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CompareForexBrokers Australia

Best Forex Brokers in Australia (2026)

Pepperstone is the best forex broker in Australia in 2026, leading our live AUD-account testing of 29 ASIC-regulated brokers across 600+ data points. IC Markets is the top pick for the lowest raw spreads and ACY Securities for the lowest commissions. Pepperstone also runs MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView from a single account, our pick among forex trading platforms in Australia.

Justin Grossbard, Co-Founder of CompareForexBrokers Written by Justin Grossbard (RG146) Fact-checked by David Levy Last updated:

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The headline comparison, ordered by Overall 2026 Score. Measured spreads refreshed monthly; capture window May to June 2026.

Compare spreads, commission and minimum deposits across 10 ASIC-regulated brokers, ordered by our ranking.
BrokerAFSLRating /100Our measured 8-pair raw avgRaw EUR/USDStandard EUR/USDCommission (AUD round-turn)Min depositPlatforms
Pepperstone414530980.460.101.10$7.00$0MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView
OANDA412981920.440.201.40$7.00$0MT4, MT5, TradingView
Fusion Markets385620910.360.04n/a$4.50$0MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView
IC Markets335692900.150.021.00$9.00$200MT4, MT5, cTrader
Interactive Brokers45355488n/a0.10n/aper-trade$0Trader Workstation
FP Markets286354860.460.101.20$7.00$100MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView
Capital.com51339382n/an/a0.70$0 (spread only)$20WebTrader, MT4, TradingView
MultiBank Group416279810.400.101.50n/a$50MT4
ThinkMarkets424700800.360.111.10$7.00$0ThinkTrader, MT4, TradingView
Trade Nation42266179n/an/a0.50 (fixed)$0 (spread only)$0TN Trader

“Our measured 8-pair raw avg” is the site’s own IceFX SpreadMonitor capture (rolling 24-hour windows, May to June 2026, London VPS). The Raw and Standard EUR/USD columns are our measured single-pair averages from the same May to June 2026 capture, except Capital.com (published spread-only rate) and Trade Nation (published fixed rate); raw accounts are advertised “from 0.0 pips”. Commission shown round-turn per standard lot in AUD; Interactive Brokers prices forex per trade rather than per lot.

Watch: Best forex brokers in Australia.

All sections on this page

The best forex brokers in Australia, ranked

  1. Pepperstone: the best forex broker in Australia.
  2. OANDA: best forex broker for beginners.
  3. Fusion Markets: lowest commission forex broker in our top ten.
  4. IC Markets: lowest spread raw account.
  5. Interactive Brokers: best multi-market broker for investors.
  6. FP Markets: best ASX share access via IRESS.
  7. Capital.com: best broker for CFD trading.
  8. MultiBank Group: broadest multi-jurisdiction regulation.
  9. ThinkMarkets: deep product range on ThinkTrader.
  10. Trade Nation: best fixed-spread pricing.

The list runs strictly by Overall 2026 Score; the label beside each broker is where it fits best.

How we ranked: 29 ASIC-regulated accounts opened and tested live, with May to June 2026 spread captures and execution-speed tests on AUD/USD, EUR/USD and GBP/USD.Full methodology ↓

Every ranked broker holds an AFSL, belongs to AFCA and operates under ASIC’s Product Intervention Order. CFDs are high-risk: ASIC’s REP 828 found 68% of retail CFD investors lost money in the 2024 financial year. For the safety angle, see the safest forex brokers, negative balance protection and high-leverage brokers guides.

What are the 10 best Australian forex brokers?

Best overall

1. Pepperstone: the best forex broker in Australia

98/100
Overall 2026 Score
#1 of 29 AU brokers reviewed

EUR/USD spread

From 0.0 pips on Razor plus AUD 3.50 per side

Platforms

MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, Pepperstone Trading App

ASIC entity

Pepperstone Group Limited (AFSL 414530)

Why We Recommend Pepperstone

Pepperstone is the strongest all-round forex broker for Australian traders, pairing raw Razor pricing with the widest platform choice on the market: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView and its own web platform from a single account. Razor commission is A$3.50 per side (A$7.00 round turn), EUR/USD averaged 0.10 pips in testing, and there is no minimum deposit or inactivity fee. It has been ASIC-regulated under AFSL 414530 since 2013.

Pros & Cons
  • Razor account spreads on EUR/USD from 0.0 pips
  • Five trading platforms including cTrader and TradingView
  • Top-tier execution speed (sub-30ms typical to LD5)
  • Share CFD range narrower than CMC, IG, IBKR
  • No native ASX share investing (CFD only)
  • Standard account spreads less competitive than the Razor account
Broker's Detail

Founded in Melbourne in 2010, Pepperstone is one of Australia's largest forex brokers and has held ASIC AFSL 414530 since 2013. It also holds Tier-1 licences with the FCA (UK), BaFin (Germany), CySEC (Cyprus), CMA (Kenya) and DFSA (Dubai).

