Short selling has always been a lightning rod for debate in Australia’s share markets. In a year marked by global economic wobbles and new ASIC regulations, short selling in 2025 is more relevant—and riskier—than ever. Whether you’re a market veteran or an ambitious newcomer, understanding short selling is crucial for navigating modern investing.
How Does Short Selling Work?
Short selling is a strategy where investors borrow shares and sell them on the market, hoping to buy them back later at a lower price. The difference between the sale price and the repurchase price is their profit. If the price rises instead, losses can be unlimited. In Australia, short selling is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), with both covered and naked short selling subject to strict rules.
- Covered short selling: You must have borrowed or arranged to borrow the shares before selling.
- Naked short selling: Selling shares without actually borrowing them—this is largely prohibited in Australia.
The popularity of short selling surges during market downturns, as it offers a way to profit from falling prices or hedge existing positions. In 2025, with ongoing volatility around tech stocks and commodity sectors, short interest remains high in certain ASX-listed companies.
Short Selling in 2025: New Rules and Trends
This year has brought several regulatory tweaks and market trends that every short seller needs to watch:
- ASIC’s 2025 Reporting Updates: In January, ASIC tightened daily short position reporting. Brokers must now disclose aggregate short positions within stricter timeframes, increasing transparency and helping prevent market manipulation.
- ASX Short Sale Bans: If market stress spikes—as it did briefly in March 2025—temporary bans on short selling in specific sectors can be enacted. This occurred for selected mining stocks during a sharp commodity price fall, echoing global moves to stabilise markets.
- Rising Retail Activity: The ‘meme stock’ phenomenon hasn’t vanished. Platforms like Superhero and SelfWealth now offer advanced short-selling tools to sophisticated investors, though access remains restricted for most retail traders due to the risks involved.
Globally, Australia remains one of the more regulated short selling environments. The increased transparency is designed to protect both companies and investors, but some critics argue it can reduce market efficiency by deterring legitimate hedging.
Risks and Real-World Lessons
Short selling is not for the faint-hearted. If a stock price rises instead of falls, losses can be theoretically infinite. The infamous 2021 GameStop saga in the US showed how a coordinated retail trading push can trigger a ‘short squeeze,’ forcing short sellers to buy back shares at any price. While Australia hasn’t seen a squeeze of that magnitude, 2024’s rally in lithium miners caught some short sellers off guard, resulting in rapid, costly buybacks.
Key risks for Aussie investors include:
- Unlimited Losses: Unlike regular investing, short sellers can lose more than their initial investment.
- Margin Calls: Brokers can demand extra funds if the trade moves against you, forcing an exit at a loss.
- Regulatory Action: Sudden bans or new rules can force you to close positions early, sometimes at a loss.
- Borrowing Costs: Fees to borrow shares can add up, especially if the stock is in high demand.
It’s no surprise that ASIC and the ASX restrict short selling to professional and sophisticated investors—most retail investors are barred unless they meet strict criteria. Even so, some ETF products and CFDs allow indirect exposure to short strategies, but with their own complexity and risks.
Should You Short Sell in 2025?
Short selling is a powerful tool for hedging or profiting from market falls, but it’s not a strategy for everyone. In 2025, with new regulations and the potential for sudden market swings, it’s more important than ever to understand the mechanics and risks before diving in. For most Australians, short selling is best approached with caution, solid research, and a clear understanding of your risk tolerance.
