Australian Securities Exchange Brokers | Brokers With ASX Stocks (2024)

Brokers with access to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) enable investors to trade on one of the 10 largest global securities exchanges by market capitalization. We have compiled a list of the top ASX brokers, including a useful comparison guide below. Find out how to start trading the ASX.

How To Compare ASX Brokers

Online brokers act as an intermediary platform for you to access the Australian Securities Exchange. Choosing the right ASX brokers will help you meet your financial goals. Consider the following factors when comparing brokers with access to the Australian Securities Exchange

Platform & Tools

When looking for the best Australian Securities Exchange brokers, consider the tools and software offered. Whilst some investors prefer the established MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5 terminals, others will feel more comfortable executing trades from a modern and sleek mobile application.

However you choose to trade, look out for Australian Securities Exchange brokers that offer the charts, indicators, and execution modes to execute your trading strategy. An integrated economic calendar could also help you keep on top of ASX news updates and announcements.

Additionally, some of the top-ranked Australian Securities Exchange brokers will offer alternative services such as copy trading, bots or managed accounts. These are ideal for beginners looking to learn from and follow experienced traders.

Fees

A competitive and transparent fee structure is an important comparison between Australian Securities Exchange brokers.

XM, for example, offers commission-free investing on the AUS200Cash index, with spreads from 2 points. IG Group, on the other hand, offers Australian shares for a 0.1% fee or phone dealing with a $50 fee. Same-day bank transfers are also free if depositing more than $100 or equivalent currency.

You should consider all non-trading charges too. As well as account funding fees, review inactivity costs, withdrawal charges and any currency conversion rates if trading in a currency other than your account denomination. If this information is not readily available, reach out to the ASX broker’s customer support team.

Regulation

Regulation is also an important factor when comparing brokers with access to the Australian Securities Exchange. These will help protect you from scams while ensuring negative balance protection and segregated client funds.

The Australian Securities and Exchange Commission (ASIC) regulates registered providers of financial services and aims to promote informed participation from investors, creating an environment of transparency and integrity. Look out for the ASIC logo when choosing between ASX brokers. Alternatively, look from oversight from other trusted agencies, such as the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Educational Resources

Accessing educational resources is important, particularly for beginners. The top ASX brokers will provide materials that could help with understanding market cap, top 100 and 200 index listings, and YTD valuation by share value. Leading Australian Securities Exchange brokers will integrate this content into their service offering and update information regularly.

You may also wish to view video and YouTube content, access peer-to-peer platforms, or use books and other internet resources. AvaTrade, for example, offers a comprehensive education section, suitable for investors of all experience levels, with access to webinars and live events. These sessions are often run by experts in the field and may be able to set you up with useful ASX tutorial demonstrations, plus help you understand key trading hours and live investing examples.

What Is The Australian Securities Exchange?

The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), originally the Australian Stock Exchange, is one of the top 10 global securities exchanges by value with a total market capitalization of around $2 trillion. Based in Sydney, it was the first major financial market open every day.

Today, the exchange is the largest market for interest rate derivatives in Asia and is among the top 5 globally recognized exchanges for raising capital.

History

The Australian Stock Exchange was founded on 1st April 1987, after the government passed legislation to combine six independent stock exchanges. Although the combined exchange is relatively new, some of the state-based original exchanges dated as far back as the 1800s, including the Sydney Stock Exchange, which was established in 1871. This stock exchange was in fact home to the first computer installed within an Australian exchange, used to streamline clearinghouse functionality and broker-client accounting services.

The Australian Stock Exchange and the Sydney Future Exchange merged in 2006. This merger expanded ASX’s asset range to include energy and agricultural commodities, index options and interest-rate securities. As a result, the company was renamed to the Australian Securities Exchange to reflect this new diversity of investment and financial products available. The holding company today is also known as the ASX Group.