Two main account types are offered. The Razor (RAW) account pairs EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips with AUD 7 round-turn commission per standard lot. The Standard account is commission-free with EUR/USD from roughly 1.1 pips. Five trading platforms are supported: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView and the Pepperstone Trading Platform.

Funding is fee-free via PayID, BPAY, card and PayPal. AUD-denominated accounts available. Customer support runs 24/7 by live chat.

Pepperstone spread table (averaged over our most recent test cycle):

PairRazor avg spread (pips)+ commission equivalentTotal cost
EUR/USD0.100.450.55
AUD/USD0.100.450.55
GBP/USD0.200.450.65
USD/JPY0.100.450.55
EUR/GBP0.300.450.75
Broker Screenshots
Pepperstone TradingView integration showing the candlestick chart and charting toolbar Pepperstone WebTrader chart settings dialog for chart type, styling and display options Pepperstone WebTrader indicators panel listing the technical indicators available to add to a chart Pepperstone WebTrader modify position dialog for setting stop loss and take profit on an open trade
Best for beginners

2. OANDA: best forex broker for beginners

92/100
Overall 2026 Score
#2 of 29 AU brokers reviewed

EUR/USD spread

~1.4 pips published, 0.99 measured, spread-only (Standard); or from 0.0 pips plus AUD 3.50 per side (Raw)

Platforms

MT4, MT5, TradingView, OANDA Trade

ASIC entity

OANDA Australia Pty Ltd (AFSL 412981)

Why We Recommend OANDA

OANDA suits newer traders through a clean OANDA Trade platform, native TradingView execution and an unlimited demo with USD 100,000 in virtual funds. The Standard account has no minimum deposit and no commission, and the Raw account adds A$3.50 per lot for tighter pricing. OANDA holds ASIC AFSL 412981 and carries dual ASIC and US CFTC oversight within its group.

Pros & Cons
  • AFSL 412981 plus FCA, MAS, CIRO and JFSA regulation globally
  • Native TradingView trading integration
  • Best-in-class mobile app for new forex traders
  • Raw account's 0.44 measured eight-pair average trails the tightest RAW brokers
  • Product range narrower than CMC, IG or IBKR
  • Premium pricing tiers require an AUD 10,000 balance or high notional volume
Broker's Detail

Founded in Toronto in 1996, OANDA is one of the most comprehensively regulated brokers in the world, holding licences with ASIC (AFSL 412981), the CFTC/NFA (US), FCA (UK), MAS (Singapore), CIRO (Canada) and JFSA (Japan).

OANDA prices two ways in Australia: spread-only, or raw spreads plus a commission. Four accounts sit across those models. Standard is spread-only with EUR/USD published around 1.4 pips (0.99 measured in our capture) and no minimum. Raw pairs spreads from 0.0 pips with AUD 3.50 per side (AUD 7.00 round-turn), matching Pepperstone Razor on commission. Premium Spreads (from 0.2 pips, no commission) and Premium Commission (from 0.0 pips plus AUD 2.75 per side) both need an AUD 10,000 balance or high notional volume. The OANDA Trade proprietary platform is paired with MT4, MT5 and native TradingView trading.

$0 minimum deposit with fee-free AU funding via PayID, BPAY, card and PayPal. AUD-denominated accounts available. Customer support runs 24/5 via live chat, email and phone.

OANDA spread table (averaged over our most recent test cycle):

PairOANDA Standard (avg pips)AU industry avg (Standard)
EUR/USD0.991.1
AUD/USD1.11.3
GBP/USD1.61.4
USD/JPY1.31.4
EUR/GBP1.51.4
EUR/JPY1.71.9
Broker Screenshots
OANDA Trade web platform with the favourites watchlist, EUR/USD chart and demo account panel, captured during our live AUD account testing OANDA Hub dashboard for a new account listing the available trading platforms
Lowest commission

3. Fusion Markets: lowest commission forex broker in our top ten

91/100
Overall 2026 Score
#3 of 29 AU brokers reviewed

EUR/USD spread

From 0.0 pips on Zero plus AUD 4.50 round-turn

Platforms

MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView

ASIC entity

FMGP Trading Group Pty Ltd (AFSL 385620)

Why We Recommend Fusion Markets

Fusion Markets carries the second-lowest commission in our coverage at A$2.25 per side (A$4.50 round turn) on the Zero account, behind only ACY Securities, and pairs it with a measured EUR/USD raw spread of 0.04 pips. There is no formal account minimum, and MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView are all supported. Fusion has traded under AFSL 385620 since its 2017 launch; the FMGP Trading Group licence dates to 2011.

Pros & Cons
  • AUD 4.50 round-turn, the lowest commission in our top ten
  • EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips on the Zero account
  • MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, with cTrader Copy for copy trading
  • Smaller broker by volume and brand profile than IC Markets or Pepperstone
  • Research and education library thinner than the larger brokers
  • Share CFD range narrower than CMC, IG or Interactive Brokers
Broker's Detail

Founded in Melbourne in 2017, Fusion Markets operates as a trading name of FMGP Trading Group Pty Ltd under AFSL 385620. Two main accounts are offered: the Zero account pairs EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips with AUD 4.50 round-turn commission, and the Classic account is commission-free with wider spreads.

