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Best Brokers in Australia 2026

Updated
27/07/2026
Choosing an online broker is an essential step in any Australian investor's journey. From platform tools to pricing and regulation, the right broker shapes your entire experience, and the local details matter: ASIC licensing, CHESS sponsorship for ASX shares, AUD funding, and leverage rules that differ from other markets. Our experts have done the research so you can easily compare, choose, and start trading with confidence.
Risk Warning

How to Choose the Right Online Broker in Australia

Thomas Monteiro
Author
Thomas Monteiro
Thomas Monteiro
Reviewed By
Thomas Monteiro
Thomas Monteiro
Fact Checked By
Thomas Monteiro
Your choice of broker is one of the most consequential financial decisions you will make: it affects your costs on every trade, the markets you can access, and how safely your money is held. For most Australians the decision comes down to three things: the true cost of trading (brokerage, spreads, and account fees), whether the broker covers the products you actually want (ASX shares, ETFs, forex, crypto, CFDs, or several at once), and how it is regulated, starting with whether it holds an Australian Financial Services (AFS) licence from ASIC. The sections below walk through each factor in priority order so you can compare with confidence.

Top Brokers in Australia Compared October 2026

Here are our current picks at a glance. These brokers are presented for informational purposes and are not listed in order of preference. Fees, product availability, and access change, so always verify current details with the broker directly before opening an account.

In-Depth Broker Reviews

Plus500

Plus500

4.9

CFD Service. Your capital is at risk.

Open account
Read Review

Read our full review of Plus500

eToro

eToro

4.8

eToro AUS Capital Limited AFSL 491139. eToro is a multi-asset investment platform.

Open account
Read Review

Read our full review of eToro

What to Compare When Choosing an Online Broker

These are the features Australian traders and investors weigh most, ordered by how much they affect your day-to-day experience.

1. Fees and Commissions

Costs compound over every trade, so understand the full picture before you commit: brokerage or spreads on the products you trade, plus account, inactivity, currency conversion, and withdrawal fees. Commission-free offers are common, but check they apply to the products you actually intend to trade, and look at where the broker earns instead, such as spreads, FX conversion on international shares, or financing charges.

2. Markets and Product Range

Confirm the broker covers what you want to trade now and what you might grow into: ASX and international shares, ETFs, forex, commodities, indices, crypto, options, or CFDs. A broad product bench in one account is convenient and often cheaper than splitting your capital across several providers.

3. Regulation and How Your Assets Are Held

Check the provider holds an AFS licence on ASIC's register and, for share investing, understand how your holdings are held: CHESS-sponsored shares sit on the ASX subregister under your own Holder Identification Number (HIN), while custodial models pool holdings under the broker's name. Client money handling, negative balance protection on CFDs, and access to AFCA if a dispute arises complete the picture. A broker that hides its fees or its regulatory status should be avoided regardless of what else it offers.

4. Trading Platforms and Technology

A glitch-free, well-designed platform makes every part of trading easier. Compare charting, order types, and analysis tools against your needs, check mobile app quality if you trade on the go, and try the demo before committing. Platforms range from simple interfaces built for straightforward investing to advanced environments for professional traders; the right one matches your level, not the longest feature list.

5. Account Types and Minimums

Check the minimum deposit, the account tiers on offer, and whether the broker supports joint, company, SMSF, or trust accounts if you need them. Demo accounts are worth having whatever your experience level, both for testing the platform and for practising new strategies risk-free.

6. Deposits and Withdrawals in AUD

Confirm the broker supports AUD accounts and local rails such as PayID and Osko for near-instant transfers, or BPAY and direct debit. AUD-denominated accounts avoid conversion costs on every deposit and withdrawal. Fast, reliable withdrawals are one of the clearest markers of a well-run broker, so check recent user feedback on this specifically.

7. Research, Education, and Support

Good brokers back up their platform with market research, data, and educational material, plus responsive support through live chat, email, or phone on Australian hours. You never know how much you need support until something goes wrong, so treat it as a must-have rather than a bonus.

Which Online Broker Is Best For Your Strategy?

