Nikkei 225 Live Trading for Australian Traders: Monday Morning £200 Challenge & Australian Trading Research
Watch Matthew Jackson, founder of GradTraders.com, trade the Tokyo cash-market open every Monday in the GradTraders £200 simulated-funds Nikkei 225 Challenge. In Australia, the Tokyo open falls on Monday morning — 8:00 AM in Perth, 9:30 AM in Darwin, and 10:00 AM AEST or 11:00 AM AEDT in Sydney and Melbourne, with the livestream beginning shortly beforehand.
This page brings together the GradTraders partners and trading solutions that make the most sense for Australian traders, with links to our wider broker, prop-firm and software research for deeper comparison.
Day 1 starts the public Challenge record, with entries, exits, risk decisions and the account result kept visible.
Follow the series: the Matthew Jackson Trading Record keeps balances, weekly results, commentary, replay links and chart evidence together so you can judge the Challenge over time.
What time is the Nikkei livestream in Australia?
GradTraders goes live shortly before the Tokyo cash-market open at 9:00 AM JST every Monday. Japan does not use daylight saving, while parts of Australia do, so Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and Adelaide move one hour later during their daylight-saving period.
The Challenge uses simulated funds, with its performance updated weekly through the livestream archive and the Matthew Jackson Trading Record.
IC Markets leads active trading, FP Markets adds breadth, and Plus500 offers a user-friendly native platform
IC Markets comes first for Australian active traders because it combines MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView with the strongest GradTraders direct-use evidence: Matthew Jackson trades through IC Markets. The Australian service is provided by International Capital Markets Pty Ltd, regulated by ASIC under AFSL 335692.
FP Markets is the stronger choice when platform breadth matters more. Its Australian range includes MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, with Iress and Mottai for broader share-CFD workflows. The Australian service is provided by First Prudential Markets Pty Ltd, regulated by ASIC under AFSL 286354.
IC Markets Australia
Why it leads here: IC Markets is the strongest fit for traders who want raw-style active trading with MT4, MT5, cTrader or TradingView. It also has the strongest first-hand GradTraders case because Matthew Jackson trades through IC Markets.
The Australian route is provided by International Capital Markets Pty Ltd, regulated by ASIC under AFSL 335692.
Where FP Markets may be better: compare FP Markets if Iress, Mottai or a broader share-CFD platform menu matters to you.
FP Markets Australia
Why it earns a place: FP Markets gives Australian traders a broader platform menu, with MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView plus Iress and Mottai on relevant share-CFD routes.
The Australian service is provided by First Prudential Markets Pty Ltd, regulated by ASIC under AFSL 286354.
Why it sits second: IC Markets remains the stronger direct-use GradTraders benchmark; FP Markets is the better comparison when wider platform and share-CFD choice matters more.
Plus500 Australia
Why it belongs here: Plus500 is the user-friendly native-platform option for Australian traders who want a proprietary web and mobile setup rather than MT4, cTrader or an external automation stack.
The Australian service is provided by Plus500AU Pty Ltd, licensed by ASIC under AFSL 417727 to issue and sell the financial products offered on its Australian site.
Current provider warning: Plus500AU states that CFDs are high-risk, leveraged products and can result in the loss of your entire capital.
Australian account check: confirm that the legal entity shown in your account documents is the Australian entity you expect, then read the current Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination before funding. An AFSL is an important regulatory check, but ASIC itself notes that holding a licence is not a guarantee of service quality.
FTMO Australia is the standout local route, with three global alternatives worth comparing
FTMO is the standout first prop-firm comparison for Australian traders because it combines the familiar FTMO evaluation structure with a dedicated Australian operation. Its current Australian site says the service is operated by VRGK Tech Pty Ltd under AFSL 525757 and is intended for Australian residents. The Challenge and FTMO Account remain simulated environments.
Australia also remains available across The5ers, Funded Trading Plus and E8 Markets at our 28 August 2026 review. Compare their programme rules, fees and payout conditions separately from a conventional broker account.
