CommSec - CFD Trading

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CommSec CFDs

With a CommSec CFDs Account, you can trade with over 7,000 different types of CFDs — including Australian and international shares, global indices, commodities and foreign exchange — on our market-leading platform. A CommSec CFD Account also offers real-time banking to fund your account and meet margin requirements, and provides great value, with trades starting from as low as $10.

Plus CommSec provides a range of conditional order types — stop losses, guaranteed stops and trailing stops — that can help you manage your leveraged trading.

Markets you can invest in with this account

Australian Shares CFDs

Trade in companies listed on the ASX, with brokerage from as low as $10 per trade. We offer contracts over 600 major Australian Shares with many companies available to trade short.

International Share CFDs

Invest in companies listed on major global exchanges including US, UK, European and Asian exchanges.

Global Indices (Cash)

CommSec offers a range of global indices, giving you the opportunity to trade the share market as a whole rather than trading individual stocks.

Forward Indices (Futures)

As well as taking a CFD position on the current market, you can trade CFDs on Index Futures. This allows you to invest with a smaller transaction than would normally be possible in the direct futures market.

Commodities

Gain exposure to commodity markets through CommSec CFDs. Contracts are available over a wide range of commodities including Gold and Oil plus a range of energy, metals and softs.

Foreign Exchange (FX)

Trade a range of currency pairs, with the liquidity and tight spreads you would expect for the world’s largest market. Popular pairs include AUD/USD, EUR/USD, JPY/USD.

How it works

To trade CFDs, you make a small cash deposit as collateral (Initial Margin) and take a position. A long position profits when the underlying asset price rises; a short position profits when the underlying asset price falls.

You make a small cash deposit as collateral (Initial Margin).
You buy to open a long position or you sell to open a short position.
Profits and losses accrue in real time as the market moves.
You close your position by selling (if you went long) or buying (if you went short).

Rates and fees

Commissions and Spreads

Market	Currency	Minimum Commission	Commission Rate
Australia	AUD	AUD 10.00	0.10%
UK	GBP	GBP 15.00	0.10%
USA	USD	USD 15.00	2.5 cents per share
France	EUR	EUR 15.00	0.10%
The Netherlands	EUR	EUR 15.00	0.10%
Spain	EUR	EUR 15.00	0.10%
Germany	EUR	EUR 15.00	0.10%
Italy	EUR	EUR 15.00	0.10%
Switzerland	CHF	CHF 15.00	0.10%
Canada	CAD	CAD 15.00	4.0 cents per share
Singapore	SGD	SGD 50.00	0.20%
Hong Kong	HKD	HKD 160.00	0.40%
Japan	JPY	JPY 2400.00	0.10%
CFDs over FX, commodities and indices do not attract a commission, the cost of trading is included in the spread that is offered. CommSec offers competitive spreads on a range of instruments. Please review our Contract Details for minimum spreads. The ASX data feed fee is $88 for professional users. You can turn off ASX data feed at any time from the account area of the platform. Select data feeds and then deselect the ASX feed. If you have any questions, please contact us on 1300 307 853 or +61 2 9115 2990 (from outside Australia). For a complete list of potential fees and charges that may apply to your account, please read our Financial Services Guide (PDF).

Indicative Margins

Funding costs

The following funding costs apply on any CFD position held overnight:

Underlying	Overnight Funding Charge
Shares/Indices/ETFs/Commodities (excluding Gold and Silver)*	The relevant interbank rate +/-2.5%The relevant interbank rate +/-2.5%
Gold and Silver	The relevant 'tom-next' rate
Foreign Exchange	The relevant 'tom-next' rate + admin charge of 0.8%
*For mini contracts overnight funding charge is the relevant interbank rate +/-3%.

Currency conversion

When your position is closed, any foreign currency profit and loss will be converted to your base currency (Australian dollar) before being applied to your account. Conversion are made at a rate no less favourable to you than 0.5% below or above from the mid-price.

Borrowing charges

Where you short a share CFD position, you will incur a borrowing charge. CommSec also incurs a charge when our counterparty opens a hedging trade in respect of the same share in the Underlying Market, and we will pass the charge onto you with no mark-up.

Guaranteed Stop Loss

A Limited Risk CFD Account will require a Guaranteed Stop Loss (GSL) to be placed on all trades; starts from just 0.3%* of the underlying transaction value if triggered.

A Trader CFD Account does not require a GSL to be placed on trades. If you choose to set up a GSL, the fees will generally start from 0.3%* of the underlying transaction value if triggered.

*Fee will start ‘from’ 0.3%, for the exact fee, please refer to the trading platform.

