How to Buy Bitcoin in Australia

If you’re reading this, you must be looking to buy Bitcoin in Australia. In this guide, we will review the legal status of Bitcoin (BTC) in Australia, have a closer look at its regulation, and cover some of the exchanges that you can use to get bitcoins in Down Under.

How to Buy Bitcoin in Australia: Summary

Bitcoin is a completely legal currency in Australia, being treated like conventional money. Businesses and financial institutions are free to deal with cryptocurrency. To quickly and easily buy Bitcoin in Australia, just follow these steps:

1. Get a Bitcoin wallet
2. Go to a crypto exchange of choice, for instance, Kraken
3. Choose the amount of Bitcoin you wish to buy
4. Enter your payment information and Bitcoin address

Clearly, there are many more great crypto platforms for you to choose from. Read on for a full list of our top picks.

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Is Bitcoin Legal in Australia?

Bitcoin is not considered legal tender in Australia, but it is included in the nation’s tax laws. According to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), individuals can use any currency they prefer, including Bitcoin, to purchase goods and services since it has characteristics similar to money.

You can buy Bitcoin without tax responsibilities as long as you use the cryptocurrency for making purchases. However, if you utilize Bitcoin for investment through speculative trading or accept it in your business, there are specific tax rules you need to follow.

The most common way to use cryptocurrency is as an investment, which means the asset is subject to capital gains tax (CGT). For more details, check out the Australian Taxation Office’s CGT page.

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Bitcoin Regulation in Australia

Australia allows the use of Bitcoin and altcoins that are mostly governed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC). Although cryptocurrency is not accepted as legal tender, it is considered property and is therefore liable to CGT.

Here’s what you should know about Bitcoin regulation in Australia.

Exchanges need to have an AUSTRAC account

Australian crypto exchanges are required to abide by regulations pertaining to counterterrorism financing (CTF) and anti-money laundering (AML). Verifying consumer identities (KYC) and reporting questionable transactions are part of this.

Cyber financial products are governed by ASIC

In order to be considered a financial product, a crypto-related product like an ETF or managed fund must adhere to ASIC’s license and compliance requirements.

Trading cryptocurrency for personal use is allowed

Australians are allowed to purchase, sell, and hold Bitcoin for their own use or as an investment. However, if the asset is kept for less than a year, gains can be subject to CGT.

No Bitcoin-specific legislation

There is currently no stand-alone crypto law, but current tax, banking, and consumer protection laws are applicable.

All things considered, Australia has one of the most accessible regulatory environments for Bitcoin adoption due to its transparent and crypto-friendly policies.

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Australian Taxes and Bitcoin

Bitcoin is liable to CGT since the ATO views it as an asset. Here’s what you should know about Australian taxes and Bitcoin is a nutshell:

• Until you sell, exchange, or spend Bitcoin, it is tax-free to buy and hold.
• You will need to declare capital gains if you sell your BTC for a profit. A CGT reduction can be available to you if you’ve held Bitcoin for more than a year.
• Bitcoin purchases of goods and services are likewise considered disposals and are liable to CGT.
• It is crucial to keep records; note the dates of transactions, the values in Australian dollars, and the type of transaction.

Keeping up with regulations is essential since failing to disclose cryptocurrency profits could result in fines.

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The ASX Now Offering Bitcoin ETFs

In June 2024, the VanEck Bitcoin ETF (ASX: VBTC), the first spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), was approved by the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). This significant event provides a controlled way for Australian investors to learn about Bitcoin without having to deal with the hassles of private keys or digital wallet management.

Shortly after, in July 2024, DigitalX further broadened the alternatives accessible to investors by launching its own spot Bitcoin ETF (ASX: BTXX).

Gains for Investors

• Made Easy: Investing in Bitcoin is as simple as buying shares using conventional brokerage accounts.
• Monitoring of Markets and Media Regulation: A further degree of security and transparency is offered by ASX-listed ETFs, which are subject to strict regulatory procedures.
• Diversification: Due to these ETFs, Bitcoin exposure can be easily included into a variety of financial portfolios.

