You should have the following information on hand when completing an application for a CommSec account:

• A valid email address
• A valid form of identification (your identification MUST MATCH EXACTLY the name you use on your application)
• A valid contact number
• Your bank account details
• Your Tax File Number or Exemption Code (optional)
• Your ABN or ACN (if opening a company or Trust account)

List of valid forms of identification

1. Commonwealth Bank account
2. Commonwealth Bank Credit Card
3. Passport
4. Australian drivers licence
5. Australian Proof of Age Card
6. NSW Photocard
7. NSW Birthcard
8. Australian firearms licence
9. Defence Force Identity Card (excluding spouse cards)
10. Birth certificate and citizenship certificate
11. Birth certificate and Centrelink pension card
12. Birth certificate and recent utilities bill
13. Birth certificate and government notice
14. Birth certificate and taxation notice
15. Birth certificate and council rates notice
16. Birth certificate and overseas drivers licence
17. Birth certificate and security guard/crowd safety officer ID
18. Citizen certificate and Centrelink pension card
19. Citizen certificate and recent utilities bill
20. Citizen certificate and government notice
21. Citizen certificate and taxation notice
22. Citizen certificate and council rates notice
23. Citizen certificate and overseas drivers licence
24. Citizen certificate and security guard/crowd safety officer ID
25. Centrelink pension card and government notice
26. Centrelink pension card and taxation notice
27. Centrelink pension card and council rates notice
28. Centrelink pension card and recent utilities bill
29. Centrelink pension card and overseas drivers licence
30. Centrelink pension card and security guard/crowd safety officer ID

No, you do not have to provide your Tax File Number or an Exemption Code when you apply for an account. However, if you do not provide your Tax File Number or an Exemption Code we are required to withhold tax from interest earned on the CommSec Cash Account and/or CommSec Investment Account at the highest marginal rate.

Yes. Once you have completed the online application form you need to print and sign the Declaration Form (we cannot accept photocopied or faxed signatures) and return this to the reply paid CommSec address.

CommSec
Reply Paid 60768
Australia Square NSW 1214

You may also need to return the following document(s) along with your Declaration Form:

• A certified photocopy of your identity document(s)
• A certified photocopy of the front page of the Trust Deed containing the trust name
• A copy of your Issuer Sponsored Statement(s).

With the introduction of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 we are required by law to identify all applicants. If you do not have an existing Commonwealth Bank account or Commonwealth Bank Credit Card you must provide a valid form of identification to verify your identity.
(Note: Your identification MUST MATCH EXACTLY the name you use on your application)

Take your original identification documents and a photocopy of these documents to one of the following eligible persons:

