Hi Loach, you posted this thread in August so you might have sussed this by now, but as the thread is still alive I will add my 2 yen.
A good way to send money back to Oz fast and cheap, is to get an international ATM card from one of the big Japanese banks, not all banks offer an international ATM card but the one I use is Sumitomo (there are others). If you open an account at a Japanese bank you will get a bank book, and an ATM card (you may have to specifically request an international ATM card).
Hold on to the bank book so you can deposit funds into the account either at the bank atm, or transfer into the account by internet banking, and send the international ATM card to your friend/family in Oz.
Bang your coin into the Japanese bank account, and your friend/family can withdraw the funds direct from any ATM with a cirrus symbol in Australia (almost all ATMs in Oz have the cirrus symbol).
Funds can be deposited into your Japanese bank account, and can be withdrawn from the ATM in Oz with your international ATM card. Funds deposited in Japan, can be withdrawn the same day in Oz. And with Sumitomo, the exchange rates are the regular bank rates, and there are no hefty fees for withdrawing funds in Oz this way. As far as I know, Sumitomo doesnt charge any fees for this sweet service.
If you do open a new bank account in order to get an international ATM card, I wouldnt specifically say to the bank teller that you are opening a new account just to withdraw funds in Oz, because I am sure all the banks want their $50-$100 transfer fee for a regular TT transfer. But using an international ATM card is a good way to get funds back to Oz, without having to pay the TT fee, funds are available instantly, and it works.