Match your priorities to the profiles below, then compare the brokers that fit.

How Did Investing.com Choose the Best Brokers in Australia?

Our review process evaluates brokers on the features that matter most to Australian traders and investors.
  • Platform and Tools: We assess each broker's platforms for usability, charting, order types, mobile apps, and device compatibility.
  • Fees and Costs: We compare brokerage, spreads, account charges, FX conversion, and funding costs across account types.
  • Markets and Products: We check the range of asset classes, account options, and market access available in one place, including ASX coverage.
  • Execution and Reliability: We look at how quickly and dependably orders are filled and how the platform performs under load.
  • Support and Education: We assess research, learning resources, and the quality and availability of customer support.
  • Trust: We only feature brokers supervised by at least one recognised regulator, and for Australia we prioritise AFS-licensed providers. We evaluate fraud prevention and client fund security. Learn more in our regulation guide.
For more details, see our Ratings Methodology.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right broker is one of the most impactful decisions on your trading journey, shaping everything from the fees that eat into returns to the tools that power your strategy. Approach it methodically: compare costs on the products you actually trade, test platforms through free demo accounts, contact support with a question, and verify the AFS licence on ASIC's register before depositing. Regulation and transparency are non-negotiable, and any provider unwilling to display its licensing clearly should raise a red flag. Markets carry risk and losses happen even with the best setup, so keep expectations realistic, start small, and choose the broker whose costs, tools, and protections genuinely fit your goals.
Ready for the next step? Learn how brokers are regulated, build your fundamentals with the Investing.com Education Centre, or unlock premium tools and analysis with InvestingPro.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when choosing a broker in Australia?

Start with regulation: the provider should hold an Australian Financial Services licence, verifiable on ASIC's register. Then compare total costs on the products you trade, platform quality, AUD funding options, and how your assets are held, especially CHESS sponsorship versus custodial models for ASX shares.

Which broker has the lowest fees in Australia?

Fee structures vary widely by product and account type, so the lowest-fee broker depends on what and how you trade. Compare brokerage, spreads, FX conversion, and account charges on your specific products rather than headline offers, and use the comparison table above to see current pricing side by side.

What is the difference between CHESS-sponsored and custodial brokers?

CHESS-sponsored brokers register ASX shares on the exchange's subregister under your own HIN, so you hold them directly in your name. Custodial brokers hold shares through a custodian on your behalf, which often costs less but places a trustee structure between you and the asset. Both models are legal and widely used; the right one depends on how much you value direct ownership.

Is CFD trading legal in Australia?

Yes, through ASIC-regulated providers, and retail CFD trading is subject to an ASIC product intervention order: leverage is capped (for example 30:1 on major currency pairs and 2:1 on crypto-assets), negative balance protection is mandatory, and margin close-out rules are standardised. Providers offering retail leverage above those caps are operating outside the Australian framework.

Can I lose money in a brokerage account?

Yes. The value of shares, ETFs, currencies, and other instruments fluctuates with markets, so your investments can go down as well as up, and leveraged products can lose money faster than unleveraged ones. Only invest money you can afford to put at risk.

How do I fund a trading account in Australia?

Most Australian brokers accept bank transfer via PayID and Osko for near-instant funding, plus BPAY, direct debit, and cards depending on the provider. Funding in AUD into an AUD-denominated account avoids conversion fees; if your account is held in another currency, check the FX conversion cost on every transfer.

Do I pay tax on trading profits in Australia?

Generally yes: profits on shares and ETFs are typically subject to capital gains tax, with a 50% CGT discount available to individuals on assets held longer than 12 months, and franked dividends carry imputation credits. Tax treatment depends on your circumstances and can change, so this is general information rather than tax advice; consider speaking to a registered tax agent.

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Most Popular Reviews

For a comprehensive analysis of each platform’s features, pricing models, and unique selling points, visit our detailed broker reviews:

Plus500
Plus500 Full review
28 Sep 2026•By Investing Editorial
eToro
eToro Full review
07 Sep 2026•By Investing Editorial
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Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
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