On total cost, our most recent testing cycle put Fusion Zero at roughly 0.39 pips all-in on EUR/USD, against about 0.51 on Pepperstone Razor and 0.60 on IC Markets Raw. Platforms are MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView on the same account credentials.

Minimum deposit is $0 with no inactivity fee. Funding covers PayID, BPAY, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller and crypto deposits. An Islamic (swap-free) account is available.

Broker Screenshots
Fusion Markets client area showing the Zero account, the account carrying the lowest per-side commission in our top ten at A$2.25 Fusion Markets account sign-up during our live-account testing
Lowest spread

4. IC Markets: lowest spread raw account

90/100
Overall 2026 Score
#4 of 29 AU brokers reviewed

EUR/USD spread

From 0.0 pips on Raw plus AUD 4.50 per side

Platforms

MT4, MT5, cTrader

ASIC entity

International Capital Markets Pty. Ltd. (AFSL 335692)

Why We Recommend IC Markets

IC Markets measured the tightest raw spreads in our testing, averaging 0.01 pips on EUR/USD and 0.15 pips across eight majors on the Raw Spread account, with A$4.50 per side commission (A$9.00 round turn). Execution is consistently among the fastest we track, and cTrader is its recommended platform alongside MT4 and MT5. The minimum deposit is A$200 and it has held AFSL 335692 since 2009.

Pros & Cons
  • Raw Spread EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips
  • True ECN/cTrader connectivity with Tier-1 bank liquidity
  • Top-3 execution speed for scalping and EAs
  • $200 minimum deposit (vs $0 at Pepperstone, CMC, IG)
  • No native TradingView integration on the AU entity
  • Share CFD range narrower than CMC, IG, IBKR
Broker's Detail

Founded in Sydney in 2007, IC Markets is one of Australia's longest-running ECN brokers and has held AFSL 335692 since 2009. The Raw Spread account delivers EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips with AUD 9.00 round-turn commission (A$4.50 per side). The Standard account is commission-free with spreads from 1.0 pips.

Liquidity is sourced from 25+ Tier-1 banks and dark pools, delivering true ECN execution that suits scalpers and EA traders. Platforms supported are MT4, MT5 and cTrader (no native TradingView on the AU entity). Over 2,250 tradeable instruments span forex, indices, commodities, bonds, shares and crypto CFDs.

Minimum deposit is $200, higher than the $0 brokers in this list. AUD funding via PayID, BPAY and card is fee-free.

IC Markets spread table (averaged over our most recent test cycle):

PairRaw Spread avg (pips)+ commission equivalentTotal cost
EUR/USD0.010.580.59
AUD/USD0.160.580.74
GBP/USD0.300.580.88
USD/JPY0.100.580.68
AUD/JPY0.500.581.08
Broker Screenshots
IC Markets MetaTrader 4 showing the Navigator tree, Market Watch quote list and chart workspace IC Markets cTrader charting window with the symbol watchlist, timeframe selector and charting tools IC Markets cTrader new order ticket showing order type, volume, stop loss and take profit fields
Best for investors

5. Interactive Brokers: best multi-market broker for investors

88/100
Overall 2026 Score
#5 of 29 AU brokers reviewed

EUR/USD spread

From ~0.10 pips, ECN model plus per-trade commission

Platforms

TWS, IBKR Mobile, GlobalTrader, Client Portal

ASIC entity

Interactive Brokers Australia Pty Ltd (AFSL 453554)

Why We Recommend Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers is the pick for investors building a portfolio across stocks, options, futures, bonds and forex, with direct access to more than 150 markets across 33 countries and true multi-currency accounts. Forex runs on an ECN model through IDEAL FX priced by per-trade commission rather than spread, and ASX shares start from about A$6 per trade. There is no minimum deposit and it has been ASIC-regulated under AFSL 453554 since 2016.

Pros & Cons
  • Cheapest ASX share brokerage on this site, from AUD 6 per trade
  • 150 markets across 33 countries with direct exchange access
  • True multi-currency account: hold AUD, USD, EUR and 20+ others natively
  • Trader Workstation has a steep learning curve and a dated interface
  • No MT4, MT5, cTrader or TradingView; unsuitable for existing forex EAs
  • No credit card funding; bank transfer, BPAY and wire only
Broker's Detail

Interactive Brokers Australia Pty Ltd holds AFSL 453554, which commenced in 2016; the group's earlier Australian presence ran under a separate entity. The platform stack is proprietary: Trader Workstation (the deepest professional desktop platform available to Australian retail clients), IBKR Desktop, IBKR Mobile, GlobalTrader and the Client Portal, plus a full API.

Forex runs on a true ECN model with EUR/USD spreads from around 0.10 pips plus a per-trade commission rather than a per-lot fee. One quirk for Australians: IBKR margins every AUD pair, including AUD/USD, as a minor at 20:1 rather than the major-pair maximum, because its majors list is limited to USD, EUR, JPY, GBP, CAD and CHF combinations.

