Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started
What do I need to open a trading account?
Existing Westpac Banking clients: You can log in when prompted in the application process to pre-populate your details and verify your identity.
I'm new to Westpac: Simply have at least two of the following forms of identification ready.
- Australian Drivers Licence
- Medicare Card
- Passport
- Australian Birth Certificate
Who can open a trading account?
Individuals, Joint individuals, Companies and Trusts can open a trading account. Individuals must be over 18 years of age.
If you wish to open an account for a child/minor please see the next question 'Can I open a trading account for my child / minor?'
Can I open a trading account for my child/minor?
While minors cannot personally buy and sell shares, an adult may open a trading account in their name with the shares held in trust for the minor. Once the minor turns 18 the shares may be transferred into their name.
To open a trading account in trust for a minor follow these steps:
- Go to the Westpac Share trading page and click on the Join now button located at the top of the page
- Select the 'Trade with a new cash account' option as minor trust trading accounts are only available with a new Westpac Cash Investment Account
- Select the Trust/SMSF account application
- Select Minor from the list of trust types
- Enter the minor's name in the Account designation field
- Enter the adult's details as the trustee.
Can I apply for a Westpac Share Trading account if I live outside Australia?
Australian residents only - If you currently reside outside of Australia you may be able to trade with us if you have an Australian bank account linked for the settlement of your trades. There may be restrictions on applicants residing in certain jurisdictions depending on local regulations.
How can I place a trade with Westpac Share Trading
Once your account is set up, there are a number of ways you are able to place a trade.
Online
To place a trade online, simply sign in and navigate to Trading > Share Orders > Place Order.
Westpac Share Trading mobile app
You can place a trade on the go using the Westpac Share Trading mobile app through your smartphone or tablet. Simply download the app from the App Store™ or Google Play™ store.
Phone
If you don't have access to the internet or a smartphone, you can call Westpac Share Trading on 13 13 31 and we can place a trade on your behalf.
Please note that brokerage rates may vary depending on your method of order placement.
Can I access Westpac Share Trading from Westpac Online Banking?
Yes. Simply sign into your Westpac Online Banking profile and click on the Share Trading (Equities) account tile to access your Westpac Share Trading account.
How do I pay for trades with Westpac Share Trading?
The settlement of your share purchases will generally occur two ASX business days after the trade date (T+2).
On the morning of settlement your linked bank account will be debited for the amount of the trade including brokerage. You can check your settlement amount and linked bank account details online. Simply log in to your Westpac Share Trading account, navigate to My Account > My Portfolio > Holdings & Accounts and click on the Account Details tab.
Please consider transfer and clearance timeframes when transferring funds to your linked settlement account. It's important you have sufficient funds in your linked account before settlement, as a failed settlement may attract a dishonour fee from your bank and an ASX fail fee that will be passed on to you by Westpac Share Trading.
Platform features
What can I invest in using the platform?
Through Westpac Share Trading you can invest in Australian listed securities including Shares, Exchange Traded Options (ETO), Warrants, Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) and International shares across more than 25 international markets.
How do I invest in International Shares?
To trade international shares you'll need to establish a Westpac Global Markets trading account, but first you'll need to have a Westpac Share Trading account for Australian shares.
If you're already an existing Westpac Share Trading client simply sign in to your Westpac Share Trading account and visit Products & Services > Shares > International Shares.
If you're new to Westpac Share Trading you can apply for a Westpac Share Trading account on our share trading home page.
How do I invest in Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)?
You can invest in Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) the same way you invest in Australian shares using your Westpac Share Trading account.
You can find the various providers and available ETFs on the Australian sharemarket by signing in to your Westpac Share Trading account and navigating to Quotes & Research > Tools > ETF Screener. Alternatively you can find information about the available ETFs by visiting each provider's website.
To learn more please visit our ETF information page.
How do I trade Options?
To trade Exchange Traded Options (ETO) you'll need to establish a Westpac Options Trading account, but first you'll need to have a Westpac Share Trading account for Australian shares.
If you're already an existing Westpac Share Trading client simply sign in to your Westpac Share Trading account and visit Products & Services > Derivatives > Options.
If you're new to Westpac Share Trading you can apply for a Westpac Share Trading account on our share trading home page.
How do I trade Warrants?
To trade warrants you must first have a Westpac Share Trading account for Australian shares. If you're new to Westpac Share Trading you can apply for a Westpac Share Trading account on our share trading home page.
In addition it is also a requirement of the ASX and Cboe that you read the booklets Understanding Trading and Investment Warrants (ASX) and Investing in Warrants (Cboe).
You’ll then need to complete the Warrants Trading Agreement form.
To get started, sign in to your Westpac Share Trading account and visit Products & Services > Derivatives > Warrants.
Can I use a Margin Loan to invest in shares?
Yes. You can borrow money to invest by applying for a Westpac Online Investment Loan to settle your share purchases. To find out more please visit our Westpac Online Investment Loan page.
What research is available on the platform?
