Manage your SMSF with CommSec
Invest smarter with a self-managed super fund supported by CommSec, with access to Australian shares, global markets, ETFs, options and cash accounts to help your self-managed super fund reach its full potential.
No hidden costs
Settle your trades directly through your Commonwealth Direct Investment Account (CDIA).1 Plus, enjoy competitive interest rates and no account withdrawal fees.
Get started
- Set up your SMSF
Establish and register your self-managed super fund (SMSF) with the Australian Tax Office (ATO). You can learn more about setting up your SMSF on the ATO's website, or through CommBank's SMSF resources and guides.
- Open your accounts
Open a CommSec Share Trading Account and Commonwealth Direct Investment Account (CDIA).3 for your SMSF. To apply, you'll need your SMSF and trustee details including a valid Australian Business Number (ABN) for your SMSF.
- Add funds
Transfer money into your SMSF CDIA.
- Start investing
Invest in Australian shares, global markets, ETFs, options and cash accounts, with easy access between CommSec, Netbank and the CommBank app.
One SMSF, many ways to invest
Discover the different investments you can make with a CommSec SMSF CDIA and trading account.
Invest in Aussie shares >
Invest in 2000+ Australian companies listed on the ASX.
Invest in global markets >
Trade in the US share market as well as 12 other global markets, including Hong Kong, the UK and Canada.
Invest in Exchange Traded Funds >
Invest in themed investment options that interest you.
Leverage market movements >
Invest in warrants to diversify your portfolio and benefit from leverage.
Flexible investing with ETOs >
Protect the value of your portfolio or generate another stream of income using Exchange Traded Options.3 Trading ETOs involves risk, as leverage can magnify both potential returns and potential losses.4
SMSF Cash Management >
Manage your SMSF cash and investments more easily with a CDIA, a cash account that connects your CommBank banking with CommSec investing.
SMSF Saver >
Earn a higher return on your SMSF savings while keeping instant access to your money through your CDIA whenever you need it.3
CommSec Notice Investor >
Boost your SMSF savings by earning interest, while retaining the flexibility to access your funds with notice.3
Invest in Term Deposits >
Enjoy the certainty of knowing what your money will earn. Lock in a competitive interest rate for terms from one month to five years.3
Already with CommSec? You can unlock $0* brokerage on up to 30 trades
when you open a new CommSec trading product including an International Shares and/or Exchange Traded Options account.
Signing up is easy
Here’s what you need to get started.
Already a CommSec customer?
Managing your SMSF with CommSec is simple. Log into CommSec below and follow the prompts.
What you’ll need to sign up:
- Your CommSec credentials, such as your client ID and password
- Your CDIA and Australian Share Trading Account details
- Your Tax File Number (optional)
- Your SMSF and trustee details as reflected in the SMSF Trust Deed, including a valid ABN for the SMSF
Not a CommSec customer?
Joining CommSec is free. To get started, you'll need to open a CDIA and CommSec Share Trading Account below.
What you’ll need to sign up:
- Your personal and contact details
- Your tax residency details
- A valid photo ID
- Your Tax File Number (optional)
Your questions, answered
Find the answers to your questions about SMSFs with CommSec.
A self-managed super fund (SMSF) is a private superannuation fund that you manage yourself, giving members direct control over how your retirement savings are invested. Unlike retail or industry super funds, SMSFs are typically run by their members, who are also the trustees. This means members and trustees are responsible for making investment decisions and ensuring the fund complies with laws such as superannuation and tax.
With an SMSF, you decide where your money goes and how you invest your money, providing you with some of the following benefits:
- Greater control: You can choose how your super is invested, including direct shares, property, and other assets
- Flexibility: Tailor your investment strategy to suit your goals and risk tolerance
- Pooling resources: You can combine super balances with up to five other members, potentially increasing investment power and cost efficiency
- Tax strategies: SMSFs can offer tax-effective investment options, but these require careful planning and compliance
As much as there are benefits to an SMSF there are also risks and responsibilities that trustees should consider, such as:
- Legal responsibility for compliance with superannuation and tax laws
- Time and effort to manage investments and reporting
- Potential penalties for non-compliance
- Costs for administration, auditing, and advice
SMSFs can invest in a wide range of assets, provided they comply with superannuation laws and the fund’s investment strategy. Common options include cash-based options such as cash management accounts, Australian and international shares and ETFs, as well as assets like property.
An investment strategy is a plan that outlines how a self-managed super fund (SMSF) will invest its assets to achieve the financial goals of its members. It considers diversification, risk, liquidity and the fund's objectives.
Read more on how to diversify your SMSF investment strategy.
CommSec does not currently offer an SMSF establishment service. To learn more about SMSFs, please visit the ATO’s "Setting up an SMSF" page, or check out CommBank's SMSF resources and guides.