Minimum deposit is $0 and the old inactivity fee was removed in 2021. Funding is by bank transfer, BPAY and wire; no cards. Fractional US shares are supported.

ASX access via IRESS

6. FP Markets: best ASX share access via IRESS

86/100
Overall 2026 Score
#6 of 29 AU brokers reviewed

EUR/USD spread

From 0.0 pips on Raw plus AUD 7 round-turn

Platforms

MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, IRESS

ASIC entity

First Prudential Markets Pty Ltd (AFSL 286354)

Why We Recommend FP Markets

FP Markets is the strongest all-rounder among the raw brokers, and the only one on our list offering direct-market-access pricing on ASX share CFDs through IRESS alongside its other CFD trading. The Raw account prices EUR/USD from around 0.10 pips plus A$3.50 per side commission, and it runs MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView and IRESS Trader. FP Markets has held AFSL 286354 since 2005.

Pros & Cons
  • AFSL 286354 since 2005; founded and headquartered in Sydney
  • Raw account with EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips and AUD 7 commission
  • IRESS account: DMA-priced share CFDs (AU-unique among RAW brokers)
  • Standard (no commission) spreads less competitive than the Raw account
  • IRESS account requires separate application and higher minimum balance
  • Education library lighter than CMC or IG
Broker's Detail

Founded in Sydney in 2005, FP Markets holds AFSL 286354 and is one of the longest-running Australian-headquartered RAW-style brokers. The group also holds CySEC (Cyprus), FSCA (South Africa), FSC (Mauritius) and CMA (Kenya) licences.

The Raw account pairs EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips with AUD 7 round-turn commission per standard lot. The Standard account is commission-free with wider spreads. The differentiator on this list is the IRESS account, which provides DMA-priced share CFDs on ASX and international stocks, a route no other RAW broker on the shortlist offers.

$100 minimum deposit on the Raw and Standard accounts; the IRESS account requires a separate application and higher balance. Funding is fee-free via PayID, BPAY, card and PayPal.

FP Markets spread table (averaged over our most recent test cycle):

PairRaw avg spread (pips)+ commission equivalentTotal cost
EUR/USD0.140.450.59
AUD/USD0.100.450.55
GBP/USD0.200.450.65
USD/JPY0.100.450.55
EUR/GBP0.300.450.75
EUR/JPY0.400.450.85
Best for CFDs

7. Capital.com: best broker for CFD trading

82/100
Overall 2026 Score
#7 of 29 AU brokers reviewed

EUR/USD spread

From 0.70 pips, spread only

Platforms

Capital.com WebTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView

ASIC entity

Capital Com Australia Pty Ltd (AFSL 513393)

Why We Recommend Capital.com

Capital.com is built around a polished WebTrader platform with native TradingView execution and more than 4,500 CFD instruments across forex, indices, shares, commodities and crypto. Retail pricing is spread only with no separate commission, EUR/USD is typically around 0.7 pips, and the minimum deposit is A$20. It has been ASIC-regulated under AFSL 513393 since 2021 within a group also regulated by the FCA and CySEC.

Pros & Cons
  • ASIC AFSL 513393 plus FCA and CySEC licences across the group
  • Native TradingView integration with in-chart execution
  • A$20 minimum deposit and no inactivity fee
  • No cTrader in the platform stack
  • Shorter AU operating history than CMC, IG or Pepperstone
  • Markup-priced retail account trails the lowest RAW brokers on total cost
Broadest regulation

8. MultiBank Group: broadest multi-jurisdiction regulation

81/100
Overall 2026 Score
#8 of 29 AU brokers reviewed

EUR/USD spread

From 0.0 pips on ECN, 0.40 average

Platforms

MT4

ASIC entity

MEX Australia Pty Ltd (AFSL 416279)

Why We Recommend MultiBank Group

MultiBank Group stands out for regulatory breadth, holding ASIC AFSL 416279 alongside Tier 1 BaFin in Germany plus CySEC, SCA and MAS oversight across the wider group. Australian clients trade on MT4 with expert advisor support and a choice of the spread-only Classic account or the commission-based ECN account. Share, crypto and bond CFDs are not offered on the AU entity.

Pros & Cons
  • ASIC AFSL 416279 with BaFin Tier-1 oversight at group level
  • ECN spreads averaged 0.40 pips across our 8-pair capture
  • Wide AU funding menu including PayID, BPAY and POLi
  • Less Australian-rooted than Sydney or Melbourne-founded brokers
  • Classic account average of 1.5 pips is not competitive with RAW-style accounts
  • USD 60 annual inactivity fee after the dormancy threshold
Deepest range

9. ThinkMarkets: deep product range on ThinkTrader

80/100
Overall 2026 Score
#9 of 29 AU brokers reviewed

EUR/USD spread

From 0.11 pips on ThinkZero plus AUD 7 round-turn

Platforms

ThinkTrader, MT4, TradingView

ASIC entity

TF Global Markets (Aust) Pty Ltd (AFSL 424700)

Why We Recommend ThinkMarkets

ThinkMarkets is a Melbourne-based broker with a credible proprietary ThinkTrader app and access to more than 4,000 instruments across forex, shares, indices and commodities. The ThinkZero account prices raw spreads with A$3.50 per side commission, while MT4 covers expert advisor users and ThinkTrader adds TradingView. It has been ASIC-regulated under AFSL 424700 since 2012.