In 2012, the Australian Liquidity Centre (ALC) was launched, a state-of-the-art data hub supporting the Australian Securities Exchange trade execution and post-trade platforms. In 2013, the exchange expanded to offer global network connectivity via ASX Net Global. Recent activities highlight continuous innovative functionality aiming to enhance the features of the exchange. This includes new platform integration, post-trade solutions for equity market trading and the introduction of mFund, permitting investors to hold, buy and sell units in unlisted funds.

Australian Stock Exchange Vs Australian Securities Exchange

Although still used interchangeably, it should be noted that the stock exchange in Australia is officially called the Australian Securities Exchange (definition ASX, mic code XASX). The Australian Stock Exchange and the Futures Exchange of Sydney merged in 2006 and were renamed under the securities title. Members can trade on the two platforms offered by ASX; ASX Trade and ASX Trade24. We cover these in more detail below.

What Is The Australian Securities Exchange Used For?

The purpose of the Australian Securities Exchange is expansive. It offers listings and trading, has a clearing role, is a market operator and acts as a payments facilitator. Functions also span learning resources for retail investors via the ASX education centre. It also implements and oversees regulator guidance with its operating rules and promotes standards of corporate governance in the market. The company is structured around four divisions; listings, markets, technology & data and securities & payments.

As many significant national companies are listed on the Australian Securities Exchange markets, it can also indicate a gauge of economic health or act as a reflection of the impacts of major events. The Australian stock exchange is well known for being used as an investment platform by individuals across the globe who attempt to make a profit from stock price fluctuations. Traders can invest in a listed corporation’s stocks, ‘short selling’ or ‘going long’ depending on market sentiment trends via registered ASX brokers.

The Australian Securities Exchange live asset list is comprehensive and enables retail investors access to options trading, equities, futures, commodities, mutual funds and more.

How The Australian Securities Exchange Works

Listing Rules

There are several requirements that companies must adhere to before being listed as members on the exchange and be available for intraday trading via registered Australian Securities Exchange brokers. The rules serve the interests of both listed entities and investors, ensuring international competitiveness and the facilitation of efficient capital raising. The application is comprehensive and approval is granted by the provisions of the Corporations Act. The Australian stock exchange’s trading rules include:

• Financial statements should be produced in accordance with adequate auditing standards
• Corporations must disclose information about corporate governance practices to allow security holders the opportunity to express their views openly to the board and management members
• Timely disclosure of information that may have a material effect on the price or value of an entities securities

As with all exchanges, the Australian stock exchange strictly prohibits insider trading.

ASX Systems

There are two Australian Securities Exchange platforms available to intraday investors: ASX Trade and ASX Trade24.

ASX Trade

Used for the investing in equity securities. This platform is based on the NASDAQ OMX system. It is recognized as one of the fastest platforms in the world.

ASX Trade24

Used for the trading of derivative securities. This platform is globally distributed with gateways in New York, London and Sydney and offers 24-hour trading by maintaining two active investment days.

Blockchain

The Australian Securities Exchange is due to launch a blockchain settlement system in 2023. The current ledger system (DLT) CHESS is due to be replaced with distributed technology developed by Digital Asset. The post-trade platform for the cash equity market using DLT (commonly referred to as a blockchain) has, however, been halted due to significant increases in trading volumes since the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Note, some of the top brokers with access to the Australian Securities Exchange also offer crypto trading.

Indices

Stock market indices operate to depict the condition of the market and support investors in identifying patterns and economic health. The S&P/ASX 200 is Australia’s leading share market index, a popular index offered by many international ASX brokers. It comprises the top 200 companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange by market capitalization.

Significant listed companies by revenue include Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ANZ), Qantas Airways Ltd, Virgin Australia Holdings Limited (VAH), Goodman Group, Vanguard Australian Shares Index Exchange Traded Managed Fund (VAS) and gold mining companies like Newcrest Mining Limited. Use the company search function on the ASX website for full listing details.

The index is maintained by Standard & Poor’s and is considered the benchmark for the Australian Securities Exchange trading equity performance.

