Does the platform charge brokerage fees on US stock trades?

For free account holders, Stake offers zero brokerage on US stock trades. This means you can buy and sell shares in US-listed companies without paying a per-trade commission.

What is the FX fee and how does it affect my overall returns?

The FX fee is charged when your Australian dollars are converted to US dollars. On the standard free plan, this fee is approximately 0.7% of the amount converted.

Is the Black subscription worth the cost for Australian investors?

Whether the Black plan is worth it depends on your trading volume and how much you convert between AUD and USD each year.

How does US withholding tax affect my dividend income?

The standard withholding rate is 30%, but Australian investors who complete the W-8BEN form can have this reduced to 15% under the Australia-US tax treaty.

Can I invest in ASX-listed stocks through the platform?

Yes, the platform has expanded to include ASX-listed stocks through a dedicated product, covering equities, REITs, LICs, and hybrid securities.

What happens to my investments if the platform ceases operations?

Investor funds are held separately through custodial arrangements. The platform uses a regulated US broker-dealer that is a member of SIPC, providing limited protection of up to $500,000 per customer.

Terms of Service

Last Updated: 2026

Welcome to ballaratanimalshelter.com. These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of our website and the information provided on it. By accessing and using this website, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use this website.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using ballaratanimalshelter.com, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be legally bound by these Terms of Service. We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Your continued use of the website following any changes constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms.

2. Site Purpose

ballaratanimalshelter.com is an informational and review website dedicated to providing content about online casinos, gaming platforms, and gambling services, with a focus on Stake. This website is NOT a gambling operator, casino, or licensed betting provider. We do not offer gambling services, accept wagers, process bets, or provide real money gaming. We are an independent affiliate resource that publishes reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for informational purposes only.

3. Age Restriction

You must be at least 18 years of age or the minimum legal gambling age in your jurisdiction in Australia to access this website. Users under the legal gambling age are strictly prohibited from using this website. By accessing this site, you confirm and warrant that you meet the legal age requirement in your state or territory. If you are under the legal gambling age, you must not use this website.

4. Disclaimer

The information, reviews, and content published on ballaratanimalshelter.com are provided for informational purposes only and may contain inaccuracies, errors, or outdated information. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content on this website. Gambling regulations, bonus terms, features, and other details associated with gaming platforms can change without notice.

We strongly recommend that you verify all information directly with the relevant casino, gaming operator, or gambling provider before making any decisions or creating an account. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or disputes arising from reliance on information provided on this website. Always review the official terms and conditions of any gambling platform directly.

5. Affiliate Relationship

ballaratanimalshelter.com participates in affiliate marketing programs with various online casinos and gambling platforms, including but not limited to Stake. This means that we may earn commissions or referral fees when users access gambling platforms through links on our website. We disclose this relationship transparently to ensure you understand that our recommendations may be influenced by our affiliate partnerships.

Despite our affiliate relationships, we strive to provide honest and unbiased reviews based on our assessment. However, you should be aware that we have a financial interest in recommending certain platforms.

6. Intellectual Property

All content on ballaratanimalshelter.com, including text, graphics, logos, images, and software, is the property of ballaratanimalshelter.com or its content suppliers and is protected by international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, modify, or create derivative works from any content on this website without prior written permission from ballaratanimalshelter.com.

Trademarks and brand names mentioned on this website are the property of their respective owners. References to these brands do not imply endorsement or affiliation unless explicitly stated.

7. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, ballaratanimalshelter.com and its owners, operators, and affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of or inability to use this website or any information contained herein. This includes but is not limited to loss of profits, loss of data, loss of opportunity, or financial losses resulting from gambling activities.

Your use of this website and any gambling platforms recommended on it is entirely at your own risk. We accept no responsibility for any gambling losses or disputes with casinos or gaming operators.

8. Governing Law

These Terms of Service are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Australia, and you irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Australia. Any disputes arising from or relating to these Terms or your use of this website shall be resolved under Australian law.

9. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify, update, or change these Terms of Service at any time without prior notice. Changes become effective immediately upon publication on this website. Your continued use of ballaratanimalshelter.com following any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. We recommend reviewing these Terms periodically for updates.

10. Contact

If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints regarding these Terms of Service or our website, please contact us at:

Email: [email protected]

We will endeavor to respond to your enquiry within a reasonable timeframe.