About CommSec Margin Loans
A CommSec Margin Loan allows you to borrow money to invest in shares, options, or managed funds. Access your borrowed funds anytime, anywhere through our feature-packed investment platforms, including the CommSec Mobile App.
CommSec Margin Loan provides you with sophisticated online tools to help you maximise and manage your investments, including real-time loan prices and gearing ratios, a hypothetical transaction simulator, cash and share transfers, fixed loan applications, credit limit and linked bank account management, and access to rewards when you hold a diversified portfolio. Plus, access your borrowed funds anytime, anywhere with our feature-packed App, and access market research, alerts, watchlists, trading & conditional trading while enjoying no minimum loan balance obligations on your CommSec Margin Loan.
Products you can invest in with this account
Invest Australian shares
Invest in companies listed on the ASX, with brokerage from as low as $5.003 per trade. We offer free research, live quotes and trading tools to help you invest with confidence.
View the list Accepted Shares
Invest in Managed funds
Investing in a managed fund gives you access to a professionally-managed investment portfolio. Choose funds across asset classes - such as cash, property or shares - that suit your investment objectives.
View the list of accepted Managed Funds.
Access Platforms, Portfolio Services & Wraps
These administration services allow you to access a variety of investment products with different providers, via one consolidated service.
Leverage Exchange-Traded Options
Options can complement your portfolio and can be used to limit risk or generate income, depending on your approach. They also provide investment strategies not available through direct share ownership.
Exchange-Traded Funds
Exchange Traded Funds are funds that trade on a stock exchange like ordinary shares. They combine the investment advantages of managed funds with the ease and cost-effectiveness of share trading.
How it works
Once you have established a CommSec Margin Loan, you transfer your existing shares, managed funds or cash into it as collateral. We calculate the lending value, which determines how much you can borrow. You can then use your available funds to make investments, which combine with your original collateral to form your overall portfolio.
- You can buy, sell, transfer cash within your loan’s approved limits.
- Your gearing level moves with the daily price movements of your portfolio and your transactions.
- You must monitor your gearing level to ensure it stays below the approved limits.
- Interest is calculated daily on your loan balance, and paid according to your loan arrangement.
- Check which shares in your portfolio we lend against.
Benefits
Accelerate your wealth creation
Boost your potential capital growth and income by using your Margin Loan to buy more shares or managed funds for your portfolio.
Diversify
Diversification – across varied companies, industries and countries - can help to reduce investment risk. The extra purchasing power of a Margin Loan allows you to diversify as opportunities arise. Check which shares and managed funds in your portfolio we lend against.
Unlock equity
Don’t sell your shares to realise the equity in your portfolio - harness its borrowing power with a Margin Loan. Defer capital gain (and loss) events, and build a larger portfolio at the same time.
Invest tax effectively
Obtain potential tax deductions by claiming interest expenses. Bring forward interest expenses by prepaying interest. Potentially reduce your tax liability by buying more stocks that pay franked dividends.
Build wealth over time
A Regular Gearing Plan combines the power of gearing with the discipline of regular savings, helping you build wealth over the long term.
Flexible investing
Choose from a range of interest rate and repayment options - with no minimum loan balance requirements - to create the Margin Loan that suits you best.
Liquidity
If at any time you need to access the capital in your loan security, you can sell assets and transfer available funds online - effectively having cash on call when you need it.
Online tools
CommSec gives you all the tools you need to monitor your portfolio's performance, including online summaries, gearing ratios, loan statements, notifications and research.
Advanced strategies
Combine Exchange Traded Options2 with your Margin Loan to access strategies that can generate additional income or protect the value of your shares.
Risks
Market movements
A drop in the lending value of your portfolio (if the value of your stocks and funds falls) may mean you need to reduce your gearing level at short notice - also known as a margin call.
Interest rate movements
If interest rates rise, the overall costs of your investment may increase, potentially reducing your profits. Fixing your interest rate can help you avoid this risk.
