A whole new world of investment opportunities

With CommSec International, it's easy to tap into the world's leading share markets. Go from New York to London, and even Japan, at the click of a button. 

With online access to a range of free research tools and real-time data, you can confidently trade in many global markets of your choice. You can also monitor your portfolio online, stay up to date with market news, and much more all in one place.  

Our 24-hour support desk on U.S. market days means you’ll have the support you need, when you need it. 

CommSec International Shares
CommSec International Shares
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected

      How it works

      Accessing global markets with a CommSec International Shares Account has never been simpler. Once you’ve opened an International Shares Account, all you’ll need to do is:

       

      Log in to CommSec

       

      Navigate to Portfolio and select your International Shares Account

       

      Select Transfer funds to transfer funds from your Commonwealth Direct Investment Account (CDIA)# in real time into your International Wallet 

       

      Select Launch Platform to place trades, monitor your portfolio, research markets and more

      You also have the choice of switching to an International Shares Plus Account so you can tailor your own investing experience. 

      Feature 

      International Shares  

      International Shares Plus 

      Access to trade online in 13 global markets  

      Transfer AUD in and out of your International Wallet 

      Foreign exchange conversion fee 

      0.55%

      0.55%

      U.S. brokerage1

      USD$5.00
      Or 0.12% (whichever is greater) 

      USD$9.95
      Or 0.20% (whichever is greater) 

      Automatic foreign exchange conversions  

      Can manage your own foreign exchange conversions  

      Multicurrency wallet  

      Order Expiry

      Day orders only

      Day orders, good until cancel or at the open 

      Brokerage rates for non-U.S. markets also vary between the International Shares Account and the International Shares Plus Account. For more information, please refer to the Financial Services Guide (FSG) or head to Products > International Shares > Rates and fees.

      With an International Shares Plus Account, you can hold and manage foreign currencies in your International Wallet . You can request to switch to an International Shares Plus Account from an International Shares Account at any time by logging in to CommSec > Navigate to Settings > Create a Request > Type Switch to International Shares Plus and follow the prompts. 

      Get started

      Ready to tap into the world's leading global markets? Our streamlined application process can have you trading internationally within minutes. 

      If you're an existing CommSec customer: 

      If you're not a CommSec customer:  You'll first need to apply for a CommSec Australian Shares account & CDIA 

      See here for more info on who can apply for an International Shares Account. 

      Benefits

      Risks

      All investments come with some degree of risk, so it’s important to do your research before you commit to anything.


      Currency risk 

      As international securities are denominated in a currency other than Australian dollars, the value of your investment may be affected by changes in currency exchange rates. 


      Political and regulatory risk

      International shares are held by an international custodian, and are subject to risks relating to political, economic and regulatory changes in the country of the custodian or stock exchange. 


      Taxation risk

      Taxation implications can be different from investing in Australian securities and may vary depending on your individual circumstances.~ 

      Note: You will be asked to complete a U.S tax form as part of the application process. This form is valid for 3 years (unless there is a change in circumstances). 

      Rates and fees

      Markets

      International Shares brokerage fees2,3,5,6 (whichever is greater) 

      International Shares Plus brokerage fees2,3,5,6 (whichever is greater) 

      United States4

      USD$5.00 or 0.12%

      USD$9.95 or 0.20% 

      Canada4

      CAD$40.00 or 0.40%

      CAD$50.00 or 0.50%  

      France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands 

      EUR€12.00 or 0.40%

      EUR€20.00 or 0.50% 

      Hong Kong

      HKD$130.00 or 0.40%

      HKD$200.00 or 0.50% 

      Japan

      JPY¥1,500 or 0.40%

      JPY¥2,500 or 0.50%  

      Norway

      NOK175.00 or 0.40%

      NOK250.00 or 0.50% 

      Singapore

      SGD$25.00 or 0.40%

      SGD$35.00 or 0.50%

      Sweden

      SEK155.00 or 0.40%

      SEK225.00 or 0.50% 

      Switzerland 

      CHF₣17.00 or 0.40%

      CHF₣25.00 or 0.50%

      United Kingdom

      GBP£12.00 or 0.40%

      GBP£20.00 or 0.50%

      Alternative fees or rates may be agreed from time to time and (if agreed to) will be payable under the “Fees” section of the CommSec International Shares Terms and Conditions.

