IC Markets vs AvaTrade Australia 2026: Which ASIC-Regulated Broker Wins?
Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Australia forex traders seeking a reliable, ASIC-regulated broker face a tough choice between IC Markets and AvaTrade. IC Markets, scoring 4.8/5, is a favourite among experienced traders for its ultra-low spreads (from 0.0 pips) and high execution speed, making it ideal for scalping and algorithmic trading in the AUD/USD and other major pairs. AvaTrade, scoring 4.6/5, offers a more rounded platform suite with fixed spreads and robust educational tools, appealing to traders who value simplicity and support. Both brokers accept Australian dollars, support local payment methods like BPAY, POLi, and Bank Transfer, and hold ASIC licences, ensuring fund segregation and leverage caps at 30:1. This comparison examines fees, platforms, regulation, and deposit options to help you decide which broker fits your Australian trading style.
| Instrument | IC Markets | AvaTrade | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | AvaTrade |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | AvaTrade |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | AvaTrade |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | AvaTrade |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100 | AvaTrade |
| Inactivity fee | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
For Australia traders, IC Markets provides the lowest trading costs with its Raw Spread account, offering spreads from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD and a $7 AUD commission per standard lot round turn. This structure suits high-volume traders and scalpers who trade frequently. AvaTrade uses fixed spreads averaging 1.2 pips on EUR/USD with no commission, which is simpler but more expensive for active traders. Over 100 lots per month, IC Markets saves around $500 AUD in spreads and commissions compared to AvaTrade. Both brokers have no hidden fees on deposits via BPAY or POLi, but IC Markets' cost advantage is clear for experienced Australia traders.
| Account Type | IC Markets | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| VPS trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100 |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:400 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:400 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Margin call level | 80% | 80% |
| Stop out level | 50% | 50% |
| Asset Class | IC Markets | AvaTrade | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | IC Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | IC Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | IC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | AvaTrade |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Options | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Futures | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | IC Markets | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fixed spreads | ✗ | ✓ |
| Variable spreads | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, all popular with Australia traders for advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs), and custom indicators. AvaTrade provides MT4, MT5, and its proprietary AvaTradeGO app, plus social trading through DupliTrade and ZuluTrade. For Australia traders who use EAs or algorithmic strategies, IC Markets is superior due to its low-latency servers in Sydney and support for cTrader. AvaTrade's platform variety is better for beginners or those wanting copy trading, but lacks the raw speed that experienced traders demand.
| Factor | IC Markets | AvaTrade | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | AvaTrade |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | IC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Dealing desk | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| News trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
IC Markets uses Equinix NY4 data centres and low-latency fibre connections, offering average execution speeds under 40ms for Australia traders, ideal for scalping and EAs. AvaTrade uses a dealing desk model with fixed spreads and no requotes, but execution speeds are slower at around 100ms. For high-frequency traders in Australia, IC Markets' raw execution is superior, while AvaTrade's model suits those who prefer price certainty over speed.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | CBI |
| Reg number | #335692 | #C53877 |
| Verify registration | Verify ↗ | Verify ↗ |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both IC Markets and AvaTrade are regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), offering Australia traders strong client fund protection through segregation and participation in the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) scheme. ASIC imposes leverage limits of up to 30:1 for retail clients, which applies to both brokers. IC Markets also holds regulation from CySEC and FSA, while AvaTrade is regulated in multiple jurisdictions including the Central Bank of Ireland. For Australia traders, ASIC oversight ensures compliance with local laws, including negative balance protection and transparent fee disclosure, making both brokers safe choices.
| Payment Method | IC Markets | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Deposit fee | None | None |
| Withdrawal time | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days | Card/e-wallet 24-48hrs after approval; Wire Transfer up to 7-10 business days |
| Min withdrawal | $50 | $50 |
Australia traders can fund their IC Markets or AvaTrade accounts using BPAY, POLi, or Bank Transfer, all in AUD with no deposit fees. IC Markets processes BPAY and POLi deposits instantly, while Bank Transfers take 1-2 business days. AvaTrade offers the same methods plus credit/debit cards and e-wallets like Skrill. Withdrawals are free via Bank Transfer for both, but IC Markets charges a $20 AUD fee for wire transfers under $100 AUD. AvaTrade processes withdrawals within 1-2 business days via Bank Transfer. POLi is particularly convenient for Australia traders as it links directly to local bank accounts, and both brokers support it seamlessly.
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gold swap-free | ✓ | ✓ |
| Crypto swap-free | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
For Australia Muslim traders, both IC Markets and AvaTrade offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law by eliminating overnight interest on positions. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts on request for all account types, with no additional fees on major forex pairs, but charges a fee on certain commodities after 10 days. AvaTrade offers Islamic accounts across its entire platform, including MT4 and AvaTradeGO, with no swap charges on any instrument. Both require documentation to verify eligibility, such as a declaration of Muslim faith or residency. AvaTrade's Islamic account is slightly more comprehensive for Australia traders holding positions long-term.
| Support Feature | IC Markets | AvaTrade | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| 24/5 support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IC Markets |
IC Markets offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated Australia phone line and Sydney-based team. AvaTrade also provides 24/5 live chat and phone support in multiple languages, including English, with an Australian office. Response times are similar, but IC Markets edges ahead with round-the-clock availability for weekend traders. Both brokers offer extensive FAQ sections tailored to Australia clients.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | AvaTrade | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5★ | 4.3★ | IC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3★ | 4.2★ | IC Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Mobile deposit/withdrawal | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Dark mode | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Resource | IC Markets | AvaTrade | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | IC Markets |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
| Beginner resources | Excellent | Basic | IC Markets |
Choose IC Markets if you...
- Are an experienced scalper or algorithmic trader needing ultra-low spreads from 0.0 pips
- Trade high volumes (50+ lots per month) and want to minimise costs
- Use Expert Advisors (EAs) on MT4, MT5, or cTrader
- Prefer fast execution with Sydney-based servers for low latency
Choose AvaTrade if you...
- Are a beginner or intermediate trader wanting fixed spreads and no requotes
- Value social trading platforms like DupliTrade and ZuluTrade
- Need extensive educational resources and dedicated Australian support
- Want a simple, all-in-one account with no commission structure
For experienced Australia traders prioritising low costs and fast execution, IC Markets is the clear winner with its Raw Spread accounts, ASIC regulation, and support for BPAY and POLi deposits. Its 4.8/5 score reflects its dominance in the Australian market for scalpers and algorithmic traders. AvaTrade, at 4.6/5, is a strong alternative for traders who value fixed spreads, educational tools, and social trading, with the same ASIC oversight and local payment methods. Ultimately, choose IC Markets for cost efficiency and speed, or AvaTrade for simplicity and support. Both are excellent ASIC-regulated options for Australia traders in 2026.