Points for Consideration

• Management Fees: Bitcoin ETFs have fees that investors should be aware of since they may affect total returns.
• Market Volatility: Although ETFs provide a regulated investing platform, Bitcoin, the underlying asset, is still subject to volatility.

A major step towards the widespread adoption of crypto investments in Australia has been taken with the launch of Bitcoin ETFs on the ASX, which offer more easily accessible and regulated choices to institutional and retail investors alike.

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Major Australian Bitcoin Communities

Australia is somewhat vocal in the Bitcoin community. There are plenty of Meetup groups across Australia, with thousands of members in total.

Regular activity can be seen on the Australian Bitcoin subreddit as well. To get yourself involved with the community and to keep in touch with the latest news about Bitcoin, these are some of the best places and groups:

• Bitcoin Australia Reddit
• Blockchain Centre Meetup (Melbourne)
• Blockchain Melbourne (Melbourne)
• Bitcoin Sydney (Sydney)
• Adelaide Bitcoin (Adelaide)

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Where to Buy Bitcoin in Australia: Australian Bitcoin Exchanges

With the relatively rapid acceptance of Bitcoin and digital assets in Australia, there have been multiple cryptocurrency exchanges that have helped people buy their first Bitcoin. What is the best crypto exchange in Australia? These four platforms are considered most popular:

CoinJar

CoinJar was founded in 2013 and offers an easy and convenient way to buy, sell, store, and spend cryptocurrency. On the CoinJar exchange, Bitcoin and more than 50 other coins are available to trade for a 1% conversion fee against the Aussie Dollar.

Instant purchases can be done using a Visa or Mastercard, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay, for a 2% fee. The iOS and Android apps enable a convenient way to store and spend coins on the go.

Independent Reserve

Independent Reserve, established in Sydney in 2013, has had flawless performance since its inception. The exchange has a good reputation in the online community, and the official website boasts a rigorous security standard. 

Independent Reserve has both an iOS and Android app to help users invest in over two dozen coins. Purchases can be made with debit cards, credit cards, and PayPal, and with the AUD, these deposit fees are free. Bank transfers are free on deposits greater than AUD 100.

Cointree

A best way to buy Bitcoin in Australia, Cointree started in Melbourne in 2013 and currently has over 100,000 members. The exchange offers access to over 240 digital currencies and has a free wallet and mobile app. They have partnered with various organizations in the country, and through these connections, they’ve also enabled Australians to pay everyday bills with cryptocurrency.

CoinSpot

CoinSpot, also founded in 2013, has established itself as the exchange that offers the widest range of cryptocurrencies on the Australian market, with over 400 digital currencies available. They also strive to provide superior customer service. CoinSpot also has an app available on iOS and Android where users can buy and sell crypto on the go.

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International Exchanges Available in Australia

Buying Bitcoin does not have to be kept strictly local, which means that there is more than one best way to buy crypto in australia. There are many international cryptocurrency exchanges that will happily accept your AUD. We’ve selected a few of the more popular options below:

Coinbase

Established in 2012, Coinbase is a Tier 1 centralized exchange that serves over 100 million global users. Its user-friendly interface makes buying, selling, and managing Bitcoin, Ethereum, and over 18,000 other crypto assets easy and secure.

Other key features include advanced trading tools, crypto staking products with up to 12% APY, and substantial regulatory compliance. Coinbase users can access the trading platform on their desktop or download the mobile app to manage their token holdings on the go.

Kraken

One of the most popular cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, Kraken was founded in 2011 and is fully available to Australian customers. Kraken is known for its strong security, affordable fees, and top-notch trading tools. It also accepts a large number of fiat and crypto pairs. Offering features like staking, margin trading, and advanced charting—all through an intuitive interface—Kraken is a great option for both novice and seasoned traders.

Learn more about the exchange from our full Kraken review.

Bybit

The rapidly expanding Bybit is a crypto exchange well-known for its advanced trading tools, including margin trading and derivatives. In addition to offering a user-friendly interface, copy trading, and a large selection of altcoins—all of which are accessible to Australian users—Bybit is more suited for seasoned users.

You can find our full Bybit review here.

KuCoin

With features like trading bots and crypto lending, KuCoin is a global exchange that provides access to hundreds of cryptocurrencies at low trading rates. It is available in Australia and is popular among crypto enthusiasts, despite not being regulated directly.

