Frequently Asked Questions
Find the answers to the most frequently asked questions and explore some of our useful resources here.
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How do I buy/sell shares on ASX?
To buy or sell shares on ASX, you will need to use a CHESS sponsoring broker.
How do I invest in an Initial Public Offering (IPO)?
Please refer to the prospectus provided by the company.
What is a CHESS sponsoring broker?
There are two types of brokers:
- A “Non-advisory or online broker” will help you to execute your pre-determined buy or sell orders.
- An “Advisory or full service broker” is a broker who will additionally help you to make your investment decision.
Non-advisory brokers
Non-advisory brokers offer no recommendations or advice regarding the appropriateness of your decision, hence their brokerage fees tend to be lower. This is an attractive option for investors confident in their share market knowledge and trading decisions. They are typically either internet based or telephone based.
Full service advisory brokers
Full service advisory brokers offer advice on buying and selling securities, make recommendations, provide research and compile tailored investment plans. They typically charge a higher brokerage fee as a result of the advice and other services offered.
Where can I find a CHESS sponsoring broker?
Most major banking and financial institutions in Australia offer or are affiliated with an online broker facility and will be able to help you set up an account.
ASX does not make recommendations regarding your choice of broker, and suggests that you contact brokers to verify that their fees and services suit your requirements as part of your decision making process.
A list of suggested questions to ask a broker can be found here.
What is CHESS?
CHESS stands for Clearing House Electronic Sub-register System.
If you have received a letter in regards to CHESS from ASX, it may be about a brokerage account that you have recently opened.
If you need more information about your CHESS account, please contact your CHESS sponsoring broker directly.
How can I request a CHESS holding statement?
If you have made any securities transactions or changes to your CHESS account, ASX will send you a CHESS holding statement in the following month, generally in the second or third week. If you would like to request a historical CHESS holding statement, please contact your CHESS sponsoring broker directly as they must request this on your behalf.
When should I expect a CHESS holding statement?
CHESS holding statements are issued by ASX, providing a trusted, reliable and standardised confirmation of changes to your CHESS holding details. CHESS holding statements are issued at the end each of month (a separate statement for each security) if there has been a change in the holding balance in that month. If you receive physical statements, you can expect these to arrive in the first two-to-three weeks following their issue. Please contact your CHESS sponsoring broker if you need further information about the status of your CHESS holding statement.
What do I do if I keep receiving ASX mail that is not addressed to me?
ASX does not have the authority to change holder’s personal details in CHESS or cease the delivery of CHESS holding statements. It is the responsibility of the CHESS holder to update their new address details with their CHESS sponsoring broker.
CHESS holding statements are issued by the ASX CHESS system based on the information provided to ASX from the CHESS sponsoring broker.
ASX does not manage any personal details related to investor holdings, including their current address. The generation and mailing of CHESS holding statements is automated and statements are issued at the end of each month (a separate statement for each security) if there has been a change in the holding balance in that month.
If you are receiving mail from CHESS that is not meant for you, please 'return to sender' and CHESS will notify the responsible broker of the holding. Please note, it is then up to the broker to action a change of address with the CHESS holder.
Please refer to ASX’s Privacy Statement for additional information concerning the use of personal information that is collected and used by ASX, and your rights in relation to that information.
How do I find my CHESS sponsoring broker, if all I know is my Holder Identification Number (HIN)?
There are a few ways to find out who your CHESS sponsoring broker is when you know your HIN. This information is available on your CHESS holding statements or you can contact the relevant share registry for more details. These two methods are explored in more depth in the questions below.
How do I find my Holder Identification Number (HIN)?
Your HIN is located on your CHESS 'Welcome' letter, and all subsequent CHESS holding statements. If you do not have a CHESS holding statement, please contact your CHESS sponsoring broker to retrieve your Holder Identification Number (HIN).
A sample CHESS holding statement is available here.
How do I find my Security Reference Number (SRN)?
Your Security Reference Number (SRN) is a unique number used to identify Issuer Sponsored securities. Please contact the share registry of the issuer.
You can identify the share registry relevant to each security you hold, using the search function of the ‘Company directory’ page of our website. Simply search for the company by code or name and scroll down on the resulting page to find the ‘Share registry’ details.
How do I check my CHESS holding statements for details about my broker?
