What would be best way to convert AUD to USD?

I have been doing some shopping around and it looks like most margins are about 1c to 2c per dollar if you convert to USD locally.

In the past I have had a friend convert large sums with about 0.15c in costs, this method is not possible anymore. Does anybody have advice on where to get the more competitive rates these days? I was expecting losses of about 0.2-0.5c on the dollar, not more than 1c per dollar!

Purpose would be twofold 1. for an OS property purchase and 2. For paying overseas invoices, I know banks will open USD accounts, but the banks' offer was a 1.4c margin if we converted the AUD through them!

Have already looked at transferwise, they work with one of the countries I need to send USD to, but not the other. They are about 0.47c on the dollar, so on the higher end. I was thinking if there is a local place to buy the USD, happy to send through a USD bank account and then only pay the $10 international transaction fee.

 

Commbiz is great their spreads are very tight.

Although i dont think you can do it as a retail client.
I just had a look
OFX | Bank beating rates on global money transfers

Is offering extremely good rates. So much so I think we need to talk to our bank.