Apple - Why are Payments from Apple to New Zealand and Australian bank accounts wire transfers?

It is likely Apple's options for smaller transfers are being limited by local banking laws. What remains are the expensive SWIFT transfers you are being offered.

Banking Sector Changes

During the last few years, money transfer organisations have stopped operating or servicing Australia because of new legislation:

• Closing of bank accounts of money transfer operators (MTOs) is raising remittance costs
• Australia has been reducing the number of options for transferring funds

Let Apple Know

Please contact Apple Developer and let them know this is a problem. Every piece of feedback is helpful.

No-one except Apple can tell you why they have chosen to change their policy. There can be many reasons for that.

Regarding limiting the payments: Apple automatically limits payments so that the minimum per wire transfer is $150 USD. If a single month doesn't result in $150, it is carried over to the next month, and so forth.

In regards to fees - you'll have to ask your bank for a discounted plan.