• Chiropractor
• Dentist
• Legal practitioner
• Medical practitioner
• Nurse
• Optometrist
• Patent attorney
• Pharmacist
• Physiotherapist
• Psychologist
• Trade marks attorney
• Veterinary surgeon
• Person who is enrolled on the roll of the Supreme Court of a State or Territory, or the High Court of Australia, as a legal practitioner
• Agent of the Australian Postal Corporation who is in charge of an office supplying postal services to the public
• Australian Consular Officer or Australian Diplomatic Officer (within the meaning of the Consular Fees Act 1922)
• Bailiff
• Bank officer with 2 or more continuous years of service
• Building society officer with 2 or more years of continuous service
• Chief executive officer of a Commonwealth court
• Clerk of a court
• Commissioner for Affidavits
• Commissioner for Declarations
• Credit union officer with 2 or more years of continuous service
• Employee of the Australian Trade Commission who is:
  • in a country or place outside Australia; and
  • authorised under paragraph 3 (d) of the Consular Fees Act 1922; and
  • exercising his or her function in that place
• Employee of the Commonwealth who is:
  • in a country or place outside Australia; and
  • authorised under paragraph 3 (c) of the Consular Fees Act 1922; and
  • exercising his or her function in that place
• Fellow of the National Tax Accountants’ Association
• Finance company officer with 2 or more years of continuous service
• Holder of a statutory office not specified in another item in this Part
• Judge of a court
• Justice of the Peace
• Magistrate
• Marriage celebrant registered under Subdivision C of Division 1 of Part IV of the Marriage Act 1961
• Master of a court
• Member of Chartered Secretaries Australia
• Member of Engineers Australia, other than at the grade of student
• Member of the Association of Taxation and Management Accountants
• Member of the Australian Defence Force who is:
  • an officer; or
  • a non-commissioned officer within the meaning of the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 with 2 or more years of continuous service; or
  • a warrant officer within the meaning of that Act
• Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia,the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants or the National Institute of Accountants
• Member of:
  • the Parliament of the Commonwealth; or
  • the Parliament of a State; or
  • a Territory legislature; or
  • a local government authority of a State or Territory
• Minister of religion registered under Subdivision A of Division 1 of Part IV of the Marriage Act 1961
• Notary public
• Permanent employee of the Australian Postal Corporation with 2 or more years of continuous service who is employed in an office supplying postal services to the public
• Permanent employee of:
  • the Commonwealth or a Commonwealth authority; or
  • a State or Territory or a State or Territory authority; or
  • a local government authority; with 2 or more years of continuous service
  • Person before whom a statutory declaration may be made under the law of the State or Territory in which the declaration is made
  • Police officer
  • Registrar, or Deputy Registrar, of a court
• Senior Executive Service employee of:
  • the Commonwealth or a Commonwealth authority; or
  • a State or Territory or a State or Territory authority
• Sheriff
• Sheriff’s officer
• Teacher employed on a full-time basis at a school or tertiary education institution
• Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
• An officer with, or authorised representative of, a holder of an Australian financial services licence, having 2 or more years of continuous service with one or more licensees.

The eligible person should write on the photocopy of the statement 
 “I certify that this is a true copy of the original document” (or similar wording) and include their full name, original signature (photocopied signatures are not accepted) and qualification or occupation that makes them eligible. Attach the certified photocopy to your application (Note: do not send your original documents).

There are three options:

• Online: The quickest and easiest way to update your address for an individual account is online. Simply log into commsec.com.au with your Client ID and password and go to Portfolio > Profile & Security. (Please note: For some account types, such as company, joint accounts, trust accounts or when there is a Power of Authority is in place we require a signed request.)
• By fax: You will find the ‘Change of Contact details’ Form on our website under Products > Forms & Brochures. Print it out, complete it and fax it to (02) 8292 5744. This will take 24 to 48 hours to process once received, and you are able to view these changes online. These changes will apply to all your holdings with CommSec if you are CHESS sponsored.
• By post: Download the ‘Change of Contact details’ form as described above and post the completed form to:

  CommSec – Client Registry
  Locked Bag 22
  Australia Square
  NSW 1215

You can also use this form to update your postal address to an overseas address.

We will endeavour to process your request within 24 to 48 hours once received, and you will be able to view these changes online.

Please note: If you change your bank details with us it means that all share transactions will settle through your new nominated bank account. This account must be in the exact same name as your trading account. If your account is in joint names or is a company account all account holders and listed directors will need to sign the form.

To change your bank account:

• You will find the 'Direct Debit/Direct Credit Request' Form on our website under Support > Forms & Brochures.
• Print out, complete and sign the form, then fax it to (02) 8292 5744 or post it to:

  CommSec – Client Registry
  Locked Bag 22
  Australia Square
  NSW 1215

Your account will generally be updated within approximately 24 to 48 hours of receipt of the request. To check that it has been updated, you can log into the website, click on Portfolio > Accounts (Select Account) > Account Details.

In order to change your e-mail address you will need to follow these steps:

1. Login to www.commsec.com.au using your Client ID and password.
2. Click on 'View Profile' (Top right of screen) or go to Portfolio > Profile & Security > Personal Details and complete identification check.
3.  Under the sub heading Email Addresses click “Add” and then type in your new e-mail address in the space provided.

