Best CFD Brokers and Trading Platforms in Australia 2025
CFD brokers in Australia should be regulated by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC), which has strengthened its investor protections in recent years, limiting leverage to 1:30 for retail investors and taking legal action against trading platforms for over-marketing CFDs.
Explore our selection of the best CFD brokers in Australia. Every platform recommended has been exhaustively reviewed, earned the trust of our experts, and caters specifically to Aussie CFD traders.
Top 6 CFD Trading Platforms in Australia
Our tests show that these are the 6 top platforms for Australian CFD traders:
Here is a summary of why we recommend these brokers in March 2025:
- Pepperstone - Established in Australia in 2010, Pepperstone is a top-rated forex and CFD broker with over 400,000 clients worldwide. It offers access to 1,300+ instruments on leading platforms MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, maintaining low, transparent fees. Pepperstone is also regulated by trusted authorities like the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, ensuring a secure environment for day traders at all levels.
- Fusion Markets - Fusion Markets is an online broker established in 2017 and regulated by the ASIC, VFSC and FSA. It is best known for its low-cost forex and CFD trading, although its multiple account types and copy trading solutions cater to a range of traders. New clients can sign up and start trading in 3 easy steps.
- AvaTrade - Established in 2006, AvaTrade is a leading forex and CFD broker trusted by over 400,000 traders. Operating under regulation in 9 jurisdictions, AvaTrade processes an impressive 2+ million trades each month. Through like MT4, MT5, and its proprietary WebTrader, the broker provides a growing selection of 1,250+ instruments. Whether it’s CFDs, AvaOptions, or the more recent AvaFutures, short-term traders at all levels will find opportunities. With terrific education and 24/5 multilingual customer support, AvaTrade delivers the complete trading experience.
- XM - XM is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker with 10+ million clients in 190+ countries. Since 2009, this trusted broker has been delivering low trading fees across its growing roster of 1000+ instruments. It’s also highly regulated, including by ASIC and CySEC and offers a comprehensive MetaTrader experience.
- Eightcap - Eightcap is a multi-regulated forex and CFD broker established in Australia in 2009. The broker has proven popular with active day traders, providing 800+ instruments with tight spreads and notable improvements in recent years, integrating the leading TradingView platform, alongside AI-powered financial calendars and algo trading tools with zero coding experience required.
- FOREX.com - Founded in 1999, FOREX.com is now part of StoneX, a financial services organization serving over one million customers worldwide. Regulated in the US, UK, EU, Australia and beyond, the broker offers thousands of markets, not just forex, and provides excellent pricing on cutting-edge platforms.
Best CFD Brokers and Trading Platforms in Australia 2025 Comparison
| Broker | CFD Trading | ASIC Regulated | AUD Account | Minimum Deposit | Leverage | Markets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | $0 | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) | CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto, Spread Betting |
| Fusion Markets | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | $0 | 1:500 | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
| AvaTrade | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | $100 | 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro) | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, Futures |
| XM | ✔ | ✔ | - | $5 | 1:30 | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Commodities, Indices, Thematic Indices, Precious Metals, Energies |
| Eightcap | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | $100 | 1:30 | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
| FOREX.com | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | $100 | 1:400 | Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Options, Crypto |
Pepperstone
"Pepperstone stands out as a top choice for day trading, offering razor-sharp spreads, ultra-fast execution, and advanced charting platforms for experienced traders. New traders are also welcomed with no minimum deposit, extensive educational resources, and exceptional 24/7 support. Pepperstone's comprehensive package, operating under ASIC regulation, makes them an obvious pick for traders in Australia, where it scooped DayTrading.com's 'Best Aus Broker' annual award for 2025."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Pepperstone Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto, Spread Betting |
| Regulator | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade, Quantower |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD |
Pros
- Now offering spread betting through TradingView, Pepperstone provides a seamless, tax-efficient trading experience with advanced analysis tools.
- Award-winning customer support is available via telephone, email or live chat with response times of <5 minutes during testing.
- Pepperstone emerges as a low-cost broker, especially for serious day traders with spreads from 0.0 in the Razor account and rebates up to 30% (index and commodities) and $3/lot (forex) through the Active Trader program.
Cons
- Pepperstone’s demo accounts are active for only 30 days, which may not be not long enough to familiarize yourself with the different platforms and test trading strategies.
- Despite enhancements to its range of markets, crypto offerings are relatively limited compared to other brokers such as eToro, with no option to invest in real coins.