Increased losses
A geared strategy can multiply your investment returns, but it can also increase your losses if the market moves against you.
Reduced lending ratios
Lending ratios are reviewed regularly and may be reduced even for securities you have purchased in the past - this may trigger a margin call.
Rates and fees
|
Paid Yearly in Advance |
Paid Monthly in Arrears |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Variable Rate |
N/A |
9.65% p.a. |
|
1 Year Fixed Rate |
8.49% p.a. |
8.54% p.a. |
|
2 Year Fixed Rate |
8.64% p.a. |
8.69% p.a. |
|
3 Year Fixed Rate |
8.74% p.a. |
8.79% p.a. |
|
5 Year Fixed Rate |
8.99% p.a. |
9.04% p.a. |
|
||
|
Trade execution |
Brokerage fee amount by transaction value1,2,3,4 |
|---|---|
|
Trade online (via website, mobile apps or other platforms) and settle your trade to a CDIA5 or CommSec Margin Loan5 |
$5.00 (Up to and including $1,000) $10.00 (Over $1,000 up to $3,000 (inclusive)) $19.95 (Over $3,000 up to $10,000 (inclusive)) $29.95 (Over $10,000 up to $25,000 (inclusive)) 0.12% (Over $25,000) |
|
Trade online (via website, mobile apps or other platforms) and settle into a bank account of your choice |
$29.95 (Up to and including $9,999.99) 0.31% ($10,000 and above) |
|
Trades over the phone and deceased estates6 |
$59.95 (Up to and including $10,000) 0.52% (Over $10,000 up to $25,000 (inclusive)) 0.49% (Over $25,000 up to $1,000,000 (inclusive)) 0.11% (Over $1,000,000) |
|
Trades requiring settlement through a third party6 |
$99.95 (Up to and including $15,000) 0.66% (Over $15,000) |
|
1 Different brokerage rates apply to CommSec Pocket trades executed through CommSec Pocket App or CommBank App. 2 Alternative brokerage rates may be agreed from time to time and (if agreed to) will be payable under clause 22 of CommSec's Share Trading Terms and Conditions. If you are offered, and agree to a tiered brokerage rate, this may result in brokerage charges that differ from rates expressly disclosed within the CommSec FSG. 3 Unless otherwise indicated, where a fee or charge is expressed as a percentage, it refers to a percentage of the transaction value. For GST rounding reasons, the final brokerage fee may result in a slight variance from the stated or expected charge, which may exceed two cents for large trades. 4 Brokerage charged (shares, warrants, listed managed investments and derivatives): Brokerage at these rates applies each time you trade a stock, warrant, listed managed investment or derivative. 5 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. 6 Includes CommSec Margin Lending and Geared Investments Lending Trades and where the Commonwealth Bank exercises its rights under the loan terms and conditions. |
|
|
Type of Application Fee |
Fee Amount |
|---|---|
|
Application fee for individual and company applicants |
$0 |
|
Trust deed investigation fee |
minimum $200 |
|
Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) Registration Fee (Government fee payable when the Security Interest is registered, or registration is amended) |
Amount of government fee (if applicable) |
|
Account Maintenance Fee Type |
Fee Amount |
|---|---|
|
Account Keeping Fee |
$0 |
|
Printing and postage of contract notes (Electronic contract notes are free of charge) |
$1.95 |
|
Dishonour Fee |
$30 |
|
Rebooking Fee |
$25 |
|
Off Market Transfer Fee |
$54 |
|
Government tax or duty |
Government tax or duty |
|
Account Closure Fee Type |
Fee Amount |
|---|---|
|
Early repayment adjustment and administrative fee on fixed rate loans |
Depends on amount of loan and interest rate movements |
Interest Rates are subject to change without notice. All rates are indicative only. Other fixed terms & firm rates available on application. Margin Loans and ETOs involve risk - see the Margin Loan and ETO Risk Disclosure, Disclaimer and Important Information. For a complete list of potential fees and charges that may apply to your account, please read our Financial Services Guide (PDF, 1539kb). Fees and charges are subject to change without notice.
