Forex trading times in Australia follow the global 24-hour market cycle but begin with the Sydney session, which is the first major trading session to open each week. Australian traders can take advantage of overlapping sessions with Asia, Europe, and the US, depending on their strategy and currency pairs of interest.

Key Takeaways

• Forex trading in Australia begins with the Sydney session, opening at 7:00 AM AEST.
• The global forex market runs 24 hours a day, from Monday to Saturday morning (AEST).
• Best trading times are during session overlaps, particularly with London and New York.
• AUD pairs are most active during the Asia-Pacific session.
• Daylight Saving Time (DST) shifts session times slightly throughout the year.

Forex Market Sessions in Australian Time (AEST)

Session	Open (AEST)	Close (AEST)
Sydney	7:00 AM	4:00 PM
Tokyo	9:00 AM	6:00 PM
London	5:00 PM	2:00 AM
New York	10:00 PM	7:00 AM

Best Time to Trade Forex in Australia

1. Sydney–Tokyo Overlap (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM AEST)

• Excellent for trading AUD/JPY, AUD/USD, and NZD pairs
• Higher volatility and liquidity during these hours

2. London–New York Overlap (10:00 PM – 2:00 AM AEST)

• Most active time globally
• Best for major pairs like EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY
• Higher spreads can be expected due to increased volatility

How Australian Traders Operate

Most Australian traders:

• Start early with the Sydney session, taking advantage of local news and economic releases
• Trade Asia-Pacific currencies (AUD, NZD, JPY) during the day
• Use the London–US overlap late at night for global majors

Many also follow a structured Forex Course that teaches time-based strategies, including news trading, swing trading, and session-specific setups.

Daylight Saving Considerations

• Australia observes DST from early October to early April.
• During DST, session times shift by 1 hour depending on your local timezone (AEDT instead of AEST).
• It’s crucial to adjust your trading clock to reflect global session changes in March and October.

Real-World Example

An Australian trader in Sydney trades AUD/USD:

• Opens charts at 6:45 AM AEST to catch the Sydney session open
• Monitors RBA rate decisions, job data, and China economic news
• Later trades GBP/USD during the 11:00 PM to 1:00 AM window, capitalising on London–New York overlap volatility

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does the forex market open in Australia?

The forex market opens at 7:00 AM AEST on Monday in Sydney.

Can I trade forex at night in Australia?

Yes. You can trade during the London and New York sessions which occur late at night in AEST.

Which forex pairs are best to trade during Australian hours?

AUD/USD, AUD/JPY, NZD/USD, and USD/JPY are most active during local hours.

Does daylight saving affect forex trading times in Australia?

Yes. Both Australian and overseas DST changes shift session opening and closing times.

Is the Sydney session good for forex trading?

Yes. It offers good opportunities in AUD pairs and overlaps with Tokyo, providing strong liquidity.