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Author: Ben Morratt
Portfolio Manager
Ben Morratt

Australian Forex Trading

Forex trading in Australia is a serious business and has seen rapid growth since 2007. Overseen by ASIC (Australian Securities and Investment Commission), it is an extremely well-regulated market with the protection of client funds a priority. As technology has advanced, retail Forex trading has become increasingly popular with busy investors looking to trade on the go.

There are many Australian brokers that offer Forex trading services in the country, many with their headquarters in Melbourne and Sidney. In addition to this, there is an extensive range of international brokers who offer their services to Australian residents. With so many licensed and regulated brokers to choose from this is good news for you, the trader.

More brokers mean greater choice; however, it is essential to exercise caution when selecting the one that you want to trade with. We offer a comprehensive rating and recommendation of Australian brokers that arm you with all the facts you need to make an informed decision. When it comes to Forex trading, the broker can mean the difference between a good and a not so good experience.

Top Rated Forex Sites

#1 - Pocket Option: Best Overall

Pocket Option Logo
9.8
Superb
Bonus Up-to $2000 Pairs 12+
Min. Trade $1 *Payout % 92.76%
Over 130+ assets to trade now
Instant access to social trading
Single account option, for everyone
Tournament with prize of $50,000
IFMRRC is not an official regulator
Limited account funding methods
Deposit Methods
Visa Bitcoin PayPal MasterCard
129 visited this site today
Pocket Option Review

Editors Summary

Pocket Option offers many excellent features to new and existing traders. When you check-out the various account types, you will see that they work with traders of any level – newbie, beginner, experienced, master etc. This site is so easy to use, and while CySEC does not license them, they have good feedback online and tick all of the boxes of a trusted broker. We love the ease of use and no-frills approach which is replicated with a great user experience.

#2 - Binarium: Best Free Demo

Binarium Logo
9.3
Excellent
Bonus Up-to $1600 Pairs 12+
Min. Trade $1 *Payout % 91.48%
Over 120+ assets to trade now
Bigger deposit = more features
Business account for pro traders
Online platform, no download
Platform basic for serious traders
Slow response times for support
Deposit Methods
Visa AMEX PaySafeCard MasterCard
84 visited this site today
Binarium Review

Editors Summary

Binarium seems to offer everything that both the new and experienced trader needs. From the types of accounts and options available to the mobile offering and bonuses, they tick all of the usual boxes. While they don't have a CySEC or ASIC license, the fact that they have been operating for so long with a good name should be an indicator that they are trustworthy and reliable. If you want a broker that offers a good, all-around experience, then Binarium must make your shortlist.

#3 - IQcent: Best Mobile App

IQcent Logo
9.1
Very Good
Bonus Up-to $1000 Pairs 12+
Min. Trade $1 *Payout % 89.72%
Over 150+ assets to trade now
Account options for every trader
Trading available 7 days a week
Super-fast 1 day withdrawals
Demo account has less features
UK-based, but licensed offshore
Deposit Methods
Bitcoin Klarna PayPal PaySafeCard
31 visited this site today

Editors Summary

It is clear to see that IQcent mean business and that their all-around offering to traders is making them a serious competitor in the digital options market place. From their easy to use trading platform to the fact that they offer such good withdrawal terms, you can't help but feel that this broker is going to capture the market, quickly. With a base in London, reputable licensing, an acceptance of US customers they tick all the boxes when it comes what traders want.

Risk Warning / Ad Disclosure

Risk Warning: The products offered by the companies listed on this website carry a high level of risk and can result in the loss of all your funds. You should never risk money that you cannot afford to lose.

Ad Disclosure: Some of the links that you will find on this website are advertisements for which we do receive financial gain for referring new customers.

Forex Sites in Australia

Australia

Bonuses And Deals

In a crowded market, brokers have to set themselves apart from the competition and try to obtain an edge. To do this, often they offer bonuses and incentives to encourage you to open an account. These tend to range from small no deposit bonuses to more significant deposit bonuses which are often a percentage of the amount you deposit.

Range of Currency Pairs

This can be a deal-breaker for many. Some of you will trade in the more common currency pairs or the "main" ones as they are known. Then there are the "minor" pairs and "exotics", which many like to trade-in for bigger spreads. While some brokers offer many different assets to trade on, others only provide a handful of pairs.

Demo Account

For those who want to get familiar with a platform before trading with real money, the demo account is ideal. A simulated version of the live platform, a demo platform offers the chance to trade with virtual funds. While it isn't the live trading arena, it does enable you to get to grips with the different buttons and functions before you risk your own money.

Good Payouts

The payout is often the main priority for many of you when choosing a broker in Australia. It can range dramatically between brokers and in some cases, may look too good to be true. Be careful, though, if it seems too good to be true, then it could well be. An excellent payout to expect is around the 80-85% mark; some brokers will offer higher payouts and some, lower.

