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đź’¸ Choosing a broker to make your first investment

In this Investing Month episode, Kate Campbell & Owen Rask break down what a broker is, how they work, how to open an account and how to make your first investment.

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Finding the best online trading account to buy or sell shares in Australia can be scary. Believe us; we know that buying shares in Australia for the first time is a daunting task. Commsec, Pearler, Selfwealth, Stake, Vanguard Personal Investor, Superhero, Sharesies… where do I even start?!

Please note: the brokerage prices, costs and information we’ve included here are a guide only. And the fees and charges change regularly. Refer to the broker’s website to read its fee schedule, product disclosure statement (PDS) and financial services guide (FSG).

In Australia, if you want to buy shares or ETFs, you will generally need to use a broker to facilitate the transaction.

Our main market in Australia is called the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). Think of it like a farmers market, with various products for sale and shoppers and vendors roaming around. The main difference is that you can sell the apples you just purchased to other shoppers. However, to buy anything from the market, you need to use a broker. This ensures an orderly operation of the marketplace and greater transparency for all involved.

âś… Read our broker guide here

This episode is part of our Beginners Investing Month series on The Australian Finance Podcast. Just look for the episodes with the đź’¸ during August 2023!

Before fully committing to a broker, why not give it a test drive? That is, open an account but don’t put your money in. This will help you make sure you think buying and selling using the platform/app is straightforward.  Also, test drive their customer service team by calling them and asking about the reporting they can provide you at tax time — trust us, having good tax reports will make your life so much easier.

Finally, don’t forget we highly recommend reading the broker’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or speaking to your financial adviser if you’re concerned.

Podcast resources

Don't look down for great deals 👇

📱 Pearler, the broker for long-term investors.

Sign-up to Pearler using the code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit and learn more about Pearler Rewards here.

🌏 Betashares ETFs

Discover the broadest range of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) in Australia on betashares.com.au.

đź’¸ PocketSmith, a productivity booster for your money.

PocketSmith is not just a budgeting app, it’s an advanced tool that connects to nearly every bank worldwide. Basically, it’s a productivity booster for your money. With PocketSmith, you can organise your money your way and even collaborate with your household and advisors.

Ready to manage your money like a pro? PocketSmith has a special deal for Australian Finance Podcast listeners. Click here to get 50% off your first two months of PocketSmith’s Foundation plan.

The information on this website and in our podcasts is general financial advice only. That means, the advice does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the advice is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on the information. In addition, you should obtain and read the product disclosure statement (PDS) before making a decision to acquire a financial product. If you don’t know what your needs are, you should consult a trusted and licensed financial adviser who can provide you with personal financial product advice. Please read our Terms & Conditions and Financial Services Guide before using this website.

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