How to Buy Bitcoin Cash (BCH) in Australia

Want to buy Bitcoin Cash (BCH) in Australia? A plain-English, step-by-step guide to exchanges, fees, safe storage, tax and the risks.

By Timothy Hirou GaschereauPublished August 19, 2026

8 min read

How-to Beginner

If you have been searching how to buy Bitcoin Cash in Australia, this guide walks you through every step, from picking an exchange to storing your coins safely and knowing what the ATO expects at tax time. First though, a quick word on what BCH actually is, because it is not the same thing as Bitcoin.

🎯 The essential: Bitcoin Cash (BCH) is a separate cryptocurrency that forked from Bitcoin in 2017, aimed at cheaper, faster everyday payments. You can buy it in Australia on AUSTRAC-registered exchanges like CoinSpot, Swyftx, Kraken, Independent Reserve and BTC Markets using AUD, with PayID usually the fastest and free. The ATO treats BCH as a CGT asset, so buying is not taxable but selling, swapping or spending it is. Crypto is high risk and volatile, so only invest what you can afford to lose completely.

What is Bitcoin Cash?

Bitcoin Cash was created in August 2017 when a group of Bitcoin developers and miners disagreed about how to scale the network. Bitcoin's original 1 MB block limit meant it could only process a limited number of transactions, which led to congestion and higher fees when things got busy. The breakaway group forked the Bitcoin blockchain to create Bitcoin Cash, with much larger blocks aimed at cheaper, faster peer-to-peer payments. BCH shares Bitcoin's history up to the fork, but has followed its own path since.

Both coins trace back to the same Bitcoin whitepaper. In 2017 they split, and BTC and BCH have been separate assets with separate prices and communities ever since.

Bitcoin vs Bitcoin Cash, at a glance
Feature	Bitcoin (BTC)	Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
Block size	~1 MB (with SegWit)	32 MB or more
Transaction fees	Higher, can spike	Typically fractions of a cent
Market cap	Much larger	Significantly smaller
Main use case	Store of value	Everyday payments

Neither coin is a guaranteed investment. Both are speculative and volatile, and this table is factual context, not a recommendation of either. New to exchanges? Start with how to choose a crypto exchange.

How to buy Bitcoin Cash in Australia, step by step

Step 1: Choose an AUSTRAC-registered exchange. Options that accept AUD and list BCH include CoinSpot and Swyftx (Australian and beginner-friendly), Kraken (larger, more features), and Independent Reserve and BTC Markets (Australian-founded, suited to more experienced users). One heads-up: Binance Australia closed in May 2023, so a dedicated Australian exchange is usually the simpler path. Always confirm AUSTRAC registration before depositing.

Step 2: Sign up and verify your ID. Every legitimate Australian exchange must verify you under anti-money-laundering law (KYC). Have a passport or driver's licence ready, plus a selfie for liveness checks. Verification takes minutes to a couple of business days. A platform that does not require ID is a red flag.

Step 3: Deposit AUD. PayID or OSKO is instant and free on most exchanges. Bank transfer is usually free but takes a day or two. Card deposits are instant but cost 1.5% to 3%, and some banks treat them as a cash advance.

Step 4: Buy BCH. Find Bitcoin Cash in the trading screen and place a market order (buys instantly at the current price) or a limit order (fills only at a price you set). Watch the spread, the gap between the buy and sell price, which on simple instant-buy screens can be 1% or more and is a hidden cost.

Step 5 (optional): Withdraw BCH to your own wallet. If you plan to hold, consider moving BCH to a wallet you control. BCH network fees are typically tiny, often fractions of a cent, which makes small withdrawals practical. More on wallets next.

Where to buy BCH in Australia

All the exchanges below accept AUD and list BCH. Fees are approximate and change regularly.

Australian exchanges that list BCH
Exchange	AUD deposit	Approx. fee	Beginner-friendly
CoinSpot	PayID, bank, card	~1% instant, ~0.1% market	Very high
Swyftx	PayID, bank, card	~0.6% spread + 0.1%	High
Kraken	Bank, card	0.25% to 0.40% (Pro)	Medium
Independent Reserve	PayID, bank	0.5%, lower at volume	Medium
BTC Markets	PayID, bank	0.85%, lower at volume	Medium

Fees and features change often, so always check the current schedule before depositing. For a closer look at one option, see our CoinSpot review.

How to store your BCH safely

Where you store BCH matters as much as where you buy it. Three options, in order of control:

Exchange wallet (custodial). Convenient, and fine for small amounts or active trading, but the exchange holds your keys. If it is hacked, freezes withdrawals or collapses, your funds may be at risk. The 2022 FTX collapse wiped out billions globally, and exchange crypto is not covered by the Australian Financial Claims Scheme.
Software wallet (non-custodial). An app that stores your keys on your device, so you are in control. Electron Cash is the main BCH-specific wallet, and Trust Wallet is a popular multi-coin option. Lose your seed phrase and the crypto is gone for good.
Hardware wallet (cold storage). A Ledger or Trezor keeps your keys offline, the most secure choice for larger holdings. It costs roughly $100 to $300, and you should only buy from the official manufacturer.

