Thadeus Geodfrey is an experienced and celebrated writer and self-taught trader specialising in cryptocurrencies and forex. Market analysis, identifying fraudulent brokers, and security are his cup of tea. At BrokerRaters Thadeus develops educational materials and user guides, offers market insights, and ensures our content conforms to the best standards. Join Thadeus to succeed in your trading endeavors.
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Leverage trading is allowed in Australia. It’s also highly regulated by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC). ASIC has set strict mandates and restrictions for brokers and traders engaging in leverage trading.
For starters, on 29th March 2021, this regulator capped the leverage that brokers offer retail traders between 30:1 and 2:1; the ratios vary depending on financial assets. However, professional traders are allowed to use higher ratios of up to 500:1, which are offered by many of the best high-leverage brokers in Australia.
List of the Best High-Leverage Brokers
Pepperstone – Best High-Leverage Broker for Forex Traders
FP Markets – Best High-Leverage Broker for CFD Traders
Plus500* – Best High-Leverage Broker for Mobile Traders
AvaTrade – Best High-Leverage Broker for Options Traders
Note: 82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
In This Guide
Compare Brokers Table
Here is a comparison table of the most outstanding high-leverage brokers in Australia. I’ve included it to streamline your search for the best service provider right off the bat. First off, I’ve listed key authorities that regulate the brokers recommended here to prove these are reliable and trustworthy brands. I’ve also highlighted key elements that will help you compare all of the recommended providers and zone in on a suitable option.
Dive in to find out what the broker you have your eyes on and its competitors offer in detail. I have covered key aspects of each service provider, from the greatest strengths to areas that need improvement. That said, after identifying what seems like the best broker for your trading needs, I urge you to visit the company’s official site and dig deeper before signing up.
1. Pepperstone – Best High-Leverage Broker for Forex Traders
To avid forex traders, I recommend Pepperstone , a Melbourne-based broker that boasts over 600,000 clients. This multi-award-winning service provider gives its traders access to over 90 currency pairs. I discovered all sorts of pairs while exploring the platform’s features, from majors like AUD/USD and USD/JPY to minors like AUD/NZD, crosses like EUR/AUD, and NDFs like USD/BRL.
If you are a retail trader, Pepperstone offers you the chance to trade your favourite pairs and maximise potential profits with flexible leverage up to 1:30. This may sound like an extremely low offering to a professional, and rightly so. That said, if you’re a pro, don’t back out yet. Simply opt for a professional account to get access to higher leverage up to 1:500.
While navigating the exciting forex markets with Pepperstone, you won’t have to worry about high costs eating into your capital or profits. That is because, first and foremost, this broker doesn’t charge funding or withdrawal fees. Most importantly, it has ultra-low spreads and commissions, starting from 0 pips for multiple currency pairs, from AUD/USD and EUR/USD to USD/CHF and USD/JPY.
Pepperstone
✔24/7 support service
✔User-friendly and navigable platform
We find Pepperstone broker to be one of the brokers with transparent fee structures. There are no hidden charges, so what you see displayed on its platform is what you will incur. This makes it easier for you to budget without worrying about overspending.
Let’s discover below some of the trading and non-trading charges at Pepperstone.
Trading and Non-Trading Charges
Details
Account Opening
$0
Management Fee
$0
Minimum Deposit Requirement
From $0, depending on your jurisdiction
Commission
From $0.02 on US-listed shares
Spreads
From 0.0 pips on its Razor Account
Deposits and Withdrawals
Free
Inactivity
None
Overnight Funding
Varies based on global market conditions
Copy Trading
Free
Note that Pepperstone charges both spreads and commissions. While spreads are charged on all accounts, commissions are only imposed on the Razor Account.
At Pepperstone, we discovered over 1,200 CFD and spread betting assets. The securities are in different classes, including shares, commodities, forex, indices, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. Unfortunately, some assets like options are missing.
As we previously mentioned, there are two types of trading accounts, namely Razor and Standard, with which you can explore these securities. We also noticed that Pepperstone supports leverage trading on its featured securities. Retail traders will enjoy limits up to 30:1, while professionals are eligible for limits up to 400:1. This allows you to manage larger trades with a small capital, thus maximizing your chances of earning huge profits.
That being said, let’s break down the number of asset offerings at Pepperstone.
