★ A CURATED DIRECTORY OF FINANCIAL TOOLS AND RESOURCES ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
CommSec Review, Pricing, and Features
CommSec
CommSec is Commonwealth Bank's Australian self-directed brokerage, with CHESS-sponsored domestic shares and a separate custodied international account. Domestic pricing depends on settlement method, while international trading adds market-based brokerage and 0.55% FX.
Community votes (overall)
Vote to see how the community rates this tool. One vote unlocks results across the whole site, or sign in to see them now.
Pricing
Key fees from the official fee schedule
Source-checked · Jul 17, 2026Australian shares — CDIA or eligible loanAustralian shares
Online Australian shares settled to another bankAustralian shares
U.S. market through International SharesInternational
Supported non-U.S. international marketsInternational
International currency conversionInternational
The Commonwealth Direct Investment Account is a separate Commonwealth Bank deposit used for settlement. Its interest and Financial Claims Scheme treatment must not be generalized to cash inside the international brokerage wallet. Australian CHESS-sponsored holdings are HIN-based. International holdings use a nominee and custodian structure in which the customer is beneficial rather than registered legal owner. CommSec Pocket, margin lending, exchange-traded options, CommSecIRESS and advised or banking products have distinct eligibility, pricing or risk terms and are not blended into the standard share-trading offer. See the Commonwealth Securities Limited fee schedule for your country.
Key features
- CHESS-sponsored Australian shares, ETFs and listed investments.
- International stocks across U.S., Canada, Europe and Asian markets.
- Domestic online brokerage from A$5 with eligible CDIA settlement.
- Custodian-supported international fractional and recurring orders.
- Exchange-traded options and advanced market tooling.
- Domestic financial-year summaries and international tax documents.
Broker details
Account and availability
Available in 1 countryAustralian shares
Available in 1 countryInternational
AccountAustralian shares
Individual, Joint, Company, Formal trust, SMSF, Minor trust · AUD base currency · No general trading-account minimum stated
AccountInternational
Individual, Joint, Australian company, Formal trust, SMSF · AUD, USD, CAD, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, NOK, SEK, CHF, SGD base currency · Existing Australian Shares Account and CDIA required
Cash and trading
Interest on uninvested cashAustralian shares
0.10% <$50k; 0.75% <$250k; 1.15% <$1m; 1.75% ≥$1m
Interest on uninvested cashInternational
No general customer rate established
DepositsAustralian shares
No deposit fee stated; settlement changes brokerage
Linked Commonwealth Direct Investment Account, eligible CommSec margin loan or nominated Australian bank settlement account · Subject to bank transfer and trade-settlement timing
DepositsInternational
Instant funding A$0; FX 0.55% per conversion leg
Transfer from linked CDIA to the International Shares account, followed by automatic or wallet currency conversion · Instant buying power can be available; settlement and conversion rules apply
Withdrawals
International instant withdrawal A$0; FX and bank fees can apply
Transfer settled cash to the linked CDIA or nominated eligible bank account · Varies by settlement, conversion, market and bank processing
Fractional sharesAustralian shares
Not available
Australian listed shares and ETFs · Whole CHESS units
Fractional sharesInternational
Limited availability
Custodian-supported international stocks and ETFs · No universal minimum stated; recurring orders generally 10 in local currency
Tax support · Australia
Statements only
Regulation and protection
Commonwealth Securities Limited
Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) · AFSL 238814
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Australian Prudential Regulation Authority and ASIC · AFSL 234945
ASX CHESS direct ownership · No compensation limit; HIN-based registration
CommSec-sponsored Australian holdings are recorded through CHESS and supported by holding statements. CHESS sponsorship does not protect against market loss.
Commonwealth Securities LimitedAustralian Financial Claims Scheme for eligible CDIA deposits · Up to A$250,000 per account holder per authorised deposit-taking institution
Applies to eligible deposits held directly with Commonwealth Bank and is aggregated with the customer's other eligible CBA deposits. It does not cover securities or market loss.
Commonwealth Bank of AustraliaSegregated nominee and international custody structure · No customer compensation limit stated by CommSec
International assets are segregated in CommSec Custodial Nominees' name, with Interactive Brokers LLC as international custodian/legal owner and the customer retaining beneficial ownership. Recovery remains subject to custody and insolvency rules.
Commonwealth Securities LimitedSource-checked · Reviewed Jul 17, 2026 · Official sources: CommSec financial services guide, CommSec International Shares terms and conditions, Open a CommSec International Shares Account, CommSec CHESS holding statements, Where CommSec international shares are held, Commonwealth Bank transaction, savings and investment account rates, CommSec international fractional shares, CommSec end-of-financial-year statements, CommSec International Shares client guide
FAQ
Is CommSec free?
CommSec should not be treated as free software. Brokerage access may have no monthly charge, but transaction, FX, market-data, custody, transfer, product, or spread costs can apply depending on the offer and jurisdiction. Check the broker details and official fee schedule.
Who is CommSec best for?
It suits beginner, intermediate, and advanced users.
What platforms and connections does CommSec support?
You can use CommSec on Web and Mobile.
Which markets does CommSec cover?
CommSec covers APAC, North America, and Europe. Examples include AU. It tracks Stocks, ETFs, and Options. Identifiers include Ticker.
Suggest an edit
Keep Exploring
Information
About Me
Hey! Thanks for stopping by. I'm an independent investor with a soft spot for coding and the stock market - especially value investing (as you can probably tell from the tools I've collected here, haha). Hopefully you'll find something useful or interesting along the way.
Find me here:
- Twitter / X: @Jera_Value
- Website: Jera Value
Got questions or suggestions? I'm all ears!
Missing a Tool?
Discovered a gem I don't have here yet? Drop the link below and I'll check it out ASAP. Tagging me on X works too! Can't wait to see what you've found!
Starred Tools
These are my top picks. Tools I've tested thoroughly and found to be excellent. They do their job really well, and I use them a lot. If you're not already familiar with them, I highly recommend checking them out.
Tested Tools
These are tools I've tried and found to be solid, but not standout. Think of them as passing an initial quality screen: worth exploring, though not all will be exceptional.
Curation & Accuracy
This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).
Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.