Yes, you can.
- Open the CommBank app
- Select Product and features on the home screen
- Select SMSF portfolio under 'Invest your money'
Data feeds are available for eligible product types and accounts. Learn more about eligibility and how to set up a data feed to your accounting software.
Data feeds are available on CommSec Share Trading Accounts that are CHESS-sponsored. To enable data feeds, you’ll need to complete an authority form, available from your SMSF accounting software provider. Please contact your provider to see if this feature is supported.
Help when it matters
Find the support you need, when you need it.
 | Send us your question Fill in our online form and hear from one of our experts within two business days |
 | Call us To get in touch, visit our Contact us page.
|
Cyber security, scams & fraud
Scammers are getting smarter, but so can you. Learn how to keep your account safe and secure.
1 The SMSF cash account – Commonwealth Direct Investment Account (CDIA) – is a bank account designed for use in conjunction with a Self Managed Super Fund. It is not a superannuation product in its own right. Please view our Financial Services Guide (PDF). Full terms and conditions for CDIA are available here or from any branch of the Commonwealth Bank. Other fees may apply. The CDIA is issued by Commonwealth Bank of Australia and administered by Commonwealth Securities Limited..
2 To be eligible, you must trade online, be CHESS Participant Sponsored with CommSec and settle your trades through a SMSF cash account – Commonwealth Direct Investment Account (CDIA).
3 The target market for the Commonwealth Direct Investment Account, Exchange Traded Options, CommSec Notice Investor, SMSF Saver and Term Deposits can be found within the product's Target Market Determination.
4 Please note that only Level 1 and 2 ETO Trading is available for new SMSF applications.
* “Enjoy $0 brokerage on up to 30 trades” offer is available to existing CommSec customers who open a new CommSec product, which they do not currently hold — including International Shares or Exchange Traded Options.
To be eligible, existing customers must:
- Open one of the following CommSec trading products which they do not currently hold between 1 November 2026 and 30 November 2026: International Shares and/or Exchange Traded Options; and
- Settle their new trading account through a Commonwealth Direct Investment Account (CDIA).
This offer is designed for new-to-product existing customers looking to explore other investment products and is not available to customers who already hold the particular product on 1 November 2026 or have previously closed a trading account in the product after 1 November 2026.
The offer will be applied to (and only to) your new product (your new trading account for that product) from 1 December 2026 if you have met the above eligibility criteria on 30 November 2026.
You'll receive $0 brokerage on up to 30 trades (on the new account) with a maximum trade value of $50,000 each for orders placed between 1 December 2026 to 31 May 2027. Trades must be placed online via the CommSec website or app platforms.
Trades above $50,000 will incur standard brokerage charges. Taxes and fees including FX will apply to International trades. Standard CommSec brokerage charges apply for orders placed or amended outside the period 1 December 2026 to 31 May 2027. For CommSec standard brokerage charges, view the CommSec Financial Services Guide. No brokerage fee will be shown on the CommSec trade confirmations issued for applicable trades under this offer. For eligible International accounts, the offer will be applied to the account type selected at the time of application (International Standard or International Plus). Changes to the International account type during the campaign period will result in loss of the offer. This offer is not redeemable for cash and is not transferable.
The offer is not valid in conjunction with any other offer and not open to new CommSec customers. This offer does not apply to CommSec Pocket trades. This offer does not apply to a specific product if you have closed an account for that same product (International Shares or Exchange Traded Options) on or after 1 November 2026.
Applicants must be 18 years or over. We reserve the right to terminate this offer or amend these terms and conditions at any time without notice. For any queries on this offer, please contact us on 13 15 19.
This information has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should, before acting on this, consider the appropriateness of the product to your circumstances.
General Information and Terms and Conditions for Term Deposits and Electronic Banking are available here or from any branch of the Commonwealth Bank (CBA). Please view CBA’s Financial Services Guide (PDF68KB).
Interest rates on offer may vary at any time without notice.
While potential SMSF investments have been illustrated within this content they do not represent a comprehensive suite of possible investment products and services within the guidelines pursuant to the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 with ATO oversight.
Registered office: Commonwealth Bank Place South, Level 1, 11 Harbour Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. CBA and its subsidiaries do not guarantee the obligations or performance of CommSec or the products and services it offers.
You can view the Share Trading Terms and Conditions, CommBank Transaction, Savings and Investment Account Terms and Conditions, CommSec Notice Investor Terms and Conditions, CommSec Exchange-Traded Options Terms and Conditions, International Shares Terms and Conditions, Product Disclosure Statement, CommSec Best Execution Statement and Financial Services Guide, and should consider them before making any decision about these products and services..
Investing carries risk. Past performance is not a reliable indication of future performance. Investing in overseas markets exposes you to risks including those related to movements in foreign currency exchange rates and market prices.