Asset Class
Number Offered
Forex
97+ currency pairs
Shares
1000+
Indices
23+
Commodities
40+
Cryptocurrencies
30+
ETFs
48+
Disclaimer: Spread betting and CFD trading have the application of leverage attached to them. Therefore, while the activity can magnify your returns, losses are inevitable. To avoid incurring massive losses with CFD trading, understand how it works plus all the risks involved. Plus, only risk funds you are comfortable losing, considering that over 76% of retail traders lose money in this activity.
2. eToro – Best High-Leverage Broker for Investors
eToro is the best high-leverage broker for Australian traders who also dabble in investments. Let’s start with this service provider’s trading instruments. Thousands of these securities are offered here, from CFDs on currencies and stocks to crypto and indices. While trading CFDs, you will enjoy reasonable spreads from 1 pip and commissions as low as 0.025%.
Moving on to investing, eToro has countless investment products that can help you bolster your income and build wealth. The first item on the list is 6,000+ stocks from a bottomless selection of established brands like Wesfarmers, Lyft, and META. And don’t worry about having little cash at your disposal. eToro has fractional shares that go for as little as AU$10.
After buying your favourite stocks on eToro, you can reduce risk exposure by diversifying with crypto. Unlike most high-leverage forex brokers in Australia that offer crypto CFDs exclusively, eToro supports real crypto assets. You can buy/sell over 100 cryptocurrencies on this provider’s platform, from Bitcoin and Stellar to Enjin and Decentraland. Additionally, you can stake multiple digital assets and earn income.
eToro
✔ User-friendly trading platform
✔ Over 6000 trading instruments
Lower minimum deposit for Australia compared to other regions
Multiple educational resources, including an online academy
Free digital wallet for storing crypto, sending/receiving funds, etc.
Private money insurance that covers up to AU$1 million
Cons
AU$10 monthly inactivity fee
Higher minimum spreads than other brokers
eToro has a transparent fee structure that is easy to understand and helps you plan accordingly. From our analysis, we discovered the following trading and non-trading eToro fees.
Trading and Non-Trading Charges
Details
Account Opening
$0
Management Fee
$0
From $50, depending on your jurisdiction
0.6
Commission
From 0% on stocks and ETF trading
Spreads
From 1 pip on major currency pairs
Deposits and Withdrawals
$5 withdrawal
Inactivity
$10 monthly
Currency Conversion
1.5% or 3.0%, depending on the currency or payment method
Overnight Funding
Varies based on global market conditions
Copy Trading
Free
We discovered that eToro allows users to trade and invest in global markets. You can go long or short in a single portfolio. Overall, there are more than 6,000 instruments, which are spread across multiple classes. Investment options are stocks, which allow you to buy and take ownership of global stocks across various sectors. Fractional share purchases are also supported at eToro. This will enable you to fill your portfolio with leading stocks from global exchanges. ETFs are also other investment assets at eToro.
When it comes to CFD trading, this broker offers it with flexible leverage limits for both new and professional traders. From our experience, retail traders get up to 1:30 leverage limit and professionals up to 1:400. With CFD assets, you can go long or short and speculate on both rising and falling asset prices.
That being said, here is the number of tradable assets available at eToro.
Asset Class
Number Offered
Forex
55+ currency pairs
Shares
5558+
Indices
21+
Commodities
35+
Cryptocurrencies
100+
ETFs
680+
Note that eToro also supports options trading but is limited to US clients only. You can also explore diverse non-fungible tokens (NFTs) via its Delta platform.
Disclaimer: CFD trading is risky and complex, thus not suitable for all types of traders. This is primarily due to the application of leverage attached, which can give you good profits as well as leave you with massive losses. So far, over 76% lose their money in CFD trading. That is why it is important to conduct extensive research and understand CFD trading risks before you invest your money in it.
3. FP Markets – Best High-Leverage Broker for CFD Traders
When it comes to CFD trading, FP Markets is my ultimate best for one main reason: its vast number of securities. A whopping 10,000+ CFDs are offered by this broker, which makes finding the right assets to trade and diversify with easier than shooting fish in a barrel.
A major chunk of the available products is related to CFDs on stocks. With FP Markets, you can trade CFDs on over 10,000 stocks and earn juicy returns. That said, CFDs on other assets are available on the company’s trading platform, from 60+ currency pairs and nearly 20 major global indices to bonds, metals, and commodities like coffee and gas.
The leverage you’ll have access to while trading with FP Markets depends on your favourite securities. For instance, you’ll get ample opportunity to increase earnings with leverage of up to 30:1 and 20:1 while trading major and non-major forex pairs. But this offer is exclusively for retail traders. As mentioned earlier, if you’re a seasoned pro, your limit will be 500:1, which is immensely higher than the standard offering.