If you have a CHESS account with a broker, you should be receiving CHESS holding statements from ASX regarding any transactions or changes made to your account with your broker.
On the CHESS holding statement, the broker’s name will appear next to the “CHESS SPONSOR” description.
Please contact the broker on the CHESS holding statement for information regarding your CHESS account.
How do I request a CHESS PID when I don’t know my HIN or who my broker is?
If you don’t know your Holder Identification Number (HIN), and are unsure who your broker is, you will need to contact the relevant share registry according to the company you hold shares in and request a CHESS PID.
A CHESS PID is the number that can identify the CHESS sponsoring broker. Once you have obtained the CHESS PID from the share registry, you can contact the ASX Investor Support team on 131 279 to help you to identify your CHESS sponsoring broker.
You can identify the share registry relevant to each security you hold, using the search function of the ‘Company directory’ page of our website. Simply search for the company by code or name and scroll down on the resulting page to find the ‘Share registry’ details.
How do I update my name or address details for my holdings in CHESS?
Please contact your CHESS sponsoring broker directly to update any personal details, including your name or postal address.
You can find the name of your CHESS sponsoring broker on any CHESS holding statement next to the “CHESS SPONSOR” description. Please see here for a sample CHESS holding statement.
Can I receive my CHESS holding statements online/electronically?
CHESS holding statements and notifications are available in hardcopy via post or digitally through the ASX CHESS Statements Portal. You can elect your preferred method of receiving CHESS holding statements and notifications via your broker. Click here for more information about CHESS holding statements and electronic communication.
How can I opt in to receive notifications via the ASX CHESS Statements Portal?
You will need to contact your CHESS sponsoring broker to opt in. Your broker will need to provide your details to ASX and once completed you will receive an email to set up your account.
How do I find out if my broker supports electronic CHESS holding statements and notifications?
Contact your CHESS sponsoring broker to find out if they can facilitate electronic CHESS holding statements and notifications.
Why have I not received a registration link to the ASX CHESS Statements Portal?
If you had an existing HIN before opting in to receive electronic CHESS holding statements, a registration link is automatically emailed to the registered email address once your first statement is available. New HINs opting in to receive electronic CHESS holding statements will receive a registration link once your CHESS sponsoring broker has opted you in.
Please note, CHESS holding statements are not generated until the first 2 weeks of the month following settlement of a transaction.
If you cannot locate the ASX CHESS Statements Portal emails from notifications@statements.asx.com.au please confirm with your broker that the email address they have supplied when opting you in is correct
Who do I contact if I have technical issues with the ASX CHESS Statements Portal?
Please reach out via the ASX contact page.
How will I be able to manage multiple HINs?
Each account in CHESS is linked to a single HIN. If you have multiple HINs, your broker (or brokers) will need to opt you in for each HIN and you will need to create an individual account for each HIN. You can use the same email for multiple accounts or different emails for each HIN account. Your accounts/HINs will be differentiated by the user name you set upon registration to the portal.
Can I still choose to receive paper statements?
Yes. Investors will continue to have the option to receive their CHESS holding statements and notifications through the mail.
Can I receive paper statements and have access to the ASX CHESS Statements Portal?
You will need to choose one notification method – you can access statements via the ASX CHESS Statements Portal or you can choose to receive paper statements, but not both.
Where can I find information about how to use the ASX CHESS Statements Portal?
We have developed a user guide to the Portal. Click here to download it.
Can I use my ASX Investor Portal login to access the ASX CHESS Statements Portal?
No. Your Holder Identification Number (HIN) is separate from your ASX Investor Portal login and you will need to login to the ASX CHESS Statements Portal separately.
Am I required to have one email address for each account in the ASX CHESS Statements Portal?
ASX will accept and store one email address per HIN in CHESS. You can use the same email address for multiple HINs.
How much history will I be able to see in the ASX CHESS Statements Portal?
You will be able to access all holding statements and other notifications produced from the date the Portal went live, up to a maximum of 7 years. If you need a statement prior to this date, you should continue to ask your CHESS sponsoring broker.
Where can I find listed company information?
To find information about a specific listed company, please refer to the ‘Company directory’ page. Simply search for the company by code or name, and the resulting page will include information such as the company share price, historical data, recent announcements, share registry details and statistics. For more details about where to source certain company information via our website, please see the section below under the heading ‘Questions about our website’.
