Can I open a CommSec account if I live overseas?
No. CommSec is licensed under an AFSL and operates under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (“Corporations Act”). This limits CommSec to providing financial Products to Customers residing in Australia.
If you’re not sure whether you can apply, please contact us to discuss your options.
Who can certify my identification if I’m outside Australia?
If you’re currently outside of Australia, documents can be certified by the following persons:
- A solicitor or barrister qualified in Australia who holds a current practicing certificate. This includes Migration Agents who are also solicitors or barristers qualified in Australia.
- CBA officers at offshore branches, as long as the officer has at least two years’ service with CBA or other Australian financial institutions.
- Officers of any other Australian bank or other Australian financial institution (bank, building society, or credit union) or Australian finance company with offices offshore, as long as the officer has at least two years’ service with Australian financial institutions or Australian finance companies.
- A Notary Public.
- A judge, magistrate, registrar, or deputy registrar of an overseas court.
- An Australian consular or diplomatic officer who holds one of the following positions: Consul-General, Consul, Vice-Consul, Trade Representative, Consular Agent, Ambassador, High Commissioner, Minister, Head of a Mission, Commissioner, Charge d'Affaires, Counsellor, Secretary or Attache at an Embassy, High Commissioner's office, Legation or similar.
- A member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, CPA Australia, or the National Institute of Accountants with at least two years of continuous membership.
The certifier must state that the photocopied document is a true copy of the original. On the documentation, they must also include the following:
- their full name
- their signature
- details of what qualification or occupation makes them eligible.
For help with opening a CommSec account, please contact us.
