Our analysts have been hard at work reviewing investment platforms, crypto exchanges, and trading brokers for Australian investors. After months of hands-on testing, we're excited to share our first wave of Australian-focused content — built with the same rigorous methodology UK readers have come to expect from The Investors Centre.
Why Have We Expanded to Australia?
Australia represents one of the fastest-growing retail investment markets globally. According to the ASX Australian Investor Study 2023, over 10.2 million Australians now hold investments outside of superannuation — a 33% increase since 2020. Combine that with robust ASIC regulation and a maturing crypto framework under AUSTRAC, and the case for dedicated Australian coverage became clear.
Our readers asked. We listened.
What Investment Platforms Have We Reviewed?
CMC Invest leads our ranking as the best overall investment platform for Australians in 2026, offering $0 brokerage on the first ASX trade up to $1,000 per stock daily plus commission-free access to US, UK, Canadian, and Japanese markets. For passive investors, Stockspot delivers professionally managed ETF portfolios from just $2,000 with fees starting at 0.66% annually.
We've tested seven platforms across fees, CHESS sponsorship, market access, and user experience. Whether you're after low-cost ETF investing or global share access, our best investment platforms for Australians guide breaks down exactly which broker suits your strategy.
Which Crypto Exchanges Do We Recommend for Australians?
Kraken Pro is the cheapest crypto exchange for Australian traders, with maker-taker fees starting at just 0.16% and 0.26% — significantly undercutting local competitors like CoinSpot and Swyftx on identical trades. For beginners, eToro's social trading features and Coinbase's intuitive interface remain strong alternatives.
Our full breakdown covers seven AUSTRAC-registered exchanges, comparing fees, security track records, and AUD deposit options. Explore the complete list in our guide to crypto exchanges tailored for Australian investors.
Why Does Kraken Stand Out for Australian Traders?
Kraken scores 4.3/5 in our assessment, excelling in security with 13+ years without a major hack and transparent Proof-of-Reserves audits published quarterly. Australian users benefit from free PayID deposits and Kraken Pro fees that sit up to 75% lower than competitors on standard retail accounts.
For traders who prioritise low costs and institutional-grade infrastructure, our in-depth Kraken review covers everything from fee structures to the August 2024 ASIC action and what it means for Australian users.
Where Can Cost-Conscious Traders Find the Lowest Fees?
Kraken Pro, OKX, and Coinbase Advanced top our low-fee rankings. Kraken Pro's 0.16% maker fees represent the lowest we've recorded from any major exchange available to Australians, while OKX offers 0.08% maker fees for traders comfortable with platforms lacking direct ASIC oversight.
We've calculated real trading costs across five exchanges to help you keep more of your gains. See the full comparison in our guide to the lowest-fee crypto exchanges in Australia.
What Trading Platforms Are Available for Active Traders?
eToro is Australia's top stock broker for 2026, combining zero-commission stock trading with copy trading features used by over 30 million global users. For traders seeking deeper analytical tools, Webull and CMC Markets provide advanced charting, real-time data, and access to both ASX and international markets.
Our guide covers seven ASIC-regulated brokers across fees, platform features, and global market access. Find the right fit in our breakdown of trading platforms for active Australian traders.
Which MT5 Brokers Are ASIC-Regulated?
Pepperstone delivers the best MT5 experience for Australian traders, with execution speeds under 50 milliseconds and raw spreads from 0.0 pips through its Razor account. IC Markets follows closely, offering the tightest average spreads (0.1 pips on EUR/USD) via their True ECN model with 25 liquidity providers.
For forex traders and those running Expert Advisors, we've tested seven brokers on execution speed, commissions, and VPS hosting. See the full lineup in our guide to ASIC-regulated MT5 brokers.
Final Thoughts
This is just the beginning of our Australian coverage. We'll continue expanding with new reviews, how-to guides, and regulatory updates as the market evolves. If there's a platform or topic you'd like us to cover, drop us a message — we're building this for you.
In the meantime, explore our Australian guides and invest with confidence.
| Content Type | Pages Live |
|---|---|
| Investment Platforms | 7 reviewed |
| Crypto Exchanges | 7 reviewed |
| Trading Platforms | 7 reviewed |
| MT5 Brokers | 7 reviewed |