Who can apply?
You can apply for a Margin Loan if you are:
- 18 years or older and an Australian permanent resident; or
- An Australian registered or incorporated company; or
- An Australian trust1; and
- Able to demonstrate the ability to meet existing commitments, including living and borrowing expenses; and
- Applying for a minimum credit limit of $20,000; and
- Earn a minimum gross income of $50,000 per annum.
What you will need:
- ID (e.g. driver’s licence or passport)
- Supporting financial documents
- Company details and Australian Company Number (ACN)
- Certified copy of the Trust Deed (if applicable)
Get started
Ready to boost your investment power? Open a CommSec Margin Lending Account
Trade and invest with borrowed funds from $5.00
Australians have been borrowing to invest into property and enjoying access to an asset that would have been otherwise beyond their reach. Similarly, a margin loan enables you greater access to more liquid assets such as shares and managed funds; giving you the potential to grow and diversify your portfolio.
Frequently asked questions
The three most common forms of collateral used in margin loans are listed securities (otherwise known as 'shares' or 'equities'), managed funds and cash.
The type of securities you have and their composition in your portfolio will determine how much you can borrow. The amount you can borrow relative to the value of your investments is known as the Loan to Value Ratio (LVR). The LVRs and borrowing limits of each accepted equity are set out in our approved security lists. These may change at our discretion.
To reduce your loan and increase borrowing power, you can lodge more of the approved securities or transfer cash into your margin loan.
If you don't currently have a CommSec Margin Loan, Apply Now and complete the refinancing section of the application.
If you already have a CommSec Margin Loan, complete and return the Refinance Request Form.
You will need to attach a copy of your existing margin loan statement and ensure you have a sufficient credit limit on your CommSec Margin Loan.
Lending ratios on approved securities may be different to other providers, so check our approved security lists, or use the WhatIf Portfolio Simulator when you login to your CommSec Margin Loan.
To find out more, contact us on 13 17 09 from 8am to 6pm AEST, Monday to Friday.
Before you start, make sure your name and address matches the details you provided for your CommSec Margin Loan exactly. If they don't match, refer to option 4 below.
- Option 1: Transfer from an existing CommSec account
If you wish to transfer stock to your margin loan from an existing CommSec trading account, navigate to the Transfers page on your Margin Loan and select Transfer Shares From another CommSec Account to my Margin Loan. Or you can call us on 13 17 09 between 8am and 6pm AEST, Monday to Friday.
- Option 2: Transfer from another broker
If you wish to transfer stock from an external broker, please complete and sign the Broker to Broker Transfer Form and return to us for processing.
- Option 3: Transfer Issuer Sponsored Shares
To transfer Issuer sponsored holdings, navigate to the Transfer page on your Margin Loan and select 'Transfer Shares from an Issuer Sponsored holdings to my Margin Loan', or fill in the Issuer Sponsored Holdings to CHESS Sponsorship Conversions Form and return to us for processing
- Option 4: Transfer Issuer or CHESS (Broker) Sponsored Stock in another name
To transfer stock to a CommSec Margin Loan that isn't registered in your name, you have two options:
1. Complete an Off Market Transfer Form to change the name of your registered stock to the name on your CommSec Margin Loan. A fee of $54 per Off Market Transfer applies.
2. Establish a third-party mortgagor for your loan, where security is held on a separate trading account but still considered part of your loan collateral. To request this option, contact us on 13 17 09 between 8am and 6pm AEST, Monday to Friday.
Forms can be returned by post as indicated, or emailed to marginloan@commsec.com.au. Once your request has been submitted and received by CommSec, if the details such as name and address match exactly, the transfer can take between 24-48 hours.
Once the transfer is complete, you may need to update the share registry with your new dividend and communication details. This is usually required whenever you are transferring stock to a new HIN.
To transfer existing managed funds you own to your CommSec Margin Loan, complete a Standard Transfer Form and include one of the following:
- A completed new Managed Fund Application Form, or
- A copy of a recent holding statement
Please post the form and supporting documents to the address on the form.