The components of the index are selected by the S&P committee based on the below criteria:

• Daily Market Cap – minimum benchmark sizes apply and the previous six months must be considered institutionally investable
• Liquidity – public float trading volume (shares not owned by employees, directors, government agencies, etc) must meet a minimum requirement
• Listing – only stocks listed on the Australian stock exchange can be considered for inclusion and must be an ordinary or preferred equity stock (e.g. no warrants or bonds)

The index was launched in 2000 and is rebalanced every quarter to ensure the included stocks meet the eligibility requirements. In 2021, the top 10 companies listed accounted for almost 50% of the index market cap revenue. The best Australian Securities Exchange brokers will offer key financial metrics on these companies, including any significant impacts on their revenues.

How To Start Day Trading On Australian Securities Exchange

Once you have compared Australian Securities Exchange brokers you’re ready to begin investing. However, before you get started there are a few things to consider:

Strategy

The Australian Securities Exchange has been used for stock trading long before investments in blockchain, futures and options, though that doesn’t make it straightforward. It is worth considering a strategy to turn a profit. The best strategies analyze historical stock price data to help predict future price movements. This is often done through charts, graphs and price movement patterns.

Choose A Stock

Not all company shares are made equal. Volatility, liquidity and trading volume vary from stock to stock and can make a big difference to your potential profits or losses. Review what sort of asset your strategy works best on and find the combination of those attributes that best suits your goals.

It could also be worth testing these combinations via your Australian Securities Exchange brokers demo profile.

Use Pre-Market Movers

The Australian stock exchange offers a long pre-market session, starting at 07:00 AEST. Intraday traders can use this time to scan stocks ahead of the main session opening. Consider what happened yesterday to indicate patterns or potential problems for today. You could look at substantial volume changes, the broader value of the futures market or average volumes across the last month. It can be best to trade in the direction of the market, though there is the occasional breakout against the market.

Note, not all Australian Securities Exchange brokers will offer extended hours investing so do some research before opening a live account.

Opening Hours

The Australian Securities Exchange trading sessions operate Monday to Friday for a total of six hours. Typical main and extended session hours are:

• 07:00 to 10:00 AEST – Pre-opening session
• 10:00 to 16:00 AEST – Main session
• 16:12 to 18:50 AEST- After-hours session

Note that the Australian Eastern Standard Time Zone is GMT + 10, varying with Day Saving Time (DST).

These hours are not necessarily followed by all financial asset classes. Check the ASX website or Australian Securities Exchange published calendars for the latest schedules.

Extended hours are available for electronic transactions only, though access will vary between ASX brokers. The Australian Securities Exchange is not open on Saturdays or Sundays but there is no lunch break during the week. Keep an eye on public holidays, as the stock exchange will not be available for trading during these hours.

Many Australian Securities Exchange brokers will integrate a holiday calendar into personal account portals, including Christmas closures and others upcoming in 2024 and beyond.

For general enquires, the Australian stock exchange offers several contact options, including:

• Phone number – 131 ASX (131 279) or 02 8973 3625
• Address – Customer Service, Exchange Centre, 20 Bridge St, Sydney, NSW 2000

The best brokers with access to the ASX will also offer 24/5, reliable customer support.

Biggest Players

There are more than 2,000 companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and the full market listing represents several diverse categories. Four out of the top 10 organizations are the country’s largest banks.

