Tax on Selling Gold in Australia
Gold and silver are CGT assets: the net capital gain is added to your income and taxed at your marginal rate, but Australian-resident individuals can cut the gain by 50% if they owned the metal for at least 12 months. Coins can count as collectables, which have their own loss rules.
Facts checked 26 October 2026 · Not financial, legal or tax advice
At a glance
| What you sell | How the gain is taxed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gold and silver bullion | Gain taxed at your marginal rate; 50% discount after 12 months (resident individuals). | The ATO's collectables list names "coins or medallions", not bullion. |
| Coins (if collectables) | Same rates and discount. | Losses only against collectables gains; collectables bought for $500 or less are exempt. |
How gold gains are taxed
- Gold is a CGT asset: your net capital gain for the year is added to assessable income and taxed at your marginal rate.
- An Australian-resident individual can reduce a gain by 50% if the asset was owned for at least 12 months (not counting the days of purchase and sale); losses are subtracted first, then the discount. Foreign and temporary residents generally can't get the full discount.
- The ATO's list of collectables includes jewellery and "coins or medallions" but doesn't mention bullion. Collectables bought for $500 or less are exempt, and losses on collectables can only offset collectables gains.
- Collectables aren't personal use assets, so the personal-use rules don't apply to them.
Reporting
- Report capital gains in myTax or on the paper return.
Losses
- Capital losses reduce capital gains; a net capital loss can't be deducted from other income but carries forward.
- Losses on collectables can only offset gains on collectables; losses on personal use assets are ignored.
Tax on Selling Gold in Australia: FAQ
Is there capital gains tax on gold in Australia?
Yes. Gold is a CGT asset; the gain is added to your income and taxed at your marginal rate, and resident individuals who held it at least 12 months can halve the gain.
Is gold bullion a collectable for CGT?
The ATO's list of collectables names jewellery and coins or medallions but not bullion. If an item is a collectable, losses can only offset collectables gains, and items bought for $500 or less are exempt.
Sources (3)
General information about the rules for individual investors, checked October 2026. Tax depends on your circumstances and residence; check with the tax authority or an adviser. Not tax advice.