The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) is Australia’s primary stock exchange. It is the operating (or brand) name for ASX Group. As one of the world’s top ten listed exchange groups, ASX features more than 2200 listed companies whose shares you can buy and sell. The ASX is also a publicly-traded company itself.

ASX History

The Australian stock market started out as six state-based exchanges, with the first stock exchange formed in 1861 in Melbourne. Nearly a century later, in 1960, the Sydney Greasy Wool Futures Exchange was started (which later became known only as the Sydney Futures Exchange).

In 1987, those six state-based exchanges merged to become the Australian Stock Exchange. The Australian Securities Exchange itself wasn’t formed until 2006, with the merger of the Australian Stock Exchange and the Sydney Futures Exchange.

Who Can Trade On The ASX?

Only licensed stockbrokers can trade on the Australian Securities Exchange. Investors must generally work with private stockbrokers or online broker services to take part in stock market trading on the ASX. In addition to trading stocks, you can also trade futures and options.

When Can You Trade On The ASX?

Normal trading hours for the Australian Securities Exchange are 10:00am to 4:00pm, Monday through Friday.

Who Regulates The ASX?

Given that the ASX is a publicly-traded company itself, you may be wondering who actually regulates the stock market trading. The ASX has the ability to set regulations on other publicly-traded companies in the exchange, but oversight of the ASX itself is handled by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). As an independent Commonwealth Government body, the ASIC regulates corporate, markets, and financial services throughout Australia.

What The ASX Can Do For You

As an investor, the Australian Securities Exchange can do more than give you a place to buy and sell company shares. They also offer a variety of educational resources to teach you about stock market trading.

The ASX offers information and tools on finding and choosing a licensed stockbroker or financial planner. The organisation’s website also provides calculators, podcasts on topics like stock trading and economic outlooks, free watchlists that enable you to track and monitor securities, and a collection of online publications to teach you anything from the basics of shares or options to ASX rules.

If you’re a complete beginner, they even offer periodic free sharemarket games (registration required) and a trading simulator to let you experience stock market trading first-hand without the financial risk.

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