Invest in ASX Australia – Investing in ASX Beginner’s Guide 2021

Kane Pepi

Last Updated: 6, June 2025

Fact Checked by Gary McFarlane

Please note that we are not authorised to provide any investment advice. The content on this page is for information purposes only.

Investing in the ASX is a great way to gain exposure to the price movements of the ASX 200 index. But what is the ASX 200 and how do you invest in it? 

The ASX 200 is a stock market index that covers 200 large-cap businesses that are listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Learn how to trade and invest in the ASX 200, as well as what factors influence the index’s performance.

#1 Broker to Invest in ASX – eToro

1

Min Deposit$50

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• Buy over 800 stocks with 0% commission
• Social trading network
• Copy over 12 million traders and investors

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Don't invest unless you're prepared to lose all the money you invest. Crypto asset investing is unregulated in most EU countries and the UK. No consumer protection. Your capital is at risk. CFD crypto trading is unavailable for clients residing in the UK and US.

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Investing in ASX Australia – Beginner’s Guide 2021

Investing in ASX starts with a top-rated, regulated online trading platform. But with so many CFD brokers out there, how do you choose the right one that suits your trading needs? 

After reviewing the best online brokers out there, we found that eToro is the safest and cheapest option for beginner traders. 

• Step 1: Create an eToro brokerage account by clicking the ‘Join Now’ button on the eToro website. Choose a username and password and provide a valid email address.
• Step 2: Verify your Account – Verify your eToro account by uploading a copy of your passport or driver’s license as well as proof of address (a copy of a bank statement or utility bill).
• Step 3: Make a $50 minimum deposit via a credit/debit card, a bank transfer, or an e-wallet.
• Step 4: Invest in ASX – Click ‘Trade’ after searching for the name or ticker symbol of the asset you want to invest in. Click ‘Open Trade’ after entering the amount you want to invest to start gaining exposure to the Australian market. 

Where to Invest in ASX – Top CFD Brokers Australia

In this section of our Investing in ASX guide, we’ll cover three of the best brokers to consider in 2021, offering the lowest fees, safest platforms, and fastest trade executions. 

1. eToro – Best Global Forex and CFD Broker Australia

eToro, which was launched in 2006, boasts a user base of over 20 million and has become one of the leading social trading platforms across the board. The eToro user interface is really easy to navigate. There are tons of trading tools to use including copy trading features and ProCharts. Best of all, eToro supports commission-free trading. 

eToro serves clients in over 120 countries, including Australia, and is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), CySEC, and the UK’s FCA. 

Investing in ASX with eToro

With an eToro trading account, there are two ways you can gain exposure to indices:

1. Stock Index CFDs such as the SPX500, AUS200, and UK100 
2. You can buy index fund ETFs such as the SPDR S&P 500 Index and the iShares FTSE 100 UCITS ETF without paying a penny in commission. 

Since eToro facilitates fractional share trading you can invest in a percentage of a whole ETF or stock index CFD with a minimum investment of just $50. 

Investing in ASX via Stock Index CFDs 

You can search for a specific stock index CFD such as the SPX500, UK100, and the AUS200 via the search bar at the top of the dashboard. 

Alternatively, you can browse through 13 stock indices by clicking on the ‘Discover’ tab from the navigation bar. 

Buy Index Fund ETFs with 0% Commission

eToro gives you access to a wide range of 256 ETFs (exchange-traded funds), covering many index funds such as the SPDR S&P 500 ETF and iShares Core FTSE 100 UCITS ETF. 

Investing in ASX versus Trading the ASX 200

You can trade the ASX 200 via financial derivatives such as contracts for difference. A CFD lets you speculate on the price of the ASX 200 either increasing or dropping as it tracks the price of the benchmark index. 

When you trade ASX 200 through CFDs you’ll be opening leveraged positions. Leverage lets you stretch your investing capital to gain greater share market exposure while only having to commit an initial margin. Nevertheless, leverage can amplify both potential losses and profits. 

On the other hand, you cannot invest directly in the ASX 200 because it’s an index, as opposed to a tangible asset like stocks or commodities. But, you can gain exposure to its price movements by investing in ASX 200 ETFs or individual stocks listed on the ASX 200. 

68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

Features

Copy trading is arguably eToro’s best feature for beginners. CopyTrader is one of the most iconic features eToro has to offer. 

CopyTrader is the main driver behind social trading, allowing you to see what real people are doing in real-time, discover and follow investors you like, as well as imitate their trading strategies with a few clicks.

