Vlad, very good points you make. On the surface it does look discouraging.
But:-
CGT: If you are paying it, it means you have made a profit :) The more you pay, the more profit you've made.
50% discount for >12 months. Doesn't enter my thinking. Several quick profits will outweigh any tax saving
Brokerage: An important consideration. Being a frequent trader on line with Comsec and an investment account I get cheaper rates.
Stay out of margin lending.
I do few day trades (enter and exit same day with no overhang into next day) and will keep a position open for days, weeks months if need be.
Don't trade shares you aren't familiar with. Learn their patterns and exploit it. If you are stuck with a trade that's gone wrong, have confidence that it's not a dog and therefore will rebound, or cut losses, sell for an offsetting tax loss and put the money into a better one.
Use software packages to keep track of trades and CGT because it gets very very complicated.
Hope this helps, but be careful out there. ;)
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