Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Australia traders seeking ASIC-regulated forex brokers face a choice between Tickmill and Hantec Markets, two established names in the local market. Tickmill, scoring 4/5, is known for its ultra-low spreads, advanced trading platforms, and fast execution—ideal for experienced traders who prioritise cost efficiency. Hantec Markets, scoring 3.6/5, offers a solid but more traditional trading experience with competitive pricing and strong customer support. Both brokers are fully licensed by ASIC, ensuring strict adherence to Australian financial regulations, including client fund segregation and negative balance protection. For Australia traders using AUD, both brokers support local payment methods like BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, making deposits and withdrawals seamless. This comparison breaks down spreads, platforms, regulation, and local features to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style in 2026.
| Instrument | Tickmill | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Hantec Markets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Hantec Markets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Hantec Markets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Hantec Markets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $10 | Hantec Markets |
For Australia traders, trading costs are a critical factor, especially for those trading major pairs like AUD/USD. Tickmill offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw account with a commission of $3 per lot per side, making it highly competitive for scalpers and high-volume traders. Hantec Markets provides spreads from 0.2 pips on its ECN account with a similar commission structure, but overall costs are slightly higher. Over 100 lots per month, Tickmill can save you hundreds of dollars in spread costs. Both brokers offer zero commission accounts with wider spreads, but Tickmill's Raw account remains the most cost-effective option for active Australia traders.
| Account Type | Tickmill | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | Tickmill | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (offshore) | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1000 | 1:500 |
| 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 | Tickmill | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Tickmill |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Tickmill |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Tickmill |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Hantec Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Tickmill | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Australia traders require robust platforms for fast execution and advanced charting. Tickmill offers MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), both fully customisable with expert advisors (EAs) and algorithmic trading support. Hantec Markets also provides MT4 and MT5, but lacks the additional web trader and mobile enhancements that Tickmill offers. Tickmill's platforms are optimised for low latency, crucial for Australia traders executing high-frequency strategies. Hantec Markets' platforms are reliable but more basic, making Tickmill the better choice for traders who rely on automated trading or complex technical analysis.
| Factor | Tickmill | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Hantec Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Tickmill |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality is vital for Australia traders, especially scalpers. Tickmill offers STP/ECN execution with average execution speeds under 0.2 seconds and no requotes. Hantec Markets also uses STP execution but averages around 0.4 seconds. Tickmill's lower latency and direct market access give it an edge for fast-moving markets like the AUD/USD. Both brokers offer negative balance protection, but Tickmill's execution speed is superior for high-frequency strategies.
| Safety Factor | Tickmill | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Tickmill and Hantec Markets are regulated by ASIC, providing Australia traders with strong investor protections. Tickmill holds an AFSL (no. 484,839) and complies with ASIC's client money rules, ensuring funds are held in segregated accounts. Hantec Markets also holds an AFSL (no. 403,075) and adheres to the same strict standards. ASIC regulation means both brokers must offer negative balance protection, transparent pricing, and access to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) for dispute resolution. This regulatory oversight gives Australia traders peace of mind when choosing either broker.
| Payment Method | Tickmill | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Most withdrawals 1 business day; bank wire 1-3 days, Credit/Debit Cards: Up to 8 working days. | Crypto / USDT: 1 to 3 hours (for eligible wallets)E-wallets: Within hours up to 1 dayBank / Wire Transfers: 2 to 5 business days |
Australia traders enjoy convenient local payment options at both Tickmill and Hantec Markets. You can deposit using BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card (Visa/Mastercard) at both brokers. Tickmill also supports PayPal and Neteller, while Hantec Markets adds Skrill. Deposits via BPAY and POLi are processed instantly, with no fees, making them ideal for quick funding. Withdrawals are typically processed within 1-2 business days for bank transfers and instantly for e-wallets. Both brokers do not charge internal fees for AUD deposits, but bank transfer fees may apply from your bank. For Australia traders, these local methods ensure fast, low-cost access to trading funds.
| Islamic Account Feature | Tickmill | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Muslim traders in Australia can access Islamic (swap-free) accounts at both Tickmill and Hantec Markets. Tickmill offers swap-free accounts upon request, applicable to all account types, with no interest charged on overnight positions. Hantec Markets provides Islamic accounts automatically for eligible clients, also without swap fees. Both brokers ensure compliance with Sharia law by waiving overnight interest, though holding periods may be limited to prevent abuse. For Australia Muslim traders, both options are viable, but Tickmill's straightforward request process may be more convenient.
| Support Feature | Tickmill | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Tickmill |
Australia traders can access customer support via live chat, email, and phone from both brokers. Tickmill offers 24/5 multilingual support with a dedicated Australia phone line, while Hantec Markets provides 24/5 support with local business hours coverage. Tickmill's response times are slightly faster, averaging under 30 seconds for live chat. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections tailored to Australia clients, covering local payment methods and ASIC regulations.
| Mobile Feature | Tickmill | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Tickmill |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Tickmill |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Tickmill | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Tickmill |
Choose Tickmill if you...
Choose Hantec Markets if you...
For Australia traders seeking an ASIC-regulated broker in 2026, Tickmill stands out as the superior choice due to its lower spreads, faster execution, and more advanced platform options. Its support for local payment methods like BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card makes funding easy for AUD accounts. While Hantec Markets is a reliable alternative with strong regulatory credentials and automatic Islamic accounts, its higher spreads and slower execution make it less suitable for experienced traders. If cost efficiency and speed are your priorities, Tickmill is the clear winner for Australia traders.