How do I manage a deceased estate with CommSec?

We understand this is a challenging time. We're here to help you manage the estate of your loved one.

In this guide:

Step 1: Inform us of your loved one's passing

To ensure the account of your recently deceased family member or friend is protected, please advise us of their passing as soon as possible.

You can do this by phoning us on 13 15 19 or +61 2 8397 1206 if calling from outside Australia, 8am to 6pm (Sydney time). Alternatively, you can email us at commsecestatesmanagement@cba.com.au

What information do I need to provide?

Please provide us with the following details of the deceased account owner:

Full name
CommSec account number (if known)
Residential and postal address
Date of birth
Date of passing

If you have any relevant estate documentation, please also provide us with certified copies of the original documents. For example:

Certified copy of the Death Certificate
Certified copy of the Last Will and Testament, including any Codicils
Certified copy of the Probate or Letters of Administration
Any other relevant estate documents

What happens next?

The property and assets of someone who has passed away is known as a ‘deceased estate’, so these details will be passed to our Estate Management team. They will:

‘Lock’ all CHESS holdings on individual and single trust accounts upon initial notification of a deceased estate, restricting all trading activities
Remove all authorities who have access to the account
Switch off any recurring fees and refund any charged after the date of death (if applicable)

We can provide information to the estate executor, administrator, or appointed solicitor, such as details of current holdings (assets) and historical transaction summaries. Learn more about how to obtain holdings information.

If you share a joint account with the deceased estate, discover how you can best manage the estate of a deceased joint account holder.

Step 2: Complete the CommSec Estate Management Notification Form

To formally notify CommSec of a customer's death and to verify all executors, administrators or trustees, we ask that you complete the Estate Management Notification Form.

To complete the form, please ensure:

All fields on the form are completed
That your CommBank or CommSec account details (if you’re an existing customer) have been updated before submitting the form, or we will not be able to verify you
That the form has been signed with a pen, known as a ‘wet signature’. We are unable to accept forms with electronic signatures

If the estate value is under $100,000, please also complete a Small Estate Indemnity Form and submit this with the Estate Management Notification Form.

If a Probate or Letter of Administration has been granted, please provide a certified copy of these documents by emailing commsecestatesmanagement@cba.com.au at your earliest convenience. (A Probate supersedes the aforementioned documents).

Alternatively, you may post your documents to:

CommSec Deceased Estates
Locked Bag 22
Australia Square NSW 1215

Step 3: Transfer or sell their shares

When all appointed estate representatives have been verified, the shares are ready to be sold or transferred.

Depending on the account type, the process may slightly differ. Please review the below and provide the relevant documents to sell or transfer these shares.

Individual Account (e.g., John Smith)

To transfer shares to beneficiaries:

- If transferring to an existing CommSec account, complete the Internal Bulk Off Market Transfer Form. This transfer type will incur no additional fees.
- If transferring to another broker or share registry, complete the Off Market Transfer for Estate Management Form. This transfer type may incur a fee from the other broker.

To release shares to the share registry (without changing the owner):

- If the estate shares are to be released to the share registry without changing the beneficial owner, please provide a Signed Written Request.

The following details must be included within your written request:

- Estate account name
- Estate HIN or account number
- A request to update the CHESS address (if required)
- A request to release all shareholdings to issuer sponsorship
- Executor's name, signature and date of signing

To sell the shares:

- Complete the Estate Management Trade Form.

Required documents:

- Certified copy of the Death Certificate
- Certified copy of the Last Will and Testament
- If holdings are over $100,000, provide a certified copy of the Probate or Letter of Administration.

What happens next?

CommSec will unlock the trading account once the disbursement (sale/share transfer) instructions have been received.

Shares must be sold or transferred within 3 months. If additional time is needed, executors can request an extension of up to 12 months by providing a Signed Written Request.

Once all shares have been disbursed, CommSec will close the trading account.

Joint Account (e.g., John Smith & Mary Smith)

Please provide a certified copy of the Death Certificate or Probate/Letters of Administration to CommSec by emailing commsecestatesmanagement@cba.com.au

We will automatically transfer all joint holdings to the surviving account holder or create a new account for them. The joint account will then be closed.

Formal Trust Account (e.g., Family or SMSF Trust)

To continue the Trust:

- If there is a new trustee, open a new CommSec account via the CommSec website. Head to Products > Australian Shares > Get Started.
- Transfer the estate shares to the new trustee by completing the Internal Bulk Off Market Transfer Form. This transfer type will incur no additional fees.

To dissolve the Trust:

- Complete the Trust Indemnity Form for trust-related transfers or dissolutions.
- Provide a certified copy of the meeting minutes confirming the trustee death and intention to wind down the Trust.

If you're transferring shares to beneficiaries:

If you're selling shares, complete the Estate Management Trade Form.

Required documents:

- Certified copy of the Death Certificate or Probate/Letter of Administration.
- Certified copy of the amended Trust Deed (if applicable).

Step 4: Submit your request

Please email all forms to commsecestatesmanagement@cba.com.au along with any required supporting documentation.

Alternatively, you may post your documents to:

CommSec Deceased Estates
Locked Bag 22
Australia Square NSW 1215

Please keep any email messages under 25MB in size, otherwise it may not be received.

Frequently used terms

Technical term	Definition
Executor	Person named in the Will to manage the deceased’s estate.
Administrator	Court-appointed individual if there’s no Will.
Certified copy of a document	A copy signed as a true copy by an authorised person.
Probate	Court-issued document validating a Will and authorising the executor.
Death Certificate	Official document recording death details.

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