Your Westpac Share Trading account comes with complementary research providing the latest news and commentary at the market, sector and company level. You can access company information including key financials, advanced price charts, past and forecast earnings and dividends, announcements, peer analysis, ESG risk ratings as well as Morningstar's quantitative and consensus recommendations.
In addition we offer tools to help you find your next investment. Use our Stock or ETF Screener to filter securities based on various pre-defined and specific parameters.
You'll also receive our Daily Share Tracker email which will display up to 15 of your shareholdings and provide you with Morningstar's latest valuation on each. Each day your email will include additional content such as Morningstar's Share of the Week, Best Stock Ideas, videos and consensus recommendations.
We also offer a Morningstar premium research package by subscription. This package provides you full access to Morningstar’s qualitative research and recommendations on over 200 covered stocks beyond those in the S&P/ASX50. The recommendation for each company is expressed as Buy, Accumulate, Hold, Reduce or Sell. In addition to the stock recommendation, this package provides in-depth stock analysis by Morningstar’s analysts. The monthly cost of this package will be rebated if you settle two or more trades or pay $50 or more in brokerage during the relevant month.
To find out more about our available research and trading tools please visit our Trading Tools page.
The Westpac Share Trading app
Is the Westpac Share Trading app free to use?
The Westpac Share Trading app is free to download.
As a client of Westpac Share Trading you'll have access to our feature-rich news and research tools that offer advanced charting, the latest news feeds, ESG risk ratings and access to Morningstar’s consensus, quantitative and premium recommendations.
Brokerage costs will be applicable following the completion of a buy or sell order.
Where can I download the Westpac Share Trading app?
You can download our mobile app by searching 'Westpac Share Trading' in the App Store or Google Play™ store.
To sign in, simply use your existing Westpac Share Trading username and password.
Does the Westpac Share Trading app support fingerprint or face recognition to log in quickly?
Yes. Once initially signed in you can setup your Westpac Share Trading app to unlock using Face ID/Face Recognition, Touch ID/Fingerprint or a PIN through the Settings menu.
What brokerage is payable on orders placed using the mobile app?
Orders placed through the mobile app are considered internet orders. The amount of brokerage you will be charged will depend on the value of the shares you are buying or selling and also the type of account you use to settle your trades.
Please visit our Rates and Fees page for our brokerage rates.
Things you should know
Westpac Securities Limited ABN 39 087 924 221, AFSL 233723 (‘Westpac Securities’) (trading as ‘Westpac Share Trading’) provides the opportunity to trade listed financial products through our arrangement with Australian Investment Exchange Limited ABN 71 076 515 930, AFSL 241400 (‘AUSIEX’), a wholly owned subsidiary of Nomura Research Institute, Ltd (‘NRI’). AUSIEX is a Market Participant of the ASX Limited (‘ASX’) and Cboe Australia Pty Ltd (‘Cboe’), a Clearing Participant of ASX Clear Pty Limited and a Settlement Participant of ASX Settlement Pty Limited. Neither AUSIEX nor Westpac Securities are representatives of each other. Westpac Securities is not a related party of AUSIEX, NRI, ASX or Cboe. Under this arrangement, all trading, clearing, settlement and stock sponsorship arrangements are directly with AUSIEX. AUSIEX is not authorised to carry on business in any jurisdiction other than Australia. Accordingly, the information contained in this website is directed to and available for Australian residents only.
You should read the Westpac Securities and AUSIEX Financial Services Guides (“FSGs”), which provide you with information on the services Westpac Securities and AUSIEX can provide. You can access the FSGs via https://westpac.com.au/personal-banking/share-trading.
This website may contain material provided directly by third parties. This information is given in good faith and has been derived from sources believed to be accurate at its issue date. While such material is published with necessary permission, no company in the Westpac Group nor any of their related entities, employees or directors (together, “Westpac”), nor AUSIEX, accepts responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of, or endorses any such material. This website may also contain links to external websites. Westpac does not accept responsibility for, or endorse the content of, such external websites. Except where contrary to law, Westpac intends by this notice to exclude liability for material provided directly by third parties and the content of external websites.
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If a Product Disclosure Statement is available in relation to a particular financial product, you should obtain and consider that Product Disclosure Statement before making any decisions about whether to acquire the financial product.
Any securities or prices used in the examples on this website are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold.
The information on this website does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. For this reason, before acting on the information you should consider whether it is appropriate to you, having regards to your objectives, financial situation and needs and, if necessary, seek appropriate financial advice.
Westpac Securities is a wholly owned subsidiary of Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141 AFSL and Australian credit licence 233714 (‘Westpac’) and part of the Westpac Group. A financial product acquired through Westpac Securities is not a deposit with, or any liability of Westpac or any other company in the Westpac Group. Investment in a financial product is subject to investment risk, including possible delays in repayment or loss of income and principal invested. Neither Westpac nor any of its related entities stands behind or otherwise guarantees the capital value or investment performance of any financial product acquired through Westpac Securities.
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