Best forex brokers in Australia

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Australia has a well-regulated financial sector which has made it a haven for forex trading. An estimated $9 trillion worth of trades take place in the country. In fact, the FX market is considered one of the most liquid and largest industries in the country and around the world too. 

Currently, there are about 70 forex brokers that are licensed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission with more springing up daily. The reason for the boom in forex trading in Australia can be traced to favourable government policies for the most part. 

Even though FX trading isn’t new in Australia, the industry gained more appeal in 2015, after news hit the airwaves that the Swiss franc was increasing by a wide margin. With that, several experts and potential investors started searching for the best brokers in the region. 

In that regard, we’ve compiled the best forex brokers using a set of criteria to determine how good they are. We’re reviewing each broker by their commission and spreads, supported markets, regulations, payment methods, trading tools and more. 

Without further ado, let’s get started;

eToro 

The eToro platform was launched in 2007 and currently has more than 25 million users worldwide. As luck would have it, the platform offers its services to the Australian market. eToro offers a wide variety of minor, major, and exotic currency pairs. 

In addition, the broker’s pricing structure is strictly spread-only starting at 1 pip on pairs like USD/JPY and EUR/USD. Without doubt, eToro is the best broker for passive trading offering Australians leverage. In addition, the platform has a feature called Copy Trading, where investors simply mirror the trades of experts on the platform. 

For example, a user on eToro decides to invest 500 USD into an experienced trader with a rock-solid history of profitable trades. If the expert trader decides to risk 10 percent of their balance by shorting EUR/USD. By design, the newbie mirroring the expert will copy the same strategy– which is 10 percent of their 500 USD investment.

This tool allows newer users get the required courage to not only learn from experts but to also learn their strategy in real-time. It also comes in handy for those that don’t have the knowledge or time to adequately research the market. 

Also, eToro offers CFDs like commodities and indices. However, what makes eToro unique is that users can buy Australian shares with no commission from just 10 USD per trade.

What’s more, eToro also gives its Australian users the option of investing in crypto with minimal fees. With that being said, getting started on eToro is quite easy as opening an account only takes a few minutes. Keep in mind that the platform requires a 50 USD minimum deposit. Lastly, eToro supports payments through debit and credit cards, bank transfers and e-wallets.

In conclusion, eToro is a popular and user-friendly online broker for Australians, offering a range of benefits such as its social trading platform, diverse assets, commission-free stock trading, and extensive educational resources. With regulation by the ASIC, users can have confidence in the platform’s security and compliance. However, there are some drawbacks, including withdrawal fees and potentially limited customer support during peak times. Overall, eToro is a solid choice for Australian investors, particularly for those new to trading or interested in learning from experienced traders through the social trading feature.

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Plus500

Apart from the web app, traders can use the mobile app for more convenience. As luck would have it, the platform has a demo account they can test to know the bells and whistles of the broker. In addition, they can combine fundamental data and advanced indicators in their analysis as Plus500 offers key market insights and important news.

Plus500 also offers price alerts for investors to know the when currency they’re watching hits a certain exchange rate. There’s also a guaranteed stop order feature traders can use to mitigate losses and while locking in profits.

The platform also offers FAQ sections and free educational content which users can use to get vital key information. Their support centre also stands out as they’re available round the clock to answer all questions the users may have.

With regards to trading, Plus500 allows users to enhance their skills as they have a comprehensive trading academy they can enrol in. Traders have to deposit a minimum of AUD 200 to start and the payment options include Apple Pay, bank wire, credit/debit cards, and Paypal.

Users on the Plus500 platform can fund their account without any hidden fees nor will they be charged a commission for trading. The platform also offers tight spreads for specific currency pairs. However, there are certain fees users need to be aware of and they are the guaranteed stop order, overnight fees and currency conversion if implemented. Lastly, Plus500 charges inactive users 10 USD per month after 3 consecutive months of no activities.

In conclusion, Plus500 is a reputable and user-friendly online broker for Australians, offering a diverse selection of tradable instruments, competitive spreads, and advanced trading tools in a platform regulated by ASIC. While there are some drawbacks, such as limited educational resources and inactivity fees, the platform remains a strong choice for Australian traders, particularly those who value a straightforward interface and low trading costs. By providing a comprehensive trading experience with a focus on simplicity, Plus500 caters to both beginner and experienced traders in Australia.

CFD Service. Your capital is at risk.

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Vantage 

The Raw ECN account allows its users to access the EUR/USD pair from 0.1 pip and above. On the other hand, investors need a minimum deposit of 200 USD for the standard STP account and it gives them commission-free trades. Although, the spread on widely used pairs like the EUR/USD starts at 1.1 pips 

On average, the account requires a little $3 commission per lot while the Raw ECN account requires a $500 minimum deposit. When trading on the Vantage platform, accounts can access 1:100 leverage, while limited professional accounts can apply to about 1:500 leverage. 