Market data

There is no charge for use of the CommSec CFD Trading Platform; however, if you choose to subscribe to live market data charges will apply as detailed on the trading platform the time you subscribe.

Please note: The ASX data feed fee is $88 for professional users. You can turn off ASX data feed at any time from the account area of the platform. Select data feeds and then deselect the ASX feed. If you have any questions, please contact us on 1300 307 853 or +61 2 9115 2990 (from outside Australia).

Try our CFD Platform

Sign up for a free CommSec CFDs Demo account to see our platform in action and practice trading CFDs in a risk-free environment.

Get started

To trade CFDs with CommSec, you must demonstrate eligibility and need a CommSec Share Trading Account that settles to an acceptable bank account.

CommSec offers two types of CFD accounts:

- Limited Risk Account

- Trader Account

When you open a Limited Risk Account, all your positions need to have a Guaranteed Stop Loss. This means that if there is a sudden market move, your loss will be limited to the initial deposit required to open the trade*.

The Trader Account allows you to open positions with or without a Guaranteed Stop Loss. If you choose not to set a Guaranteed Stop Loss, your maximum potential loss could exceed the initial deposit required. Additional eligibility criteria apply for Trader Accounts.

Eligibility Criteria**

For both accounts you must:

- Have an acceptable Commonwealth Bank (CBA) bank account to arrange for CFD deposits and withdrawals
- Be an Australian resident

For a Limited Risk Account, you must:

- Successfully pass the knowledge assessment in the Limited Risk Account application form
- Demonstrate trading experience (20 equity or 10 derivative trades (or 15 as a combination) in the last 12 months)
- Provide evidence of minimum income of $75,000 per annum
- Provide evidence of liquid assets*** of $50,000 or more
- Declare net assets value of $50,000 or more

Eligibility Criteria**

For a Trader Account, you must:

- Successfully pass the knowledge assessment in the Trader Account application form
- Demonstrate trading experience (20 or more derivative trades in the last 12 months)
- Provide evidence of minimum income of $100,000 per annum
- Provide evidence of liquid assets*** of $50,000 or more
- Demonstrate ability meet existing commitments, including living and borrowing expenses

^*Other fees or charges may apply to positions with a Guaranteed Stop Loss, e.g. overnight funding costs and currency movements.
** Other criteria may apply based on account and application type. This assessment does not constitute advice. Consider the PDS before making any decisions.
^*** Liquid assets include cash, shares and managed funds.

Already have a CommSec Share Trading Account?

Please ensure that you have one of the acceptable bank accounts to use for settlement.

Don't have a CommSec Share Trading Account?

To trade CFDs you first need to open a CommSec Share Trading Account that settles to one of the acceptable bank accounts.

Use our CommSec cash account for settlement

Join now >

Use your own approved acceptable bank account

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Trade CFDs on the go with our CFDs App

Frequently asked questions

How do I place CFD trades through CommSec?

With CommSec's CFD Trading Platform you can trade online or via the CommSec App where and when it suits you. You can use our advanced technology to analyse global markets and take a position with the confidence that fast execution and platform stability brings.

What is the minimum amount I need to place a trade with CommSec CFDs?

The minimum amount that you need to place a trade with CommSec CFDs is the value of one contract.

What is the minimum account balance required?

To open your CFD Account you require a minimum initial deposit of AUD $500. There is no ongoing minimum balance.

What do you accept as collateral?

CommSec only accepts cash as collateral for CommSec CFDs. You can make a deposit to your account via our real-time funds transfer feature.

How long do I have to meet a margin call?

If your account goes into margin call you will have until 2pm the following business day to deposit additional collateral. There are times when the market is moving rapidly where you may be required to provide additional collateral earlier; CommSec will notify you if this is the case.

What is auto close-out?

If at any time your collateral drops to 50% or less of the minimum required your positions will be automatically closed without reference to you. You should always monitor your positions to prevent this occurring.

Financial Services Guide

The Financial Services Guide ("FSG") provides information about Commonwealth Securities to help you decide whether to use the financial services we offer.

Download the Financial Services Guide

Product Disclosure Statement

This document outlines how the product operates; overview, benefits, risks and complete costs. It also provides details about the application process and next steps.

Download the Product Disclosure Document

Other Forms & Brochures

For all other forms & brochures regarding other financial services we offer.

Important Information

The information on this site has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual. For this reason, any individual should, before acting on the information on this site, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regards to the individual’s objectives, financial or taxation situation and needs, and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.

There are a number of risks associated with this product, please carefully consider the information provided in the CommSec CFDs Product Disclosure Statement and Hedging Policy. A Product Disclosure Statement for CommSec CFDs issued by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814 is available from www.commsec.com.au and should be considered before making any decision about the product. Fees and charges apply.

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