The top 10 largest listed companies by market cap are:

• Commonwealth Bank – the largest bank and company in the country in terms of assets and market cap
• BHP Group Limited – one of the world’s largest resources organizations, among the top producers of iron ore, coal and copper
• CSL Limited – a large pharmaceutical company operating in two segments: CSL Behring and Sequires
• WestPac Banking Corp – Australia’s first bank offering banking and financial services internationally
• National Australia Bank – the country’s third-largest bank and largest business bank
• ANZ Banking Group Limited – fourth-largest bank in the country operating in 33 countries globally
• Fortescue Metals Group Ltd – engages in the exploration, development and production of iron ore, copper and gold in Australia and worldwide
• Wesfarmers Limited – a recognized retailer with operations including home improvements and outdoor living merchandise
• Macquarie Group Limited – diversified financial services company providing clients with asset management and capital solutions listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in 2007
• Resmed Inc – develops, manufactures and distributes medical devices and software

Trading Tips

There are many ways to increase the potential of your ASX trading strategy. Our top tips include:

News

Keeping up to date with the latest national and international news events is important. This will support you in anticipating significant market movers during your ASX trading session. Australian stock exchange information can also be found on Yahoo Finance.

It was reported in 2020 that the exchange surged after GME Resources Limited was mistaken for cult US GameStop stock, which just proves that keeping an eye on current news stories can help you jump on or steer away from trends being reported.

It is also worth keeping abreast of events happening within the Australian Securities Exchange company list. A quick ASX entity search may prevent your trades from being significantly impacted by those events or filings that cause major volatility. LinkedIn may be a good place to start and may also direct investors to annual report publications.

Historical price data and information will also be published across a variety of sources, including within your Australian Securities Exchange broker’s platform. This could include live prices and quotes, predicted investment volume and upcoming floats. These could help you understand previous market gainers and fallers.

Significant events that have impacted the Australian Securities Exchange include the US election and COVID-19 causing the shortest-ever bear market in 2020.

Journal

Keeping a journal may not seem the most functional of top tips but it can help with understanding your recent Australian Stock Exchange investment performance. We recommend inputting journal notes on price quotes with the market value at purchase, entry and exit positions, the reason for the trade and the purchase and sell dates.

Some ASK brokers allow notes to be made directly within their platform interface. It doesn’t have to be an extensive task requiring constant updates but should help highlight reasons for mistakes and allow you to improve your strategy going forward.

Demo Accounts

The best Australian Securities Exchange brokers in the market will offer a demo account. A simulated experience is a great way to explore investing strategies on the stock exchange without having to pay market data fees or deposits. Alternatively, up your skills with the ASX’s virtual share market game to practice investing as an individual or within a group.

Final Word On Australian Securities Exchange Brokers

Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) brokers offer plenty of intraday opportunities. With some of the largest corporations in the country listed on the exchange, the indices and markets offer openings to profit from the price fluctuations of different companies as well as changes in the economic performance of the country as a whole. Compare Australian Securities Exchange brokers before you get started, follow our top trading tips above, and check out our list of the top ASX brokers.

FAQs

What Is The Main Role Of The Australian Securities Exchange?

The underlying rationale of the Australian Securities Exchange is to offer integrated exchange listings, trading, clearing, settlement, data and technical and information services. However, the top brokers with access to the Australian Securities Exchange offer retail trading on listed stocks.

Is The Australian Stock Exchange Trading Today?

The Australian Securities Exchange trading days are Monday to Friday, with the main session operating between 10:00 and 16:00 AEST (GMT+10). The exchange closes during public holidays and sometimes instigates trading halts. Keep up to date with market closures and upcoming public holidays via your Australian Securities Exchange broker.

What Does The Australian Securities Exchange Trading Centre Do?

The exchange is structured around four divisions; listings, markets, technology & data and securities & payments. Functions also span the provision of educational resources for retail investors, implementation and oversight of regulatory guidance with its operating rules and the promotion of the standards of corporate governance in the market.

What Is The Australian Securities Exchange Corporate Governance Principles And Recommendations (2019)?

The Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations is a set of eight practices. Listed companies on the ASX should adhere to these to meet the reasonable expectations of the majority of investors. The principles highlight the Australian Securities Exchange investor relations guidance meaning corporations must act lawfully, ethically and responsibly.

When Is The Australian Stock Exchange Main Trading Time In Perth?

The Australian stock exchange operates its main session between 10:00 and 16:00 Sydney time, Perth +2 hours. This will be reflected in your ASX broker’s published calendar.