What if a company does not appear on the company search page?
If a company is not appearing on the company information search page, this could mean that the company has been delisted from ASX.
How can I find out more about delisted companies?
A list of companies that have been removed from ASX’s Official List during the last 6 months can be found here.
Click here for more information on companies that have been removed from the ASX Official List.
Although ASX believes that every care is taken in the compilation of the information on ‘Delisted’, it cannot warrant its accuracy and is not liable for any errors or omissions.
If you still hold shares with a delisted company, you can contact ASIC’s Unclaimed Money Unit on 1300 301 198.
Where can I find prices on the website?
Under the ‘Markets’ tab in the top navigation menu, 'Cash market prices' can be found in the ‘Trade our cash market’ section, and 'Derivatives market prices' can be found in the ‘Trade our derivatives market’ section. You will also be able to search for companies in the ‘Trade our cash market’ section by clicking on 'Company directory', or via the search functionality.
Where can I find company announcements?
Both 'Today’s announcements' and 'Historical announcements' can be found in the ‘Trade our cash market’ section under the ‘Markets’ tab in the top navigation menu.
How do I conduct a company search?
There are a number of ways to search for a company. The fastest way is to use the ‘Search’ functionality at the top of every page. Another option is to navigate to the 'Company directory' page via the 'Markets' tab in the top navigation menu.
How can I find share registry details?
Share registry details are found on the relevant company page. The ‘quick search’ tool appears as a magnifying glass icon in the top-right corner of any page on the ASX website. Enter the ticker or company name, then select the appropriate search result. Scroll to the bottom of the company page for ‘Share registry’ information.
Where can I find the education pages?
You can find courses on Shares, Options, ETFs and ETPs, and other helpful tools in the 'Investment tools and resources' section of the ‘Investors’ tab in the top navigation menu.
How can I provide feedback about the website?
ASX remains committed to listening and learning from customer feedback and will continue to add new features over time. As such, we have added more ways for customers to provide feedback than ever before. You might see a feedback window pop-up from time to time so you can rate the experience. You can also provide your thoughts via the contact page website feedback form.
How do I find information on index constituents?
All indices are created and maintained by Standard and Poor’s (S&P), please contact S&P here for information regarding the constituents of each index.
Where can I find the dividend history per security?
Please see our dividend search page here to source dividend information. Up to 10 company names or codes can be entered at a time, alternatively you can search by selecting a Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) Industry Group.
How do I find information on historical dividends?
Historical dividend information for listed entities is found on the relevant company page. On a security's pricing graph, dividends are represented by a 'D' symbol. Move your curser/crosshair over the relevant dividend you require. Information on the selected dividend will appear in a pop-up on the graph.
Information on your personal dividend payments is provided by contacting the company's share registry.
Where can I find pricing for multiple securities?
Pricing for multiple securities is now served via watchlists in the Investor Portal. Login or join now to create a watchlist. You can create up to 10 watchlists with 50 codes per watchlist.
Is there a fee to access market announcements in real time?
No, and there is also no fee for historical announcements for personal use. Market announcements will continue to be provided in real-time and for free. Both 'Today’s announcements' and 'Historical announcements' can be found in the ‘Trade our cash market’ section under the ‘Markets’ tab in the top navigation menu.
How do I clear my browser cookies and cache?
Clearing your browser cookies and cache is generally quite simple. If you do not know how to do so, please visit this useful page on our website which provides guides.
Where do I find ASX-listed ETO codes?
You can download an updated list of ASX Trade ETO codes under 'Market Essentials' on the Equity Derivatives page here.
How do I access the Investor Portal?
The ‘Login’ button is at the top right hand corner of every page. Enter your email address and password to log in. If you are accessing the Portal for the first time, you may be asked to update your password and preferences.
Download the Investor Portal User Guide for step-by-step instructions.
I'm unable to register for the Investor Portal, what do I do?
Please access your email inbox to retrieve the automated activation email, this link expires after 30 minutes.
If you are unable to activate the link before expiry, or you did not receive the email, please complete the sign up steps again, ensuring you are entering your email accurately.
