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Best Forex Pairs to Trade During Sydney Session 2025
from Exness Broker
The Sydney session marks the official start of the Forex trading day. Although it’s the smallest in terms of volume compared to London and New York, the Sydney session sets the tone for upcoming price movement, especially in AUD and NZD pairs.
If you're an early riser or based in the Asia-Pacific region, learning which pairs perform best during this window can give you a consistent trading edge. In this guide, we reveal the best Forex pairs to trade during the Sydney session in 2025, plus strategies, session times, and key tips.
When Does the Sydney Session Start?
Opening Time: 10:00 PM GMT (7:00 AM AEST)
Closing Time: 7:00 AM GMT (4:00 PM AEST)
Overlap: Early part overlaps with Tokyo session (from 12:00 AM GMT)
Although trading volume is initially low, liquidity increases as Tokyo opens, creating solid setups for range and breakout traders.
Why Trade the Sydney Forex Session?
✅ Great for traders in Australia, New Zealand, and Asia✅ Early moves in AUD and NZD pairs before Tokyo data✅ Low spreads during calm periods✅ Less noise, better for technical trading✅ Ideal for practicing patience and discipline
If you're looking for low-stress, structured trading opportunities, the Sydney session is a great place to start.
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Top 5 Best Forex Pairs to Trade During Sydney Session 2025
1. AUD/USD (Australian Dollar / US Dollar)
Why It’s Ideal:
AUD is directly influenced by early Aussie market flows
Reacts strongly to Sydney stock market and economic releases
Tight spreads and steady price action
Best Strategy:Simple moving average crossovers or pullback entries
Pro Tip:Monitor Australian economic calendar — RBA announcements and CPI releases often drive movement.
2. NZD/USD (New Zealand Dollar / US Dollar)
Why It’s Ideal:
Active in early hours due to New Zealand’s timezone advantage
Responds to local macro news (GDP, jobs, dairy exports)
Often mirrors AUD/USD with subtle differences
Best Strategy:Support and resistance trading, Bollinger Band squeezes
Pro Tip:NZD/USD moves quietly but predictably — ideal for low-volatility scalping.
3. AUD/JPY (Australian Dollar / Japanese Yen)
Why It’s Ideal:
Combines two of the most active currencies in Asia-Pacific
Often moves in response to commodity news and Nikkei 225 performance
Moderate volatility, perfect for early-session trends
Best Strategy:Trend-following with EMA (20/50) and RSI filters
Pro Tip:AUD/JPY reflects market risk sentiment early in the day — bullish if Asia equities rise.
4. NZD/JPY (New Zealand Dollar / Japanese Yen)
Why It’s Ideal:
Strong correlation with Asia-Pacific economic conditions
Moves cleanly with reduced slippage during Sydney open
Less volatile than AUD/JPY, easier for beginners
Best Strategy:Price action trading with pivot points
Pro Tip:Look for carry trade opportunities if interest rate spreads are favorable in 2025.
5. EUR/AUD (Euro / Australian Dollar)
Why It’s Ideal:
Sensitive to late European sentiment and early Aussie flows
Offers larger moves during volatile Sydney openings
Provides contrast between Europe and Asia-Pacific economic data
Best Strategy:Fibonacci retracement after Sydney data releases
Pro Tip:Be cautious during low volume; wait for Tokyo overlap to confirm direction.
Best Times to Trade During the Sydney Session
10:00 PM – 12:00 AM GMT: Early movement, low volume (use caution)
12:00 AM – 3:00 AM GMT: Overlap with Tokyo session, increased volatility
3:00 AM – 6:00 AM GMT: Best for trend continuation or reversal setups
After 6:00 AM GMT: Momentum slows as session nears London open
Effective Strategies for the Sydney Session
1. Range ScalpingBest used early in the session when price moves within narrow bands. Use RSI, Bollinger Bands, or pivot points.
2. Trend ContinuationIdentify momentum moves post-news or from previous sessions. Use 20 EMA + MACD confirmation.
3. Breakout StrategyLook for price breaking Asian highs/lows during Tokyo overlap. Set tight stop-loss, wait for candle close confirmation.
Key Sydney Session Economic Events to Watch
RBA Cash Rate decisions
Australian Employment Change & Unemployment Rate
New Zealand GDP & CPI figures
Asia-Pacific equity performance
Chinese macro data (indirectly affects AUD & NZD)
Use an updated Forex calendar to stay ahead of key releases.
FAQs: Best Forex Pairs to Trade During Sydney Session
1. What is the most active pair during the Sydney session?AUD/USD is the most active and widely traded pair in this session.
2. Can I trade GBP or EUR pairs during Sydney hours?You can, but spreads are often wider and volatility is low. Focus on AUD and NZD pairs.
3. Is the Sydney session good for scalping?Yes, especially for low-volatility scalping in the first 1–2 hours.
4. What’s the best time to trade during Sydney session?From 12:00 AM – 3:00 AM GMT, when Tokyo joins and volume increases.
5. Which indicators work best during the Sydney session?Bollinger Bands, RSI, EMA, and Stochastic are ideal for short-range analysis.
6. Do spreads widen during Sydney open?Sometimes in the first 10–15 minutes. Wait for spreads to stabilize before entering trades.
7. Should I trade gold during the Sydney session?Gold is quieter but tradable. Use range-based strategies or wait for London session.
8. Can I trade during holidays in Sydney or Wellington?Expect ultra-low volume and erratic movement. Avoid trading on public holidays.
9. What lot size is best for the Sydney session?Use smaller lots (e.g., 0.01–0.05) due to tighter ranges and limited volatility.
10. Can I make consistent profits trading only the Sydney session?Yes — with discipline, proper strategy, and a focus on AUD/NZD pairs.
Final Thoughts: Maximize the Sydney Session in 2025
The Sydney session offers a unique advantage for early-morning traders and those in the Asia-Pacific region. While it may not deliver explosive moves like London or New York, it provides low-spread, high-accuracy setups in pairs like AUD/USD, NZD/USD, and AUD/JPY.
By choosing the right pairs, avoiding fakeouts, and trading with precision, you can consistently capitalize on one of the calmest but most reliable sessions in Forex.
See more:
Best Forex Pairs to Trade for Beginners 2025
Best Forex Pairs for Scalping 2025
