Regulation · last checked 2026-07-02
ASIC Regulation and Forex Brokers: How to Check an Australian Licence
ASIC oversees Australia’s corporate and financial markets. Forex and CFD traders should match the precise legal entity, licence number, permissions and website with ASIC’s public records, rather than rely on a brand’s claim to be “ASIC regulated”.
- Search the official ASIC register
- Check the legal entity rather than the brand name alone
- CFD and leverage risk remains significant despite regulation
Records behind this ASIC Regulation And Forex Brokers: How To Check An Australian Licence guide
Evidence for ASIC Regulation And Forex Brokers: How To Check An Australian Licence was checked against 6 public sources; last reviewed 2026-07-02.
- ✓ASIC is Australia’s corporate, markets and financial services regulator.
- ✓ASIC provides a public professional register where users can check whether an entity is licensed or registered.
- ✓ASIC says anyone offering a financial or investment product or giving financial advice must have an AFS licence.
ASIC’s register, authority and Australian jurisdiction
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) regulates corporate, market and financial services in Australia. Its public registers allow consumers to check whether a person or company holds an Australian Financial Services (AFS) licence. ASIC requires anyone offering financial products or advice to hold an AFS licence, and its searchable register provides a way to confirm that status.
Broker shortlist with ASIC signals
| Broker | Comparison score | Regulator signals | Legal entity evidence | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 FP Markets | 67 | ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, Seychelles FSA | First Prudential Markets Pty Ltd / First Prudential Markets Ltd / FP Markets (Pty) Ltd / First Prudential Markets Limited / FP Markets Ltd | FP Markets review |
 Easy Forex / easyMarkets | 62.5 | CySEC, ASIC | Easy Forex Trading Ltd; easyMarkets Pty Ltd | Easy Forex / easyMarkets review |
| 60 | CySEC, BaFin (branch context), FCA (legacy enforcement history on UK entity), ASIC (2025 retail CFD stop order later revoked) | Stratos Europe Limited (trading as FXCM / FXCM EU) | FXCM review | |
| 60 | FCA, CySEC, ASIC, FSA Seychelles | Plus500 Ltd and operating subsidiaries including Plus500UK Ltd, Plus500CY Ltd, Plus500AU Pty Ltd, and Plus500SEY Ltd | Plus500 review | |
 OANDA | 59 | CFTC, NFA, FCA, ASIC | OANDA Corporation / OANDA Europe Limited / OANDA Australia Pty Ltd (entity differs by region) | OANDA review |
 GO Markets | 59 | ASIC, CySEC | GO Markets Pty Limited (Australia); GO Markets Ltd (Cyprus/EU) | GO Markets review |
 Pepperstone | 59 | FCA, ASIC, DFSA, CySEC | Pepperstone group operates through multiple entities, including Pepperstone Limited, Pepperstone EU Limited, and Pepperstone Markets Limited. | Pepperstone review |
 eToro | 52 | FCA, ASIC | eToro (UK) Limited; eToro Aus Capital Limited; eToro USA LLC are among the public entities reflected in the reviewed sources | eToro review |
Regulator signals are based on public-source research and still require a direct register check before account opening. Last checked July 2, 2026.
ASIC verification checklist for forex and CFD brokers
| Check item | What to confirm on ASIC sources | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Legal entity | The exact company or licensed entity name | Brand names can differ from the regulated entity |
| AFS licence number | The licence number on the public register | A number alone is not enough if the entity name does not match |
| Authorisations/permissions | That the licence covers the relevant financial services | A licence may exist without covering every product a broker markets |
| Website details | The principal website and recorded websites field | This helps identify impersonation or cloned sites |
| Status and conditions | Whether the licence is current and whether conditions apply | Restrictions or conditions can change what the firm may offer |
| Warnings/enforcement | Any ASIC media release or register note about the entity | Regulatory issues can affect trader risk |
Use the ASIC Professional Registers Search as the starting point, then cross-check the broker’s own legal documents and disclosures.