If you have clicked the activation link and are receiving an error message, please close all browser windows and attempt to clear your browser cache. Instructions on how to do this can be found here.
How do I reset my password?
If you would like to reset your password, or you have forgotten your password, follow either of the two ways below to do so:
- Before you login to your account, click on ‘Forgot Password?’ and follow the instructions.
- When you are inside your account, navigate to your ‘Profile’ and change your password from there.
Download the Investor Portal User Guide for step-by-step instructions.
Why do my passwords get rejected?
Eligible passwords must meet the following criteria:
- 8-64 characters long
- Cannot be a commonly used word such as 'password', 'qwerty', 'welcome', ‘password1'
- Must not contain more than 3 consecutive identical characters
- Must not contain more than 3 consecutive sequential characters
- Must not contain the user name, given name or family name
Can I change my email address for login?
Your email address is used to uniquely identify your account. It is currently not possible to change email addresses. If you would like to use a different email address, it is recommended that you create a new account but please note you will have to create your watchlists again.
How do I set or change my preferences?
You will be asked to select your preferences when you log into your account for the first time. This is your opportunity to subscribe to relevant thought leadership and events. You can update your preferences at any time if your circumstances change in the future by clicking on the ‘Preferences’ tab next to ‘Watchlists’ on your dashboard.
Why do I need a password and login to access the Investor Portal?
One of the key features of the Investor Portal is the ability for users to personalise their experience by setting up personal watchlists and signing up to receive updates and newsletters. To offer this we need to create a unique profile for each user. This requires an email address and a secure login.
We have password requirements to ensure that our users’ information is safe and that we meet our obligations under our security and privacy policies.
Staying logged in
When logging in, you can also select to stay signed in, by ticking the “Keep me signed in” checkbox on the login tab. This enables you to visit the site easily and conveniently after the initial set-up.
You are also able to check certain information without logging in by visiting the markets section on our public website.
How do I set up a watchlist?
Watchlists can be created when you are logged in. From your personalised dashboard, click on the plus sign to create a new list. For a complete walkthrough of this process, see this helpful video.
What is the maximum number of securities I can watch?
There is a maximum number of 10 watchlists catered for in the Investor Portal. Up to 50 securities can be added to each watchlist.
If you reach the limit, you may receive an error message when you try to add another watchlist.
Why does the bell still stay there for notifications when I have already read them?
You will receive a notification via the 'bell counter' at the top right hand corner of the page whenever there is a ‘Price Sensitive’ announcement for any codes in your watchlists. The number of notifications appearing on the counter is the total number of announcements for the last seven days. This number will remain for seven days even if you have already viewed the announcement. It will be updated once the week has passed.
How can I see which companies in my watchlist have announcements today?
Price Sensitive’ announcements made by companies in your watchlist can be found via the Investor Portal. Once logged in, navigate to the dashboard containing your watchlists. In the ‘Overview’ section at the beginning of each of your watchlists, click on the ‘Announcements’ tab to view all ‘Price Sensitive’ announcements made by companies in this watchlist.
All announcements made by listed companies, including those marked ‘Price Sensitive’, can be found by searching for each company on the 'Cash market price' page of our website. Alternatively, you can view all announcements made by listed companies today on the 'Today’s announcements' page of our website.
Why do my holding volumes randomly change?
Your holding volume may change as a result of a corporate action being implemented. Corporate actions include splits or consolidations, rights issues, bonus issues, or offers under a buy-back scheme.
Download the Investor Portal User Guide for step-by-step instructions.
How do I find lost share holdings or investments?
Please contact the issuing company's share registry for assistance locating your holdings.
Further information regarding corporate actions that may affect your holdings can be found in the company announcements.
How can I transfer shares?
Off-market transfers of securities between parties without using a stockbroking firm as the intermediary. These are executed by completing a Transfer Form for Non-Market Transactions.
Off-market transfers of securities held on the CHESS sub-register are effected electronically through CHESS and you will need to go through your CHESS sponsoring broker for this type of transfer.
Off-market transfers are usually private arrangements between family members or transfers from deceased estates.
- To obtain an 'Australian Standard Transfer Form' please contact the share registry of the company whose shares you wish to transfer.
- For advice on completing the form please consult your stock broker or financial planner.
There is no stamp duty payable on share transactions throughout Australia.