Pros & Cons
  • Melbourne-founded with AFSL 424700 held since 2012
  • ThinkTrader is one of the better mobile apps in our coverage
  • 4,000+ instruments including share, ETF and futures CFDs
  • Platforms are tied to account type; no MT4 expert advisors on ThinkTrader (no MT5 on the AU entity)
  • ThinkZero requires a AUD 500 minimum and trades forex, metals, indices and energies only
  • USD 10 monthly inactivity fee after 12 months dormant
Best fixed spreads

10. Trade Nation: best fixed-spread pricing

79/100
Overall 2026 Score
#10 of 29 AU brokers reviewed

EUR/USD spread

0.5 pips fixed (main session), no commission

Platforms

TN Trader

ASIC entity

Trade Nation Australia Pty Ltd (AFSL 422661)

Why We Recommend Trade Nation

Trade Nation completes the top ten as the fixed-spread specialist, quoting EUR/USD from 0.5 pips and AUD/USD from 0.4 pips in the main session, held steady through news, with no commission on its TN Trader platform. It is one of only two brokers in our coverage offering true fixed pricing, adds TradingView on the same login, and has no minimum deposit. Trade Nation has held AFSL 422661 since 2012; the Australian entity took the Trade Nation name in 2020.

Pros & Cons
  • Fixed spreads from 0.5 pips on EUR/USD and 0.4 pips on AUD/USD (main session)
  • $0 minimum deposit and $0 inactivity fee
  • AFCA member with segregated client funds at an Approved Australian Bank
  • Fixed spreads are wider than top-tier RAW accounts in normal conditions
  • 1,000+ instruments trails CMC and IG on product range
  • No commission account option for scalpers wanting tighter raw pricing

Other brokers we tested

Every remaining broker from our 29-broker 2026 test panel is listed below with its score, so the ranked list above can be checked against the full field. The ranked list above is the top 10 by Overall 2026 Score, with the cut falling at 79. The nineteen brokers below all scored under that line, so none carries a best label its score does not support.

BrokerOverall 2026 scoreKnown for
Eightcap78Melbourne-founded broker with the widest crypto CFD range on the ASIC market and native TradingView
GO Markets78Melbourne broker under an AFSL held since 2006, with cTrader and TradingView on raw pricing
IG Markets77The most recognised retail CFD name in Australia, 17,000+ markets under an LSE-listed parent
ACY Securities77Pro Zero RAW account and bilingual English-Mandarin support
Plus50075The best beginner CFD interface in our coverage; FTSE 250-listed parent
Blueberry Markets75Sydney boutique with personalised support and Direct account pricing
FXCM74Trading Station and native TradingView under Jefferies ownership
FOREX.com73StoneX-owned forex specialist with eight regulators across the group
Trading.com70Single spread-only account on MT5 and its own WebTrader
Totality69Saxo-grade platforms and multi-asset range
CMC Markets68330+ forex pairs and the Next Generation platform
Vantage66Four-platform line-up (MT4, MT5, TradingView, Vantage App) with a RAW account
TMGM65Edge account pricing with IRESS share access
AvaTrade60AvaOptions vanilla forex options
Axi59PsyQuation analytics and the AxiSelect funded-trader programme
Global Prime54Publishes execution receipts with bank quote sources
eToro50CopyTrader social trading
Mitrade42Mobile-first proprietary WebTrader for simple CFD trading
easyMarkets32Fixed spreads and free dealCancellation

All 29 tested brokers with full scores are listed on the forex broker reviews hub.

What trading costs per month

Five cheapest of the 29 ASIC-regulated brokers we measure

Account style

Rates 21:52 AEST Measured May to June 2026

#BrokerTotal / month
1ACY SecuritiesCheapestA$88.60
2EightcapA$91.44
3AxiA$92.87
4GO MarketsA$94.31
5Fusion MarketsA$96.46

Compare all 29 brokers in the full cost calculator →

How to choose an Australian forex broker

1. Check the broker is ASIC regulated

Choosing one of the best ASIC-regulated brokers is the most important step for an Australian trader. ASIC regulation reduces the risk of scams. Brokers under AFSL conditions are heavily scrutinised and must follow strict client-money, capital-adequacy and disclosure rules to keep your funds safe.

ASIC caps retail leverage on major forex pairs; see our ASIC forex regulation guide for the full tier list and what each protection does. Always check the AFSL on ASIC Connect before depositing. Check that the broker is also a member of AFCA, the free dispute resolution scheme. ASIC does not insure deposits the way some overseas regulators do, so the regulator’s protections sit upstream of your money rather than around it. Segregated client funds, mandatory negative balance protection, and the AFCA scheme are the three protections that matter most.

