Exchange traded funds
Invest in a mix of companies and industries in a single trade with ETFs.
What are Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)?
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are professionally managed investment funds that trade on stock exchanges, much like individual shares. Each ETF typically holds a diversified portfolio of assets—such as Australian and International shares, bonds, currencies, or derivatives—designed to track the performance of a specific market index or investment theme.
ETFs offer efficient access to a broad range of asset classes, including those that may be difficult or costly to invest in directly. They can be a cost-effective way to diversify your portfolio, manage risk, and gain exposure to targeted investment strategies.
Why invest in ETFs with Westpac Share Trading
Diversity your portfolio
Invest in a mix of companies and industries, or a specific sector, in a single trade with ETFs
Cost effective investing
Gain exposure to a wide range of assets without the need to buy each one individually while typically benefiting from lower fees than managed funds
Flexible Investment
Flexibility and liquidity to react to changing market conditions. ETFs can be bought or sold on the ASX during the trading day just like shares
Fees and charges
For a full list of applicable fees and charges please see the Westpac Share Trading and AUSIEX Financial Services Guides.
ASX listed ETFs
| Settlement source | Online trading brokerage (GST inclusive) |
|---|---|
Westpac Cash Investment Account1 |
Brokerage fee by transaction value:
|
| Other bank account2 | $29.95 or 0.29%3 |
International Exchange ETFs
Australian dollar (AUD) wallet
| Market | Currency | Internet Trading Brokerage Fee (in local currency)4,5,6,7,8,9,10 |
|---|---|---|
| United States | USD | $4.95 or 0.11% |
| U.S Over the Counter Securities | USD | $57.95 or 0.65% |
| Canada | CAD | $39.95 or $0.02 per share11 |
| Hong Kong | HKD | $129.95 or 0.39% |
| Singapore | SGD | $24.95 or 0.39% |
| United Kingdom | GBP | £11.95 or 0.39% |
| Eurozone | EUR | €11.95 or 0.39% |
| Denmark | DKK | kr154.95 or 0.39% |
| Norway | NOK | kr174.95 0.39% |
| Sweden | SEK | kr154.95 or 0.39% |
| Switzerland | CHF | CHF16.95 or 0.39% |
Foreign currency wallet
| Market | Currency | Internet Trading Brokerage Fee (in local currency)4,5,6,7,8,9,10 |
|---|---|---|
| United States | USD | $9.95 or 0.19% |
| U.S Over the Counter Securities | USD | $57.95 or 0.65% |
| Canada | CAD | $49.95 or $0.03 per share11 |
| Hong Kong | HKD | $199.95 or 0.49% |
| Singapore | SGD | $34.95 or 0.49% |
| United Kingdom | GBP | £19.95 or 0.49% |
| Eurozone | EUR | €11.95 or 0.39% |
| Denmark | DKK | kr224.95 or 0.49% |
| Norway | NOK | kr249.95 or 0.49% |
| Sweden | SEK | kr224.95 or 0.49% |
| Switzerland | CHF | CHF24.95 or 0.49% |
Benefits and risks of ETFs
When trading ETFs, you should be mindful of several benefits and risks that can significantly impact the performance and value of your investments.
Benefits
Cost effective
ETFs can be more cost-effective than directly buying the equivalent portfolio of assets and typically have lower fees than managed funds.
Portfolio diversity
Gain exposure to a diversified portfolio of securities or other assets through a single trade.
International exposure
Provides exposure to international markets, as well as fixed income and other sectors.
Risks
Asset value
The value of an ETF is linked to the assets it holds, so if the value of those assets fall, the value of the ETF will also fall.
Currency volatility
Some ETFs with an underlying exposure to international assets may have added currency risk.
Geopolitical risks
Political situations in the home country of the market could affect the value of the ETF’s assets.
Other investment types
International shares
Australian shares
Warrants
Options
Things you should know
1Westpac Cash Investment Account applies only where settlement is by direct debit or direct credit to the Westpac Cash Investment Account.
2From 3 June 2023 requests to nominate a Cash account must be an approved Westpac Bank account. Approved Westpac accounts may be subject to change from time to time. Different brokerage rates may apply. Please refer to the Westpac Securities and AUSIEX Financial Services Guides for more details.
3Brokerage is calculated as the greater of the minimum brokerage or percentage of the transaction amount. ASX Clear fees are charged in addition to brokerage charges for Options Trading.
4Alternative brokerage rates may be agreed from time to time and (if agreed to) will be payable under clause 10.1 of the International Markets Terms and Conditions.
5Brokerage is calculated as the greater of the minimum brokerage or percentage of the transaction value.
6Brokerage for U.S. and Canadian markets include SEC Transaction fees and FINRA Trading Activity fees.
7A foreign exchange fee applies to each currency conversion. Currency conversions are automatically executed for every trade inclusive of any fees and charges unless a trade has executed through its local currency via a respective Foreign Currency Wallet.
8For orders not fully executed within the same trading day, the minimum brokerage will be charged each day the order remains in the market and partially executes (no fee will be charged if no units are executed).
9If an amendment is made to a partially executed order, the existing order is cancelled, and a new order is placed. This will be treated as a new order and brokerage will be charged independently upon execution.
10Unless otherwise indicated, where a fee or charge is expressed as a percentage, it refers to a percentage of the transaction value. For rounding reasons, the final brokerage may result in a slight variance from the stated or expected charge, which may exceed two AUD cents for large trades.
11For Canadian Shares, you will be charged on a cents per share basis, subject to the minimum brokerage charge. Please keep this in mind when purchasing low priced securities where the number of shares purchased may be comparatively large, leading to high brokerage charges.
12Please note this charge will be added to the resulting confirmation.
13Other fees are charged in their respective local currencies and then converted to AUD. The 0.65% foreign exchange fee will apply to any fees and charges applicable.
14Custodian Transfer methods are usually completed via Depository Trust Company (DTC). The DTC is a U.S securities depository and a clearing house. The DTC provides securities movements which typically involve securities transfers between custodian banks and broker/dealers.
15Transfer fees are charged in their respective local currencies, where applicable. The 0.65% foreign exchange fee will apply to any fees and charges
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