Review the features and fees of the Airwallex business account and see how it compares to WorldFirst
Key takeaways
- Airwallex provides multi-currency accounts, international transfers, business cards and payment tools for Australian businesses
- Its three plans are Explore, Grow and Accelerate, priced from AU$0 or AU$29, AU$99 and from AU$999 per month respectively
- Higher-tier plans are needed for features such as expense management, batch transfers and more
- Dedicated onboarding support is available only with Accelerate, which starts from AU$999 per month
- World Account is a multi-currency account by WorldFirst that supports 20+ currencies
Airwallex is a global payments provider offering multi-currency accounts, international payments, business cards and payment acceptance tools.1 The account supports sending/receiving international payments in 20+ currencies but its business account carries a AU$29 monthly fee, which is waived only if businesses meet specific deposit or balance requirements.1,2 Plus, features such as batch transfers and expense management require higher-tier plans.2
This review covers Airwallex’s fees and features for Australian businesses. It also explores a multi-currency account, the World Account by WorldFirst, which offers international transfers and multi-currency cards at zero setup and monthly fees.
What is Airwallex?
Airwallex is a financial platform that offers solutions to simplify global payments and financial operations of global businesses.
Founded in 2015, Airwallex has offices in over 19 countries. More than 100,000 registered businesses are using Airwallex’s payment services and APIs.1
The platform offers multi-currency accounts that allow businesses to hold, manage and convert funds in various currencies. Multi-currency virtual and physical debit cards are also available.
Who is Airwallex for?
Airwallex is designed for businesses handling international payments, multi-currency funds and global spending.1 E-commerce sellers can use multi-currency accounts to collect marketplace and customer payments, while startups and growing SMEs can use its accounts, cards and transfer tools for international operations.1
Larger businesses can use Accelerate for multi-entity financial management and dedicated support.1 Digital platforms and businesses with developer resources can also use Airwallex APIs to automate payment and financial workflows.1
Quick look: Pros and cons of Airwallex business account
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Airwallex fees: The breakdown
| Airwallex fees2 | |
|---|---|
| Monthly account fee | AU$29-AU$999, depending on the plan (Zero if you deposit at least AU$5k per month or hold a minimum balance of AU$10k) |
| Access to local currency accounts | Zero |
| Receiving payments | Zero |
| Sending payments to Airwallex accounts | Zero |
| Sending payments to other accounts | Zero for domestic payments
International payments attract a transfer and currency conversion fee For SWIFT payments, charges are AU$10–AU$30 |
| Holding funds in multiple currencies | Airwallex does not specify any fee |
| Currency conversion | 0.5% for major currencies and 1% for other currencies |
| Multi-currency card | ✅ Number of cards depends on the monthly plan.The starter plan of AU$29 comes with 2 employee cards and 10 company cards |
| Forward contracts | ❌ |
| Integration with accounting tools | ✅ |
*Airwallex pricing checked in August 2026
**Note: Airwallex has a separate pricing structure for different payment methods through payment links and plugins.
Airwallex pricing plans
Airwallex has three pricing tiers in Australia:
- Explore costs AU$0 or AU$29 per month, with the AU$29 fee waived when the business deposits at least AU$5,000 per month or maintains a minimum AU$10,000 balance2
- Grow costs AU$99 per month2
- Accelerate starts from AU$999 per month2
| Feature | Explore2 | Grow2 | Accelerate2 |
| Monthly fee | AU$29 | AU$99 | From AU$999 |
| Multi-currency accounts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Company cards | Up to 10 | Up to 50 | Unlimited |
| Employee/spend users | 2 included | 2 included | 2 included |
| Expense management | Not available | Available | Available |
| International batch transfers | Not available | Available | Available |
| Dedicated account manager | Not available | Not available | Available |
| Onboarding support | Not available | Not available | Available |
| SWIFT transfers | AU$10-AU$30 | AU$10-AU$30 | AU$10-AU$30 |
*Fees checked August 2026
Explore
Explore is designed for smaller businesses managing funds internationally. It includes multi-currency accounts with local bank details in 20+ currencies, transfers to 120+ countries, company and employee cards, online payment acceptance and accounting integrations.1,2 It does not include expense management or dedicated onboarding support.2
Grow
Grow costs AU$99 per month and includes everything in Explore, plus international batch transfers, expense management, Bill Pay, automated receipt and bill data extraction, multi-layer approval flows and additional company cards.2 Expenses and bills can also sync with Xero and QuickBooks.2
Accelerate
Accelerate starts from AU$999 per month and adds features for larger and multi-entity businesses.2 These include centralised financial management, purchase orders, advanced accounting integrations, HRIS integrations, a dedicated account manager and onboarding support.2
Features of Airwallex
Multi-currency account
Airwallex allows businesses to set up a multi-currency account with bank details for 20 currencies, including USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, CNY, HKD and CAD.3
You can receive payments from customers worldwide in their preferred currency and use those funds to pay suppliers or business partners, avoiding unnecessary conversion fees. Or, hold funds in foreign currencies and convert them when exchange rates are favourable.