- Pepperstone does not support cTrader Copy, a popular copy trading feature built into the excellent cTrader platform and available at alternatives like IC Markets, though it has introduced an intuitive copy trading app.
Fusion Markets
"Fusion Markets is a standout option for forex traders looking for excellent pricing with spreads near zero, industry-low commissions and recently TradingView integration. It’s a particularly good broker for Australian traders where the company is headquartered and regulated by the ASIC."
Fusion Markets Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
| Regulator | ASIC, VFSC, FSA |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, DupliTrade |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:500 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD |
Pros
- The range of charting platforms and social trading features is excellent, with MT4, MT5, cTrader and more recently TradingView, catering to a wide range of trader preferences.
- Average execution speeds of around 37 milliseconds are noticeably faster than many rivals and can help day traders secure optimal prices in fast-moving markets.
- Fusion Markets continues to impress with its pricing that provides tight spreads with below-average commissions that will appeal to active day traders.
Cons
- Fusion Market trails alternatives, notably eToro and IG, in the education department with limited guides and live video sessions to upskill new traders.
- There is no proprietary trading platform or app built with beginners in mind, a notable drawback compared to AvaTrade.
- While the selection of currency pairs trumps most rivals, the broker's alternative investment offering is average with no stock CFDs beyond the US.
AvaTrade
"AvaTrade offers active traders everything they need: an intuitive WebTrader, powerful AvaProtect risk management, a smooth 5-minute sign-up process, and dependable support you can rely on in fast-moving markets."
AvaTrade Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, Futures |
| Regulator | ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBI, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM, CIRO, AFM |
| Platforms | WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro) |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD |
Pros
- The WebTrader excelled in our hands-on tests, sporting a user-friendly interface for beginners, complete with robust charting tools like 6 chart layouts and 60+ technical indicators.
- AvaTrade continues to enhance its suite of products, recently through AvaFutures, providing an alternative vehicle to speculate on over 35 markets with low day trading margins.
- Support at AvaTrade performed excellently during testing, with response times of 3 minutes and localized support in major trading jurisdictions, including the UK, Europe and the Middle East.
Cons
- Although the deposit process itself is smooth, AvaTrade still doesn’t facilitate crypto payments, a feature increasingly offered by brokers like TopFX, which caters to crypto-focused traders.
- AvaTrade’s WebTrader has improved, but work is still needed in terms of customizability – frustratingly widgets like market watch and watchlists can’t be hidden, moved, or resized.
- The AvaSocial app is good but not great – the look and feel, plus the navigation between finding strategy providers and account management needs upgrading to rival category leaders like eToro.
XM
"With a low $5 minimum deposit, advanced charting platforms in MT4 and MT5, expanding range of markets, and a Zero account offering spreads from 0.0, XM provides all the essentials for active traders, even earning our ‘Best MT4/MT5 Broker’ award in recent years."
XM Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Commodities, Indices, Thematic Indices, Precious Metals, Energies |
| Regulator | ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, IFSC |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, TradingCentral |
| Minimum Deposit | $5 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:30 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, JPY |
Pros
- XM’s growing roster of 1,000+ instruments provides diverse short-term trading opportunities, with unique turbo stocks, fractional shares, and more recently thematic indices.
- XM’s Zero account is ideal for day trading with spreads from 0.0 pips, 99.35% of orders executed in <1 second, and no requotes or rejections.
- XM stands out for its commitment to trader education, with a wealth of well-presented resources, including webinars, tutorials, and even real-time trading sessions through XM Live.
Cons
- XM relies solely on the MetaTrader platforms for desktop trading, so there’s no in-house downloadable or web-accessible solution for a more beginner-friendly user experience with unique features.
- XM is falling behind the curve by not offering cTrader and TradingView which are increasingly being favored over MetaTrader for their smoother user experience and superior charting packages.
- While the XM app stands out for its usability and exclusive copy trading products, the selection of technical analysis tools needs to be improved to meet the needs of advanced traders.
Eightcap
"Eightcap delivers in every area for day traders with a growing selection of charting platforms, education via Labs, and AI-powered tools. Now sporting 120+ crypto CFDs, it's also become a stand-out choice for crypto trading, winning our 'Best Crypto Broker' award two years in a row."
Eightcap Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
| Regulator | ASIC, FCA, CySEC, SCB |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, TradingView |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:30 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, SGD |
Pros
- With tight spreads from 0 pips, low commission fees, and high leverage up to 1:500 for certain clients, Eightcap provides cost-effective and flexible trading conditions that can accommodate an array of strategies, including day trading and scalping.
