Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Yes, you can download the Sharesies app from the App Store or the Google Play Store on your mobile device or tablet.
If anything happens to Sharesies, investor money and investments are protected as they are held by us (or on our behalf) on trust for you.
You instruct us to act on your behalf—for example, to buy and sell investments, or withdraw money to your bank account.
The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) requires investors with their own Holder Identification Number (HIN), to invest at least $500 the first time they buy shares listed on the ASX.
Traditionally, when you buy your first ASX-listed shares, you set up a CHESS account and get allocated a Holder Identification Number (HIN). CHESS (which stands for Clearing House Electronic Subregister System) acts like a big registry for all the trades that happen on the ASX. And to keep track of who's trading what, each trade is linked to a HIN.
Sharesies is a bit different as we have one HIN for all of our investors. So when you buy ASX-listed shares, you don't need to spend $500 to make your first investment—this is because Sharesies, via our shared HIN, has already done this for you!
Each time you top up your Wallet, you’re ‘acquiring an interest’ in the Sharesies Investor Directed Portfolio Service (IDPS). This means we hold the money on trust for you until you tell us what to do with it.
Topping up your Wallet usually takes about as long as a bank transfer between banks, but can take up to one working day if deposited over the weekdays.
Top ups by bank transfer made over a weekend will typically appear in your Wallet on a Tuesday, though these will usually land in your Sharesies Wallet faster if your bank supports Osko.
You can top up your Wallet instantly by using PayID® through your online banking.
See our help centre for more info about topping up your Wallet.
You don’t need a HIN (Holder Identification Number) or CHESS (Clearing House Electronic Subregister System) account to invest with Sharesies.
Sharesies use one HIN for all of our investors—it’s called an omnibus HIN. So even though your investments aren’t held under your personal HIN, you still have full beneficial ownership.
Using a shared HIN lets you invest as little or as much as you want through the Sharesies Investor Directed Portfolio Service (IDPS).
To see the currency exchange fee, go to our pricing page.
To buy US or NZ investments, you’ll need to convert your Australian dollars (AUD) to United States dollars (USD) or New Zealand dollars (NZD).
You can exchange money in advance, whenever you want, or you can exchange money when you place a buy order.
You can only top up your Sharesies Wallet (and withdraw) in Australian dollars.
To see the currency exchange fee, head to our pricing page.
When you access an investment through Sharesies, these investments are held on trust for you.
You are the beneficial owner of your investments. This means you’re entitled to the returns and other benefits attached to your shares.
Sharesies will never use money or investments held for you for the benefit of itself or any other person.
No, Sharesies is not a scam, we're a wealth development platform with the purpose of creating financial empowerment for everyone.
Sharesies Australia Limited holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) which authorises it to provide the financial services that you receive. We’re used by over 800,000 customers in New Zealand and Australia.
Sharesies lets you access Australian, US, and NZ exchanges with no minimum investment.
For the first time ever, Australians can access a part of a share from as little as 1c from all three exchanges.
We're also a B-Corp, which means we aim to have a positive impact on our customers, community, and the environment, and that is at the core of everything we do.
Yes, Sharesies Australia Limited has, and operates under, its own Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL 529893).
We're not currently offering Kids Accounts, but this is something we're working on!
Currently, you may transfer Australian, US, and NZ-listed shares you own in companies and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) from or to a Shareholder Reference Number/Securityholder Reference Number (SRN). An SRN is used to identify the owner of shares that are held by a share registry.
See our help centre for info about the share transfer process, and our pricing page for share transfer fees.
Theoretically this is possible, but we recommend holding your investments under one account.