How do I complete an online application for a CommSec account?
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
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Do I have to provide a Tax File Number or an Exemption Code when I apply for an account?
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.
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Do I need to do anything after I complete the online application form?
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).
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Why do I need to provide certified photocopies of identification documents/the front page of the Trust Deed?
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)
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How do I certify identification documents/the front page of the Trust Deed?
Take your original identification documents and a photocopy of these documents to one of the following eligible persons:
| Person |
Description |
| A Justice of the Peace |
An officer with 2 or more continuous years of service with one or more financial institutions. |
| A public notary |
A registrar/deputy registrar of a court. |
| A police officer |
An Australian diplomatic or consular officer. |
| A barrister or a solicitor |
An officer or authorised representative that holds an Australian Financial Services licence and has 2 or more continuous years of service with one or more licences. |
| A judge of magistrate |
A finance company officer with 2 or more continuous years of service with one or more finance companies. |
| A chief executive officer of a Commonwealth court |
A permanent employee of Australia Post with 2 or more years of continuous service who is employed in an office supplying postal services to the public |
A member of:
- the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia
- CPA Australia
- the National Institute of Accountants
With 2 or more years continuous membership
|
An agent of Australia Post who is in charge of an office supplying postal services to the public |
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).
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What Name / Account type am I meant to apply for in ‘List all account types’?
When applying for a CommSec account online, several account types relate to who the beneficial owner of shares traded on an account will be. Below is an explanation of each different account type to assist you in determining what category of account you should apply under:
Individual – a single applicant who intends to trade under their own name with shares on the account registered under this name. Authoriszed traders can be nominated on the account however their names will not be included in the name of the account.
Joint (2 individuals) – where two parties intend to open an account in both names with shares on the account registered under both names. Authorised traders can be nominated on the account however their names will not be included in the name of the account.
Joint (3 individuals) – where three parties intend to open an account in all three names with shares on the account registered under all names. Authorised traders can be nominated on the account however their names will not be included in the name of the account.
Individual (sole trader) – where a sole trader intends to open an account under their own name. For the purposes of income and assets assessment, a sole trader is a business owned by one person. An ABN number can be nominated on the application. Authorised traders can be nominated on the account however their names will not be included in the name of the account.
Company – where a company intends on trading under its own name, with all shares on the account registered under the name of the company. An ABN/ACN must be nominated on the application as well as all company directors. Authorised traders can be nominated on the account however their names will not be included in the name of the account.
Trusts (individual trustee) – where up to 3 individuals (trustee’s) intend on opening an account in trust for a beneficiary (including superannuation funds or minors). If a trust deed exists the trust name must appear as per the trust deed and a certified copy of the summary page must be included when sending your declaration. Authorised traders can be nominated on the account however their names will not be included in the name of the account.
Trusts (company) – where a company intends on opening an account in trust for a beneficiary (including superannuation funds). If a trust deed exists the trust name must appear as per the trust deed and a certified copy of the summary page must be included when sending your declaration. Authorised traders can be nominated on the account however their names will not be included in the name of the account.
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How do I setup a Watchlist?
To setup a Watchlist you will need to have a CommSec Trading Account . If you do not have a trading account Join Now.
For CommSec clients:
Step 1. Login to the CommSec website using your Client ID and password
Step 2. Click on Trading > Watchlist > Watchlist
Step 3. If you have not setup a Watchlist under your account you will receive a message ‘You have yet to set up a Watchlist. To do so, simply click here’.
Step 4. You will be taken to the screen below.
- You will need to name your Watchlist. Enter the name of the Watchlist in the ‘Name’ field (this is mandatory) followed by a description of the Watchlist.
Step 5. Enter the ‘Stock code’ in the required field. For example, ‘CBA’. If you cannot find the stock you are looking for click on the 
icon to perform an advanced search.
If you have purchased stocks previously enter the date acquired, number of units purchased and the purchase price of the stock at the time of purchase. When you create your Watchlist you can add up to 20 ASX stocks to each Watchlist you create.
Step 6. Click on ‘Save Changes’ located above the Watchlist table (see above).
To view the stocks in your Watchlist and to monitor how they are performing click on Trading > Watchlist > Watchlist.
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How do I add an additional Watchlist(s)?
You may want to add another Watchlist to monitor sectors such banking and resource stocks. To add another Watchlist follow the below steps:
Step 1. Login to the CommSec website using your Client ID and password.
Step 2. Click on Trading > Watchlist > Watchlist
Step 3. Click on ‘Edit’ located next to the drop down list
Step 4 – Click on ‘New List’
Simply repeat Steps 4- 6 under the heading ‘How do I setup a Watchlist’ if would like to add additional watchlists.
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