2. Make sure the broker matches your type of trading

What type of trader you are is best answered by understanding different trading styles. There are four main styles to consider:

  • Day trading. Open and close positions within the same day. Needs fast execution and tight spreads.
  • Scalping. High volume, very short holds (seconds to a few minutes). Needs Raw or ECN-style pricing and stable order routing.
  • Swing trading. Holds positions for days to weeks. Less sensitive to spread, more sensitive to overnight financing rates.
  • Position trading. Long-term, fundamentals-driven. Spreads matter least, swap rates and platform reliability matter most.

A broker that suits a scalper (Pepperstone Razor, IC Markets Raw) may not be the best for a position trader (CMC Standard, IG Standard). Match the broker to your style.

3. Check the trading platforms offered

The features you need from a trading platform are personal, but key factors include ease of use, order execution quality, risk-management tools, advanced charting, automation support, available leverage, and overall versatility.

The four platforms used by most ASIC-regulated brokers are MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 (compared head-to-head here), cTrader and TradingView. Several brokers (CMC, IG, Plus500, eToro) run their own proprietary platforms in addition to or instead of MetaTrader. See our trading platforms guide for a full breakdown.

4. Ensure the trading costs are low

Trading fees are one of the leading factors impacting your profit and loss. Compare spreads from different forex brokers using a like-for-like measure. In our experience, Raw accounts on ECN brokers are generally cheaper than the Standard no-commission accounts once you add the spread and commission together. The exception is low-volume traders who hold positions for days at a time, where the convenience of a single all-in spread on a Standard account can outweigh the small saving on Raw. The broker cost calculator adds spread and commission into one all-in figure per standard lot so the comparison stays like-for-like.

Other costs to check are overnight financing (swap rates), inactivity fees, currency conversion fees if your account base is not the same as the asset’s quote currency, and deposit/withdrawal charges. See our lowest spreads and lowest commissions guides for live comparisons. To size a trade before you open one, our trading calculators work out margin, pip value and position size for any pair.

5. Make sure customer service meets your needs

We always test customer service. It adds value when you get stuck mid-trade or have time-sensitive questions. Slow or poorly informed support can cost you on an open position.

Things to check before depositing:

  • Hours of phone and live chat support (24/5 versus 24/7)
  • Languages supported
  • Quality of in-platform help and self-service knowledge base
  • Speed and quality of response in our test (we open a real chat with a generic question and time the reply)

Pepperstone, IC Markets, IG and Plus500 all run 24/5 chat with strong response times. eToro, CMC and OANDA close support over the weekend. If you trade weekend crypto markets and want live human support, factor that in.

The five checks for choosing an Australian forex broker: ASIC regulation, trading-style match, platform availability, trading costs, and customer service
Five checks, in order. The ASIC check comes first because every other feature depends on it.

Each shortlist below re-ranks the market for one decision factor, tested the same way as this page.

Trading monitor icon for matching a CFD trading platform

The platform decides it

Rankings change once the trading software is fixed. Pick yours first, then compare.

Rising chart icon for strategy-based broker shortlists

Your strategy decides it

Execution speed, copy functionality and EA support separate these shortlists.

Dollar coin icon for CFD broker shortlists by asset class

What you trade decides it

CFD shortlists re-ranked for the asset class you trade most.

Who is the largest forex broker in Australia?

IG Markets is the largest forex broker in Australia by website traffic, with an estimated 176,000 monthly Australian visits (Ahrefs, July 2026). By brand-search volume, CMC Markets leads with around 49,500 monthly Google searches for the broker name.

By client tenure, IG Markets and CMC Markets are the long-standing market leaders, both operating in Australia for more than 20 years. Pepperstone, founded in Melbourne in 2010, has grown to challenge both on global trading volumes.

Which Australian broker has the lowest spreads?

IC Markets and Eightcap tied for the tightest measured spreads in our May to June 2026 testing, both averaging 0.15 pips across eight major pairs on their raw accounts. The table shows the five tightest measured averages with each broker’s round-turn commission. The full 17-broker table and our capture method are in the lowest spreads guide.

The five tightest measured raw spread averages in Australia, May to June 2026: IC Markets and Eightcap at 0.15 pips, Axi 0.16, Blueberry Markets 0.19, GO Markets 0.24
Our own IceFX SpreadMonitor captures, rolling 24-hour windows, May to June 2026. Round-turn commission shown per broker.
BrokerAccountMeasured 8-pair raw avg (pips)Commission (round-turn)
IC MarketsRaw0.15AUD 9.00
EightcapRaw0.15AUD 7.00
AxiPro0.16AUD 7.00
Blueberry MarketsDirect0.19AUD 7.00
GO MarketsRaw0.24AUD 6.00

Our own IceFX SpreadMonitor captures: rolling 24-hour windows, May to June 2026, London VPS.