Every investment involves some level of risk. A CommSec Margin Loan is a powerful tool that boosts your investment potential, multiplying the effect of price movements on your initial capital.
The key risks of margin lending are as follows:
- Adverse market conditions may result in a reduction in your portfolio value, which can increase your gearing level and trigger a margin call.
- We may reduce or remove the LVR applied to some or all of your investments or to your whole portfolio at any time, which may result in a margin call.
- Tax legislation or marginal tax rates may change and have an adverse impact on your tax position.
- Default events or enforcement events may occur, the consequences of which may include all amounts owing becoming immediately payable. Refer to the PDS for details on default events.
- Your financial situation may materially change, adversely affecting your margin loan.
- Adverse market and/or stock-specific conditions may result in the value of your security being insufficient to repay your loan.
Although margin calls are a potential risk, they can also provide you with important performance indicators. Unlike investing with your own cash or unsecured funds, investing with a margin loan gives you the opportunity to view key indicators and provides notification to take action.
This means you can closely monitor the performance of your investments and quickly identify underperforming assets, so you can liquidate them before any further losses are incurred.
If a margin call does occur, you are required to reduce your gearing level by either:
- reducing your loan balance; or
- increasing the level of equity in your loan.
Just as you can top up your margin loan with extra cash when a margin call occurs, you can withdraw surplus cash when your portfolio is performing strongly—if your gearing levels and credit limit permits. If you don’t have surplus cash to adjust your gearing levels when required, you may be required to sell some of your securities at a less than preferred price.
Equities and managed funds can fluctuate in price from day to day, which means some investments may offer a better return than others. You can easily manage any risks and avoid margin calls by considering these 10 tips:
1. Stay disciplined
A disciplined approach can help you make better investment decisions. Before you start, determine how much you can borrow; the amount of capital you are willing to commit; your trading strategy; which industry and assets you will invest in; and entry and exit prices.
2. Research
When you purchase stock, you become a part-owner of a business. Research the financial health of these businesses and any inherent risks using our comprehensive research tools and analyst reports.
3. Stagger your entry into the market
You can reduce the risk of incorrectly timing the market by using dollar cost averaging—investing the same dollar amount on a regular basis. You can automate this with a regular gearing plan (managed funds) or conditional orders and price alerts (shares).
4. Diversify
Reduce the risk of individual stock price movements or LVR changes by spreading your investment across different companies, assets and industries. This means if one investment falls in value, it may be offset by a rise in the value of another. When you have five or more accepted securities, you can also take advantage of CommSec Portfolio LVR to create an additional buffer and access bonus stocks.
5. Borrow less
Only using part of your total borrowing capacity to invest will help protect you against margin calls triggered by a price drop.
6. Watch your cash flow
Make sure you can cover any interest repayments and consider reinvesting income from dividends back into your margin loan, to offset interest costs and reduce the principal loan. Pay your interest through a bank account rather than capitalising to the loan — capitalised interest will increase your loan and result in higher interest expenses over time.
7. Fix your interest rate
Transfer part or your entire loan to a fixed rate for a selected term, to eliminate the risk of rising interest expenses.
8. Monitor your investments
CommSec offers a suite of tools to help you monitor your portfolio and loan status. You can use price alerts to notify you when a stock has reached a pre-determined price, or set conditional orders to create an automated stop-loss order instructions.
9. Protect yourself with Options
Exchange Traded Options2 can allow you to keep your existing shares over periods of market uncertainty, while protecting you against losses from falling share prices.
10. Take action early
Once your CommSec Margin Loan is established, a new account number starting with '7' will appear on your account summary page. Follow these steps to get started:
- Transfer existing shares or managed funds into your margin loan, or use our online funds transfer request to transfer cash from your nominated bank account.
- How much you can borrow will be determined by factors such as the Loan to Value Ratio (LVR) of your existing securities; the LVR of new investments; and your credit limit. If you have a CommSec Margin Loan Trading Account, you can use the WhatIf Portfolio Simulator to help manage risk.
