Vell vs OFX: Sending Money from Australia to Indonesia
OFX (formerly OzForex) is an Australian-founded, ASX-listed money transfer company that has been operating since 1998. It's a well-regarded service with over a million customers and more than AUD $100 billion transferred worldwide. For certain types of transfers, it's genuinely competitive, but for AUD to Indonesia specifically, there are some important nuances worth understanding before you choose.
The Short Version
OFX makes its money through an exchange rate margin rather than flat fees, and for transfers of AUD $10,000 or more, there's no transfer fee at all. For amounts below that threshold, a flat fee applies (the exact amount isn't published publicly; you'll see it when you register and get a quote).
Here's the important detail for Indonesia specifically: IDR is not among OFX's featured currency pairs. Their competitive margins and introductory rate offer apply to major currencies — AUD, USD, GBP, EUR, SGD, NZD and CAD. For less commonly traded pairs like AUD to IDR, margins are typically wider than OFX's headline figures suggest.
Vell is built specifically for corridors like Australia to Indonesia, with transparent pricing shown before you confirm, no need to register first to find out what you'll actually pay.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Vell | OFX | |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer fee | Transparent, shown upfront | $0 at AUD 10,000+; flat fee below AUD 10,000 |
| Exchange rate margin | Competitive for AUD→IDR | Competitive for major currencies; wider for IDR |
| AUD→IDR intro rate offer | — | Not available (IDR excluded from intro offer) |
| Transfer speed | Fast | 1–3 business days |
| Payout methods | Bank account & e-wallet | Bank account only |
| Cash pickup | No | No |
| Advanced rate tools | Rate Tracker | Forward contracts, limit orders, rate alerts |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
The IDR Currency Gap
OFX's public-facing calculator defaults to USD and their introductory rate offer covers only seven currencies. IDR is not one of them.
This matters because exchange rate margins on less-traded currency pairs are typically higher than on major pairs. OFX's competitive margin reputation is built largely on AUD/USD, AUD/GBP and similar high-volume routes. For AUD to IDR, you'd need to register and get a personalised quote to know what you're actually paying, and the rate may not be as tight as OFX's headline positioning implies.
Vell is purpose-built for the Australia–Indonesia corridor. You see the rate and the total cost upfront, without having to register to find out.
Where OFX Genuinely Excels
OFX has real strengths for a specific type of sender:
- Large transfers in major currencies — if you're moving AUD $10,000+ in USD, GBP, or EUR, OFX's margins and zero-fee structure are genuinely competitive
- Forward contracts — lock in today's exchange rate for a transfer up to 12 months in the future, useful for property purchases or large planned payments
- Limit orders — set a target rate and OFX will automatically execute the transfer when the market hits it
- Long track record — 25+ years of operation, ASX-listed, regulated by ASIC and AUSTRAC
The Bottom Line
OFX is a strong product, but it's optimised for large transfers in major currencies, not for the Australia-to-Indonesia corridor. If you're moving AUD $10,000+ and want advanced rate tools, OFX is worth considering. For everything else, smaller amounts, IDR transfers, regular payments, or a transparent upfront quote, Vell is the better fit.
Want to monitor the AUD/IDR rate and send when the timing's right? Use Vell's Rate Tracker to set a target and get notified when it hits.
Last updated: May 2026. Fees, minimums, and exchange rates are subject to change. Always verify current terms directly with each provider before transferring.