ASX Trading hours: What time does the ASX open?

When does the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) open and close?

The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) is open 10am to 4pm (AEST) during weekdays, Monday to Friday. It's important to note that the opening hours may vary across different states and territories due to different time zones. Please refer to the specific time zone details below for accurate trading hours.

Key highlights:

• The ASX trading day is divided into several periods, each serving a specific purpose in the trading process. These periods include the Opening Auction, Normal Trading, Closing Single Price Auction, Adjust, and Close.

Learning when the market opens and what you can do during the ASX trading hours to keep improving as a trader is important. Below we will help you understand the ASX opening hours, the different market phases and exactly when you can buy Australian shares.

What time does the ASX close?

The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) closes at 4:00pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) on Monday through Friday. Please notice that this changes for states and territories in different time zones, more on that below.

What are the ASX trading hours for each state and territory?

Here are the ASX trading hours for each state and territory:

• ASX market open in South Australia is from 9:30am to 3:30pm
• ASX market open in New South Wales is from 10:00am to 4:00pm
• ASX market open in Australian Capital Territory is from 10:00am to 4:00pm
• ASX market open in Victoria is from 10:00am to 4:00pm
• ASX market open in Tasmania is from 10:00am to 4:00pm
• ASX market open in Western Australia is from 8:00am to 2:00pm; from 7:00am to 1:00pm during daylight savings
• ASX market open in Queensland is from 10:00am to 4:00pm; from 9:00am to 3:00pm during daylight savings
• ASX market open in Northern Territory is from 9.30am to 3.30pm; from 8.30am to 2.30pm during daylight savings

ASX Market phases

According to the Australian Securities Exchange, the market goes through a number of phases on any trading day. Each market phase can determine what type of action will need to be taken for an order on ASX trade, which will then impact how the trade is managed.

Pre-open (7:00am - 10:00am)

During the pre-open period, which runs from 7:00 am to 10:00 am, Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), traders and brokers can enter orders into the market. These orders are not executed until the market officially opens at 10:00 am.

The pre-open period is also when market participants can view the current orders that have been entered into the market and the prices at which they are being offered. This allows them to assess the demand for different securities and make informed decisions about their own trading strategies.

At 9:50 am, a "call over" period begins, during which any orders that have not been matched with counterparty orders are displayed to the market. This allows traders to adjust their orders if necessary before the market officially opens at 10:00 am.

Open (10:00am* random +/- 15 seconds)

At the start of the official trading day, the market opens with a random starting price for each security. This random starting price is determined by a process called the "market open auction," which takes place within a 15-second window that starts at 10:00 am.

During the market open auction, orders that have been entered into the market during the pre-open period are matched and executed at the best available prices. Any remaining orders that have not been matched are then carried over into the continuous trading period, which begins immediately after the market open auction.

Normal trading (10:00am - 4:00pm)

During normal trading hours on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), orders for securities can be entered into the market and will be matched and executed in real-time at the best available prices.

Market participants can monitor the prices of securities, assess the demand for different securities, and make informed decisions about their trading strategies. They can also view the current orders that have been entered into the market and the prices at which they are being offered.

At the end of normal trading hours, at 4:00 pm, the market closes for the day.

Pre CSPA (4:00pm - 4:10pm)

The Pre-CSPA means Closing Single Price Auction and is a period before market close, known as the 'call over' stage, where unmatched orders are displayed. Traders can adjust their orders during this time. At 4:10 pm, the Closing Single Price Auction (CSPA) starts, determining the final trades for the day.

Closing Single Price Auction (4:10pm - 4:12pm)

The ASX Closing Single Price Auction is a two-minute period at the end of the trading day, during which any outstanding orders to buy or sell securities are matched at a single price to determine the final trades for the day. The single price is based on the weighted average of the last trade prices for the securities during the two-minute auction period. This is done to ensure an orderly and fair closing of the market.

During the Closing Single Price Auction, all orders to buy or sell securities that have been entered into the market but not yet executed are considered. These orders are then matched at the single price, and the final trades for the day are recorded. Any orders that cannot be matched at the single price are carried over to the next trading day. The Closing Single Price Auction is an important part of the ASX trading process, as it helps to ensure the integrity of the market and the fairness of prices for investors.

Adjust (4:12pm - 4:42pm)

The Adjust period is a 30-minute period that follows the Closing Single Price Auction at the end of the trading day. During this time, the ASX adjusts the final prices of the securities based on any corporate actions or other factors that may have occurred during the trading day.

Corporate actions are events that affect the securities of a company, such as dividends, share splits, or mergers and acquisitions. These actions can affect the price of the securities, and the ASX uses the Adjust period to ensure that the final prices of the securities reflect any corporate actions that may have taken place.

The Adjust period is also used to process any trades that were not able to be matched during the Closing Single Price Auction. These trades are carried over to the Adjust period and are matched at the single price determined during the Closing Single Price Auction.

Adjust ON (4:42pm - 6:50pm)

During the Adjust ON period, orders already sent may be deleted, but no new orders may be placed.

Purge Orders (6:50pm - 6:59pm)

At the end of the trading day, any outstanding orders that have not been executed are cancelled. This process is known as "purging" the orders, and it is done to ensure that the market starts the next trading day with a clean slate.

System Maintenance (6:59pm - 7:00pm)

The System Maintenance period is a one-minute period at the end of the trading day. During this time, the ASX performs routine maintenance on its systems to ensure that they are functioning properly and are ready for the next trading day.

During the System Maintenance period, the ASX may perform a variety of tasks, such as backing up data, running system checks, or installing software updates. This maintenance is necessary to ensure the smooth operation of the ASX's systems and to protect the integrity of the market.

Close (7:00pm - 8:40pm)

After the ASX purge and system maintenance end at 7:00pm, the market is closed for the day. Trading will resume the next business day at 10:00am Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).

System unavailable (8:40pm - 2:25am)

During the System unavailable period, the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) shuts down its trading systems for maintenance and updates. The market is closed during this time, and no trading activity can take place.

Close (2:25am - 7:00am)

After the systems shut down, the market remains closed, and no orders can be sent or cancelled, without any activity taking place till the market reopens at 7:00am AEST.

ASX Public holidays for 2023

Find the ASX trading calendar for 2023 below and discover what days the ASX will be closed throughout the year.

Dates are taken from the Australian Securities Exchange trade calendar.