FTMO Australia
Why it leads: FTMO is the GradTraders benchmark for a structured simulated evaluation, and Australian traders also have a dedicated local operation.
The current Australian route offers 1-Step and 2-Step evaluations using fictitious capital and is operated by VRGK Tech Pty Ltd under AFSL 525757. Successful traders continue on simulated FTMO Accounts and can become eligible for monetary rewards under the programme rules.
The5ers
Why it deserves a place: The5ers suits traders who prefer patient progression and scaling rather than treating the evaluation as a race. Australia is not on its current published forbidden-territory list.
GradTraders code: UR06YMJ for 10% off eligible purchases, subject to live terms.
Funded Trading Plus
Why it stands out: Funded Trading Plus is the flexibility option, with different simulated programme structures to compare. Its current prohibited-country list does not include Australia.
GradTraders code: GRADTRADERS10 for eligible purchases, subject to current exclusions and checkout terms.
E8 Markets
Why it belongs in the comparison: E8 Markets is the modern challenger, useful when programme and platform choice matter. Australia is not on its current restricted-country lists for Forex+Crypto or Futures.
Useful trading software for Australian traders
TradingView covers Australian and global charting, ForexVPS.net provides an always-on Sydney infrastructure option, and TraderSync handles post-trade review.
TradingView
Why it leads: TradingView keeps ASX and global markets in one charting workflow, covering Australian stocks, funds, indices, options and futures.
It also connects naturally to the broker section because both IC Markets Australia and FP Markets Australia currently support TradingView routes.
ForexVPS.net
Why it earns the infrastructure slot: ForexVPS.net can keep trading software running when your own computer is off, and it currently lists Sydney among its data-centre locations.
Choose the server with the lowest measured latency to your broker rather than simply the one closest to home.
TraderSync
Why it matters: TraderSync keeps entries, exits, notes, screenshots, mistakes and performance data in one journal, making it easier to spot patterns in your own trading.
It is a natural follow-on from the public GradTraders Trading Record: the same idea applied to your own history.
Two useful tools without opening an account
Prop Firm Offer Finder
Filter more than 140,000 possible prop-firm combinations instead of treating one challenge or discount as the default choice.
Compound Interest Calculator
Model starting capital, regular contributions, time and assumed returns directly in the browser. It is free to use and does not require an email address or account.
Use ASIC to verify the account you are actually opening
Use ASIC’s public registers to match the exact legal entity in your account agreement with the AFSL and current provider documents.
Check the AFSL
Use ASIC’s Professional Registers Search to check the company name and licence. For the broker routes above, the current Australian entities state AFSL 335692 for International Capital Markets Pty Ltd, AFSL 286354 for First Prudential Markets Pty Ltd and AFSL 417727 for Plus500AU Pty Ltd.
Read the PDS and TMD
Australian CFD issuers publish a Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination. Read the documents for the exact account route before depositing rather than assuming terms from another country apply in Australia.
Know the current retail CFD protections
ASIC’s CFD product intervention order currently restricts retail leverage by asset class, standardises margin close-out, provides negative-balance protection and prohibits certain inducements. ASIC says the current order is due to expire on 23 May 2027 unless it is remade, so this is exactly the kind of rule that should be re-checked during future gateway recertification.
Important note for Australian residents
GradTraders is a UK-based education and research site. Some broker, prop-firm and software links on this page are commercial partner links, and GradTraders may earn a commission from an eligible account or purchase at no additional cost to you. Commercial relationships do not determine the editorial order.
CFDs, forex and other leveraged products can cause substantial losses. Prop-firm evaluations can result in lost fees, and simulated account sizes are not cash owned by the trader. FTMO Australia, The5ers, Funded Trading Plus and E8 Markets use simulated trading structures that should be researched separately from a conventional Australian brokerage account.
Check the exact legal entity, AFSL, PDS, TMD, current product access, provider eligibility and live terms before opening or funding an account. GradTraders provides general education and research, not personal financial, investment, tax or legal advice.
