Think global

With CommSec, it’s easy to invest globally. A CommSec International Securities Trading Account gives you access to many of the leading global share markets, including the New York Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange.

While the Australian share market offers some excellent investment opportunities, it makes up less than 2% of the world’s total by market capitalisation. So if you’re only investing in Australian shares, there’s still a whole world of investment potential you could be tapping into.

How it works

CommSec has a partnership with Pershing LLC, a subsidiary of the Bank of New York Mellon, that provides you access to trade on US and non-US markets (including access to Exchange-Traded Funds – ETFs) through CommSec. Once you've opened a CommSec International Trading Account, placing a trade is simple:

  • Login to your CommSec Account
  • Transfer the funds into the relevant currency online or over the phone by contacting the International Trading Desk
  • Launch the international Trading platform to place a trade on US markets
  • Contact the International Trading Desk to place a trade on Non-US markets
  • View your trades and holdings online on your International Trading Account

Benefits

Access exchanges worldwide

Through CommSec, you can gain access to major international stock exchanges, such as the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, the London Stock Exchange and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Diversification

Diversification is a key element of any successful investment strategy. With international trading, you can invest in markets worldwide, accessing sectors that may not be available in Australia.

Access to well-known brands

International trading allows you to invest in businesses and brands you know, such as Google, Microsoft, Apple and many others.1

Quotes and research for US markets

CommSec International Trading gives you access to market news, sector analysis, stock news and indices information for US markets, plus international watchlist and portfolio capability.

Risks

Currency risk

As international securities are denominated in a currency other than Australian dollars, the value of your investment may be affected by changes in currency exchange rates.

Political and regulatory risk

International shares are held by an international custodian, and are subject to risks relating to political, economic and regulatory changes in the country of the custodian or stock exchange.

Taxation risk

Taxation implications can be different from investing in Australian securities and may vary depending on your individual circumstances. You will be asked to complete a US Tax form as part of the application process. This form is valid for 3 years (unless there is a change in circumstances) and means that if you qualify for Australian treaty benefits, you will be charged 15% tax on dividend proceeds. If you do not have a valid form, you will be charged 30% on sale proceeds and dividends.

Who can apply?

You can apply for a International Securities Trading Account if you are:

  • 18 years or older with an Australian residential and postal address; or
  • An Australian registered or incorporated company; or
  • An Australian trust or SMSF; and
  • Have an existing CommSec Share Trading Account in the same name.

What you’ll need if you’re new to CommSec:

  • ID (e.g. driver’s licence or passport)
  • SMSF name and Australian Business Number (ABN)
  • Company details and Australian Company Number (ACN)
  • Certified copy of the Trust Deed (if applicable)

Frequently asked questions

Pershing LLC is a subsidiary of the Bank of New York Mellon. As our International Custodian, Pershing provides trade execution, clearing, settlement and custody of international securities for CommSec clients. When you open an International Trading Account with CommSec, you access international markets through Pershing LLC via the CommSec website or contact us on the CommSec International Trading Desk - 24 hours a day on US trading days.

Before you place a buy order on your International Trading Account, you will need to ensure that you have completed a W-8BEN form and have cleared funds in the relevant currency in your international trading account. Funds must be transferred from a linked AUD bank account, which you can arrange via the online transfer form, or by calling the International Trading Desk, 24 hours on US trading days.

For information on transferring funds to your account, please see FAQ “How do I transfer funds to and from my International Trading Account?”

You can trade in many of the leading share markets around the globe, including major markets such as the US, Canada, UK, Hong Kong, Japan and other countries in Europe and Asia.

For a full list of countries, see the International Securities Trading brochure.

There are two ways you can transfer funds between your International Trading Account and your linked Australian bank account.

1. You can submit your request online. To access the online transfer request form please log onto the CommSec website and navigate to Portfolio > Accounts then select your International Trading Account from the drop down menu and select the Transfers tab.

Simply enter the details of your transfer then review and submit your request. The exchange rate displayed during the online request is indicative only and when submitting a withdrawal request you cannot request an amount that will leave your Pershing account with a negative balance. The request must also be for the currency that you hold in your Pershing account and not the US dollar equivalent.

2. You can contact us on our International Trading Desk 24hrs on US trading days. We must ensure you are an authority on the account before we can implement your instructions.

Please note: The request cut-off time for a transfer in all currencies to be made the same day is 11am (Sydney time) and transfers are generally processed between 11am and 1pm (Sydney time).

For transfers from Australian dollars to US dollars there is an additional request cut-off time of 2:00pm (Sydney time) for processing before 3:30pm (Sydney time). The exchange rate is determined at the time of processing. Transfer requests are processed each business day.

Funds may take up to two working days to reach your CommSec International Securities Trading Account as available funds.

Trades on the US market can be placed either online or over the phone with one of our representatives.

To place a US trade online:

1. Log into CommSec with your Client ID

2. Navigate to Trading > International and click on "Launch Platform"

3. Click on Transact 

4. Select the correct account (if you have multiple accounts)

5. Enter the trade details (transaction, symbol, quantity, order type, duration)

6. Click on Review Order

7. Confirm your order details are correct, then click on Submit Order

8. View your trade confirmation by navigating to Communications > All Communications > Trade confirmations (available 24 hours upon trade execution)

For all other countries (ie non-US shares) you will need to contact our International Desk and place your order over the phone.

If you are unsure of the country in which your shares are listed or require further assistance, please contact us on our International Desk (24 hours, US trading days).

The W-8BEN form is a requirement for setting up an International Trading Account. A W-8BEN is a US Treasury form that allows foreign investors to claim special tax treaty benefits, including a reduced rate of withholding tax. Each W-8BEN form applies for three years.

If you do not complete the form, you may be subject to US Treasury withholding tax on investments held on your International Trading Account. In particular, any dividends and sale proceeds credited to your account may be subject to a withholding tax of 30%, rather than 15%. That means that 30% of any payments to your International Trading Account may be withheld to cover the US Treasury Withholding tax liabilities.

The W-8BEN remains in effect until 31 December three years from the year you signed the form, unless a change of circumstances makes any information on the form incorrect. We will send you a new form to complete before your existing W-8BEN expires.


For more information on the W-8BEN form and how to complete it, please contact us on our International Trading Desk 24 hours on US trading days.

If you already have a CommSec International Trading Account, simply complete the account transfer form and return it to us.

If you don't have a CommSec International Trading Account, you will need to first establish an account. You will then need to complete the account transfer form and return to us with any supporting documentation.

Please note that the time taken to transfer your shares and/or cash from another broker to your CommSec International Securities Trading Account varies from broker to broker. Once your shares have been transferred, you will be able to view your holdings online.

When the markets are volatile, understanding the differences between investing domestically and internationally is crucial. For further information on the risks associated with investing in offshore markets, click here

Important Information

1 The examples provided do not constitute advice to buy, sell or hold a security.

2 To be eligible, you must trade online, be CHESS Participant Sponsored with CommSec and settle your trades through either a Commonwealth Direct Investment Account (CDIA) or a CommSec Margin Loan.

3 The target market for this product can be found within the product’s Target Market Determination, available here.

Investing in overseas markets exposes you to risks including those related to movements in foreign currency exchange rates and market prices.
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