A standout feature is that users can access Vantage MT4 and MT5. This gives them various customization options, technical indicators and advanced charts to help them trade. Also, retail clients can use the Vantage app to trade and it’s available on both the iOS and Android stores.

Vantage offers index CFDs, stock CFDs, cryptocurrency CFDs and commodities CFDs apart from forex trading. It takes about 5 minutes (sometimes less) to create a new account and new users can fund their accounts through various options on the platform. They can choose from bank transfers, credit or debit cards, or e-wallets like Skrill, PayPal, Neteller and more. One thing that may sway users to Vantage is that it doesn’t charge deposit or inactivity fees.

With regards to regulations, the platform is regulated by the FCA, ASIC, and VFSC which gives it the required backing by law.

In conclusion, Vantage is a reputable online broker for Australians, providing a comprehensive trading experience with competitive spreads, fees, and a diverse range of tradable instruments. Supporting both MT4 and MT5 platforms, Vantage caters to traders of all skill levels, while being regulated by ASIC ensures a secure trading environment. Despite some drawbacks, such as limited proprietary trading platform options and withdrawal fees, Vantage remains a strong choice for Australian traders seeking a well-regulated broker with a focus on customer support and educational resources.

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Pepperstone 

For a user to access zero spread, investors have to pay a $3.50 commission for every currency pair that’s traded. In contrast, users that aren’t comfortable with this fee can choose the Pepperstone standard forex trading account which comes with commission-free trading.

With this account, the trader has to cover a spread that starts from 0.6 pips. Regardless, both accounts give users in Australia access to a myriad of platforms like MT4, MT5, TradingView and cTrader. That’s not all, Pepperstone offers all kinds of currency pairs – major, minor, and exotic – with a 1:30 maximum leverage limit for retail clients.

With regards to funding options, the Pepperstone platforms allow users to fund their account via debit/credit cards, bank transfers, BPay, POLi, and several other e-wallets. In addition to FX commodities, Pepperstone offers other CFD markets like shares, commodities, crypto, and indices.

In conclusion, Pepperstone is a reputable online broker for Australians, providing a comprehensive trading experience with competitive spreads, fees, and a diverse range of tradable instruments. Supporting popular trading platforms like MT4, MT5, and cTrader, Pepperstone caters to traders of all skill levels, while being regulated by ASIC ensures a secure trading environment. Despite some drawbacks, such as the absence of a proprietary trading platform and direct stock trading, Pepperstone remains a strong choice for Australian traders seeking a well-regulated broker with a focus on customer support and educational resources.

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AvaTrade 

This platform supports several payment methods like debit or credit cards, bank wires and e-wallets. This CFD trading platform offers its users in Australia leverage of 1:30 and 1:20 on currency pairs. Also, AvaTrade’s forex offering is quite expansive as they offer lots of currency markets.

Users can access all trading pairs on a commission-free basis as spreads are as low as 0.9 pips. Users with FX trading experience often prefer AvaTrade due to how compatible it is with MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. There’s no doubt these are the preferred platforms for experienced users thanks to their features and high-level tools.

In most cases, rookie traders often go for the AvaTrade web trading platform. This platform can easily be accessed through a regular web browser like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. In addition, there’s the AvaTrade mobile app for Android and iOS who like to trade from mobile devices. That’s not all, the platform offers CFDs in the form of indices, stocks, crypto, and commodities.

In conclusion, AvaTrade is a reputable online broker for Australians, providing a comprehensive trading experience with a diverse range of tradable instruments, support for popular platforms, and a focus on education. Regulated by ASIC, AvaTrade offers a secure trading environment, while their responsive customer support ensures a positive user experience. Despite some drawbacks, such as withdrawal and inactivity fees and a limited range of cryptocurrencies, AvaTrade remains a strong choice for Australian traders seeking a well-regulated broker with a commitment to customer satisfaction and educational resources.

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Forex.com 

Another feature that makes this platform stand out is its huge trading library which has more than 80 currency pairs. Also, this platform’s forex trading markets are open 24/7. Regarding fees, Australian investors don’t pay any commissions and they enjoy competitive EUR/USD spreads that start at 0.5 pips.

Forex.com also offers a highly comprehensive news and analysis department. This includes forex trading strategies compiled by experienced investors. The ‘Week Ahead’ section is also another feature that appeals to users on the platform as they can monitor important economic developments that may affect their trades. 

Another reason to choose Forex.com is that it offers a top-rated educational academy. This allows complete beginners to learn the ropes of forex trading via interactive courses, platform tutorials, and self-assessment quizzes. Finally, Forex.com is also known for its quality customer service team that operates around the clock during standard currency trading hours.