NB: If you wish to delete a previous e-mail address, this may only be done once it is removed from the Electronic Contract Note Preferences.

You can amend the delivery method for your confirmation contract notes and order notifications using the steps below:

1. Login to www.commsec.com.au using your Client ID and password.
2. Click on Portfolio > Account > Account Details and scroll down to the bottom of the page.

NB: If you request contract notes by mail CommSec will charge $1.95 per contract note sent.

A Client ID is an ‘umbrella’ ID which can group all of your CommSec accounts together under the one convenient login number. It is an eight digit ID which begins with a ‘5‘.

A Trading Account number is an ID that is specific to your CommSec share trading account only. Multiple trading accounts can be accessed under one Client ID without the need to have multiple logins for each trading account.

1. Login to commsec.com.au using your Client ID and password
2. Click on Trading

For Conditional Orders and Option Orders please select the applicable sub menu under Trading.

Your CommSec Trading Account has an automatic trading limit of $25,000, $7,500 of which is allocated to non-leading stock. You can see the list of leading stock here. This allows you to place orders up to these values without any deposit requirements. Funds will be payable by you on the morning of settlement date, which is three trading days after your buy order has executed (T+3).

To increase your trading limits you need to place a deposit by any of the methods described below. The amount of your deposit should be 50% of the amount by which your trade exceeds your trading limit. For example, if you wish to buy $10,000 of non-leading stock, this is $2,500 above your automatic trading limit for non-leading stock, so a deposit of $1,250 will be required.

Your CommSec Cash Management account

If you have a CommSec Cash Management account linked for settlement of your trades, the full balance of your account will automatically be integrated and added to your current trading limit. You can then place a trade online at any time provided there is sufficient collateral within this account. This also applies to clients who have a CDIA or BankWest Money Market Account linked for settlement.

Your Shares

Shares you already own can be used to increase your trading limit. We will double the market value of your CHESS sponsored holdings and add it to your daily trading limit. If you are CHESS sponsored with CommSec you can view your holdings via your CommSec Trading Account.

Bpay or cash deposit

You can deposit a cheque or cash at a CBA branch into the CommSec Trust A/C 062004 10031738 and use your CommSec trading account number as the reference for the deposit. Alternatively you can also BPAY the funds. Your unique BPAY details can be obtained from your ‘Buy’ confirmation contract note or available online after you log into commsec.com.au and click on Portfolio > Accounts > Account Details. If you do not have a buy confirmation contract note or are unsure of your BPAY details, please contact a Client Service Officer on 13 15 19 (8am to 8pm, Sydney time).

Please note that a clearance period of approximately 24 to 48 hours may apply to these transfers.

Your Commonwealth Bank account

If you have a Commonwealth Bank Account linked for settlement of your trades you can call one of our client service officers to arrange a deposit on your behalf and place the order at phone brokerage rates.

Please note: Any open or unsettled buy orders will decrease your trading limit.

To access your financial records you must be logged into your CommSec account with your Client ID and password.

Click on Portfolio > Accounts > Transactions.

CommSec CHESS sponsored stock means your shares are held with your broker, CommSec, on the ASX’s CHESS system. You have a holder identification number (HIN) which applies to all stocks held on your CommSec account when you are CHESS sponsored.

You can become CHESS sponsored with CommSec by completing one simple form.

• Download the Broker to Broker CHESS Sponsorship Form from our website under Support > Forms & Brochures
• Complete the ‘CommSec Account Details’ section at the top, and then sign the ‘Agreement’ section.
• Post your completed, signed form to:

  CommSec — Client Registry
  Locked Bag 22
  Australia Square NSW 1215

Your account will become CHESS sponsored within approximately 24 to 48 hours of receipt of your form. You will also receive a notice from ASX Settlement to confirm that CommSec is your CHESS Sponsor. All future trades will settle under your CHESS sponsorship with CommSec.

Issuer sponsored stock are shares that are held with the company’s share registry. You have an SRN for the stocks you hold with each different registry. These stocks will not appear on your CommSec portfolio.