- Having excelled across all key areas for day traders, Eightcap outperformed every competitor to win our 'Best Overall Broker' award for 2024, also securing our 'Best Crypto Broker' title for 2025 and 'Best TradingView Broker' for 2025.
- Eightcap stands out with a selection of powerful trading tools and resources, including MT4 and MT5, the innovative algorithmic trading platform Capitalise.ai, and more recently the 100-million strong social trading network TradingView.
Cons
- Eightcap needs to continue bolstering its suite of instruments to match category leaders like Blackbull Markets with its 26,000+ assets, featuring a particularly weak selection of commodities.
- The demo account expires after 30 days and can only be extended upon request - a notable inconvenience compared to the likes of XM with its unlimited demo mode.
- In spite of an increasing variety of tools, Eightcap doesn't offer industry favorites like Autochartist or Trading Central, which offer cutting-edge charting analytics, live news, and market insights for short-term traders.
FOREX.com
"FOREX.com remains a best-in-class brokerage for active forex traders of all experience levels, with over 80 currency pairs, tight spreads from 0.0 pips and low commissions. The powerful charting platforms collectively offer over 100 technical indicators, as well as extensive research tools."
FOREX.com Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 20% Welcome Bonus Up To $5000 |
|---|---|
| Demo Account | Yes |
| Instruments | Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Options, Crypto |
| Regulator | NFA, CFTC, CIRO, FCA, CYSEC, ASIC, SFC, FSA, MAS, CIMA |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:400 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN |
Pros
- There’s a wealth of educational resources including tutorials, webinars, and a stacked YouTube channel to help you get educated in the financial markets.
- FOREX.com offers industry-leading forex pricing starting from 0.0 pips, alongside competitive cashback rebates of up to 15% for serious day traders.
- Alongside a choice of leading platforms, FOREX.com offers a superb suite of supplementary tools including Trading Central research, SMART Signals pattern scanner, trading signals, and strategy builders.
Cons
- There’s no negative balance protection for US clients, so you may find yourself owing more money than your initial deposit into your account.
- FOREX.com's MT4 platform offers approximately 600 instruments, significantly fewer than the over 5,500 available on its non-MetaTrader platforms.
- Funding options are limited compared to leading alternatives like IC Markets and don’t include many popular e-wallets, notably UnionPay and POLi.
Choosing A CFD Broker in Australia
Our years in the industry and direct experience using CFD trading platforms shows there are several things to consider when selecting a broker:
Trust
We’ve selected CFD providers we trust after verifying they are regulated by the ASIC, ensuring the highest level of safeguards for Aussie traders. We also factored in our personal observations during the testing process, looking for dependable trading platforms with an excellent industry reputation.
The ASIC is the financial authority responsible for regulating CFD trading in Australia. It’s a ‘Green-tier’ regulator, meaning it actively monitors CFD brokers and provides the best investor protections.
Notably, the ASIC requires:
- Brokers market CFDs fairly by assessing traders’ suitability, with eToro coming under its crosshairs in 2023 for its appropriateness test.
- Brokers cap the leverage available to retail investors on popular underlying assets like the AUD/USD at 1:30, limiting potential losses.
- Brokers provide negative balance protection, ensuring investors can’t lose more than their account balance while trading leveraged CFDs.
- Brokers operate segregated accounts with trusted banks like the Australia & New Zealand Banking Group, keeping client money separate from the company should the firm face difficulties.
- Brokers should not entice CFD traders with bonuses, such as free trading credits, a practice popular in Australia during the 2010s.
- Fusion Markets (FMGP Trading Group Pty Ltd), is a highly trusted CFD provider in Australia. It’s regulated by the ASIC (AFSL #385620), headquartered in Melbourne, and operates Client Trust Accounts with the National Australia Bank (NAB).
Markets
Contracts for difference can be used to speculate on rising and falling prices across a huge range of underlying markets, from stocks and indices to forex, commodities, cryptos, and more.
For Australians, in particular, it may be worth looking for brokers with access to local markets, such as the Australian Stock Exchange and currency pairs with an AUD component.
We’ve recommended CFD trading platforms that provide access to popular Aussie markets, as well as global markets, providing an array of short-term trading opportunities for investors at every level.
The Australian economy is one of the strongest in the world and the country has not experienced a technical recession for over 27 years, the longest of any economy globally.