What is CopyTrader? 

One of the main reasons the platform is regarded as one of the leaders of the fintech revolution is CopyTrader and CopyPortfolios. The CopyTrader tool’s basic concept is straightforward: select the traders you want to replicate, pick how much you want to invest, and copy everything they do automatically in real-time from the comfort of your own home.

The CopyTrader tool from eToro is a game-changer in the online trading sector since it allows you to build an investment portfolio based on real, tried and tested investment strategies.

Keep the following minimums and maximums in mind:

• The minimum deposit required to invest in a trader is $200.
• The maximum number of traders you can replicate at once is 100.
• $2,000,000 is the maximum amount you can invest in an expert trader.
• The minimum trade size is $1, and the deal will not open if the corresponding amount in the copier’s account is less than $1.

What are CopyPortfolios? 

CopyPortfolios can be broken down into three main groups:

1. Top Trader CopyPortfolios are made up of the top-performing traders on eToro. 
2. Market CopyPortfolios are pre-built portfolios of CFD stocks, commodities, or ETFs that follow a specific theme.
3. Partners CopyPortfolios – pre-built CFD portfolios created by eToro’s affiliates including Tipranks, a stock analyst software firm; WeSave, a French robo-advisor; and Meitav Dash, a multi-billion dollar investment house. 

This unique, passive approach to investing helps traders diversify their portfolios, reducing long-term risk, and maximising current market opportunities. Each CopyPortfolio is rebalanced regularly.

Is eToro safe? 

eToro is fully regulated by several top-tier financial authorities including the UK’s FCA (Financial Conduct Authority), CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission), and ASIC (the Australian Securities and Investments Commission). 

On top of that, eToro offers negative balance protection and holds all client funds in segregated bank accounts. You’ll also have the option to set up 2FA on both the web-based trading platform and the mobile app. 

Fees and Commissions

eToro is one of the best discount brokers out there. This means you’ll be buying and selling stocks and ETFs without paying a penny in commissions. When it comes to CD trading you will face overnight financing fees. Furthermore, when it comes to forex trading the only fees you will incur are the bid-ask spreads. This is simply the difference between the bid and ask prices. 

When it comes to non-trading fees these are also very low. For example, there are no account or deposit fees to worry about. On the other hand, there is a small $5 withdrawal fee and a $10 inactivity fee after 12 months of no-login activity. 

Pros

Cons

68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

2. AvaTrade – Best CFD Broker for Investing in ASX

AvaTrade is a CFD and forex broker operating internationally. Launched in 2006, AvaTrade is now regulated by multiple financial regulators including the Central Bank of Ireland, and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). 

Account opening is simple and 100% digital. AvaTrade has several deposit and withdrawal methods, all of which are free of charge. It also provides a wide range of user-friendly research and educational tools.

Tradable assets

On the other hand, its portfolio of financial instruments is restricted to forex, various CFDs (for stocks, indices, commodities, and so on), and cryptos. Inactivity costs are above average, and FX trading fees are rather expensive. 

Fees & Payments

AvaTrade supports low CFD and average forex fees. This includes 0% commission trading as the fees are included in the market spread. In terms of non-trading fees, there are no deposit fees, withdrawal fees, or account fees charged by the broker. 

On the flip side, there is a $50 inactivity fee per quarter after three months of inactivity. Additionally, after one year of inactivity, a $100 administrative fee is charged. 

The minimum deposit is just $100 and you can use a bank transfer, credit/debit card, or electronic wallet. 

Pros

Cons

71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

3. Capital.com – Low-Cost CFD Broker for Investing in ASX

Capital.com, launched in 2016, is a global CFD and forex broker. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) of the United Kingdom, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus (NBRB) all regulate it.

Capital.com charges minimal forex and stock CFD commissions. Opening an account is straightforward. Customer service is great; they respond quickly and thoroughly.

On the downside, its supported products are limited to CFDs (equity, index, crypto – not available to UK traders, commodities, currency) and actual stocks. Traders based in Australia do not have access to real stocks. Price alerts are not available on the web trading platform, and minor account base currencies are not supported.

Tradable assets

In comparison to other CFD brokers, Capital.com boasts a large assortment of CFD, FX, and crypto products. However, popular asset categories such as real ETFs, funds, and futures are absent.