- To buy shares, simply place an order via the CommSec website or mobile app. You can also place an order by speaking to a CommSec Account Manager on 13 17 09. To invest in managed funds, you will need to complete a new application and/or an additional investment form.
- You can choose to have interest taken from your bank account, or capitalised onto the loan. By default, your loan will be set to variable interest paid monthly in arrears, but you can fix all or part of your loan balance and choose to pay in advance or arrears
Case studies
Michael and Katie both recently reviewed their portfolio and have decided to further diversify into Australian equities. Both have saved $10,000 to invest and their overall strategy is to create a diverse portfolio to hold for the next five years. Learn about the power of a Margin Loan for portfolio diversification.
Rachel and Ben have decided to further diversify their investment portfolio with the main goal to grow their wealth over time. Whilst they do not have a large amount to invest right now, they would both like to invest a portion of their monthly income over the next five years to achieve this goal. Learn about how investing in managed funds can help you grow your wealth.
Susan and Jeff both use a CommSec Margin Loan to invest and are looking for ways to maximise their income. Learn about how to use ETOs and Margin Loans to boost your investment power.
Jenny and Lee are managing their own wealth creation and have diversified their investments into several areas including Property, Australian Equities, and Fixed Interest. Both have set aside $15,000 to invest into Australian Equities, and their strategy is to buy and sell shares that pay a reasonable dividend yield in order to take advantage of not only favourable share price movements, but also dividend income and franking credits. Learn about how to use a CommSec Margin Loan to maximise dividend yield.
Jeff and Christine are familiar with trading Australian Equities and have recently subscribed to a new research package which provides them with regular recommendations. Both have set aside $30,000 to trade with, and their strategy is to regularly buy and sell based on both the recommendations provided, and their own research, to try and capitalise on short term price movements. Learn about how to trade with a CommSec Margin Loan.
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
CommSec Document Download Acceptance
Before you obtain any products or services from CommSec, you must view the most recent Financial Services Guide (FSG).
By clicking YES below I am agreeing to be given the FSG and PDS electronically by downloading these documents from this website.
Note: If you would like to receive the CommSec Financial services Guide (FSG) and relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) by mail please contact us on 13 15 19.
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 Statement
CommSec Document Download Acceptance
Before you obtain any products or services from CommSec, you must view the most recent Financial Services Guide (FSG).
By clicking YES below I am agreeing to be given the FSG and PDS electronically by downloading these documents from this website.
Note: If you would like to receive the CommSec Financial services Guide (FSG) and relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) by mail please contact us on 13 15 19.
Other Forms & Brochures
For all other forms & brochures regarding other financial services we offer.
If you are looking for administrative forms, please login and proceed to Support > Forms & Downloads.
You might also like...
CommSec Options
Exchange Traded Options2 are a versatile investment that you can use to refine existing share strategies, limit risk or to take on risk for potential profit. They can be as simple or as complex as you want.
Important Information
CommSec Margin Loan is issued by Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL 234945. This product is administered by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814 (CommSec), a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. CommSec is a Market Participant of ASX Limited and Cboe Australia Pty Limited, a Clearing Participant of ASX Clear Pty Limited and a Settlement Participant of ASX Settlement Pty Limited.
Please consider the product disclosure statement (PDS), and terms and conditions, available from the Bank as the product issuer, at commsec.com.au before making any decision about the product. As this information has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs you should, before acting on this information, consider its appropriateness for your objectives, financial situation or needs and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice. Applications are subject to credit approval. Please consider the PDS for Exchange Traded Options issued by CommSec available from commsec.com.au before making any decision about the product. Fees and charges apply.
1 Self Managed Super Funds are ineligible for a Margin Loan.
2 Margin Loans and ETOs involve risk - consider the Margin Loan and ETO PDS and T&Cs before deciding. ETO Target Market Determination available here. See also Disclaimer and Important Information.
3 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.
