How do Sharesies Kids Accounts work?How do Sharesies Kids Accounts work?

With a Sharesies Kids Account, you’re doing more than just saving for a kid—you’re giving them a head start on lifelong financial skills and letting the magic of compounding returns do its thing from day dot. 

Along with the excitement, you might also have a few questions, like how to set up an account, how tax works, and everything in between. So, here’s what you need to know about getting started with a Kids Account on Sharesies. 

What’s the deal with Sharesies Kids Accounts?

Kids Accounts have been one of our most-requested features since we launched in Australia! And now you can start building wealth for every member of the family in one app, with accounts for adults and kids.

With a Kids Account you can:

• create an investment portfolio for a child or teen

• manage it all from your existing Sharesies account

• choose how your kids invest and how involved they are

• track everyone's progress together.

Why invest for your kids?

Investing for kids can give them an early head-start—the earlier you get going, the more time their money has to benefit from compound returns. Whether it’s saving for a first car or a house deposit, even a little bit invested can turn into something life-changing down the track. 

Plus, you’re helping them build financial confidence from the beginning, sparking conversations, and teaching them money habits that can stick for life. 

Who can create a Kids Account?

If you’ve already got an adult Sharesies account, you’re good to go. You can open a Kids Account for any kid under 18—you don’t have to be their parent or caregiver. That means grandparents, aunties, uncles, siblings, and all other well-meaning adults can help a kid start investing. 

Even better? It only takes a few taps. Set up an account in a few minutes and invest amounts that suit your budget. 

What investments can Kids Accounts access?

With a Kids Account, you’re not limited to a smaller selection of investments. You’ll get access to the same 10,000+ companies and ETFs available in adult accounts across Australian, US, and NZ exchanges.

To invest in US shares and ETFs, you’ll just need to pop in your kid’s tax file number (TFN). Haven’t organised that yet? No worries—you can still browse US investments in the meantime. Learn more about getting a TFN for your kid.

Can the kid access the account?

Kids Accounts are managed through an adult’s account, so your kid won’t have their own login. That said, we’re working on view-only access, planned for 2026, so they’ll be able to check in on how their investments are tracking.

How does tax work with Kids Accounts?

When setting up a Kids Account, you have the option to add your kid’s TFN if they have one. Whether or not you include a TFN changes what tax you expect to pay, and the evidence you’ll need to keep around who the investments belong to. 

If you’re unsure about the best way to set things up for your kid’s future, it’s a good idea to chat with a licensed financial adviser.

See the ATO website for:

• an explanation of the tax treatment on children’s share investments

• tax rates applicable to minors.

With a kid’s TFN

When you set up a Kids Account using your kid’s TFN, you act as the trustee until they turn 18. Once they hit 18, the account can be transferred into their own name. 

Since they’re the beneficial owner, this transfer shouldn’t be treated as a capital gains tax (CGT) event—so no tax to worry about.

Using your kid’s TFN helps show that they’re the beneficial owner, but it’s a good idea to keep a bit of extra proof too. This could be anything that shows the money used for investing came from the child, or was gifted to them. It’s also helpful to note who made the investment decisions and where any income was paid.

Without a kid’s TFN

If you set up a Kids Account without providing a TFN, the ATO requires 47% tax to be withheld from any income the investment earns. You’ll also need to keep some evidence showing that the child is the beneficial owner of the account (as we mentioned just above).

With an adult’s TFN provided

If you set up a Kids Account using your own TFN, you’ll be considered the beneficial owner of the account.

When your kid turns 18, the account can be moved into their name. Since this is likely to be treated as a transfer of ownership from you to them, it’d be treated as a capital gains tax (CGT) event—so any tax payable on the transfer would be your responsibility.

See our help centre for more info about your tax options and evidence of beneficial ownership.

Getting a TFN for your kid

Most people usually get a TFN when they start their first job, but you can actually apply for one at any age. You can apply for your kid’s TFN via the ATO website.

When can the kid access the account?

By default, the account is transferred when they turn 25, but they can ask to have it moved into their name any time after their 18th birthday.

Once it’s transferred, they’ll take full control of their Sharesies account—they can set up their own login and manage their investments themselves.

Learn more about transferring a Kids Account.

How to create a Kids Account

Now for the fun part—setting up a Kids Account! You’ll need your own Sharesies account to link it, but you don’t have to be the kid’s parent or caregiver. You will, however, need a few bits of personal information about the child to get started.

1. Log in to your existing Sharesies account. Or sign up for your own Sharesies account.

2. Go to ‘Settings’.

3. Select ‘Create Kids Account’.

Once you’re in, you’ll need to provide:

• The full name of the kid

• Your relationship to the kid

• Agree to the Sharesies Kids Accounts T&Cs. 

Now for the official documents—you’ll need to provide the following:

• A valid ID for the kid

  • An Australian driver license

  • Australian passport

  • Australian birth certificate

  • A certified copy of an overseas passport or birth certificate 

• The kid’s tax file number (TFN) if they have one, and their foreign tax number (if applicable)

• The kid’s residential address. 

And that’s it—your kid now has a Sharesies account! A small start today can mean a big impact down the track, and you’ve just made it super simple to give them a head start on investing.

For any other burning questions, check out our help centre.