Fees and Payments

Capital.com offers low trading fees. It’s fantastic that FCA and CySEC investors can trade real stocks without paying a penny in commission. There are no inactivity or withdrawal costs, thus non-trading fees are also on the low end of the fee spectrum. Stock index CFD costs, on the other hand, aren’t cheap.

Capital.com does not charge a fee for making a deposit. Apple Pay may be used to add funds to your brokerage account in addition to bank transfers and credit/debit cards.

Pros

Cons

76.72% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and/or CFDs with this provider. 

Investing in ASX – Broker Price Comparison

Investing in ASX – What are the Risks?

Investing in index funds has a few major drawbacks:

• Low Flexibility: Because index funds are managed passively, the fund manager cannot trade securities in response to fluctuating market conditions.
• Tracking Error: If an index fund fails to precisely follow its benchmark index, the investor’s return will diverge from the benchmark.
• Under-performance: An index fund may underperform its benchmark index because of fees and expenses. Typically, the index with the lowest expense ratios can track the index more accurately than those with higher expense ratios. 
• Economic events – the recent Covid-19 pandemic can influence the performance of the ASX 200. 
• Reserve Bank of Australia – monetary policy set by the Australian Central Bank can cause volatility in the market price of the ASX 200. Higher interest rates lower borrowing which can therefore have a knock-on effect on earnings growth.

How to invest in ASX with eToro 

Follow this four-step process to start investing in ASX right now. 

Step 1: Open an eToro account

Head over to the eToro website and click on ‘Join Now’ to set up a new trading account. Enter your details and create a username and password for your brokerage account. 

Step 2: Verify your account

As part of the KYC process, you’ll need to verify your account by providing proof of identity and address. You can do this by uploading a copy of your driving license and a recent bank statement. 

Step 3: Fund your account

It’s simple and quick to fund your account. By tapping on the ‘Deposit Funds’ button you can fund your account using a variety of payment methods, including debit/credit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets. 

There are also no deposit fees to pay, and the minimum deposit amount is only $50.

Step 4: Investing in ASX

You can invest in ASX by searching for AUS200 in the search bar. Alternatively, you can browse through the different stocks and ETFs by clicking on the ‘Discover’ tab in the navigation bar. 

Once you’ve found your preferred asset, click on ‘Trade’. From there you’ll be able to specify the investment amount, alongside leverage, and stop-loss or take-profit orders. It’s important to keep in mind that the minimum investment amount for the AUS200 CFD is $200 if you use leverage above 5:1. 

When you’re happy with your choices click on ‘Open Trade’. 

Investing in ASX – Conclusion

Recent economic events and market news can all impact the ASX 200’s market value. If you want to gain exposure to the ASX 200 benchmark stock index for the Australian stock market then we recommend the social trading platform eToro. 

The ASX 200 consists of 200 large-cap Australian stocks covering several industries such as finance, healthcare, energy, and manufacturing. 

Best Online Broker to Invest in ASX – eToro

68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

FAQs

How to invest in ASX?

You can invest in the ASX 200 stock index by directly investing in ETFs that track the benchmark index or stocks that are listed on the ASX 200. Alternatively, you can trade the ASX 200 by buying and selling CFDs. CFDs let you speculate on the ASX 200 market price increasing or dropping.

Can you invest in the ASX?

You cannot invest directly in the ASX 200 because it’s a stock index, as opposed to a tangible securities such as stocks or precious metals. Nevertheless, you can gain exposure to its price movements by directly investing in ETFs that track the ASX 200 or individual stocks listed on the ASX 200.

Is it worth investing in ASX?

In Australia, the ASX 200 index has been one of the most effective ways of investing your money over the long term. With average annual returns of around 9.5 percent, knowing how to invest in the ASX 200 is critical for any investor.

Is it a good time to invest in ASX?

The Reserve Bank of Australia has recently restated its intention to keep interest rates at their historic low of just 0.1 percent for the foreseeable future. As a result of lower interest rates, stock prices usually drop, which could cause a drop in the price of the ASX 200.

Where to invest in ASX?

You can invest in the ASX 200 on any of the three brokers that have featured in this guide. These include eToro, AvaTrade, and Capital.com.

About Kane Pepi PRO INVESTOR

Kane Pepi writes for several high profile publications such as InsideBitcoins, the Motely Fool, and Learnbonds. Based in Malta, Kane is extremely skilled at complex subjects related to financial matters - including a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, a Master’s Degree in Financial Crime, and actively engaged in Doctorate Degree research, for the money laundering threats of the blockchain economy.

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