It is also home to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), the largest stock exchange in the southern hemisphere, and the Sydney Stock Exchange (SSX). Its currency, the Australian dollar (AUD), is one-half of the fourth most traded currency pair globally – AUD/USD.
The country is also heavily influenced by trade between the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), such as Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia, and is part of an economic framework agreement known as ASEAN plus six.
CFD traders interested in commodities will also find Australia an attractive market, with mining making up around 7-8% of the country’s GDP. Iron, gold and copper are among the top commodities mined in the country.
- AvaTrade offers an excellent investment offering, especially for Australian CFD traders, with highlights including the Australia 200 Index and seven AUD currency pairs, including the AUD/USD, GBP/AUD and AUD/JPY. It also offers CFDs on gold and copper.
Leverage
The availability of leverage, which allows you to multiply your trading results (profits and losses) in return for a small outlay, known as margin, is one of the main draws of CFD trading.
However, we only recommend Australian CFD brokers that abide by ASIC’s rules which mandate retail investors can’t access leverage beyond 1:30 for major currency pairs, 1:20 for minor currency pairs, 1:10 for commodities, 1:5 for shares and 1:2 for cryptos.
Let’s say I want to go long on Telstra Corporation (TLS) following an announcement from a respected industry outlet suggesting a promising 5G rollout across Australia.I invest 200 AUD in a stock CFD using 1:5 leverage. This allows me to control 1,000 AUD (5 x 200 AUD).
If Telstra’s stock price rises by 10%, my position increases to 1,100 AUD, resulting in a 100 AUD profit (minus any fees).
- IC Markets offers leveraged CFDs in line with ASIC’s requirements, while excelling with its free Margin Calculator that shows you the required margin in AUD. Our experts have also traded CFDs at IC Markets using real money and praise its lightning-fast execution that caters to fast-paced strategies like day trading.
Cost
Pricing is a critical consideration for CFD traders, especially day traders executing many orders. That’s why we analyze spreads on a range of underlying assets, from forex and commodities to stocks and indices, helping us identify the cheapest CFD brokers for Australian traders.
You’ll typically pay a spread and/or commission when dealing in CFDs. Importantly, newer traders may prefer a spread-only account – these feature higher spreads but keep pricing simple with zero commissions. Alternatively, experienced day traders may favor a low-spread account with a fixed commission.
- Fusion Markets consistently excels as one of the lowest-cost CFD providers in Australia, with average spreads of 0.04 on the AUD/USD and an impressively low $2.25 commission per side. The ASX200 also averages 1.2, while gold (XAU/AUD) averages 2.72.
Funding
The top brokers in Australia ensure a smooth CFD trading experience by facilitating hassle-free deposits and withdrawals, with an accessible minimum investment of up to 250 USD, around 400 AUD.
We’ve researched the payment methods most important to Australian CFD traders and factored their availability into our broker ratings. For example, PayID is one of the most popular methods in Australia, with over a third of Aussies using it for an online transaction in recent years.
- City Index stands out with its excellent selection of convenient payment methods for Australian CFD traders, notably Pay ID and BPAY, alongside traditional bank cards and wire transfers. There is also no account minimum or deposit fees.
FAQ
Which Is The Best CFD Broker In Australia?
Find the best CFD broker in Australia for your needs using our latest rankings.
Every platform recommended has been personally tested by our industry experts, accepts CFD traders from Australia, and is authorized by the ASIC.
Who Regulates CFD Trading Platforms And Brokers In Australia?
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) regulates CFD trading platforms and brokers in Australia.
The ASIC is widely respected for its excellent investor safeguards, notably negative balance protection, limits on leverage, and its active pursuit of brokers for their over-marketing of CFDs and failing to provide appropriate suitability tests, notably eToro in 2023.
How Much Money Do I Need To Open A CFD Trading Account In Australia?
Our analysis shows you typically need up to 400 AUD to open a CFD trading account in Australia.
That said, some brokers cater to budget traders with no minimum investment. The highest-rated are Pepperstone and IC Markets.
Recommended Reading
Article Sources
- Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC)
- CFD Broker Check - ASIC Connect
- Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)
- Sydney Stock Exchange (SX)
- eToro Sued Over Marketing of CFDs - ASIC
- Snapshot of Australian Economy - Reserve Bank of Australia
- How Australians Pay - Reserve Bank of Australia
- Australia's Last Recession - Parliament of Australia
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