OCTIS vs Wise Business vs Airwallex for Australian businesses
Two multi-currency accounts for paying suppliers and getting paid abroad. They charge in different ways.
Last checked · 2 sources
Otty's short answer
Wise Business suits a business that sends and receives money in a few currencies and wants low, per-transfer conversion fees from 0.19%, with an optional A$65 one-time Advanced setup. Airwallex suits a business that wants a monthly plan (A$0 to A$99), more company cards, free local transfers to 120+ countries and card acceptance. Compare the plans against your own volumes.
Side by side
Swipe to see every column
| What matters | OCTISHong Kong company + OCTIS global plan | Wise Business | Airwallex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup fee | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | A$0 Basic, A$65 Advanced | Not listed |
| Monthly fee | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | Not listed | A$0 or A$29 Explore; A$99 Grow |
| Currency conversion | Foreign exchange via licensed partners | From 0.19% | 0.5% major, 1% other |
| SWIFT transfer | Collecting and sending payments via licensed partners | Receive from 2.39 EUR, USD 6.11 per payment | A$10 to A$30 per transfer |
| Same-currency transfer abroad | International multi-currency business account via licensed partners | A$8 per transfer | Free local transfers, 120+ countries |
| Australian BSB account details | Not needed for the Hong Kong company; local rules apply if you trade there | Yes, Advanced | Not stated on page |
| Physical card | Corporate card via licensed partners | First free, then A$6 | Up to 10 company cards, Explore |
| Card foreign fee | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | None | Not stated on page |
| ATM withdrawals | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | A$400 free per card, then 2.69% | Not stated on page |
| Take card payments | Collecting payments via licensed partners | Not stated on page | 1.65% + A$0.30 domestic cards |
| Extra card users | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | Not stated on page | 2 free, then A$15 per month |
If you have staff, premises or local sales in this country, its own registration and tax rules still apply. OCTIS can help you arrange them.
Data sources & disclaimer: Comparison data was compiled from publicly available sources — including the competitors' own published pricing and feature pages — captured on 9 November 2026. Figures reflect the typical or advertised pricing at that time and may have changed since; plans, inclusions and prices vary by provider, region and promotion. OCTIS is independent and not affiliated with the named companies; all trademarks belong to their respective owners. This comparison is provided in good faith for general information only and is not professional, legal or financial advice — please verify current details with each provider before deciding.
Which one fits you
OCTIS · Hong Kong company + OCTIS global plan
Choose OCTIS if you want company, accounts and CRM alongside multi-currency banking via partners.
Wise Business
Choose Wise Business if you make a handful of transfers in several currencies and want the lowest per-transfer conversion fee.
Airwallex
Choose Airwallex if you want company cards, expense controls, local payouts and card acceptance on one monthly plan.
What the table does not show
How each one charges
Wise Business charges per transfer. Its page lists conversion from 0.19% and an A$65 setup cost for the Advanced account. Volume discounts apply above A$40,000. Airwallex charges a monthly plan on top of FX. Explore is A$0, or A$29 if you do not meet the deposit or balance minimums. Grow is A$99. The plan fee applies per legal entity. A business with few transfers pays less with Wise. A business that uses many cards and payouts may find the plan worth it.
Cards and spending
Wise gives the first physical card free and charges A$6 for each extra one. It lists no foreign transaction fee on card spend. Airwallex Explore includes up to 10 company cards and Grow up to 50, with 2 free employee spend users and A$15 per month for each extra. Check the spend limits and approval rules that matter to you in the app before you sign up.
What neither page settles
Fee pages change often. The Wise page we read does not state a monthly fee or eligibility rules. The Airwallex page does not state receiving fees. Both are regulated payment providers, not banks, so check how each protects customer funds in its terms. Always run a real quote for your usual transfer size and currency pair.
Where OCTIS fits
Whichever account you open, the statements still need to be recorded and reconciled. OCTIS is not a bank and has no partnership with Wise or Airwallex. If your Malaysian or Hong Kong company sells into Australia, OCTIS bookkeeping can bring the foreign-currency statements into the home company's books. Ask about 10–30% off your current bill.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wise or Airwallex cheaper for Australian businesses?
It depends on volume. Wise lists conversion from 0.19% with no monthly fee on the page we read. Airwallex lists 0.5% to 1% FX plus a plan of A$0 to A$99 per month. Price your typical transfer on both.
Do Wise and Airwallex have an Australian account number?
Wise lists AUD account details (BSB) as an Advanced feature. The Airwallex page we read does not state it, so confirm in the sign-up flow.
What does Airwallex Explore cost?
A$0 per month, or A$29 per month if you have under A$5,000 in monthly deposits and under A$10,000 combined Wallet and Yield balance. Grow is A$99 per month.
Are Wise and Airwallex banks?
No. They are payment and money-movement providers. Read each provider's terms on how customer money is held and protected.
Can I use either with a big four bank account?
Yes. Many businesses keep a local bank account for daily banking and use a multi-currency account for overseas payments.
Sources
Checked on the date above. Links open the provider's or regulator's own page.