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CFD Trading In Australia

Written By

James Barra

Written By

James Barra

James is an investment writer with a background in financial services. He has worked as a management consultant, where he delivered large-scale operational transformational programmes at some of Europe's biggest banks. James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a series of investing websites.

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Edited By

Jemma Grist

Edited By

Jemma Grist

Jemma is a writer, editor and fact-checker focused on retail trading and investing. Jemma brings a unique perspective to the forex, stock, and cryptocurrency markets and works across several investment websites as a researcher and broker analyst.

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Fact Checked By

William Berg

Fact Checked By

William Berg

William contributes to several investment websites, leveraging his experience as a consultant for IPOs in the Nordic market and background providing localization for forex trading software. William has worked as a writer and fact-checker for a long row of financial publications.

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Updated

Jul 24, 2024

CFD trading in Australia began in 2003. Now approximately one-third of trades on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) are born from CFD products. But before you start CFD trading in Australia, read our guide to getting started. We’ll also cover any tax and legal implications.

See all CFD Brokers in Australia

What Is CFD Trading?

Contract for difference (CFD) trading is about trying to profit from the movements in the price of an underlying asset. But crucially, traders never own the underlying asset. And where derivatives usually have a set expiry, CFDs do not. So Aussie traders have the flexibility to decide when to take a profit or loss.

Traditionally many derivatives were only available to institutions in Australia. Now individuals too can benefit from access to these markets with a straightforward instrument that reduces complexity and trading costs.

Assets

CFD trading in Australia gains you access to a range of asset types:

• Stocks and shares
• Government bonds
• Commodities
• Futures
• Forex
• ETFs

Most popular is the online share market, currency pairs, and commodities like gold. But the market in Australia is growing. Now also available are CFDs on cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, plus large events, including national elections.

How To Trade

To get started CFD trading in Australia:

• Pick a market – Do you want exposure to the forex or stock market, or perhaps cryptocurrencies? Maybe you’ve spotted an opportunity in a major global market, such as the US or UK?
• Buy or sell – Buy if you think price is on the up and sell if you think it’s going to fall. Bring up the trading ticket in your platform to view prices.
• Choose a trade size – One CFD is the same as one physical share, while on other instruments it varies. Make sure you think about how much you can afford.
• Use stop and limit orders – A fundamental part of your risk management strategy, a stop-loss order will protect your position if price goes against you by automatically exiting the trade. A limit order will lock in profits once they reach a certain level.
• Close the trade – Keep an eye on your screen for changes to any profit or loss. Exit the trade when you’re ready to collect a profit or realise a loss. Any returns or losses should be reflected in your account balance.

Is CFD Trading Legal In Australia?

CFD trading is legal in Australia. The other good news for traders is that firms are subject to one of the strictest regulators – The Australian Securities Investment Commission (ASIC). This means clients’ investments are better protected.

So before you open an account, check the platform is regulated in Australia. The provider should have an Australian Financial Services (AFS) license number displayed on their website. Regulated companies are also obliged to issue Aussie traders with a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). This should list key information, including product features, fees, risks, and the complaints process.

Is CFD Trading Taxable In Australia?

The tax implications of CFD trading in Australia are centred around whether you’re operating as a business. The product traded is less important. For example, the tax implications of trading on CFDs are the same as if you were dealing in stocks, forex or futures.

The Australian Tax Office (ATO) states that if you’re operating as a sole trader or small business then you need to record income minus expenses. A loss can be offset against your total tax bill and carried forward while gains will be taxable. How much tax is owed will depend on the size of the gain. It’s also worth flagging that you do not need to detail every trade. Instead, it’s the total profit and loss that need to be declared to the ATO.

CFD trading and taxes can feel complex. This page aims to simplify the tax landscape by highlighting key areas to consider. With that said, it remains important to seek professional tax guidance.

For further information on day trading taxes in Australia, see here.

Education

Aussie traders can improve their CFD investing capabilities through a host of online tools. For example, top brokerages may offer virtual training courses. Demo accounts are also a great forum to refine a strategy. Economic calendars and insights from experts can help hone market insights too.

Final Word

CFD trading in Australia is hugely popular amongst both novice and advanced traders. The best CFD brokerages are regulated by the ASIC and have good customer reviews. Once you’ve defined your risk parameters and formed a strategy, open an account with a provider you’re comfortable with.

FAQ

What is CFD trading?

A contract for difference (CFD) is a financial instrument that allows traders to speculate on the change in price of an underlying asset. CFD trading is available across multiple asset types, including stocks, forex and commodities.

Is CFD trading legal in Australia?

Yes – CFD trading is legal in Australia. Make sure you open an account with a regulated broker by checking for an Australian Financial Services (AFS) license number. Not only will your funds be better protected, but you’ll also received detailed information about products and associated risks.

Is CFD trading taxable in Australia?

If you generate profits from CFD trading in Australia, you may owe tax. You’ll need to declare total income minus expenses to the The Australian Tax Office (ATO). The good news is that taxes on CFD trading in Australia work in the same way as taxes on other instruments, such as stocks and forex.

Is CFD trading in Australia safe?

CFD trading in Australia, like anywhere in the world, comes with risks. There is the risk of losing your money and a risk of being scammed if you sign up to an unregulated broker. Use our top list of CFD Brokers to minimise such risks.

Can you make a living trading Contracts for Difference in Australia?

Some people do make a living trading CFDs in Australia. However, as with all instruments based on the financial markets, there is a risk of losing money.

If you trade with leverage, you can profit or lose more money than you initially invested. Be aware of the risks and don’t trade CFDs with money you can’t afford to lose.

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