Payment links
Airwallex allows businesses to receive payments through shareable payment links. Sellers in Hong Kong, Australia, Singapore, the UK and EU can use payment links to collect funds from customers worldwide.4
There are multiple payment methods available including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay and Google Pay, though some payment methods only support limited currencies.
There are no charges for using payment links. You’re charged a transaction fee based on the payment method selected by the customer. Airwallex charges different fees for different payment methods.
Apart from the links, users can also collect payments through plugins and checkout pages.
Business debit card
Airwallex provides virtual and physical cards that support 140 currencies.5 You can issue company and employee cards and track all the purchases through your main Airwallex account.
There’s no foreign exchange fees when paying in 10 supported currencies if you already have funds in the purchase currency. For other currencies, foreign transfer fee and currency conversion fee are charged.6
The number of no-cost cards available depends on the pricing plan. Additional cards are charged at AU$15 per user per month.2
Airwallex doesn’t offer any cashback to Australian or NZ customers.
→ To learn more, check out our detailed Airwallex card review and take a look at the Airwallex business card fees
Payment APIs
The payment APIs allow businesses to whitelabel Airwallex’s online payment processing solution and provide customers with a more unified payment experience.7 You can take full control of the checkout process and automate different financial operations, including payments and collections.
However, using APIs requires developer support and business users may not be able to manage them on their own.
Marketplaces
Airwallex customers can use the provided local currency account details to collect payments from online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay. The collected funds can be held in the Airwallex account to make further payments or the funds can also be withdrawn back to the bank account.
Expense management
Airwallex’s expense management helps businesses manage cards, receipts, approvals and reimbursements in one place.8 Businesses can track expenses by entity, set spending limits and approve expenses for employees across different subsidiaries.8
Approved reimbursements can be paid through local payout methods.8 Businesses can also import their chart of accounts and automatically sync approved expenses with their general ledger.8 Airwallex integrates with Xero, QuickBooks, NetSuite and other accounting platforms.2,8 The expense management feature is available on Grow and Accelerate, but not Explore.2
Sending and receiving money
Airwallex supports local and SWIFT payouts across a global network covering 200+ countries and regions and 90+ currencies.9 Its connections to local clearing systems in 120+ countries and regions allow businesses to use local payout methods where available.9 The pricing page lists zero-fee local transfers to 120+ countries, while SWIFT transfers cost AU$10 to AU$30 per transfer depending on the payment option.9
Businesses can send payments to suppliers, employees and other recipients, with local rails used where available.2,9 Airwallex also supports batch transfers for sending multiple payments together.2,9 Its multi-currency accounts provide local bank details in 20+ currencies, allowing businesses to receive funds into supported currency balances from customers, platforms and marketplaces.2
Airwallex reviews: What are customers saying on Trustpilot?
Airwallex has a 2.9 out of 5 TrustScore from 2,545 reviews on Trustpilot as of August 2026. It receives mixed feedback from customers, with reviews highlighting both the convenience of its platform and issues with account reviews and payment processing.
Users often praise its easy-to-use interface, multi-currency features and responsive account teams. But, some reviewers report delayed payments, account restrictions, lengthy verification and difficulty getting clear updates when transactions or accounts are under review.
- Some users report responsive and professional support, particularly from account managers and customer success teams
- Reviewers value the ability to manage multiple currencies through one platform
- Some business users appreciate the range of ways to receive payments
- Some customers report payments taking longer than expected, including domestic and international transfers
- Reviews frequently mention accounts or funds being temporarily restricted while checks are carried out
- Some customers say they did not receive clear reasons or timelines when payments or accounts were under review
How to open an Airwallex account
To open a business account with Airwallex in Australia, you’ll need to provide the following documents8:
- The personal ID of each Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) (if applicable)
- Authorisation letter (if applicable)
- Partnership agreement (if applicable)
- New business supporting documents (if applicable)
- Personal ID (in case of sole traders)
Once the documents are ready, follow the steps below to open an account with Airwallex:
- Sign up on Airwallex’s website with your email address
- Add your personal information and business details
- Upload the required documents and submit them for verification
- Verification usually takes 1-3 working days
The Airwallex alternative: WorldFirst
WorldFirst is an international payments provider that helps global businesses make fast, secure and reliable international transactions. With a World Account, companies manage global finances seamlessly while protecting their profit margins.