      Taxes and fees are put through from our International Custodian at cost. 

      Brokerage in U.S. and Canadian markets are inclusive of SEC Transaction fees and FINRA Trading Activity fees. 

      For all orders that are not fully executed in the same trading day, you will be charged at least the minimum brokerage each day an order remains in the market and partially executes (you will not be charged if there are no units executed).  

      Where an amendment is made to a partially executed order, the existing order is cancelled, and a new order placed for which brokerage will be charged independently as a new order upon execution.  

      Fee type

      Amount

      FX fee7,8

      0.55% 

      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.

      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.

      Fee type2,9

      Amount

      Inactivity fee 

      AUD $0.00

      Custody fee 

      AUD $0.00

      Real-time Market Data

      AUD $0.00

      Delayed Market Data (approx. 20min)

      AUD $0.00

      Live Market Data snapshot10

      USD $0.01 for US Equity quotes
      USD $0.03 for all other product quotes
      Complimentary USD $1 of quotes are included per month

      U.S Tax form fee

      AUD $0.00

      Funds transfer rejection fee

      AUD $0.00

      Instant buying power11

      AUD $0.00

      Instant funding (deposit/withdrawal)

      AUD $0.00

      U.S. Transfers in/out (ACATS only)12

      AUD $0.00

      Alternative fees or rates may be agreed from time to time and (if agreed to) will be payable under the “Fees” section of the CommSec International Shares Terms and Conditions.

      CommSec reserves the right to pass through to your account any additional charges, or changes to existing charges, that CommSec may incur as a result of changes in industry practices or through the course of normal business operations. This may include costs incurred from holding negative interest -bearing currencies.

      10 Live Market Data Snapshots can be requested and will be charged, after $1.00 USD usage is reached (complimentary $1.00 USD). Fees are assessed and charged in arears on a monthly basis, generally in the first week after the month in which Live Market Data Snapshot services were provided.

      11 Instant Buying Power allows you to trade International Securities with funds from executed International Securities sell orders prior to trade settlement.

      12 We only support electronic broker-to-broker transfers of International Securities. Your other broker, or their transfer agent, may independently charge you a fee for transfers.

      Who can apply?

      You can apply for an International Shares Account if you and all additional applicants are:

      • 18 years or older with an Australian residential and postal address; 
      • Are an individual and/or joint account holder, or
      • An Australian registered or incorporated company, or
      • An Australian formal trust or SMSF

      If you fit the above criteria, you must also have the following:

      • An existing CommSec Australian Shares Account and Commonwealth Direct Investment Account (CDIA) in the same name, and
      • A valid photo ID, such as an Australian Driver's Licence, Passport, or Medicare card that is not expired.

      This account is available to and for the benefit of Australian residents only. If you are a U.S. Person, or not residing in Australia, we will not be able to open an International Shares Account for you at this time. Limitations may also apply to applicants with citizenship or tax residency in countries not accepted by our International Custodian.

      If you're an existing CommSec customer: 

      If you're not a CommSec customer:  You'll first need to apply for a CommSec Australian Shares account & CDIA 

      Questions you may have

      Important Information

      To operate an International Shares Account, you must have and link a Commonwealth Direct Investment Account (CDIA) as your nominated settlement account. The target market for the CDIA can be found within the product’s Target Market Determination, available at commbank.com.au/tmd.

      The examples provided do not constitute advice to buy, sell or hold a security.

      Transferring funds out of your International Shares Account will only be available on settled funds.

      ~CommSec does not provide taxation advice. We recommend you obtain professional taxation advice to evaluate whether an investment in International Securities is appropriate to your particular financial circumstances.

      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 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 International Shares Terms and Conditions, and Financial Services Guide (FSG), and should consider them before making any decision about these products and services.

      Investing in overseas markets exposes you to risks including those related to movements in foreign currency exchange rates and market prices.

      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.

      Top