Best CFD Brokers and Trading Platforms in Australia 2026
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:
-
1
Pepperstone73-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs -
2
Fusion Markets -
3
FP Markets -
4
Trade Nation -
5
AvaTrade -
6
Eightcap71.28% of retail traders lose money when trading CFDs
This is why we think these brokers are the best in this category in 2026:
- Pepperstone - Established in Australia in 2010, Pepperstone is a top-rated forex and CFD broker with over 830,000 clients worldwide. It offers access to 1,400+ 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, helping to ensure 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.
- FP Markets - Established in 2005 in Australia, FP Markets is an ASIC- and CySEC-regulated broker boasting an extensive suite of tradable assets. Its Standard and Raw accounts cater to day traders at every level, while it packs a punch in the tooling department, from the MetaTrader suite and intuitive TradingView to actionable trading ideas from Trading Central and AutoChartist.
- Trade Nation - Trade Nation is a top FX and CFD broker regulated in multiple jurisdictions including the UK and Australia. The firm offers low-cost fixed and variable spreads on 1000+ assets with robust trading platforms and training materials. The Signal Centre can also be used for trade ideas.
- 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.
- 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.
Best CFD Brokers and Trading Platforms in Australia 2026 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 CFDs, Spread Betting |
| Fusion Markets | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | $0 | 1:30 | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
| FP Markets | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | $0 | 1:30 (UK), 1:500 (Global) | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, ETFs, Crypto |
| Trade Nation | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | $0 | 1:30 | CFDs, Forex, Indices, Shares, Commodities, Futures, Bonds, Spread Betting (UK and Ireland only), Cryptos (Bahamas entity only) |
| AvaTrade | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | $100 | 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro) | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, Futures |
| Eightcap | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | $100 | 1:30 | CFDs in Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
Community Sentiment
See how users rate these brokers based on the average customer ratings submitted on DayTrading.com, plus ratings from Trustpilot, the Apple App Store and Google Play.
| Broker | Our Users' Rating | Trustpilot Score | Trustpilot Reviews | iOS App Rating | Android App Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | 3642 | ||||
| Fusion Markets | 9744 | ||||
| FP Markets | 10331 | ||||
| Trade Nation | 2121 | ||||
| AvaTrade | 13465 | ||||
| Eightcap | 3904 |
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 24/5 support (18h a day on weekends). 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 CFDs, Spread Betting |
| Regulator | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, BaFin, DFSA, SCA, SCB, CMA-Kenya |
| Platforms | Pepperstone Trading Platform, MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD |
Pros
- Offers a dedicated CopyTrading app for traders who want a less active approach to trading, available in some countries.
- Pepperstone has started providing trading in pre-IPO perpetual futures like SpaceX (SPCX.US-PERP) in select regions, such as the UAE.
- There’s support for a range of industry-leading charting platforms including MT4, MT5, TradingView, and cTrader, catering to various short-term trading styles, including algo trading.
Cons
- Despite improvements to its range of markets, crypto CFD offerings are still fairly limited compared to other brokers who focus on this area, such as Eightcap, and there's no option to invest in real coins.
- Overnight holding fees are higher than that found with some Market Maker brokers (usually Benchmark + 2.5%). This makes pepperstone an ideal broker for day traders and forex scalpers but less suitable for swing traders who often keep position open overnight.
- Pepperstone has removed support for several tools that elevated the trading experience for active retail traders, notably Autochartist, Capitalise.ai and a free VPS for qualifying traders (now only pro traders in some countries).
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 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD |
Pros
- Fusion Markets is set up to support algo traders with a sponsored VPS solution and a 25% discount if you opt for the NYC Servers VPS for MT4 or cTrader.
- Withdrawal processing times have been slashed to under an hour and can be processed 24/7, making it faster and easier for active traders to withdraw any gains.
- The market analysis features, Market Buzz and Analyst Views, are great tools for discovering opportunities and conveniently integrated into the client dashboard.
Cons
- While the selection of currency pairs trumps most rivals, the broker's alternative investment offering is average with no stock CFDs beyond the US.
- Fusion Market trails alternatives, notably IG, in the education department with limited guides and live video sessions to upskill new traders.
- The demo account expires after 30 days, limiting its potential as a useful trading tool alongside a real-money account.
FP Markets
"FP Markets strikes an ideal balance between affordability and quality for active traders. They’ve managed to keep trading costs low while expanding their investment offering, charting tools, and research features, all while providing excellent support you can rely on for urgent trading queries."
FP Markets Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, ETFs, Crypto |
| Regulator | ASIC, CySEC, FSA, FSCA, FSC, SCB, CMA-Kenya |
| Platforms | Iress, MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD |
Pros
- AI-powered sentiment analysis, trading signals and real-time NewsIQ research, integrated with MT4 and MT5, has been added via FP Markets Intelligence.
