, or for cash collection, depending on your preferred service.

Conclusion

ING Australia does not offer international payments. However, you can send money abroad from Australia conveniently, online, in app and by phone by using an ING alternative like Wise, OFX, WorldRemit or PayPal.

Wise and OFX are experts in fast, low cost payments to bank accounts. WorldRemit lets you send money to a bank or mobile wallet, for cash collection, or as an airtime top up. And finally, PayPal offers transfers for deposit to other PayPal accounts pretty much anywhere in the world. One of these providers might be your perfect match – use this guide to decide which is best for your unique transfer needs.

ING International Transfer FAQs

Can you send money with ING to someone in another country?

You can not send a payment with ING Australia to an account overseas. However, you can use a different service like Wise, OFX, WorldRemit or PayPal, to send money abroad and pay from your ING account online, in app or by phone.

Can you use ING internationally?

You can not send international payments with ING Australia. However, you can use your ING cards to spend and make cash withdrawals overseas. If you need to make an overseas payment, consider using an alternative non-bank service like Wise or OFX instead.

Does ING convert currency?

No. ING does not offer currency services or overseas payments. You can send money from ING to other Australian banks, to be deposited in AUD. If you need money to be sent overseas in a different currency, you can use an alternative service like Wise, OFX, WorldRemit or PayPal instead.