In order to transfer Issuer Sponsored Stock to CHESS, CommSec requires a copy of your issuer holding statement with a Chess Sponsorship Form whereby the Issuer to Broker option box is selected.

Please note that the stock must be held under identical registration to your CommSec account in order for it to be converted. If registration details differ by even one character, such as ‘Ms’ instead of ‘Mrs’, your transfer will be unsuccessful. You will need to change these details with the share registry before completing the form.

To complete the transfer:

• Download the Issuer Sponsored Holdings to CHESS sponsorship form by going to commsec.com.au and clicking on Support > Forms & Brochures
• Complete the form and please ensure it is signed by all share holders. Once completed, attach a photocopy of the latest issuer holding statement or dividend statement and post to:
  Attn: Conversions
  Locked Bag 22,
  Australia Square
  NSW 1215
  

If you are already CHESS sponsored with CommSec, you can fax the form and statements to us on (02) 8292 4088.

The transfer time differs with each share registry, but will generally take a minimum of 48 – 72 hours of receipt.

If your shares are held in another entity, for example yourself in trust for a super fund, you need to complete an Off Market Transfer. If your shares are held with another broker, complete a Broker to Broker request.

The CommSec Cash Management product has been specifically designed for self-directed investors, and consists of a CommSec Cash Account (CCA) and a CommSec Investment Account (CIA). A CommSec Debit MasterCard^® linked to the CommSec Cash Account (CCA) is also available with no account-keeping fees attached. 

Below is a quick overview of other key product features of the new CommSec Cash Management product:

CommSec Cash Account

CommSec Investment Account

CommSec Debit Master Card^®

How it Works

Funds can be transferred in to your CommSec Cash Account (CCA) via:

1) Electronic Funds Transfer – This is the easiest and fastest way of transferring funds - all you need is your BSB & Account Number for your new CommSec Cash Account (CCA) which can be found under Portfolio > Cash Management.

2) A cheque is also accepted by posting it in to us. You will need to include the cheque deposit slip form along with your cheque. This form can be obtained by logging on and clicking on Portfolio > Cash Management. Please download and print the ‘Cheque Deposit Form’. Once completed, include this with the cheque and send to:

CommSec Settlements
Reply Paid 60768, Australia Square NSW 1214

3) If you wish to transfer large amounts:
RTGS (ie Real Time Gross Settlement) payments can be made directly to a CommSec Cash Account (CCA) from other financial institutions.
You simply provide the BSB and Account Number for your CommSec Cash Account (which you can find once your login to the website at Quick Links > Profile) to your financial institutions local branch when requesting the RTGS payment and the funds will generally be credited within 24 hours*.

Clearance times

EFT funds will usually take up to 24 hours to clear and be available in your CommSec Cash Account (CCA) so long as the transfer is made before 4.30pm (Sydney time) on a business day.

*CommSec does not warrant that all financial institutions faciliate such payments.

Transfers between your CommSec Cash Account (CCA) and your CommSec Investment Account (CIA) are instantaneous.

Transfers from external bank accounts to the CommSec Cash Account (CCA) will take up to 24 hours to clear and be made available.

Before you can perform any transfers, Bpay transactions or limit increases you will need to setup SMS security or security questions online, which can be completed once you log into commsec.com.au and click on Portfolio > Profile & Security.

Once your SMS security or security questions are setup you will be able to transact on your cash account and change your daily transfer limit to $20,000.

If you would like to raise your daily transfer limits to an amount higher than $20,000, please call CommSec on 13 15 19 or +61 2 9115 1417 if calling from overseas (Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Sydney time), and a Client Service officer will be able to further assist.

Yes, you can have more than one CommSec Cash Account (CCA) or CommSec Investment Account (CIA) in the same name as your existing Trading account and Cash Management accounts.

To apply for another account:

• Click ‘Join Now’ on the CommSec homepage and select ‘Existing Client’.
• You will be prompted to enter your existing Client ID or Trading Account number and password for identification purposes and you will not be required to post anything further to us.
• During the application process you will be asked if you would like another CCA or CIA. You can choose either or both of these as your second account.