Broker Fees And Tax

Todays Top Traders
Trader Broker Pair Profit

Income earned from Forex trading is subject to income tax according to the tax laws of Australia. If you are making enough to reach the tax threshold then you need to declare your earnings. If trading provides a second income then you need to ensure that you pay tax at the right level. If you reach the higher rate of earnings, you may have to pay more tax on all or some of your profits. Remember that it is the overall profit when losses are deducted that you pay tax on.

When it comes to Forex trading fees, then there are a few, you need to be aware of. First, there is the commission for a successful trade. This is deducted from your payout so you never actually miss this money. There are a few other small fees to be made aware of.

Some brokers will charge a set fee every time you make a withdrawal. In addition to this, your credit, debit or another payment provider may make a transaction charge. Then there is the currency conversion which you need to be aware of. All of these fees are small, but they can soon add up. We advise the following to keep them to a minimum:

  • Make fewer, larger withdrawals to avoid too many fixed withdrawal fees
  • Use the most cost-effective payment method to make your deposits
  • Check the fees that the broker charges for transactions
  • Investigate the currency conversion fees so that you are aware of how much of your money you will see returned to you

When weighing up the broker that you choose it is essential to take all of the fees into account. A good bonus may not be much of a bonus when you see the fees that they charge. Weigh up the pros and cons before you open an account.

Australian Licencing

The Australian Forex market is heavily regulated to protect investors' money. While it has been regulated for some time, there was an amendment to the law in March which offers even greater protection. Whereas previously, brokers were allowed to use client funds to fund their business activity, this new regulation means that now client funds have to be protected.

To do this, brokers must segregate investors' money in a different account and are not allowed to touch this money. Of course, this has caused some inconvenience to some brokers who rely on these funds to often fund the running of their business.

The Forex market in Australia is overseen and regulated by ASICS (Australian Securities and Investment Commission). All brokers that operate in the country and offer their services to Australian residents must have an ASIC license. When choosing a broker, it is essential to look for licensing and regulation, and an ASIC licence is a good sign that a broker operates in the best interest of their clients, especially with the recent changes to protect your funds.

In a crowded market, brokers have to set themselves apart from the competition.

How we Recommend Brokers

We are committed to making sure that your Forex trading experience is a good one. To do that we review the market so that we bring you only the best when it comes to Australian brokers. Whether they are a local broker based and operating in Australia, or an international company with a license to trade there, we take a thorough look at all of them.

When we review a broker, we are looking at every aspect of the trading experience. From the payouts and welcome bonuses to the demo account and mobile trading platform, we investigate each one thoroughly.

Our team consists of experienced Forex traders and financial specialists who know what to expect from their trading experience. They review each broker, trading themselves to get hands-on experience of each platform. They then put all of this information into a comprehensive review so that you have all of the facts to make an informed decision. This saves you valuable time trawling through the internet looking at the many that are available to trade with.

This can be a painstaking process, especially when you aren't entirely sure what you are looking for. That is why having a list of shortlisted brokers from our experts, allows you to get on with choosing the one that best suits your requirements. All you need to do then is make a final selection and start your trading journey.

Our Review Rating System (More Info)

10% 10% 10% 15% 15% 20% 20% Pie Core
  • Account Types
  • Banking & Payouts
  • Bonuses & Promotions
  • Mobile Trading
  • Trade Types
  • Special Features
  • Customer Support
Expert Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Is Forex trading in Australia legal and safe?

If anywhere is safe to trade then it is Australia. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission ensures that they keep a watchful eye over the market.

Do I need to pay fees and taxes on my profits?

In Australia, Forex profits are subject to tax like any other income. The amount of tax that you pay will depend on the level of profits that you make.

Can I test brokers before trading with real money?

Many Forex brokers offer a demo account to new traders. This means that you can test the platform before you risk trading with your funds.

Is it easy to make deposits and withdrawals?

You choose your payment method; credit card, debit card or electronic wallet and then make a deposit. When you are ready to make a withdrawal, the funds are returned to the deposit source.

Can I trade using my mobile or tablet device?

As long as the Forex broker offers a mobile trading platform, you can trade from a mobile device. You are looking for either an app or a mobile-friendly website.

Top Rated Forex Site

#1 - Pocket Option: Best Overall

Pocket Option Logo
9.8
Superb
Bonus Up-to $2000 Pairs 12+
Min. Trade $1 *Payout % 92.76%
Over 130+ assets to trade now
Instant access to social trading
Single account option, for everyone
Tournament with prize of $50,000
IFMRRC is not an official regulator
Limited account funding methods
Deposit Methods
Klarna PayPal PaySafeCard Skrill
141 visited this site today
Pocket Option Review
Risk Warning / Ad Disclosure

Risk Warning: The products offered by the companies listed on this website carry a high level of risk and can result in the loss of all your funds. You should never risk money that you cannot afford to lose.

Ad Disclosure: Some of the links that you will find on this website are advertisements for which we do receive financial gain for referring new customers.

Meet The Author
Ben Morratt
Ben Morratt
Portfolio Manager

Ben’s contributions as a freelancer to the site since 2013 are highly valued. He has a real talent particularly within short-term speculation, making many successful trades on the directions of the global financial markets.

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