CommSec review
Updated October 12, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
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Our verdict
CommSec contrasts with home-market only brokers by pairing investment in more than two thousand Australian companies with access to thirteen global markets spanning the U.S., Europe and Asia. It is an online broker for self directed investors who value expert insights, managed funds and structured learning alongside share dealing.
Key facts
- Best for
- Investors wanting home and global shares together
- Stock trade fee
- A$19.95↗
- Markets
- Stocks, ETFs↗
- Regulators
- Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Australian Financial Services Licence), ASX Limited (Market Participant); ASX Clear (Clearing Participant); ASX Settlement (Settlement Participant)↗
- Platforms
- Website, Mobile apps↗
- Account types
- Joint, Corporate↗
- Legal entity
- Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399↗
- Headquarters
- Australia↗
- Founded
- 1995↗
- Support channels
- Phone, Help-centre↗
- Features
- Mobile app
- Audience
- Beginners, Experienced traders
- Official website
- commsec.com.au
Robo-advisors
- Portfolio types
- ETF, Cash↗
Facts checked September 26, 2026, 6 sources
Pros and cons
Pros
- Covers home companies alongside shares across thirteen global markets
- Combines shares, exchange traded funds, managed funds and super fund investing
- Academy learning hub with bite sized topics for new and experienced investors
- Daily analyst commentary, podcasts and curated themes for idea generation
Cons
- Share focused range gives limited scope beyond equities and related funds
- Depth of news, themes and tools needs regular time to use well
Who it suits
- Beginners seeking structured investing education
- Investors wanting home and overseas shares in one account
- Followers of daily market news and thematic ideas
Who should look elsewhere
- People wanting fully managed portfolio decisions
How CommSec compares
Frequently asked questions
What does CommSec offer?+
CommSec provides online share trading and investing covering Australian shares, international shares, exchange traded funds, managed funds and related services. It also supports margin lending, cash management, savings accounts and self managed super fund investing. The service combines dealing access with news, research and education for self directed investors.
Which share markets can be accessed?+
CommSec covers more than two thousand Australian companies alongside shares in thirteen global markets. That global coverage includes the U.S. market plus twelve further markets across Europe and Asia. Investors can also consider bundles of stocks linked to industries that interest them.
How does CommSec support investor learning?+
CommSec runs The Academy as a central place for building share market knowledge. It offers bite sized learning topics that can be studied at an individual pace. The hub supports newcomers learning the basics and experienced investors refreshing their skills.
What market insights does CommSec provide?+
CommSec publishes daily market updates from its own share market analysts alongside expert curated investment themes. Customisable investment recommendations from an independent research provider help investors assess stock highs and lows. A market update podcast and social channels provide additional commentary on trends and opportunities.
Which regulators oversee CommSec?+
CommSec is overseen by Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Australian Financial Services Licence), ASX Limited (Market Participant); ASX Clear (Clearing Participant); ASX Settlement (Settlement Participant). (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Which platforms does CommSec support?+
CommSec supports Website, Mobile apps. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
What account types does CommSec offer?+
CommSec offers these account types: Joint, Corporate. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Which company operates CommSec?+
CommSec is operated by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Where is CommSec based?+
CommSec is based in Australia. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
When was CommSec founded?+
CommSec was founded in 1995. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CommSec checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Founded
“The brokerage arm started operations in 1995 and launched its share trading website in 1997.”
- commsec.com.au checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Audience, Markets
“whether you're a beginner seeking simplicity or an investor craving in-depth market insights”
- commsec.com.au/features/important-information.html checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Headquarters, Legal entity, Regulators
“CommSec's registered office is Commonwealth Bank Place South, Level 1, 11 Harbour Street, Sydney, NSW 2000”
- commsec.com.au/support/contact-us.html checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Support channels
“Call 13 15 19 within Australia”
- commsec.com.au/support/rates-and-fees.html checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Features, Platforms, Stock trade fee
“Trade online (via website, mobile apps or other platforms)”
- commsec.com.au/why-join-commsec/Sign-up-to-CommSec.html checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Account types, Portfolio types
“Open a Joint, Trust or Company account to invest in Aussie shares.”
Compiled from 6 source pages, checked October 13, 2026. We did not open an account.
Not confirmed yet: Minimum deposit, Account fee, Inactivity fee, Investor protection, Retail accounts that lose money.