Grading trading cards can significantly impact value, protection, and long-term collectability — but choosing the right grading company matters just as much as grading itself.

At Graded Cards Australia, we help collectors understand the differences between the world’s leading grading companies and choose the best option based on card value, era, condition, and resale goals.

Rather than guessing, you can use our free AI tools to make smarter grading decisions before spending money.

 

• Try the AI Card Grader

• Estimate Your Collection Value

 

Which Card Grading Company Is Right for You?

 

Not every card should be graded — and not every grader suits every card.

The four most commonly used grading companies by Australian collectors are:

• PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)

• BGS (Beckett Grading Services)

• SGC

• CGA (Card Grading Australia)

Each has strengths depending on:

• Card era (vintage vs modern)

• Card value

• Subgrade preferences

• Turnaround time

• Resale market expectations

 

PSA - PROFESSIONAL SPORTS AUTHENTICATOR

 

Best for:

• High-value cards

• Maximum resale potential

• Vintage & modern star players

PSA is the most recognised grading company in the global hobby and often commands the highest resale premiums, particularly for flagship cards and iconic players.

Why collectors choose PSA:

• Strongest buyer trust worldwide

• Consistently higher market prices on eBay and auctions

• Preferred for long-term investment cards

Considerations:

• Slower turnaround times during peak demand

• Higher grading costs for high-value cards

Best suited for:

• Blue-chip AFL, NBA, Pokémon & vintage cards

• Cards you plan to sell or hold long-term

🔗 Official website:
https://www.psacard.com

👉 Use the AI Card Grader to see if PSA makes financial sense for your card

 

BGS – BECKETT GRADING SERVICES

 

Best for:

• Modern chrome cards

• Collectors who value subgrades

• Premium parallels & thick stock cards

BGS is known for its subgrade system, which breaks down centering, corners, edges, and surface individually. This transparency appeals to advanced collectors.

Why collectors choose BGS:

• Subgrades add inspection confidence

• Premium look for Gem Mint cards

• Popular for modern inserts and parallels

Considerations:

• Market premiums vary compared to PSA

• Strongest appeal for high-grade modern cards

🔗 Official website:
https://www.beckett.com/grading

👉 Compare BGS vs PSA using the AI Card Grader

 

SGC - SPORTSCARD GUARANTY CORPORATION

 

Best for:

• Vintage cards

• Faster turnaround times

• Clean slab presentation

SGC has grown rapidly in popularity, particularly for vintage cards, due to its fast processing and strong visual slab design.

Why collectors choose SGC:

• Excellent for pre-1980s cards

• Competitive resale values for vintage

• Faster turnaround than PSA in many cases

Considerations:

• Modern card premiums can vary

• Less dominant than PSA for ultra-high-end modern cards

🔗 Official website:
https://www.gosgc.com

👉 Check if SGC is the best option for your vintage card

 

CGA – CARD GRADING AUSTRALIA

 

Best for:

• Australian collectors

• Budget-friendly grading

• Personal collections & bulk submissions

CGA is an Australian-based grading company offering accessible grading services for collectors who want slab protection without international delays.

Why collectors choose CGA:

• Local Australian service

• Lower entry cost

• Ideal for personal collections (PC cards)

Considerations:

• Lower resale premiums than PSA/SGC

• Best suited for protection and presentation

🔗 Official website: https://www.cardgradingaustralia.com

 

USE AI TO DECIDE BEFORE YOU GRADE

 

Choosing the wrong grader can erase profit — or waste money entirely.

That’s why Graded Cards Australia provides free AI tools to help collectors decide before submitting cards.

What our tools help you do:

• Estimate card value

• Compare grading ROI

• Decide whether to grade or sell raw

• Choose the most suitable grading company

• AI Card Grader

• AI Collection Value Calculator

• Grading Tips Guide
• How to Sell Cards on eBay

 

COMPARISON TABLE

 

Grading Company	Best For	Turnaround Speed*	Resale Value	Subgrades	Ideal Use Case
PSA	High-value cards	Slower	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	❌ No	Investment & resale
BGS	Modern & chrome cards	Moderate	⭐⭐⭐⭐	✅ Yes	Premium parallels
SGC	Vintage cards	Fast	⭐⭐⭐⭐	❌ No	Vintage & quick flips
CGA	Budget & PC cards	Fast	⭐⭐	⚪ Optional	Personal collections

Helpful Grading Resources

 

• AI Card Grader

• AI Collection Calculator

• Grading Tips Guide

• How to Sell Cards on eBay

 

Please checkout our e-book which is a comprehensive guide to card grading!