The golden rule is "not your keys, not your coins." If you do not control the private key, you hold an IOU from the exchange, not the crypto itself. Write your seed phrase on paper, store it offline in more than one place, and never photograph it or share it. Our guide to storing crypto safely covers this in depth.

Fees to watch

Spread: the gap between buy and sell prices, often the biggest hidden cost on instant-buy screens. A 1% spread means you are 1% down the moment you buy.
Trading fee: anywhere from 0.1% on advanced interfaces to 1% or more on simple buy buttons.
Deposit fee: PayID and bank transfers are usually free, card deposits cost 1.5% to 3%.
Network fee: paid when you send BCH on-chain. BCH fees are typically fractions of a cent, one of its design advantages over Bitcoin for small transactions.

A 1% buy fee plus a 1% sell fee is a 2% round trip before the price even moves. On a volatile asset, that is worth knowing upfront.

Tax in Australia: what you need to know

The ATO treats crypto, including BCH, as a CGT asset, not currency. That has consequences for every transaction:

Common BCH actions and CGT
Action	Taxable event?
Buying BCH with AUD	No, but record your cost base
Selling BCH for AUD	Yes, CGT applies
Swapping BCH for another crypto	Yes, CGT at market value
Spending BCH on goods or services	Yes, CGT applies
Receiving BCH as income	Yes, taxed as ordinary income

Hold BCH for more than 12 months before selling and you may qualify for the 50% CGT discount on a gain (it does not apply to losses). Keep records of every transaction: date, amount, AUD value, fees and the platform. The ATO has data-sharing arrangements with Australian exchanges, so assuming it cannot see your trades is not a safe bet. For the full picture, see our guide to crypto tax in Australia, and consider a registered tax agent with crypto experience.

Risks and red flags

Volatility: BCH, like all crypto, can lose 50% to 80% of its value in weeks. It can rise sharply too. Only invest what you can afford to lose entirely.
Scams: ASIC and the ACCC list crypto among the top scam categories by dollar losses. Watch for fake exchanges, guaranteed-return schemes, celebrity impersonators, romance scams and "recovery" scams.
Exchange risk: exchanges can be hacked or fail. Use AUSTRAC-registered platforms and, for larger amounts, self-custody.
No consumer protection: crypto is not covered by the Australian Financial Claims Scheme, so there is no government guarantee if an exchange collapses.
Red flags: unsolicited tips, guaranteed returns, pressure to act fast, requests to send crypto to "unlock" funds, and any platform that skips ID verification. If something feels off, stop and verify independently.

💡

BCH is a separate cryptocurrency from BTC, created in a 2017 fork and aimed at cheap everyday payments. Buy it in Australia through an AUSTRAC-registered exchange like CoinSpot, Swyftx, Kraken, Independent Reserve or BTC Markets, with PayID the cheapest way to deposit AUD. The ATO taxes crypto as a CGT asset, so buying is not taxable but selling, swapping or spending is. For larger holdings, move BCH into a wallet you control, because not your keys means not your coins. And only ever invest what you can genuinely afford to lose.

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❓ Frequently asked questions

Is Bitcoin Cash the same as Bitcoin?

No. BCH and BTC are separate cryptocurrencies. BCH forked from Bitcoin in 2017 and has larger blocks, lower fees and a different development community. They share the same transaction history up to the fork date, but are entirely separate assets with separate prices and blockchains from that point on.

Is it legal to buy Bitcoin Cash in Australia?

Yes. Buying and holding cryptocurrency is legal in Australia. Exchanges operating here must be registered with AUSTRAC under anti-money-laundering laws. Always use a registered exchange and check its status before depositing funds.

Do I have to pay tax when I buy BCH?

Buying BCH with AUD is not a taxable event, but you should record your cost base. Tax applies when you sell BCH for AUD, swap it for another crypto, or spend it. Keep records of every transaction, including the AUD value at the time and any fees paid.

How much do I need to start?

Most Australian exchanges let you start with as little as $10 to $20. There is no legal minimum, though exchange minimums vary. Starting small while you learn the process is a sensible approach.

What is the safest way to store BCH?

For larger amounts, a hardware wallet like a Ledger or Trezor is the most secure option. For smaller amounts, a reputable non-custodial software wallet such as Electron Cash works well. Avoid leaving significant holdings on an exchange long-term.

What happens if my exchange gets hacked or collapses?

If an exchange is hacked or collapses and cannot cover the losses, you may lose your funds. Crypto held on an exchange is not covered by the Australian Financial Claims Scheme. That is why self-custody matters for any holding you are not comfortable losing.

Keep reading

Sources

This article is general information only, not financial or tax advice. It does not take into account your circumstances. Crypto assets are highly speculative and volatile, and you could lose some or all of your money. Exchange fees and details are indicative as of mid-2026 and change often. Check the exchange, the ATO, or a licensed professional before acting.

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General information only. This article is educational and does not constitute personal financial advice. It does not account for your circumstances. Consider your own situation and seek advice from a licensed adviser before acting. Read our full disclaimer.

Timothy Hirou Gaschereau

Founder of Snowball Invest, not a financial adviser.

I write about what I'm learning myself, because nobody ever taught us how to take control of our own money. It's a skill, not a mystery, and it's never too late to learn it. The best day to start was yesterday, the second best is today.

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