Trade AUD/USD, the commodity-linked major
AUD/USD prices how many US dollars one Australian dollar buys. Australia is one of the world's largest exporters of iron ore, coal and gas, so the Aussie often moves with commodity prices, Chinese demand and global risk appetite.
- 24/5 trading
- Buy or sell
- Regulated by FSC Mauritius
AUD/USD
Spreads from, pips · Premium
1.0
About AUD/USD
Australian dollar vs US dollar
China is Australia's largest trading partner, which makes AUD/USD a popular way to express a view on Chinese growth. Strong Chinese data and rising metal prices tend to support the Aussie; a slowdown or falling iron-ore prices tend to weigh on it.
The Aussie is also seen as a risk-on currency: it tends to rise when stock markets are firm and fall in periods of stress. Its home trading hours overlap with Asia, which makes it one of the most active pairs while Europe and the US are asleep.
- MT5 symbol
- AUDUSD
- Known as
- Aussie
- Pip size
- 0.0001
- Trading hours
- 24/5
- Central banks
- Reserve Bank of Australia and US Federal Reserve
- Pip value (1 lot)
- $10 per standard lot (100,000 units)
- Character
- Commodity and China-linked, risk-sensitive
What moves it
4 forces that drive AUD/USD
RBA policy
The Reserve Bank of Australia meets eight times a year; its decision and statement land during Asian hours.
Commodity prices
Iron ore, coal, gas and gold are major exports, so their prices feed into the Aussie's value.
China's economy
Chinese PMIs, trade and GDP figures often move AUD/USD more than many Australian releases.
Global risk appetite
Strong equity markets tend to lift the Aussie; risk-off episodes tend to push it lower against the dollar.
When to trade
Best hours and key releases for AUD/USD
Most active: The Sydney–Tokyo session (about 22:00–09:00 GMT) and the London open.
| Session | GMT | UAE time |
|---|---|---|
| SydneyActive | 21:00–06:00 | 01:00–10:00 |
| TokyoActive | 00:00–09:00 | 04:00–13:00 |
| LondonActive | 07:00–16:00 | 11:00–20:00 |
| New York | 12:00–21:00 | 16:00–01:00 |
Releases that move AUD/USD
- RBA rate decisionEight times a year.
- Australian CPIMonthly and quarterly releases.
- Australian labour forceMonthly jobs and unemployment.
- China PMIs, trade and GDPMonthly and quarterly.
- US payrolls and FOMCThe main US-side catalysts.
Spreads can widen and prices can gap around these releases. Check an economic calendar for exact dates and times.
Pricing
AUD/USD spreads by account
Choose the account that fits your trading. The live AUD/USD spread is always shown in MT5 before you place an order.
Classic
Spread-only, no commission
Spreads from
1.6 pips
- Commission
- None
- Min. deposit
- $100
Premium
Lower spreads, no commission
Spreads from
1.0 pips
- Commission
- None
- Min. deposit
- $3,000
VIP
Raw spreads plus commission
Spreads from
0.0 pips
- Commission
- $6 per 1.00 lot round turn, proportional to lot size
- Min. deposit
- $25,000
* Indicative typical spreads, may vary; last updated 28 September 2026. Spreads are variable and may widen during news releases and low-liquidity sessions. Commissions may apply depending on account type.
Leverage magnifies both gains and losses. Maximum leverage depends on the instrument, account type and your jurisdiction.
Get started
How to trade AUD/USD on MT5
- 1
Open an account
Register online, verify your identity and choose Classic, Premium or VIP. - 2
Fund your account
Deposit with one of the available methods in the client portal. - 3
Find AUDUSD in MT5
Log in to MetaTrader 5, open Market Watch and add AUDUSD to see the live price and spread. - 4
Plan and place the trade
Set your position size and stop-loss, then choose Buy if you expect the pair to rise or Sell if you expect it to fall.
Risk warning: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Forex prices, including AUD/USD, can move quickly against you, especially around news releases.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the spread on AUD/USD at IST Markets?
Spreads on IST Markets accounts start from 1.6 pips on Classic, 1.0 pips on Premium and 0.0 pips plus commission on VIP. The spread on AUD/USD is variable and depends on market conditions; the live spread is always shown in MT5 before you trade.
What is the pip value of AUD/USD?
One pip on AUD/USD is a price move of 0.0001. On one standard lot it is worth $10 per standard lot (100,000 units); a mini lot (0.10) is worth a tenth of that and a micro lot (0.01) a hundredth. Use the free pip calculator to work it out for your trade size.
What is the best time to trade AUD/USD?
The pair trades 24 hours a day, Monday to Friday. It is usually most active during The Sydney–Tokyo session (about 22:00–09:00 GMT) and the London open. Liquidity tends to be thinnest around the daily rollover and late on Fridays, when spreads can widen.
Why does AUD/USD react to Chinese data?
China is Australia's biggest export market, especially for iron ore. Stronger Chinese activity usually means more demand for Australian resources and support for the Aussie dollar.
When is AUD/USD most active?
During the Sydney and Tokyo sessions, when Australian and Chinese data are released, and again at the London open and when major US data comes out.
Ready to trade AUD/USD on MT5?
Register in about 5 minutes; account verification may take longer.