In conclusion, Forex.com is a reputable online broker for Australians, providing a comprehensive trading experience with competitive spreads, a diverse range of tradable instruments, and support for popular trading platforms. Regulated by ASIC, Forex.com ensures a secure trading environment, while their responsive customer support and educational resources enhance the user experience. Despite some drawbacks, such as limited proprietary trading platform options and withdrawal and inactivity fees, Forex.com remains a strong choice for Australian traders seeking a well-regulated broker with a focus on customer satisfaction and advanced trading tools.

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Oanda 

Also, Oanda doesn’t charge commissions for its standard accounts while the spreads start at 1.2 pips which is considerably low. Oanda has a proprietary platform as the platform can be accessed on mobile, web and desktop apps. For experienced traders, Oanda offers MetaTrader 4 with automated trading tools and TradingView for custom technical indicators. 

To entice newer users, Oanda offers new investors a welcome bonus after making a deposit on a new account. However, this is only for a limited time. The bonus isn’t fixed but it can be as high as $5,000 for a deposit of $50,000 or more. For deposits below that, the users can only get a bonus of $500. 

Funding an account on the platform is also easy as Oanda accepts bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and several e-wallets too. The platform has a forex news feed, forex webinars, daily technical analysis and economic calendar users can take advantage of.

In conclusion, Oanda is a reputable online broker for Australians, providing a comprehensive trading experience with competitive spreads, a diverse range of tradable instruments, and support for popular trading platforms. Regulated by ASIC, Oanda ensures a secure trading environment, while their responsive customer support and educational resources enhance the user experience. Despite some drawbacks, such as a limited range of cryptocurrencies and inactivity fees, Oanda remains a strong choice for Australian traders seeking a well-regulated broker with a focus on customer satisfaction and advanced trading tools.

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XM 

This account type allows newbie investors to speculate on currency pairs with as low as 0.01 lots and it has a minimum spread of 1 pip on major currency pairs. In addition, there is the XM ultra-low account that offers minimum trades of 0.01 lots while spreads start from 0.6 pips.

With that being said, no matter the account type chosen, all XM forex trading accounts require a $5 minimum deposit. In addition to this, all account trades are commission-free. A standout feature of this platform is that it offers about 1,000 financial instruments. This includes its 55 forex pairs and other markets like CFDs on indices, commodities, stocks, energies and metals.

Also, XM is well-known for its wide array of trading platforms it supports including MetaTrader 4 and 5. Just like the other platforms reviewed, it can be accessed via desktop, iOS and Android devices. 

In conclusion, XM is a reliable and competitive online broker for Australians, offering a wide range of tradable instruments, competitive spreads and fees, and support for popular trading platforms such as MT4 and MT5. Regulated by ASIC, XM provides a secure trading environment and offers valuable educational resources to help users develop their trading skills. However, there are some drawbacks, such as the lack of a proprietary trading platform and withdrawal fees. Overall, XM is a solid choice for Australian traders seeking a well-regulated and comprehensive trading experience.

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Choosing the Best Forex Broker in Australia?

Much as we would love to offer a definitive answer, there are a lot of things to consider. Making a choice completely depends on the preferences of each trader.

In truth, MT4 is the go-to app for most traders worldwide. However, a trader that wants a deep dive into stocks, the platform may not fully meet their needs. In the same vein, a broker like AvaTrade may be recommended for FX traders that want to go into retail brokerage. 

On the other hand, it may not suit technical traders that want custom-coded automation, advanced charting, and other advanced tools. In this regard, eToro comes in very handy and it’s perfect for beginners. 

To choose the best forex broker as an Australian, it’s best to answer the following questions:

• What’s my trading style, and trading strategy?
• What tools would be needed to implement the trading strategy?
• How much time would it take to learn the ropes of the platform?

Trading Taxes in Australia

It is important to note that Australian brokers are mandated to pay tax on gains made from forex trading. This is tax is referred to as CGT or capital gains tax. Under the country’s laws,  it’s included in the person’s income tax. The tax rate varies depending on the broker’s tax bracket and trading activity.

The capital gains tax rate can be between 19 percent to 45 percent for resident taxpayers. In addition, non-residents have to pay 32.5 percent for the first $120,000 (Australian dollars) of their income. Also, they have to pay between 37 and 45 percent of the remaining amount.

Conclusion

Choosing an FX broker may not be an easy task, but it’s important to always note key features that may suit one’s needs. With the review of some of the top forex brokers in Australia, it’s important to ensure one’s preferred broker is duly registered by Australian authorities. With this in mind, one of the brokers that stand out is eToro, but there are other brokers that have proven their worth over time.

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