documented ASIC examples mentioned on this page
| Entity / topic | documented point | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ASIC Professional Registers Search | ASIC provides a public search for licensed or registered professionals, including AFS licensees | ASIC register search |
| AFS licensees and website addresses | ASIC is collecting and publishing AFS licensee website addresses to help identify legitimate sites | ASIC media release / guidance |
| FXCM | ASIC issued a 2025 DDO stop order related to CFD target market determination deficiencies | ASIC media release |
| CFD risks | ASIC has publicly noted leverage, volatility, liquidity and pricing risk in relation to CFDs | ASIC media release |
These examples are included as illustrative regulatory references, not broker recommendations.
Checking an ASIC regulation broker licence and website
An ASIC Regulation broker check should start with the broker’s exact legal entity name, not its trading brand. Search ASIC’s professional registers by name, ABN, ACN or AFS licence number, then confirm the licence status, authorised services and associated website addresses. ASIC now lists websites for AFS licensees to help identify fake sites. A discrepancy between the brand name, licence number or website and ASIC’s registers should raise suspicion.
What an ASIC register entry does and does not establish
ASIC’s role increases transparency, applies licensing standards and makes entities publicly accountable. It can help consumers identify authorised firms and spot some impersonations. An ASIC Regulation entry does not, however, guarantee fair pricing, execution quality, customer support, profitability or solvency. Nor does it remove the risks inherent in leveraged products or automatically validate every website, sub-brand or marketing partner.
ASIC and CFD brokers: why the risk warning still applies
ASIC has repeatedly warned about CFD trading risks, including leverage, volatility, liquidity and pricing. In 2025, ASIC issued a stop order against FXCM due to shortcomings in target market determinations, underlining that these risks are central to product suitability. Regulation and warnings do not mean CFDs are low-risk investments.
Beyond an ASIC licence badge: checks on the contracting entity
Even a strong ASIC listing warrants further scrutiny. Identify the contracting entity, confirm where client funds are held, review product permissions on the register, check that the website domain matches, examine complaints procedures, and look for enforcement actions or warnings. These points carry more weight than a general claim that a firm is “regulated in Australia”.
Common questions
What does ASIC regulation mean for a forex broker?
It means the broker or its legal entity is listed on ASIC’s public registers and is subject to ASIC’s oversight within the scope of recorded permissions and conditions. It doesn’t imply the broker is without risk or that every brand using its name is authorised.
How do I check if a broker is actually licensed by ASIC?
Use ASIC’s Professional Registers Search with the broker’s legal entity name, ABN, ACN, or AFS licence number. Verify the licence status, authorised services, and website details. If branding doesn’t match the registered entity, investigate thoroughly before depositing funds.
Is an ASIC licence the same as a guarantee of safety?
No. ASIC licensing indicates regulatory approval, not performance assurance. Losses can still occur due to market risks, poor execution, platform issues, operational failures, or scams using a legitimate firm’s name.
Do all ASIC-regulated brokers offer the same products?
No. Each licence specifies permissions and services. A broker may be authorised for some financial services but not necessarily all products it advertises. Checking the register’s exact wording is essential.
Why should I check a broker’s website address on ASIC?
ASIC warns that fraudsters can mimic names, licence numbers, and websites to create fake sites. Confirming the website address on ASIC’s register helps ensure you’re dealing with the genuine licensee.
Does ASIC regulate offshore brokers that market to Australians?
ASIC regulates Australian entities and the activities they are licensed to provide. When a broker claims to be “ASIC regulated,” the key is whether the specific legal entity you deal with is listed on ASIC’s public register and authorised for the promoted service.
What is the main risk with ASIC-regulated CFD brokers?
The main risk lies in the product itself: CFDs are complex, leveraged, and can move quickly against traders. ASIC has emphasised risks related to leverage, volatility, liquidity, and pricing in this market.
Official records used in this guide
Open the register yourself and match the legal entity, permissions, domain and current status.