How do I transfer my holdings to a new CHESS sponsoring broker?
Please contact the new CHESS sponsoring broker you wish to transfer your holdings to for assistance with this process. They are best placed to indicate how long the process will take, and to assist you with correctly supplying the relevant details.
Where can I find information about company reporting dates?
Companies listed on ASX are required under the ASX Listing Rules to make announcements about their activities in order to ensure a fully informed market is maintained.
Recent and historical announcements for all listed companies are available from the ‘Trade our cash market’ section, under the ‘Markets’ tab in the top navigation menu.
How can I find out about upcoming floats?
You can find out about upcoming floats by accessing the floats section of the ASX website.
Alternatively, you can contact your CHESS sponsoring broker. You should also check the newspapers or investment magazines, as they often feature articles on upcoming floats.
Where can I find information about deceased estates?
ASX can only assist with finding the CHESS sponsoring broker for the account of the deceased.
If you do not have the broker’s details, please contact chesshelp@asx.com.au and include full name and address of the deceased along with a certified copy of the death certificate, a certified copy of the Grant of Probate, and any other documents that we may determine necessary.
All other queries should be directed to the CHESS sponsoring broker of the account.
Does ASX have information about exchange rates and foreign exchange?
Foreign exchange is not part of the market conducted by ASX. For information on current exchange rates, please contact your local bank, which will also be able to provide you with historical exchange rate information.
How do I buy/sell securities as a non-Australian resident?
You will need to find an international broker or financial advisor in your country of residence that allows you to trade ASX listed securities. ASX is unable to provide a list of international brokers - you may need to contact a financial advisor.
How do I sell shares I inherited in an ASX-listed security if I am a non-Australian resident?
Please contact the respective share registry of the ASX listed security for guidance. Share registry details are found on the company pages of our website. The ‘quick search’ tool appears as a magnifying glass icon on the top-right corner of any ASX page. Enter the ticker or company name, then select the appropriate search result. Scroll to the bottom of the company page for ‘Share registry’ information.
How can I sell my shares in a delisted company?
Please contact the company's share registry for further information.
What happens to my holdings when an issuer a company is delisted?
Once a company delists from ASX, any holdings in CHESS will revert to Issuer Sponsored. Please contact the company's share registry for further information.
Information relating to the company delisting is published via company announcements. Announcements can be viewed on the ‘Historical Announcements’ page here.
For information on unclaimed funds no longer held with a company's share registry, please see ASIC's MoneySmart website found, here.
How do I request a dividend statement?
Please contact the issuer's share registry for information relating to dividend statements.
Registries are appointed by listed entities to run their register of security holders. They are not appointed by, or answerable to, ASX (although to the extent that they participate in the CHESS settlement system, they do have to comply with the ASX Settlement Operating Rules). ASX cannot help with any queries involving dividends or distributions.
If you are haven't received a dividend or distribution statement from a registry, you can usually download a copy from their website. If you're not sure how to do this, you should contact the registry for assistance.
How do I participate in a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP)?
Please contact the issuer's share registry regarding participation in a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP).
A security I'm invested in is suspended. Why?
There are a number of reasons why trading in the securities of a listed entity may be halted or suspended on the ASX market.
ASX automatically halts trading in a security for a short period after a market sensitive announcement is released to the market to allow the market time to absorb the information in the announcement. The halts lasts for approximately one hour in the case of an announcement about a takeover or merger and for approximately 10 minutes in the case of other market-sensitive announcements. You can tell if this is the reason for a trading halt because the status information about the security on the ASX website will have the notation “NR”, which stands for “Notice Received”.
ASX can also grant a trading halt or suspension at the request of a listed entity. Most typically, ASX will do this where the entity tells ASX that it is about to make a major announcement and it is not appropriate for the market to be trading without the information in the announcement.
ASX can also suspend trading in a listed entity's securities if the entity has not complied with ASX's Listing Rules or ASX otherwise deems it appropriate to do so.
Usually there will be an announcement on the ASX Market Announcements Platform at or about the time trading in an entity's securities is halted or suspended explaining the reason for the halt or suspension.
How do I get assistance logging in to the Sharemarket Game?
Please see our Sharemarket Game FAQs page for guidance.
I'm a teacher, where can I find help with the School Sharemarket Game?
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