Welcome to CommSec Learn

Whether you’re just starting your investment journey or looking to brush up on your skills, CommSec Learn will help build your investment knowledge for free.

 

Structured pathways to guide your learning  Structured pathways to guide your learning.


bite-sized topics  Bite-sized topics, so you can jump in and out.


Learn at your own pace  Learn at your own pace in your own time.


Investing GlossaryLearn the terms - Discover our investing glossary

 

It's free to join CommSec and you can be trading in as little as 5 minutes.

 

 

$0 brokerage when you join CommSec

Join CommSec today and get $0 brokerage on your first 10 trades. Limited time offer, T&Cs apply.

 

Investing Fundamentals covers key topics, providing a comprehensive overview of the ins and outs of investing.

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Understand the basics

 

The best place to begin your investing journey is to get a handle on the fundamentals. So that’s where we’ll start. 

In this topic:


logic of investing The logic of investing

How investing actually works and why we invest at all.

Investing 101 The fundamentals

The key principles you should get to know before you jump into share investing.

Essential terminology Essential terminology

ETFs, dividends, and settlement. You've heard the terms, now find out what they mean.

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Define your investment goals

 

While all investors have the same fundamental reason for investing – to grow their wealth – your personal investing goals will be uniquely yours. In this topic, we’ll help you discover and define them.

In this topic:

Structured learning Your investment goals

Understand how your goals and aspirations affect the investment decisions you make.

Bite sized lessons Budgeting

Building your investment portfolio takes time. Here we’ll outline some common techniques for making it happen.

Bite sized lessons The bigger picture

In defining your fundamental investment goals, we’ll show you why it’s crucial to also consider your home, super, and any other assets.

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Build your investment strategy

 

Having a strategy is the key to success in many areas of life. Investing is no different. In this topic, we introduce the fundamental concepts involved in building a strategy, helping you reduce risk and make informed decisions over the long term.

In this topic:

The value in having a strategy The value of a strategy

We explore the benefits of getting your investment strategy into shape at the outset, while accepting that it will evolve over time.

Investment strategies and investment types Investment strategies and types

To help you determine your strategy, we cover – and compare – the main approaches to investing.

Consistency & compounding Consistency and compounding

We show why investing consistently and using the power of compounding are two hallmarks of an effective, long-term investment strategy.

The value in diversification Diversification

We explore the benefits of diversifying your portfolio: what it means, why it matters, and how to do it.

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Learn how to research and trade


In our first three topics, we looked at the ‘why’ of investing. Now we show you the ‘how’. Having developed your goals, and the strategies to move towards them, we give you practical guidance on using CommSec – Australia’s number one online trading platform.

In this topic:

How to setup your CommSec account Setting up your account

Before placing your first trade, you’ll need to set up your account and access the CommSec trading platform. Here’s how to do it.

How to research using CommSec's tools How to research

CommSec is much more than a trading platform. Here we introduce the range of research tools available to help you identify potential investments that align with your strategy.

How to place a trade How to trade

You’ve done the hard work of defining your goals, developing a strategy, and building your knowledge. Now it’s time to learn how to place a trade.

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Manage and analyse your progress

 

In this final topic, we cover why it’s important to regularly track and monitor your investments. We also introduce you to some of the common methods investors use to guide their decision making on future investments.

In this topic:

Value in keeping track Keeping track

Investing is just the start. Analysing your portfolio and the market regularly is an integral part of measuring your progress to see how you’re tracking.

Benchmarking your progress Benchmarking your progress

We show you how to understand how your portfolio is performing, and what to compare it against, so you can plan your next move.

Rebalancing Rebalancing

As time passes and values fluctuate, your portfolio could become unbalanced. We discuss why it’s good to consider rebalancing it and what that involves.

Analysing and measuring risk Analysing and measuring risk

By its nature, investing entails risk. In this final topic, we help you understand risk and decide how much risk you’re comfortable with when it comes to your portfolio.

In the Spotlight Series, we shine a light on a range of investment topics, including alternative investment opportunities.

International Markets
Looking to build a diversified portfolio to help reduce your investment risks? We look at the many options for expanding your portfolio beyond Australian shores.
ETFs
Looking for a simple way to start your investment journey? Exchange Traded Funds have surged in popularity recently. We’ll explain why.

Disclaimer

CommSec Learn is intended to provide general information of an educational nature only. You can view the product Terms and Conditions, Product Disclosure Statement, Best Execution Statement, Financial Services Guide and should consider them before making any decision about these products and services. Any securities or prices used in the examples given are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation to buy, sell or hold. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814 (CommSec) is a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL 234945. CommSec is a Market Participant of ASX Limited and Cboe Australia Pty Limited, a Clearing Participant of ASX Clear Pty Limited and a Settlement Participant of ASX Settlement Pty Limited.

*$0 brokerage on your first 10 trades” offer only available to new CommSec customers opening a new individual Australian Share Trading Account & Commonwealth Direct Investment Account (CDIA) between 1st November 2023 and 31st January 2024 via the ‘Join now’ link at www.commsec.com.au/offer or through the CommBank App. Offer applies if you trade online, are CHESS-sponsored by CommSec and settle your trade through your CDIA. This offer does not apply to CommSec Pocket trades, International Share trades, Exchange Traded Options or Margin Lending. Offer not valid in conjunction with any other offer and not open to existing CommSec customers. As part of the offer, you will receive $0 brokerage on your first 10 Australian equity trades, up to a maximum trade value of $50,000 each for orders placed on or before 30th April 2024. Standard CommSec brokerage charges apply for orders placed or amended after 30th April 2024. Trades above $50,000 will incur brokerage charges. For CommSec standard brokerage charges, see the CommSec Financial Service Guide. No brokerage fee will be shown on the CommSec Confirmation Contract Note issued in respect of applicable trades under this offer. This offer is not redeemable for cash and is not transferable. CommSec Share Trading Terms and Conditions apply unless otherwise specified here. Applicants must be 18 years or over. We reserve the right to terminate this offer or amend these terms and conditions at any time without notice. For any queries on this offer, please contact us on 13 15 19.

The information has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular individual. For this reason, any individual should, before acting on this information, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regards to the individual's objectives, financial situation or needs, and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice. You can view the Share Trading Terms and ConditionsCommBank TransactionSavings and Investment Account Terms and Conditions, Product Disclosure Statement, CommSec Best Execution Statement and Financial Services Guide, and should consider them before making any decision about these products and services. 

The Commonwealth Direct Investment Account (CDIA) is issued by Commonwealth Bank of Australia. ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL 234945. This product is administered by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814 (CommSec), a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. CommSec is a Market Participant of ASX Limited and Cboe Australia Pty Limited, a Clearing Participant of ASX Clear Pty Limited and a Settlement Participant of ASX Settlement Pty Limited. The target market for the CDIA can be found within the product’s Target Market Determination, available at commbank.com.au/tmd.

By clicking on the "Download the CommSec App" buttons above, you will be directed to itunes.apple.com or play.google.com. These sites are not affiliated with CommSec and may offer a different Privacy Policy and level of security.

 

Disclaimer

© Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814 (CommSec) is a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL 234945. CommSec is a Market Participant of ASX Limited and Cboe Australia Pty Limited, a Clearing Participant of ASX Clear Pty Limited and a Settlement Participant of ASX Settlement Pty Limited.

The information on this page 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.

The content on this page may not be distributed or reproduced without prior consent and any unauthorised use of the content may breach copyright provisions. CommSec does not give any representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of any content on this page, including any third party sourced data, nor does it accept liability for any errors or omissions.

This site is directed and available to and for the benefit of Australian residents only.

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