We reviewed the applicable FP Markets fees, and like that the broker has a transparent structure. This allows users to efficiently plan for their activities without worrying about incurring additional costs. There are no hidden charges and no price manipulation with this broker.
Trading and Non-Trading Charges
Details
Account Opening
$0
Management Fee
$0
Minimum Deposit Requirement
From $50, depending on your jurisdiction
Commission
From 0%
Spreads
From 0.0 pips on major currency pairs
Deposits and Withdrawals
Free deposits. Withdrawal fees apply based on the payment method used
Inactivity
$0
Overnight Funding
Varies based on global market conditions
Copy Trading
Free
There are more than 10,000 CFD instruments at FP Markets across various asset classes. These include forex, shares, commodities, cryptos, and more. The best element about exploring these securities is that you have access to multiple platforms to choose from. Whether you prefer the MT4, MT5, cTrader, or TradingView, FP Markets has it all for you. You are guaranteed quality resources to maximize your potential.
When it comes to leverage applications, FP Markets has favorable limits for all types of traders. Retail traders can get up to 30:1, while professionals get 500:1. Moreover, we discovered multiple account types to suit every trader’s needs.
Here is a breakdown of the number of assets you will trade at FP Markets Standard, Raw, and Iress accounts.
Asset Class
Number Offered
Forex
70+ currency pairs
Shares
10000+
Indices
19+
Commodities
12+
Cryptocurrencies
12+
ETFs
46+
Bonds
2+
Futures
7+
Disclaimer: CFD trading is risky, especially with the application of leverage attached. While many traders earn good profits from it, it can leave you with massive losses should a trade work out against you. Therefore, start by understanding CFD trading and all the risks involved before venturing into such securities. Remember, over 76% of retail traders lose money in CFD trading.
4. Plus500 – Best High-Leverage Broker for Mobile Traders
Australians who prefer trading on their mobile phones should try Plus500. This broker has a powerful but simple mobile app that can run seamlessly on Android 8.0 or later and iOS 15.0 or later. I instantly fell in love with its simple, minimalist interface that allows traders to find and use all core features that desktop users have access to, like real-time charts, one-click trading, and order management.
With the Plus500 mobile app, you can trade over 2,800 financial assets. That said, this broker only offers CFDs. But its product portfolio covers a wide range of securities, from forex, shares, and indices to crypto, commodities, and ETFs. Open your account now and deposit a minimum of AU$100 to get started. The registration process is streamlined and will only take a couple of minutes.
Note that if you’re a retail trader, you’ll have access to up to 1:30 maximum leverage when trading the assets supported by Plus500, especially forex pairs. The ratios for the others are considerably lower, like crypto CFDs (1:2) and share CFDs (1:5). If these options are too low for you, apply for a Pro account. It will come with many perks, including up to 1:300 maximum leverage.
Note: 82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider
Many traders prioritize brokers they can afford. Since fees vary with a broker, we decided to go through Plus500’s fee structure. Here are some of the trading and non-trading charges to expect when you commit to this broker.
Trading and Non-Trading Charges
Details
Account Opening
$0
Minimum Deposit Requirement
$100
Commission
$0
Spreads
From 0.0 pips on major currency pairs
Deposits and Withdrawals
$0
Inactivity
$10 monthly
Currency Conversion
Up to 0.7%
Overnight Funding
Varies based on trade size
From our analysis, we discovered that the Plus500 trading platform lists over 2,800 assets. These assets are spread across various classes, including forex, shares, indices, commodities, cryptos, options, and ETFs. For most regions, Plus500 supports CFD trading across the featured assets. Real stock trading is available on the Plus500 Invest platform, while futures trading is only available for US citizens on the Plus500 Futures platform.
Let’s break down the number of Plus500 product selections.
Asset Class
Number Offered
Forex
60+ currency pairs
Shares
1900+
Indices
29+ global stock indices
Commodities
24+
Cryptocurrencies
19+
ETFs
96+
Note that options trading at Plus500 is offered on a few stock CFDs and stock index CFDs. Thematic indices like the Cannabis Index are also available for traders.
Disclaimer: CFD trading is complex and highly risky, considering the application of leverage attached. We have witnessed over 76% of retail traders lose their money in CFD trading. It may not be a suitable activity for you. Therefore, ensure you understand how CFD trading works and the risks involved.