- FP Markets offers a superb selection of tradable assets, especially since expanding its suite of commodities and supporting over 10,000 stocks.
- With MetaTrader, cTrader, Iress and more recently TradingView, FP Markets is one of the most accommodating brokers in terms of platform choice.
Cons
- While pricing in the Raw account is excellent, spreads in the Standard account trail the cheapest brokers with a 1.1-pip average spread on the EUR/USD compared to the 0.8-pip average at IC Markets.
- FP Markets’ Iress platform is only available to clients in Australia. It also primarily emphasizes stock trading over forex trading, and data fees can accumulate rapidly unless you're an active trader or maintain a high-balance account.
- Although Traders Hub provides rich research, notably the Daily Report, Technical Report, Market Insights, and Fundamental Analysis, it needs to widen its daily content variety and keep its forex news updated to match category leaders like IG.
Trade Nation
"Trade Nation suits discretionary traders who want to speculate on major indices like the US 500 or liquid FX pairs, and want the predictable all-in costs of fixed spreads. In tests, we found the fixed-spread TN Trader environment particularly useful for trading around scheduled economic releases owing to its reliable charting environment and because published spreads stayed capped."
Trade Nation Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Indices, Shares, Commodities, Futures, Bonds, Spread Betting (UK and Ireland only), Cryptos (Bahamas entity only) |
| Regulator | FCA, ASIC, CMVM , FSCA, SCB, FSA |
| Platforms | TN Trader, MT4, TradingView |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.1 Lots |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, ZAR, SEK, NOK, DKK |
Pros
- The demo comes with a $5,000 practice account and you can request a one-on-one platform walkthrough by callback - this level of personal help is rare.
- Trade Nation accounts can now be linked with TradingView, providing advanced multi-charts and the ability to execute trades directly.
- In testing of the TN Trader account under normal market conditions, fixed spreads held while fills were prompt on major forex pairs, with a slight drift in the entry level as price ticked between click and fill.
Cons
- The 2–20% rebate scheme is closed to FCA, CMVM, and ASIC clients, meaning active day traders in these regions who would benefit from transaction rebates cannot claim them.
- Offshore SCB and FSA entities allow retail clients up to 1:200 and 1:500 leverage compared to 1:30 in regions like the UK, Europe and Australia, so an FSA client can have 16 times the exposure of a UK retail client on the same trade, but with less oversight and no compensation scheme.
- There is no raw or ECN pricing tier, which are often prefered by day traders. No matter how much you deposit or trade, you use the same fixed (or variable on MT4) pricing as beginners, making it unsuitable for scalpers especially.
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, JFSA, BVI, FSRA/ADGM, AFM, CMA-Kenya, CIRO (via Friedberg Direct) |
| Platforms | WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, ZAR |
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.
- 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.
- Years on, AvaTrade remains one of the few brokers offering a bespoke risk management tool, AvaProtect, that insures losses up to $1M for a fee and is easy to activate on the platform.
Cons
- 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.
- While signing up is a breeze, AvaTrade lacks an ECN account like Pepperstone or IC Markets, which provides the raw spreads and ultra-fast execution many day traders are looking for.
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 in Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
| Regulator | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSC, SCB, FSA |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, TradingView, TradeLocker |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, SGD |
Pros
- Eightcap Challenges, the broker's prop trading firm, is multi-regulated, removing the third-party risks we commonly see with white-label prop firms, and its tailoring its funded accounts to crypto traders with around 150 crypto pairs, plus it's integrated into the TradingView interface.
- Eightcap added TradeLocker in 2026 for certain regions, marking it out as the best regulated TradeLocker broker, while still delivering Eightcap's ultra-fast execution and low fees for active traders on the charting software.
- With tight spreads from 0 pips, low commission fees, Eightcap provides cost-effective and flexible trading conditions that can accommodate an array of strategies, including day trading and scalping.
Cons
- 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.
- Eightcap needs to continue bolstering its suite of 800+ instruments to match category leaders like Blackbull Markets with its 26,000+ assets, featuring a particularly weak selection of commodities.
- Despite a useful library of educational guides and e-books in Labs, Eightcap still trails IG’s comprehensive toolkit for aspiring traders with its dedicated IG Academy app and 18 course categories.
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 a leading copy trading broker 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, for example, a major copy trading brand was charged 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)
- Brand 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
The writing and editorial team at DayTrading.com use credible sources to support their work. These include government agencies, white papers, research institutes, and engagement with industry professionals. Content is written free from bias and is fact-checked where appropriate. Learn more about why you can trust DayTrading.com