Stock Transfer FAQs

Transferring Securities 

 Issuer Sponsored Holding Conversion 

Broker to Broker Transfer

Transferring Securities

What is an Issuer Sponsored Holding?

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 Securityholder Reference Number (SRN) which is printed on your holding statement.

 

What is a Securityholder Reference Number (SRN)?

A Securityholder 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.

 

What is CHESS?

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.  

What is a Holder Identification Number (HIN)?

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.

 

What are Broker Sponsored Holdings?

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.

What is a PID?

A PID is an acronym for Participant Identification Number. This is the Broker’s identification number. CommSec’s PID is 1402. This number is stated on your CHESS holding statement.

 

How do I become CHESS Sponsored with CommSec?

Complete and sign the Issuer Sponsored Holdings to CHESS Sponsorship Conversion Form. The original form must be sent to CommSec. If you would like to convert shares that are Issuer Sponsored to CommSec CHESS Sponsored, attach a current copy of all the Issuer Holding Statements that you wish to convert. The Issuer Holdings statement must display your Securityholder Reference Number (SRN) and the units you wish to convert. Your Issuer registration details (name and address) must match your CommSec Trading Account details. The Share Registry will not allow stock to be converted when the registration details do not match exactly.
The original form, together with your Issuer Sponsored statements should be sent to CommSec.

Issuer Sponsored Holding Conversion

 

I am already CHESS Sponsored with CommSec, how do I convert shares that are Issuer Sponsored to CommSec CHESS Sponsored?

Complete and sign the Issuer Sponsored Holdings to CHESS Sponsorship Conversion Form. Attach a current copy of all the Issuer holding statements that you wish to convert. The Issuer statement must display your Securityholder Reference Number (SRN) and the units you wish to convert. Your Issuer registration details (name and address) must match your CommSec Holder Identification Number (HIN) details. The Share Registry will not allow stock to be converted when the registration details do not match exactly.
The form together with the statements can be faxed to (02) 8292 4088.

My Issuer holding is not in the exact name as my CommSec HIN. How do I change the registration name on the Issuer holding?

If the name on your Issuer Holding statement differs to CommSec contact the relevant Share Registry. This includes differences with a designation or Trust. Alternatively you can complete a Name Correction Request and Indemnity Form and forward this original form to the relevant Share Registry. The address of the Share Registry is located in the top right hand corner of your Issuer Sponsored Holding Statement.

My Issuer holding states a different address to my CommSec HIN. How do I change the address on the Issuer holding?

If the address on your Issuer Holding statement differs to CommSec contact the relevant Share Registry. Alternatively you can complete Change of Address Notification Form and forward this original form to the relevant Share Registry. The address of the Share Registry is located in the top right hand corner of your Issuer Sponsored Holding Statement.
 

How do I transfer holdings that are CommSec CHESS sponsored to Issuer Sponsored?

If you wish to transfer your holdings to Issuer Sponsored, contact a Customer Service Officer on 13 15 19. Advise the Customer Service Officer of your intention and they will initiate this request.
 

 

 Broker to Broker Transfer

I would like to transfer holdings from another broker but I am not sponsored with CommSec, what should I do?

Complete and sign the Broker to Broker Transfer Request Form. The original form must be sent to CommSec. Please ensure that the Broker to Broker box has been ticked and you have advised the other Broker’s name; Participant Identification Number (PID) and your HIN. Please list the holdings you wish to transfer in Existing Sponsoring Broker Details (Other Broker) Section of the form.

I would like to transfer a HIN from another broker but I am not sponsored with CommSec, what should I do?

Complete and sign the Broker to Broker Transfer Request Form. The original form must be sent to CommSec. Please ensure that you have advised the other Broker’s name; PID and your HIN. Please tick the box that states ‘Please transfer HIN from existing Broker (all holdings) to CommSec (PID 1402).

I am already sponsored with CommSec, how do I transfer shares from another broker?

Complete and sign the Broker to Broker Transfer Request Form. Please ensure that you have advised the other Broker’s name; PID and your HIN. Please list the holdings you wish to transfer in the section below ‘Security to be transferred’.

I am already sponsored with CommSec, how do I transfer my HIN from another broker?

Complete and sign the Broker to Broker Transfer Request Form. Please ensure that you have advised the other Brokers name; PID and your HIN. Please tick the box that states ‘Please transfer HIN from existing Broker (all holdings) to CommSec (PID 1402).

I would like to transfer my HIN from another Broker to CommSec, however the registration name at the other Broker differs to my details at CommSec.

Under Approved Market Operation (APO) rules, we cannot transfer stock or a Holder Identification Number (HIN) from an account with a different name. In order to initiate this transfer we require an account to be opened in the same name as with the other broker. Alternatively you may complete a Standard Transfer Form. Please refer to the Guidelines for completing an Off Market Transfer Form which can be found on commsec.com.au, under Tools & Support >  Forms and Download section.

I would like to transfer my HIN from another Broker to CommSec, however the registration name at the other Broker differs slightly to my details at CommSec. At CommSec my middle name is stated in the registration name however at the other Broker I did not state my middle name.

In order to initiate this transfer would you please contact your other Broker and amend the registration name of your HIN to match your CommSec Account. When this has been updated, please submit your Broker to Broker request. 

I would like to transfer my HIN from another Broker to CommSec, however the registration address at the other Broker differs slightly to my details at CommSec. At CommSec my postal address is stated, however at the other Broker I stated my residential address.

In order to initiate this transfer would you please contact your other Broker and amend the registration address of your HIN to match your CommSec Account. When this has been updated, please submit your Broker to Broker Transfer Request Form.