Our full KuCoin review will help you find out if the exchange is worth it.

eToro

Digital and conventional assets like stocks and ETFs are combined on the licensed trading platform eToro. It’s easy to use for beginners and provides a distinctive social trading experience, allowing users to copy the strategies of successful traders. ASIC license has secured eToro accessibility in Australia.

Check out our eToro complete beginner’s guide.

MEXC

International exchange MEXC is known for listing a wide range of tokens even before they are available on other platforms. It is available to Australian users and provides futures, margin, and spot trading; however, it is not subject to local regulations.

Find out more by reading our MEXC review and comparison.

CEX.IO

CEX.IO was founded in 2013 and enables you to both buy and sell Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. You can use a credit card, debit card, or bank transfer to deposit funds into your exchange account. They also accept Google Pay, Apple Pay, and PayPal. You can view their full fee schedule here. CEX.IO offers other services as well.

Read our full CEX.IO review to learn more about those.

Changelly

Changelly is an instant crypto-only exchange, which, depending on how much you intend to buy and your payment method, may require you to submit identity verification.  Users can buy, sell, or exchange directly through Changelly, and the company also offers an app for iOS and Android. There are over 500 coins available on Changelly.

Read our full Changelly review for more information.

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How to Buy Crypto in Australia: Crypto Wallets

Best Wallet – The Best Non-Custodial Bitcoin Wallet in the Market

How do I buy Bitcoin in Australia if I’m looking for more privacy? One of our favorite alternative options to buying on exchanges is Best Wallet, which we regard as the best non-custodial crypto wallet for 2025. Best Wallet is an interesting option because it is essentially a one-stop option for all your Bitcoin and cryptocurrency needs. Not only can you store your Bitcoin and many other cryptocurrencies in the wallet, but you can also seamlessly buy new crypto right through the wallet.

Additionally, Best Wallet is non-custodial, which means nobody but the user has access to the private keys and backup passphrases. Users take full control of the crypto coins via a mobile app, browser extension, or desktop software.

Unlike some other wallets that are chain specific, Best Wallet works on just about all the main blockchains, allowing you to store most of your cryptocurrencies. Not only does Best Wallet allow you to hold and trade Bitcoin, but it is also compatible with many other cryptocurrencies, which means it could be an all in one stop for all of your crypto needs. Best Wallet features very liquid markets for thousands of tokens on over 60 blockchains, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Sui, Dogecoin, Uniswap, and many others.

Another great aspect about Best Wallet is that there are no trading fees. Of course you’ll still have to deal with blockchain fees, but Best Wallet isn’t charging you any sneaky fees. It’s important to note that Best Wallet is a non-custodial wallet, meaning your crypto will remain safe and in your hands.

Visit Best Wallet

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Further Options for Buying Bitcoin in Australia

Although cryptocurrency exchanges are the most popular option, Australians can buy Bitcoin in other ways as well:

• Bitcoin ATMs: Bitcion ATMs that can be found in big cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, let you buy Bitcoin with cash or a credit card. Looking at CoinATMRadar, there are over 1,800 Bitcoin ATMs in Australia. Only Canada and the United States boast a higher number. Please note that although Bitcoin ATMs are convenient, they may charge higher fees.
• P2P (peer-to-peer) networks: Crypto buyers and sellers can communicate directly through services like Paxful or LocalBitcoins, which provide local payment options and increased privacy.
• Apps and crypto debit cards: You can swap crypto right within the app on platforms like Crypto.com or BitPay.

These options provide freedom for Australian crypto enthusiasts looking for more unconventional or private methods to buy Bitcoin.

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Conclusion: Buy Bitcoin in Australia

The Australian Bitcoin market is long-established and rests on a strong economic and legal foundation. Australia is also pushing new ground on cryptocurrency legislation. For example, Australia has already adopted the use of digital tokens for the tokenization of real estate.

There are multiple options to buy Bitcoin in Australia, such as local exchanges, international exchanges, decentralized exchanges, and Bitcoin ATMs. Australians have a number of options when it comes to buying and selling Bitcoin and crypto.

See also: Best Crypto Exchanges in Australia for 2025