GradTraders Australia FAQs
What time is the GradTraders Nikkei 225 livestream in Australia?
GradTraders goes live shortly before the Tokyo cash market opens at 9:00 AM JST every Monday. The Tokyo open is 8:00 AM in Perth, 9:30 AM in Darwin, 10:00 AM in Brisbane, and 10:00 AM AEST or 11:00 AM AEDT in Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart. Adelaide is 9:30 AM ACST or 10:30 AM ACDT.
Why does IC Markets come first on the Australia gateway?
IC Markets combines MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView with the strongest GradTraders first-hand trading evidence because Matthew Jackson trades through IC Markets. The Australian service is provided by International Capital Markets Pty Ltd under AFSL 335692.
Why is FP Markets also highlighted for Australian traders?
FP Markets offers a broader platform menu with MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView plus Iress and Mottai on relevant share-CFD routes. The Australian service is provided by First Prudential Markets Pty Ltd under AFSL 286354.
Why is Plus500 included on the Australia gateway?
Plus500 is the Native Platform Specialist for traders who want a user-friendly proprietary web and mobile setup rather than a third-party platform stack. The Australian service is provided by Plus500AU Pty Ltd under AFSL 417727.
Are IC Markets and FP Markets regulated by ASIC in Australia?
The current Australian provider material identifies International Capital Markets Pty Ltd under AFSL 335692 and First Prudential Markets Pty Ltd under AFSL 286354. Australian readers should still match the legal entity in their own account agreement against ASIC’s current register before funding.
What is different about FTMO Australia?
Australian traders get the familiar FTMO evaluation structure through a dedicated local operation. FTMO Australia is operated by VRGK Tech Pty Ltd under AFSL 525757, while the evaluation and FTMO Account use simulated trading.
Which prop firms can Australian traders compare here?
The page compares FTMO Australia, The5ers, Funded Trading Plus and E8 Markets. Australia was not on the current restricted-country lists reviewed for the three international providers, while FTMO operates a dedicated Australian route. Eligibility and programme terms can change.
Why is TradingView highlighted for Australia?
TradingView keeps ASX and global markets in one charting workflow, and both IC Markets Australia and FP Markets Australia currently support TradingView routes.
Why is TraderSync included on the Australia page?
TraderSync keeps entries, exits, notes, screenshots, mistakes and performance data in one journal, making it easier to review patterns in your own trading over time.
Does ForexVPS.net have an Australian server location?
Yes. ForexVPS.net currently lists Sydney among its data-centre locations. The best location still depends on the broker server you actually use, so measure latency rather than choosing a VPS only because it is geographically close to you.
What protections currently apply to Australian retail CFD accounts?
ASIC’s current CFD product intervention order restricts retail leverage by asset class, standardises margin close-out, provides negative-balance protection and prohibits certain inducements. ASIC says the current order is due to expire on 23 May 2027 unless it is remade.
Is the £200 Nikkei 225 Challenge real-money trading?
No. The GradTraders Challenge uses simulated funds, with performance updated weekly through the livestream archive and the Matthew Jackson Trading Record.
Is GradTraders giving Australian financial advice?
No. GradTraders provides education, research and general information. Australian readers should verify current regulation, provider documents, eligibility, products and tax treatment for their own circumstances.
Primary references: ASIC’s financial-services and CFD material, current Australian legal/platform information from IC Markets and FP Markets, FTMO Australia, current country-eligibility pages for The5ers, Funded Trading Plus and E8 Markets, TradingView market-data information and ForexVPS data-centre information. Provider terms and regulatory conditions should be re-checked during future recertification.
ASIC Registers · IC Markets Australia · FP Markets Australia · Plus500 Australia · FTMO Australia
The5ers Terms · Funded Trading Plus Countries · E8 Accepted Countries · TradingView Data Coverage · ForexVPS Locations & Latency
Return to GradTraders International · How GradTraders Reviews · Trading Guides