International Shares

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Share Trading Pocket Margin Lending Options Trading International Share Trading

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. 

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

¹Brokerage 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: 

Apply now >

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

Join now >

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

Benefits

Diversification

Through CommSec, build your portfolio by investing in 13 international markets online and gain access to sectors that are better represented internationally such as artificial intelligence and aerospace^{^}.

Access the biggest global companies 

Invest in the global brands you know and love such as Apple, Shell, Shopify, Toyota^{^} and much more! 

Fractional shares

Fractional shares allow you to invest smaller amounts, so you don’t have to pay the value of a full share. Keep growing your portfolio and invest in select U.S. and European shares you might not have considered before. Find out more about fractional shares.

24-hour support 

Our International Desk is always here to help. Open 24-hours on U.S. Market Days, support will be there when you need it. 

Simplified access to trade on your funds 

With CommSec, you can enjoy being able to trade on funds from sell trades before they settle, and if you need a top up you can transfer funds in and out^* of your account, in real time. 

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

Brokerage fees

Markets	International Shares brokerage fees^2,3,5,6(whichever is greater)	International Shares Plus brokerage fees^2,3,5,6 (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%
²Alternative 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. ³Taxes and fees are put through from our International Custodian at cost.  ⁴Brokerage in U.S. and Canadian markets are inclusive of SEC Transaction fees and FINRA Trading Activity fees.  ⁵For 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).   ⁶Where 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.

Foreign exchange

Fee type	Amount
FX fee^7,8	0.55%
⁷The 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. ⁸For 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 type

Amount

FX fee^7,8

0.55% 

⁷The 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.

⁸For 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.

Account fees

Fee type^2,9	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
²Alternative 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. ⁹CommSec 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. ¹⁰Live 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. ¹¹Instant Buying Power allows you to trade International Securities with funds from executed International Securities sell orders prior to trade settlement. ¹²We 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: 

Apply now >

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

Join now >

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.