5. AvaTrade – Best High-Leverage Broker for Options Traders
Several key factors have made me recommend AvaTrade to options traders. For starters, this broker has a special platform tailored exclusively for options trading known as AvaOptions. I tested it and was captivated by a few key aspects. First, I loved its interactive page, which is optimised to make trading options seamless both on desktop and mobile. AvaTrade stands out as an excellent forex trading app for those looking to navigate the market effectively.
Furthermore, AvaOptions has historical chart and Confidence Interval features. Using the historical chart, you can predict future trends and price movements and make the best trading decisions. On the other hand, the Confidence Interval is there to help you estimate different assets’ probable price ranges and set stop-loss and take-profit levels accordingly.
While trading options with AvaTrade, you can diversify with a broad range of assets, from forex pairs and commodities to ETFs and bonds. Note that all of the available securities are CFDs. Also, if you are interested in options and other assets but lack sufficient knowledge to make informed decisions, you can simply educate yourself with the free learning tools on AvaAcademy.
If you are a retail trader, AvaTrade offers you access to reasonable leverage of up to 30:1. However, if you meet the broker’s requirements for opening a professional trading account, your leverage options are as high as 400:1.
AvaTrade
✔Regulated by FCA
✔The platform supports algorithmic trading
Powerful trading platforms, from AvaOptions to MT4 and MT5
A broad range of securities, from options to crypto CFD
Traders can protect from financial losses of up to AU$1 million with AvaProtect
Up to 400:1 leverage
Rich variety of trading learning resources
Excellent trading platforms like AvaOptions, MT4, and MT5
Cons
AU$10 monthly inactivity fee for dormant accounts with securities worth less than AU$2,000
Fewer tradable securities than its peers
Our experts investigated the AvaTrade broker’s fees and charges. We first noticed that the platform has a modest minimum deposit requirement of $100. What’s more, its users pay no additional costs while depositing funds or cashing out. That makes AvaTrade an ideal broker for both cost-conscious and newbie traders who want to test their waters with small capital before going all in.
That said, AvaTrade requires dormant account holders to pay $50 after every 3 consecutive months of inactivity. Moreover, if you let your account remain inactive for over successive months of inactivity, the broker will charge you a $100 administration fee. Not to forget, AvaTrade requires traders who hold positions overnight to cover a premium.
Here’s a breakdown of the fees you should expect to encounter while trading with this service provider:
Fees and Charges
Amount
Spreads
From 0.9 pips
Administration fee
$100
Inactivity fee
$50
Overnight premium
Yes
The AvaTrade trading platform’s users have access to over 1,250 financial instruments, from forex pairs and indices to commodities, options, ETFs, and more. Below is an overview of some of this service provider’s product offerings:
Forex: As an AvaTrade user, you can trade diverse popular currency pairs, like EUR/USD, CAD/JPY, and USD/TRY. You can also boost potential returns with leverage of up to 400:1.
Commodities: From crude oil to silver, corn, and platinum, countless commodities are available on the Ava trading platform. They have competitive spreads and juicy leverages for individuals who want to access larger positions with small capital.
Cryptocurrencies: With an AvaTrade account, you can trade crypto CFDs like BTC/USD, Ripple, and Bitcoin Gold. These assets have reasonable spreads starting from 0.10% over-market.
Stocks: Over 90 stocks are accessible on the AvaTrade platform, including popular products like Groupon, Apple, and Microsoft. You can trade such instruments and enjoy reasonable spreads starting from 0.13%.
ETFs: If you want to trade ETFs, AvaTrade has you covered. You’ll find numerous outstanding assets, such as the MSCI EAFE Index Fund, S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN-Series B, and Energy Select Sector SPDR.
Indices: After opening an AvaTrade account, you’ll get uncapped access to US500, UK100, CHINA A50. The broker also allows index traders to enhance potential returns with up to 100:1.
Options: AvaTrade’s AvaOptions trading platform allows users to trade options. It’s also equipped with 13 strategies, including call spread, put spread, and straddle.
How to Start with High-Leverage Broker
There are many Australian forex brokers with attractive leverage limits for traders. Assuming you’re a noob, the first thing you should do before trading with a high-leverage broker is educate yourself. Learn what high-leverage trading is all about, its perks, and the risks involved. Additionally, research and read Australia’s law for high-leverage trading, especially taxation laws, to avoid fines and other significant issues.
