Get started
Here’s how to access your account and start exploring your trading options.
Your investing journey starts now!
Whether you’re taking your first steps or expanding into international markets, this hub is your one-stop destination to get started, learn the ropes, and build your confidence.
CommSec app:
- Download or open the CommSec app from the App Store or Google Play
- Log in with your Client ID or your NetBank credentials
CommSec website:
- Click ‘Login’ (desktop) or tap the person icon (mobile) at the top right of the page
- Enter your Client ID (an 8-digit number starting with 5 or 8) and your password – these details were provided in your welcome email
- If you’ve forgotten your Client ID, you can retrieve it online before logging in
Invest anytime, anywhere
Everything you need, all in the palm of your hand - monitor the markets, keep an eye on your portfolio and invest in Aussie and international stocks.
Download the CommSec app
|
|
Image for illustration purposes only.
Fund your account
Before you place a trade, make sure your account is funded.
When you buy or sell shares through CommSec, your linked Commonwealth Direct Investment Account (CDIA) is used to fund your investments.
Settlement (or payment) is due two business days after your trade has executed - this is when we'll debit (if you’re buying shares) / credit (if you’re selling shares) your account.
Make sure your CDIA account has enough funds to avoid delays or failed settlements. You can easily transfer funds into your CDIA using the CommBank app or NetBank.
You’ll need to transfer Australian dollars into your International Wallet before you can trade.
To view your balance:
- Log into CommSec and select Portfolio
- Navigate to your International Shares Account and you will be able to view your International Wallet balances.
To transfer funds:
- Log into CommSec and select Portfolio
- Navigate to your International Shares Account and select Transfer Funds
- Input the Amount (AUD) you wish to transfer To International Wallet
- Review and confirm he details, then click Transfer to move the AUD funds real time into your International wallet.
To withdraw funds
- Log into CommSec and select Portfolio
- Navigate to your International Shares Account and select Transfer Funds.
- Input the Amount (AUD) you wish to transfer To Bank Account.
- Review to confirm the details then click Transfer to move the AUD funds real time into your linked bank account.
Terms explained
- Tradable funds is the equivalent amount in AUD that you have available to spend on BUY orders.
- Transferrable funds is the cleared funds in AUD that is available to withdraw back to your linked bank account.
- If you have open BUY orders resting (unexecuted) in the market, their value is not included in the Transferrable Funds Balance.
- If you withdraw funds from your International Wallet resulting in the remaining Tradable Funds being less than the amount required to settle your open BUY orders, we may cancel your BUY order(s).
Want more control?
Switch to an International Shares Plus Account to manage your own currency conversions.
- Log in to CommSec > Navigate to Settings > Create a Request > Type Switch to International Shares Plus and follow the prompts
|
Feature |
International Shares |
International Shares Plus |
|
Access to trade online in 13 global markets |
|
|
|
Transfer AUD in and out of your International Wallet |
|
|
|
Set up recurring investments |
|
|
|
Access to U.S overnight trading |
|
|
|
Foreign exchange conversion fee1,2 |
0.55% |
0.55% |
|
Automatic foreign exchange conversions |
|
|
|
Manage your own foreign currency conversions |
|
|
|
Multi currency conversions |
|
|
|
U.S brokerage fee |
USD$5 or 0.12% |
USD$9.95 or 0.20% |
|
Order Expiry |
Day, Overnight and Overnight + Day |
Day, Overnight, Overnight + Day, Good till Cancel and At the Opening |
Please read our Financial Services Guide to understand the rates and fees
Ready to trade
You can trade Australian and U.S. shares directly in the CommSec app and on the CommSec website.
To trade on international markets, you will first need to open an International Shares account.
CommSec app:
- Search for your U.S. or Australian stock of choice and tap ‘Buy’ or ‘Sell’
- Select market or limit order types and enter your order details
- Review and tap Submit order to confirm
- Track your order under the ‘Recent orders’ widget on your Home screen
CommSec website:
- Log in and select Trade
- Select ‘Buy’ or ‘Sell’ and enter your order details
- Click Proceed to review, then Submit order to confirm
For advanced order types or to access other international markets (like Europe or Asia), use the Advanced Trading Platform.
Launching the Advanced Trading Platform
To access your International Shares Account, place trades and utilise the wide range of functions and features available, simply:
- Log in to CommSec and select Portfolio.
- Navigate to your International Shares Account and select Launch Platform.
You’ll be taken to the CommSec International Shares Home page, where you can start trading and exploring new global opportunities.
Placing a trade
Once you’ve funded your International Shares Account and launched the Advanced Trading Platform, to place a trade:
- Click the Trade tab at the top of the Home page.
- Select Order Ticket from the drop down menu.
- Enter the trade details, click Preview and confirm the details are correct.
- Once you are pleased with the details, click Submit Order to submit the order.
Need help getting started?
