Crypto tax & law in Australia
The ATO treats crypto as a CGT asset — every sale, swap or purchase made with crypto is a taxable event, and the ATO already data-matches with Australian exchanges. Meanwhile, the Digital Assets Framework (assented 8 April 2026) will require platforms to hold an Australian Financial Services Licence when the regime commences on 9 April 2027. Here's everything on the site that helps you stay on the right side of both.
What the ATO expects: CGT events, the 12-month discount, record-keeping, and what "disposal" actually covers (yes, swaps count).
Koinly, Summ, Syla and CoinLedger side by side — ATO report support, exchange integrations, and which are Australian-built.
Which Australian platforms hold (or have applied for) a financial services licence under the Digital Assets Framework, updated automatically.
Our listing policy: AUSTRAC registration is the entry ticket. What that does — and does not — protect you from.
Primary sources
We link the regulator, not commentary. For anything that affects your return, the source of truth is:
- → ATO — crypto asset investments
- → ASIC MoneySmart — cryptocurrencies
- → AUSTRAC — digital currency exchange providers
FAQ
Is crypto actually taxed in Australia?
Yes. The ATO treats crypto as a CGT asset, not currency. Selling, swapping one coin for another, spending crypto, or gifting it are all disposal events that can create a capital gain or loss. The ATO data-matches with Australian exchanges, so trading history is visible to them.
Do I pay tax if I just hold?
Buying and holding is not a taxable event on its own. Tax applies when you dispose of the asset. Assets held longer than 12 months may qualify for the 50% CGT discount for individuals.
What records should I keep?
Dates, AUD values at the time of each transaction, what the transaction was for, and who the other party was (even if just their wallet address). Tax software can reconstruct most of this from exchange APIs — start before your history gets long.
General information only, not tax or legal advice. Rules change and individual circumstances differ — for anything beyond a simple return, engage a registered tax agent.