After doing all that, join the leverage trading Australia bandwagon by following these steps:
Step 1: Visit your chosen high-leverage broker’s official site
Step 2: Sign up
Step 3: Verify your account
Step 4: Make your first deposit
Step 5: Start trading
Have you picked the best high-leverage broker for your trading goals and needs? Use the links we’ve provided to go directly to the company’s official site. Avoid using links from other sources because cybercriminals are getting better at their craft every day. Nowadays, they use malicious links to direct traders to duplicitous websites that steal login credentials, financial data, and funds.
As soon as you arrive at your broker’s site, check everything regarding crucial aspects like leverage options, spreads/commissions, and supported payment methods. Also, reach out to support with any query and judge how fast you get help. Remember, top-shelf support is crucial to your trading experience and career.
Signing up is as simple as clicking the Sign-Up, Register, or Create Account button. The wording may differ, but the button’s function is the same. It will direct you to a sign-up form, where you will be required to enter crucial details like your full name, date of birth, and contact info. Don’t worry, this is standard and mandated by AUSTRAC’s KYC policies.
While filling out the registration form, avoid fake information or mismatched names, which can cause a plethora of complications in the future, from withdrawal issues to account termination. Also, use working and valid contact information since it’ll come in handy during account verification.
Account verification is also part of the KYC (Know Your Customer) process. Your broker must prove you are who you say you are and are a legitimate Australian citizen. As such, you’ll need to support your personal and residential information with the right documents. Your broker should clearly state what is needed and how to submit it.
Note that although many brokers allow new signees to skip verification, there are certain things you can and can’t do if you choose this path. For instance, you might be able to fund your account, but you won’t be allowed to make withdrawals without completing verification.
With registration and verification out of the way, you can head to the deposit section and top up your account. Of course, your first deposit should exceed the required minimum. If it’s below the stipulated threshold, your deposit may be rejected, and the funds returned to your payment account. Or the broker might accept it but prevent you from trading until you meet the mandated minimum.
While funding your account, remember that different payment methods have different processing times. Don’t freak out if your deposit takes a few hours, as long as it’s within the stated threshold. If it is delayed for an abnormal amount of time, contact support.
We’ve now arrived at the most exciting part: trading the markets. This is where you can either make a killing or crash and burn. Your fate will depend on several factors, starting with your trading strategy. A solid strategy will facilitate consistency and long-term success. It will also make you immune to the pitfall of impulsive decision-making.
The other key factor is risk management. Reputable trading platforms have crucial tools like stop-loss and take profit orders. Use them to cap losses, protect your trading capital, and lock in profits before things go south.
How We Test
As master traders, we at BrokerRaters know how important factual, up-to-date information is when it comes to finding the best brokers. That is why we always do everything in our power to provide it.
To ensure you have the information you need to find the best high-leverage broker in Australia, our gurus toiled for days and vetted a host of service providers. We sifted out unregulated brands from the outset because they are not to be trusted. Then, we used a long list of functions to test regulated brokers and pick the best 5, from security and trading instruments to customer support and user testimonials.
That said, trading with one of the best brokers in Australia might increase your odds of success, but it won’t make you impervious to losses. You must trade responsibly to enjoy optimum profits and dodge big losses. Never forget this crucial piece of advice.
Conclusion
As an Australian, ASIC has capped your access to leverage exceeding 30:1 for major pairs, 20:1 for minors, 10:1 for commodity CFDs, 2:1 for crypto CFDs, and 5:1 for CFDs on shares and other assets. That is, if you are trading at the retail level. But if you’re a professional, you should be able to access the super-high leverage options like the ones offered by the brokers I’ve recommended.
You must prove you’re a professional trader to get unlimited access to higher leverage. The requirements you’ll have to meet will depend on your chosen broker. Check your service provider’s official site or contact support for more information.
Have you been privileged to get trading insider information? But who doesn’t want that unfair advantage? Meet your insider source, Thadeus Geodfrey. He provides insider information on anything trading. But the information he shares is not the kind that would get you in trouble with regulators. Thadeus writes on trade and investment.
With more than a decade of experience, Thadeus has an eagle eye for spotting opportunities and risks. If he tells you a specific broker isn’t to be trusted, you better believe him. He has been swimming in these trading waters long enough to spot scam brokers from afar. Thadeus’s priority is your safety as an investor or trader.
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This guide is helpful, but I’d recommend beginners start small, use demo accounts, and focus on understanding the risks before diving in.