For more information, view our International Client Guide – a step-by-step walkthrough to help you make the most of your International Shares Account on the Advanced Trading Platform.
Manage and monitor your portfolio
With Watchlists you can monitor the Aussie and international stocks that you’re interested in. You can then set up Alerts on specific stocks to notify you of price changes, trade volumes, company announcements, and ex-dividend dates.
- Log in to CommSec
- On desktop: go to Watchlists
- In the app: download or update the CommSec app via the App Store or Google Play, log in, and select Watch
- Add the Australian or international stocks (U.S. & U.K. markets) that interest you
- On desktop: go to Watchlists > Alerts
- In the app: select a stock from your Watchlist, tap the ‘Bell’ icon, choose your criteria, then Create
- Log in to CommSec
- Select Portfolio > International Shares Account > Launch Platform
- On the Home page, go to Research > Watchlist > My Lists > New Watchlist
- Enter a company name or symbol and select Save
Learn and get inspired
Explore tools to grow your knowledge and discover opportunities.
Learn with The Academy
Build your investing knowledge with short, practical lessons - perfect for beginners or experienced investors.
Listen to the Market Update Podcast
Hear the latest numbers and market trends with CommSec’s daily Market Update podcast.
Discover daily refreshed Investment Themes
Discover daily refreshed Investment Themes – curated stock lists by topic – to find investment opportunities that may align with your goals.
By researching companies and sectors of interest, you can make more informed trading decisions and decide whether they align with your investment strategy.
If you have an International Shares Account, you’ll also unlock additional advanced research tools3 through the Advanced Trading Platform, offering deeper insights across international markets.
How to access research tools:
- Log in to CommSec
- Go to Portfolio > International Shares Account > Launch Platform
- On the Home page, select Research from the menu and explore tools such as:
- Market Overview: Key news, movers, and sector performance
- Why is it moving?: One-line explanations of stock movement (powered by Benzinga)
- Trade Worldwide: View market news and open exchanges globally
- Events Calendar: Track upcoming company announcements
- Exchange Notices: Global market alerts and press releases
- Market Screener: Filter stocks by price, volume, and criteria
- Fundamentals Explorer: Deep-dive into company data and financials
- News & Research: Consolidated interface for all relevant investment news
For more information on these research tools, go to the International Platform – Research section of the International Client Guide.
Rates & fees
Know what you'll pay when trading with CommSec.
|
Trade execution |
Brokerage fee amount by transaction value5,6,7,8 |
|
Trade online (via website, mobile apps or other platforms) and settle your trade to a Commonwealth Direct Investment Account (CDIA)4 or CommSec Margin loan4 |
$5 (Up to $1,000 (inclusive)) $10 (Over $1,000 up to $3,000 (inclusive)) $19.95 (Over $3,000 up to $10,000 (inclusive)) $29.95 (Over $10,000 up to $25,000 (inclusive)) 0.12% (Over $25,000) |
$500 initial minimum spend: Your initial purchase of any particular shares must be at least $500. You may then purchase additional shares in smaller amounts, with a minimum value of $100, to top up the existing share holdings. For example, if you hold $500 worth of shares in XYZ, you may then be able to purchase more XYZ shares starting from $100.
|
Share market9 |
International Shares account (Whichever amount is greater) |
International Shares Plus account (Whichever amount is greater) |
|
United States |
USD$5 or 0.12% |
USD$9.95 or 0.20% |
|
Canada |
CAD$40 or 0.40% |
CAD$50 or 0.50% |
|
United Kingdom |
GBP£12 or 0.40% |
GBP£20 or 0.50% |
|
France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands |
EUR€12 or 0.40% |
EUR€20 or 0.50% |
|
Hong Kong |
HKD$130 or 0.40% |
HKD$200 or 0.50% |
|
Foreign Exchange (FX) fee1,2 |
0.55% |
0.55% |
A seamless investing experience in the CommBank app
Alongside the CommSec app, you can also conveniently manage your Aussie shares account alongside your banking, in the CommBank app. You’ll also find helpful tools to guide you along the way.
Learn about investing, with confidence.
Access bite-sized learning content directly in the app to grow your investing knowledge.
A world of opportunity, easy to find.
Discover curated lists that connect what’s trending and happening in the real-world to your next investment idea.
Never miss a market move.
Create customised favourite watchlists and discover the biggest risers, fallers and most traded companies with insights.
Make your investing more rewarding.
Access exclusive CommBank Yello offers and benefits on eligible investing products and trades.10
Your questions, answered
Find the answers to your questions about investing with CommSec.
To log into CommSec, you’ll need your Client ID. This is an 8-digit number beginning with a “5” or an "8" which allows you to access all your CommSec Accounts when you log into the website. If you don’t remember your Client ID, you can retrieve it online.
For security reasons, you’re unable to view your Client ID once you have logged into your account.