Multi-currency accounts with zero setup fees
With WorldFirst, you can open local currency accounts in 20+ currencies, including GBP, USD, EUR, CAD, AUD, NZD and CNH, without paying any setup or monthly fees. These accounts let you hold and manage multiple currencies in one place, giving you more control over when and how you convert your funds.
Mastercard-card powered debit card
World Card is a multi-currency business debit card that enables you to spend in 150+ currencies, giving you flexibility and better control over foreign exchange costs. You pay zero foreign exchange fees when spending in 15 major currencies, as long as you have sufficient balances in your account. Whether you’re paying for advertising, travel, or software subscriptions, the card helps you manage global business expenses with ease.
Global payments and collections
WorldFirst allows you to send and receive international payments to 200+ countries and regions in over 100+ currencies. You can collect payments from 130+ global marketplaces and payment gateways, making it ideal for eCommerce and import/export businesses. Payments to Chinese suppliers on 1688.com can also be made directly from your account. There are also no fees for receiving funds.
Competitive exchange rates
WorldFirst offers highly competitive exchange rates to help you keep more of what you earn (up to 0.6% on major currencies). You can convert funds instantly or wait until the exchange rate is more favourable—there are no fees for holding funds in your World Account either.
Forward contracts and risk management
To manage currency risk, WorldFirst provides forward contracts that let you lock in exchange rates for up to 24 months. You can also set up firm orders to automatically convert currencies when your target exchange rate is reached.
No cost transfers between World Accounts
Transfers between World Accounts are instant and at no cost, making it easier to collaborate across global teams or pay international partners. There’s no minimum balance requirement and with Xero integration, you can streamline reconciliation and reduce manual admin tasks.
If you are still unsure about WorldFirst vs Airwallex, check out our comparison of features and fees.
| Airwallex2 | WorldFirst | |
| Multi-currency account | AU$29-AU$999, depending on the plan (Zero if you deposit at least AU$5,000 per month or hold a minimum balance of AU$10,000) | Zero |
| Access to local currency accounts | Zero | Zero |
| Receiving funds | Zero | Zero |
| Sending payments to users in the same network | Zero | No cost and instant payments |
| Sending payments to other accounts | Zero for domestic payments
International payments attract a transfer and currency conversion fee For SWIFT payments, charges are AU$15–AU$35 |
|
| Holding funds in multiple currencies | Airwallex does not specify any fee | Zero |
| Currency conversion | 0.5% for major currencies and 1% for other currencies |
|
| Multi-currency card | ✅ Number of cards depends on the monthly plan.The starter plan of AU$29 comes with 2 employee cards and 10 company cards |
✅
Up to 20 virtual cards available at no additional cost |
| Forward contracts | ❌ | ✅ |
| Integration with accounting tools | ✅ | ✅ |
*Fees checked in August 2026
FAQs
1. How much does an Airwallex business account cost?
Airwallex’s Australian plans range from AU$0/AU$29 per month for Explore to AU$99 for Grow and from AU$999 per month for Accelerate.2 The Explore fee can be waived when certain deposit or balance requirements are met.2
2. What currencies does Airwallex support?
Airwallex provides multi-currency account details in 20+ currencies including USD, AUD, EUR, GBP and more.1 Businesses can hold, send, receive and convert funds in supported currencies and use them for international payments and collections.1
3. Is Airwallex a multi-currency account?
Yes. Airwallex Australia offers a multi-currency account.1 Its Airwallex Business Account includes Global Accounts and a multi-currency wallet, allowing Australian businesses to receive and hold funds in 20+ currencies, including AUD.1
4. What is WorldFirst?
WorldFirst focuses on international payments, multi-currency accounts and global collections for businesses. Its World Account supports 20+ currencies with zero setup and monthly fees, while World Card provides multi-currency business spending.
Sources
- https://www.airwallex.com/au/
- https://www.airwallex.com/au/pricing
- https://www.airwallex.com/business-account
- https://www.airwallex.com/docs/payments__payment-links-overview
- https://www.airwallex.com/spend-management/cards
- https://help.airwallex.com/hc/en-gb/articles/900001755826-What-currencies-are-supported-by-the-Airwallex-Borderless-Card
- https://www.airwallex.com/au/platform-api-and-embedded-finance
- https://www.airwallex.com/en-au/spend-management/expense-management
- https://www.airwallex.com/docs/payouts/payout-network
Disclaimer: The information contained is general only and largely our views. Before acting on the information you should consider whether it is appropriate for you, in light of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Although information has been obtained from and is based upon multiple sources the author believes to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy and it may be incomplete or condensed. All opinions, estimates, mentioned products/services and referenced material constitute the author’s own judgement as of the date of the briefing and are subject to change without notice. WorldFirst shall not be responsible for any losses or damages arising from your reliance of such information.