What is the best forex trading platform in Australia?

Pepperstone is the best forex trading platform pick in Australia for 2026. It is the only top-three broker running all four mainstream platforms, MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, and it recorded the fastest execution in our live testing. If you already know which software you want, the table below names our tested broker pick for each platform.

PlatformBest AU broker
MetaTrader 4Pepperstone
MetaTrader 5IC Markets
cTraderPepperstone
TradingViewPepperstone
Proprietary (Next Generation)CMC Markets
Mobile appPlus500
Social / copyeToro

For a deeper breakdown of each platform’s features, use the platform shortlists in the comparison router in the how-to-choose section above.

Which broker is best for high-leverage trading?

No ASIC-regulated broker exceeds the Product Intervention Order caps, so 30:1 on major forex pairs is the ceiling on this page. Higher leverage requires wholesale client classification, which surrenders retail protections and demands A$2.5 million in net assets or A$250,000 gross income. See our guide to wholesale classification. For the full breakdown of the cap, the wholesale route and the offshore risk, see our high-leverage forex brokers guide.

How we tested and scored the 29 brokers

Our team tested 600+ data points that matter for Australian forex traders, and Pepperstone, with a score of 98/100, was the clear winner. Each broker was scored across regulation, spreads, commission, execution speed, platform availability, instrument range, mobile app quality, customer service and account opening experience.

Live AUD accounts were opened with each broker. Spreads were captured during Sydney and London sessions. Execution speeds were measured on EUR/USD market orders. Customer service was tested by lodging a generic question via live chat and timing the response.

How the best forex broker in Australia was determined: 600 plus data points per broker, live AUD accounts, measured spreads across Sydney and London sessions, and timed execution and support tests
Every broker on this page was tested on a live AUD account. Pepperstone scored 98/100 across the nine categories.

See our full methodology for the scoring rubric.

Compare brokers by trader type

#PageWho it’s forTop picksRead
1Best Demo Trading AccountsTraders testing platforms or strategies before going livePepperstone, IC Markets, CMC Markets, Plus500See below
2Best ECN Brokers in AustraliaActive traders, scalpers and EA users wanting raw pricingIC Markets, Global Prime, Pepperstone, FP MarketsSee below
3Best Forex Brokers for BeginnersFirst-time traders who want clean platforms and educationOANDA, Plus500, eToro, Capital.comSee below
4Best Fixed Spread Forex BrokersTraders who want predictable costs in volatile sessionsTrade Nation, easyMarkets, AvaTradeSee below
5Lowest Commission Forex BrokersActive traders comparing the commission line on RAW accountsACY Securities, Fusion Markets, Vantage, GO MarketsSee below
6Lowest Spread Forex BrokersAnyone who optimises for the headline spread numberIC Markets, Eightcap, Axi, Blueberry MarketsSee below

These are the core trader-type guides; each gets its own write-up below. Platform-, strategy- and asset-specific broker shortlists are linked from the comparison router in the how-to-choose section above.

1. Best Demo Trading Accounts

Demos vary more than people expect. Some expire after 30 days. Some run on stale prices. A few replicate live spreads and execution accurately enough to be useful. We rank the most usable demos for AU traders, including which ones reset, which support MT4/MT5/cTrader, and which let you keep the demo open after you fund a live account. Compare them in the best demo trading accounts in Australia guide.

2. Best ECN Brokers in Australia

True ECN means raw interbank pricing plus a fixed commission. Most ASIC brokers calling themselves “ECN” are actually STP or hybrid models. We unpack the difference, list the brokers offering genuine ECN execution, and benchmark spreads and commission on a typical 1.0-lot EUR/USD trade. The full list is in our guide to ECN forex brokers in Australia.

3. Best Forex Brokers for Beginners

The first 30 days are make-or-break. Beginners need a platform that doesn’t intimidate, education that isn’t a sales funnel, and a demo that gives an honest read on live conditions. We rank the brokers that consistently deliver on all three, and call out a couple we’d avoid for first-time traders even though they’re solid for experienced ones. See our shortlist of the best forex brokers for beginners.

4. Best Fixed Spread Forex Brokers

Fixed spreads are wider than variable on average, but they don’t widen during news, rollover or thin liquidity. For a small group of trader styles (swing, news, position) that tradeoff makes sense. We name the ASIC brokers offering meaningful fixed-spread accounts and explain when fixed beats variable. Compare the best fixed spread forex brokers.

5. Lowest Commission Forex Brokers

On RAW/ECN accounts the commission line often matters more than the spread. AUD 7 round-turn vs AUD 6 vs AUD 4.50 adds up fast if you’re trading 50 lots a month. We benchmark commission across every RAW account on the AU shortlist and rank by total cost on a typical EUR/USD trade. Our lowest commission forex brokers guide has the full benchmark.

6. Lowest Spread Forex Brokers

The most-asked question on the site. We test EUR/USD, AUD/USD and four other majors over a 24-hour cycle covering Sydney, Tokyo, London and New York sessions. IC Markets, Pepperstone and Fusion Markets cluster at the top. Differences are small. Commission and execution speed often decide the actual winner.