If you’re a CommBank customer, you can also access CommSec from NetBank. Just log into NetBank and select the CommSec tab in the top left corner of your screen.
Once your account is set up, you can place a trade using the CommSec website, or our mobile app.
Online
To place a trade online, log into your CommSec Account and navigate to Trade > Shares: Place Order.
On the mobile app
Using your smartphone or tablet, you can place a trade on the go via the CommSec mobile app. You can download the app at the App Store or Google Play.
The market is open 10am to 4pm (Sydney time) on ASX business days. This is called “normal trading”, when most trades take place.
You can view the full list of ASX market phases on the ASX website.
CHESS stands for Clearing House Electronic Subregister System. It’s the computer system used by the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) to record shareholdings and manage the settlement of share transactions.
CHESS sponsorship is automatically applied to all newly opened CommSec Share Trading Accounts.
To buy or sell international shares through CommSec, you’ll need to open an International Shares Account.
Once you have opened a CommSec Share Trading Account, you are ready to open an International Shares Account. Follow the steps below:
- Log into CommSec
- Navigate to Products
- Select Shares, then International on the sub-menu
- Click Apply now
- Follow the prompts to complete your application.
Learn more about opening a CommSec International Shares Account.
An International Shares Account allows you to trade online in 13 share markets around the globe. This includes access to major markets such as the U.S., Canada, UK, Hong Kong, Japan and other selected countries within Europe and Asia. Find out more.
It’s free to open an International Shares Account, however you will be charged brokerage for any trades that you execute. Brokerage rates can vary depending on the country and the size of the trade that is executed. Find out more.
Settlement for most markets around the world is the same as in Australia i.e. T+2 (trade day plus 2 business days, local public holidays may impact each specific market). However, the U.S. and Canadian share markets settle on T+1. Find out more.
Help when it matters
Find the support you need, when you need it.
 |
Send us your question Fill in our online form and hear from one of our experts within two business days |
|
Call us 13 15 19 for calls within Australia |
 |
Reach out to us on X Tag @CommSec in your question on X |
1 The FX fee is charged per currency conversion. Currency conversions are automatically performed for each trade unless the Plus feature enabling the foreign currency wallet has been activated and there are sufficient funds in the local currency to settle the trade.
2 For currency pairs that cannot be directly converted, an intermediate conversion to USD or another eligible currency will be necessary to facilitate the currency conversion. You will be charged FX fees for each leg, which is each individual currency conversion necessary to obtain the required currency pair conversion.
3 CommSec does not authenticate the completeness or accuracy of externally sourced third-party information provided.
4 To be eligible, you must trade online, be CHESS Participant Sponsored with CommSec and settle your trades through either a Commonwealth Direct Investment Account (CDIA) or a CommSec Margin Loan.
5 Different brokerage rates apply to CommSec Pocket trades executed through CommSec Pocket App or CommBank App.
6 Alternative brokerage rates may be agreed from time to time and (if agreed to) will be payable under clause 22 of CommSec's Share Trading Terms and Conditions. If you are offered, and agree to a tiered brokerage rate, this may result in brokerage charges that differ from rates expressly disclosed within the CommSec FSG.
7 Unless otherwise indicated, where a fee or charge is expressed as a percentage, it refers to a percentage of the transaction value. For GST rounding reasons, the final brokerage fee may result in a slight variance from the stated or expected charge, which may exceed two cents for large trades.
8 Brokerage charged (shares, warrants, listed managed investments and derivatives): Brokerage at these rates applies each time you trade a stock, warrant, listed managed investment or derivative.
9 The share markets listed are most-traded by CommSec customers. To see the rates and fees for all available share markets, see our rates & fees
10 Ongoing eligibility conditions apply, see commbank.com.au/commbankyello for more information and the full terms and conditions.
The Commonwealth Direct Investment Account (CDIA) is issued by Commonwealth Bank of Australia and administered by CommSec. The target market for the CDIA can be found within the product’s Target Market Determination, available at commbank.com.au/tmd.
The information has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. For this reason, any individual should, before acting on this information, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regards to their objectives, financial situation or needs, and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice. You can view the Share Trading Terms and Conditions, CommBank Transaction, Savings and Investment Account Terms and Conditions, CommBank Electronic Banking Terms and Conditions , Best Execution Statement and Financial Services Guide, and should consider them before making any decision about these products and services.
Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play and Android are trademarks of Google Inc.
CommSec accepts no responsibility for any connectivity delays, errors or disruptions caused by your phone service provider that may affect the performance of the CommSec mobile applications. The CommSec app is free to download however, CommSec accepts no responsibility for any fees that your phone service provider charges, such as fees for SMS, data services, or any other fees that your phone service provider may charge. For more information, visit the CommSec app page. Mobile App Terms of Service apply.
The CommBank app is free to download however your mobile network provider charges you for accessing data on your phone. The CommBank app is available on Android operating systems 8.0+ and iOS operating system 15.0+.