We will send an email to your nominated email address once you have completed the application notifying you that your application has been submitted. Once your new account is activated, you will receive a second email.

CommSec Portfolio LVR is an enhanced feature of the CommSec Margin Loan which rewards investors who hold diversified portfolios. Portfolio LVR provides higher loan to value ratios (LVRs) on equities on our approved list. As an added bonus, it also provides LVRs on securities which usually have 0% Standard LVR (Bonus Stocks).

The Loan to Valuation Ratio, is the amount of the loan borrowed in proportion to the value of your approved share or managed fund. For example, if a particular share has an LVR of 70% - this means we allow you to borrow up to 70% of the value of the share on the proviso that you provide the other 30%.

Gearing – put simply, is borrowing funds to invest. Gearing ratios represent the combined ratio of your own funds and borrowed funds for an investment.
Leverage – in the context of the sharemarket is the practice of borrowing money to supplement existing funds for investment in such a way that the potential positive or negative outcome is magnified and/or enhanced.

A margin loan is a loan that uses approved shares, managed funds & cash that you already own as security for a flexible line of credit to allow you to buy more shares or units in managed funds. Through the effect of leveraging it may offer you greater exposure to both the share and managed fund markets and may offer you a greater return when the price goes up. Leverage may also expose you to greater losses when the price goes down.

A margin call is triggered if your loan balance exceeds the lending value of your portfolio by more than 5%. 5% is the buffer in which we allow you to restore the gearing level of your portfolio before a margin call is triggered.

When a margin call is triggered you must immediately adjust your gearing level so that it is equal to or below your portfolios current lending value. A margin call must be met by 2pm Sydney time on the day after the margin call.

To meet a margin call you can either:

1. Deposit money into your loan account to reduce your loan balance.
2. Provide additional fully owned shares or managed fund units to increase your portfolio value.
3. Sell part of your portfolio and using the proceeds to repay part of your loan.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you do not allow your loan to trigger a margin call. If your loan does trigger a margin call it is your responsibility to ensure that the margin call is satisfied in full within the required time. If you do not take action within the required time we may sell some or all of your securities to reduce your loan balance.

This is done by transferring funds online.

1. Logging into your CommSec account using your Client ID and password
2. Click on Portfolio > Trading Accounts > Transfers.

An Issuer Sponsored holding is maintained by the issuer of your shares. All details relating to your holding are maintained by the Issuer at the Share Registry. Your Issuer Sponsored holding can be identified by an 'I' at the start of your Security holder Reference Number (SRN) which is printed on your holding statement.

A Security holder Reference Number, also known as SRN, is a unique number that identifies you as an Issuer Sponsored Holder with a listed company. A SRN usually starts with a letter I is followed by numbers e.g. I00012345678. If you hold shares in more than one company and choose to be Issuer Sponsored, you will have a different SRN for each shareholding.

CHESS stands for Clearing House Electronic Sub-register System. The CHESS Settlement Facility is a computerised share registry and settlement system operated by the ASX Settlement & Transfer Corporation Pty Ltd (ASTC), a subsidiary of the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX). CHESS records an account's share ownership via the ASX's computer-based share and settlement transaction system.

A Holder Identification Number, also known as a HIN, is a unique number that will identify you as CHESS/Broker Sponsored holder. When you are CHESS sponsored with a Broker you will be issued with a unique number. This unique number can register multiple holdings under the single HIN. A HIN starts with the letter X and followed by ten numbers e.g. X0001234567.

If your shares are Broker Sponsored, you will have a Holder Identification Number (HIN) allocated to your holding rather than a Shareholder Reference Number (SRN). Your Broker Sponsored holding can be identified by an 'X' at the start of your HIN which is printed on your Holding Statement. You can be sponsored on CHESS by more than one broker or institution and you can even maintain holdings in the same security under different sponsorships. The company will treat each of the different sponsorship as a separate holder.