Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For experienced Australian traders seeking ASIC-regulated brokers, the choice between Oanda and Tickmill comes down to trading costs and platform preferences. Both brokers are licensed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), ensuring strict compliance with local financial laws, including client money segregation and leverage limits (1:30 for retail). They also support AUD-denominated accounts and popular local payment methods like BPAY, POLi, bank transfer, and credit cards, making deposits and withdrawals seamless for Australian residents. Oanda, with a score of 3.6/5, is known for its powerful proprietary trading platform and comprehensive analytical tools, ideal for traders who value in-depth charting and custom indicators. Tickmill, scoring 4/5, excels in low-cost trading with its Razor account offering raw spreads from 0.0 pips, appealing to high-volume traders. This comparison examines spreads, platforms, regulation, and local payment support to help Australian traders decide which broker aligns with their strategy and budget.
| Instrument | Oanda | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Tickmill |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Tickmill |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Tickmill |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Tickmill |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $0 | $100 | Oanda |
When comparing trading costs for Australia-based traders, Tickmill has the edge with its Razor account featuring spreads from 0.0 pips and a commission of $3.50 per lot per side (AUD equivalent). Oanda’s spread-based pricing varies by instrument, with typical EUR/USD spreads around 1.0–1.3 pips on its core account. For high-volume Australian traders, Tickmill’s raw models significantly reduce transaction costs, especially for scalping or algorithmic strategies. Oanda’s no-commission model suits lower-frequency traders who prefer predictable pricing. Both brokers charge no inactivity fees, but Tickmill’s lower spreads make it more cost-efficient for frequent traders.
| Account Type | Oanda | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | Oanda | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (offshore) | Up to 1:100 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:100 | 1:1000 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | Oanda | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Oanda |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Oanda |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Oanda |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Tickmill |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Oanda | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Oanda offers its proprietary platform with advanced charting, 100+ indicators, and one-click trading—ideal for Australian traders who need deep analytical tools. It also supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) for those preferring third-party automation. Tickmill provides MT4 and MT5, with fast execution and custom indicators, but lacks a proprietary web platform. For Australian traders who rely on Expert Advisors (EAs) or custom scripts, Tickmill’s MT4/MT5 environment is robust. Oanda’s web-based platform is better for traders who value built-in news feeds and technical analysis without needing external software.
| Factor | Oanda | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Tickmill |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Oanda |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
Tickmill boasts ultra-low latency execution with an average order execution speed of 0.1 seconds, making it ideal for Australian scalpers and high-frequency traders. Oanda also offers fast execution under normal conditions but may experience slight slippage during volatile markets. Both brokers use No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with STP, ensuring no re-quotes, but Tickmill’s infrastructure is optimized for raw spread trading. Australian traders prioritizing execution speed will favor Tickmill.
| Safety Factor | Oanda | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Oanda and Tickmill hold ASIC licenses, giving Australian traders strong regulatory protection. ASIC mandates strict capital adequacy requirements, client money segregation in trust accounts, and access to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) for dispute resolution. For retail traders, ASIC enforces a 1:30 leverage cap—both brokers comply. This regulation is crucial for Australian traders as it prevents excessive risk and ensures fair treatment. Tickmill also holds FCA and CySEC licenses, adding extra oversight, while Oanda is regulated in multiple jurisdictions including the US, UK, and Singapore. ASIC registration is the key factor for local traders.
| Payment Method | Oanda | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 5 business days | Most withdrawals 1 business day; bank wire 1-3 days, Credit/Debit Cards: Up to 8 working days. |
Australian traders have convenient funding options with both brokers. Oanda supports AUD deposits via bank transfer, credit/debit cards, and POLi—a real-time internet banking method that avoids international wire fees. Withdrawals are free and processed within 1-3 business days. Tickmill accepts bank transfers, credit cards, and BPAY, a popular Australian bill payment system. Tickmill also offers fee-free deposits and withdrawals, with bank transfers taking 1-3 days. POLi is exclusive to Oanda, while BPAY is exclusive to Tickmill; both methods are free and efficient for Australian users. Credit card deposits are instant at both brokers, though some issuers may charge cash advance fees.
| Islamic Account Feature | Oanda | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✗ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both Oanda and Tickmill offer swap-free Islamic accounts for Australian Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. Tickmill provides these accounts upon request for all account types, with no swap charges on overnight positions. Oanda also offers Islamic accounts but requires traders to contact support to activate the feature. Neither broker charges extra fees for swap-free accounts, and both maintain the same spreads and commissions as standard accounts. Australian Muslim traders should confirm eligibility and terms before opening an account.
| Support Feature | Oanda | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Oanda |
Oanda provides 24/5 customer support via phone, email, and live chat, with Australian traders able to reach a local Sydney-based team. Tickmill also offers 24/5 support in English, plus additional language options, with response times averaging under 1 hour. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections covering Australian-specific topics like AUD accounts and local payments. Tickmill’s live chat is slightly faster for technical queries, while Oanda’s phone support is more direct for complex issues.
| Mobile Feature | Oanda | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Oanda |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Oanda |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | Oanda |
| Resource | Oanda | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | Oanda |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Oanda |
Choose Oanda if you...
Choose Tickmill if you...
For experienced Australian traders, Tickmill is the stronger choice overall due to its lower spreads and higher score of 4/5, especially for cost-conscious or high-frequency strategies. Its support for BPAY and raw pricing gives it a clear advantage. However, Oanda (3.6/5) remains a solid option for traders who rely on its proprietary platform for technical analysis and prefer POLi for instant bank transfers. Both brokers are ASIC-regulated, ensuring safety and compliance for Australian residents. Your final decision should weigh platform features against trading costs—Tickmill for savings, Oanda for tools. Test both with a demo account to see which fits your workflow.