1-10 employees
16%
35%
49%
11-50 employees
14%
42%
44%
51-200 employees
8%
35%
57%
200+ employees
0%
17%
20%
25%
40%
58%
60%
Are Australian
businesses failing to
check exchange rates
when making
international
payments?
A Money Transfer Comparison Study
February
2023
About the study
Money Transfer Comparison commissioned a survey of 250 Australian business owners to gauge whether they shop around for the best Exchange Rate before making international payments, currency exchanges or money transfers (collectively - business foreign exchange). Survey respondents were also asked whether they were surprised by the high exchange rate when making overseas payments.
Money Transfer Comparison surveyed businesses across different business sizes:
- micro (1-10 employees);
- small (11-50 employees);
- medium (51-200 employees);
- large (more than 200 employees).
Do Australian businesses check the exchange rate before making overseas payments?
Money Transfer Comparison asked Australian businesses whether they check exchange rates, and shop around for the best rate, before making international payments or money transfers. Nearly two-thirds (60 per cent) admitted they fail to check the exchange rate or shop around.
Specifically, more than a third (36 per cent) admitted they don’t check or shop around for the best exchange rate at all.
SA quarter (24 per cent) admitted that while they check exchange rates, they don't shop around for the best rate.
Forty (40) per cent indicated they check exchange rates and shop around for the best one before making payments.
When making an international payment or money transfer, do you check the exchange rate?
Yes, but I don't shop around for the best exchange rate
Yes, but I do shop around for the best exchange rate
No
Do Australian businesses check the exchange rate before making overseas payments? By business size.
Yes, but I don't shop around for the best exchange rate
Yes, but I do shop around for the best exchange rate
No
The survey found that larger businesses are more likely to check exchange rates and shop around for the best rate. More than half (58 per cent) of large businesses, 44 per cent of small businesses, and 35 per cent of micro businesses.
What are the State-based trends?
Money Transfer Comparison found that businesses headquartered in Queensland were the least likely to check exchange rates and shop around for the best rate before making international payments.
More than half (52 per cent) of those businesses admitted to neglecting this activity, compared with 38 per cent of Victorian businesses, 32 per cent of West Australian businesses, 28 per cent of NSW businesses and 26 per cent of South Australian businesses.
A similar proportion of businesses across the States indicated they do check the exchange rate but don’t shop around for the best rate before making a payment or transfer. Specifically, 26 per cent of South Australian and NSW businesses chose this response, followed by 21 per cent of Queensland businesses and 20 per cent of Victorian and West Australian businesses.
Do Australian businesses check the exchange rate before making overseas payments? By State.
NSW
26%
28%
46%
VIC
20%
38%
42%
QLD
21%
27%
52%
SA
26%
26%
48%
WA
20%
32%
48%
ACT
0%
20%
20%
40%
40%
40%
60%
Yes, but I don't shop around for the best exchange rate
Yes, but I do shop around for the best exchange rate
No
Are Australian businesses surprised by the exchange rate and fees on their statement after making an overseas payment?
Money Transfer Comparison asked respondents whether they have been surprised by the high exchange rate and fees that appeared on their statement after making an overseas payment or money transfer. More than half (52 per cent) admitted the rate was higher than anticipated when they have made such payments.
Yes, the rate was higher than I expected on some money transfers and overseas payments
No
Are Australian businesses surprised by the exchange rate and fees on their statement after making an overseas payment? By business size.
80
60
63%
76%
78%
75%
40
20
37%
24%
22%
25%
This post first appeared on Best International Money Transfer - Comparison & R, please read the originial post: here