Trading forex and CFDs carries a high level of risk and can lead to the loss of some or all of your deposit; it is not suitable for everyone. Only trade with money you can afford to lose, and read each broker’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) before opening an account.

Most Popular Forex Brokers in Australia

IG Markets is the most popular ASIC-regulated forex broker in Australia, with an estimated 176,000 monthly Australian visits to its website (Ahrefs, July 2026).

This ranking measures website visits, not trading quality: it is one lens on the market, separate from our tested best forex brokers verdict above, which scores each broker on live account testing. Popular is not the same as best.

ASIC-regulated forex brokers ranked by estimated monthly Australian website visits (July 2026)
# Broker Est. monthly AU visits
1 IG Markets logo IG Markets* Most popular 176,000
2 CMC Markets logo CMC Markets* 109,700
3 eToro logo eToro 42,600
4 Interactive Brokers logo Interactive Brokers 19,700
5 Forex.com logo Forex.com 15,600
6 Pepperstone logo Pepperstone 14,000
7 AvaTrade logo AvaTrade 9,700
8 Plus500 logo Plus500 9,300
9 FP Markets logo FP Markets 8,100
10 Mitrade logo Mitrade 7,400
* IG Markets and CMC Markets are multi-asset businesses in Australia including share trading; visits reflect their full websites. OANDA excludes its currency-converter tool (about 94% of its AU organic traffic). Capital.com includes a material educational-content footprint. ThinkMarkets and Vantage, and Eightcap and Totality, tied on traffic; order set by domain rating.
Show all 29 ASIC-regulated brokers
# Broker Est. monthly AU visits
11 IC Markets logo IC Markets 7,110
12 OANDA logo OANDA 7,000
13 Capital.com logo Capital.com 6,400
14 FXCM logo FXCM 3,100
15 TMGM logo TMGM 2,900
16 Vantage logo Vantage 2,700
17 ThinkMarkets logo ThinkMarkets 2,700
18 Axi logo Axi 2,400
19 GO Markets logo GO Markets 1,438
20 Eightcap logo Eightcap 1,300
21 Totality logo Totality 1,300
22 Trade Nation logo Trade Nation 1,200
23 Fusion Markets logo Fusion Markets 1,179
24 Blueberry Markets logo Blueberry Markets 898
25 ACY Securities logo ACY Securities 823
26 easyMarkets logo easyMarkets 295
27 Global Prime logo Global Prime 228
28 Trading.com logo Trading.com 204
29 MultiBank Group logo MultiBank Group 203

IG Markets, CMC Markets and eToro together attract more Australian visits than the remaining 26 brokers combined.

Ranked by estimated monthly Australian organic visits to each broker's website (Ahrefs, July 2026). OANDA excludes its currency-converter tool; Capital.com includes an educational-content footprint. Estimates are directional, not audited client counts. Updated quarterly.

FAQs

Which broker is best for forex trading in Australia?
Pepperstone. It scored 98/100 in our 2026 testing of 29 ASIC-regulated brokers, on Razor account pricing, five trading platforms and top-three execution speed. OANDA (92) and Fusion Markets (91) follow it on the ranked list.
Is forex trading legal in Australia?
Yes. Trading through a broker holding an Australian Financial Services Licence is legal and ASIC-regulated. Since 29 March 2021 the CFD Product Intervention Order has capped retail leverage and made negative balance protection mandatory.
What leverage can Australian retail traders use?
30:1 on major forex pairs, 20:1 on minor pairs and gold, 10:1 on most other commodities, 5:1 on shares and 2:1 on crypto CFDs, under ASIC's Product Intervention Order (in force since 29 March 2021, extended to 23 May 2027).
Who is the largest forex broker in Australia?
By Australian website traffic, IG Markets. By brand-search volume, CMC Markets. By client tenure, IG and CMC lead, each operating in Australia for more than 20 years. Melbourne-founded Pepperstone now challenges both on global trading volumes.
Is my money safe with an ASIC-regulated broker?
Yes, within limits. Client money sits in segregated trust accounts at Australian banks, negative balance protection is mandatory and AFCA arbitrates disputes free. No scheme insures trading losses, and the CSLR's A$150,000 cap generally excludes CFD claims.
Does CompareForexBrokers earn money from these guides?
Yes. Some brokers pay an affiliate commission through links on this site, disclosed on every review and guide. Editorial decisions and rankings are never affected. We are a Corporate Authorised Representative of Bardin Capital (AFSL 247858).

About the author

Justin Grossbard headshot

Justin Grossbard

Justin co-founded CompareForexBrokers in 2014 and has traded forex since 1998. Based in Melbourne, he has tested every ASIC-regulated broker on this site personally and has written for Forbes, Kiplinger, Finance Magnates, the Australian Financial Review and The Age. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) and a Master of Marketing from Monash University. Justin is the Strategic Head of Research for the site.

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