How Australians can start investing in US stocks this new financial year
Investing in US stocks can allow you to access a wide range of opportunities, even if you're an Aussie investor. You just need the right platform.
Sponsored by moomoo. Moomoo is an all-in-one trading app that helps users discover opportunities and assists them in making the most of their investments. Access the US, Australian and Hong Kong markets on moomoo.
If you're an Australian investor, it can be easy to just think locally. It's understandable -- there's a lot to explore on the ASX!
But there are lots of other stock markets out there beyond the ASX. The US offers some of the biggest stock markets in the world, including the Dow Jones, NYSE and Nasdaq. Siblis Research reports that US stock markets are valued at a whopping $69 trillion, as of January 2026.
Some of the reasons you might want to invest in US stock markets include:
- Diversifying your portfolio, which helps hedge your other assets during market cycles.
- Offsetting risk, by investing in a range of different risk profiles.
- Accessing new markets and industries, which can unlock new opportunities as an investor.
So if you're thinking about investing in US stocks, how do you get started? In this article, you'll find answers to some of the most common questions about trading US stocks as an Australian.
1. How can I trade US stocks from Australia?
If you're thinking about trading US stocks, you'll need to make sure you've got the right broker or trading platform.
However, not every broker or trading platform has access to every trading market. Before you sign up for any trading service, you should always look at what markets they offer and see if they match with your trading goals.
For example, moomoo offers trading across the US stock market, as well as the Australian and Hong Kong stock markets.
It's important to look at whether the trading platform provides all the other features you need too, but markets are a great place to start. You can find more details about investing in US stocks elsewhere on Finder, too.
2. Can I trade outside US trading hours from Australia?
Yes, certain trading platforms allow for round-the-clock trading. There's a big time difference between the US and Australia. Ordinarily, the US market hours in Australian time are 1:30am–8:00am AEST (during daylight saving).
Understandably, plenty of Aussies (likely including you!) don't want to spend their sleeping hours glued to their desktops. So if you're thinking about trading US stocks, it's worth looking for one that allows for trading outside of standard times.
moomoo allows for 24-hour weekday trading on select US stocks. It's important to remember that this isn't without risk. Liquidity of certain stocks may be reduced. We'll talk more about some of the other risks in a moment.
3. What sort of costs are associated with trading US stocks from Australia?
There are three main costs associated with trading US stocks from Australia.
- Trading fees: the cost of the actual trade. This is generally charged by the trading platform, and it can vary quite a bit depending on your provider.
- Pass-through fees: these fees are used to cover a range of trading platform or other carrier fees.
- FX conversion costs: this is the cost of transferring one currency into another (e.g. AUD to USD for purchasing US stocks). This is usually determined by your trading platform.
All of these costs can eat into your potential investing profits, so make sure that you check them carefully before signing up for a platform.
Finder research notes that Moomoo is considered to have competitive fees when it comes to trading US stocks, as US equities trade for a flat rate of US$0.99 per trade. Just remember, other pass-through and FX conversion costs may apply.
Fees aren't the only consideration when it comes to picking a trading platform, but if you plan to trade regularly, they are an important one. You don't want potential future trades chewed up by needless expense.
4. What sort of tax implications are there for Australians trading US stocks?
As with any type of investment, choosing to invest in US stocks will have tax implications for you.
To ensure that you're properly set up with paperwork, your trading platform will require you to film out a W-8BEN form. This form is for foreign residents who need to lodge a US tax return. This will also reduce your withholding tax from 30% to 15%, due to the US-AU tax treaty.
There are also implications for when you sell assets. You'll be required to pay Capital Gains Tax, which is a share of the profits that you've generated (if any).
At time of writing in June 2026, the way Capital Gains Tax works is also being reassessed. While much of the public conversation has been focused on property investment, there will likely be wider implications across stock investing too. It's important to make sure that you keep an eye on the latest news, developments and legislation.
You can find out what sort of assets are considered income for tax purposes on the ATO website.
5. What are some of the risks of trading the US stock market?
When you're trading a US stock market, the same risks apply as trading the ASX.
- You may lose money
- Market conditions can shift rapidly
- The company you're investing in may go bankrupt
You can find more detailed information about some of the risks involved in trading stocks at Moneysmart. Additionally, because you're investing using USD rather than AUD, losses can be further accentuated because of the exchange rate. Make sure you look carefully at what sort of FX rate you're paying when you purchase stocks in USD!
Make sure you also learn to use your analysis tools effectively, to make more informed decisions and avoid unnecessary risk where possible. You can learn more about using moomoo's investment and analytical tools right here on Finder.
6. Can I get access to customer support when trading US stocks?
Yes. When you pick out a trading platform our trading platform should provide customer service to suit your needs. With this in mind, moomoo offers 24-hour live customer support during every weekday.
Key takeaways
- Having access to US stocks can help your portfolio gain exposure to a broader range of industries, companies and assets.
- The ability to access international markets is provided by your trading platform.
- Trading the US market can add the additional risk of currency exposure.
- Moomoo allows 24-hour trading every weekday on select US stocks.
- Moomoo provides 24-hour customer support every trading day.
Learn more about trading with moomoo
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