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How to buy shares in Australia: complete beginner's guide
Ready to start buying shares? Discover how to invest in Australian, US and international shares with our market-leading platform. From opening your first trading account to picking stocks, we'll guide you through every step of the share buying process.
Start trading today. For account opening enquiries call 1800 601 799 between 9am and 6pm (AEST) weekdays, or email newaccounts.au@ig.com.
Key take aways
- Opening an account takes minutes with no minimum deposit, giving you access to over 11,000 shares worldwide
- If you open an IG Share Trading account, you can buy Australian and international shares with $0 commission (0.7% FX fee applies to international trades)1
- When you buy shares, you become a shareholder with rights to vote2 and receive dividends
How to buy shares in Australia: five simple steps
Buying shares in Australia is straightforward when you know the process. Here's exactly how to buy shares.
1. Choose your share trading platform
Select a licensed share trading platform that offers the markets you want. With IG, you can buy shares from over 11,000 Australian and international companies, including all ASX stocks and major US markets.
2. Open your trading account
Create your share trading account by completing a simple online application. You'll need basic personal details and identification to get started. Australian residents can apply for an account in minutes.
3. Fund your account
Add money to your trading account using a debit card, PayPal, Apply Pay and PayID.
4. Research and select your shares
Use our stock screener tools and market analysis to research companies before you buy. Consider factors like company fundamentals, market conditions and your investment timeframe.
5. Place your share order
Choose how many shares to buy, set your price and execute your trade.
Ready to start?
What are shares and why buy them?
Shares represent partial ownership in a company. When you buy shares, you become a shareholder with rights to vote on company decisions and receive dividends when profits are distributed.
Learn more about what shares are.
Why people buy shares in Australia
Australians buy shares for several key reasons.
Capital growth potential
Share prices can rise as companies grow and become more profitable, potentially delivering returns that outpace inflation and cash savings.
Dividend income
Many Australian companies pay regular dividends, providing ongoing income from your share investments. ASX stocks are particularly known for strong dividend yields.
Portfolio diversification
Buying shares across different sectors and countries helps spread investment risk and reduce dependence on any single asset class.
Inflation protection
Quality shares often maintain their value during inflationary periods, as companies can adjust prices to maintain profitability.
Wealth building
Long-term share investing harnesses the power of compounding, where reinvested dividends and capital gains accelerate wealth accumulation over time.
Ways to buy shares: direct ownership vs CFDs
When investing in stocks, you have two main options: buying shares directly or trading CFDs (contracts for difference).
Buying shares directly
Direct share ownership means you actually own the underlying stock. This is the traditional approach to share investing and what most people mean when they talk about 'buying shares'.
Benefits of direct share ownership
Full ownership rights including voting and dividends
No expiry dates – hold shares as long as you want
Suitable for long-term investing strategies
Potential for capital gains tax concessions on long-term holdings
Trading share CFDs
CFDs let you speculate on share price movements without owning the underlying stock.
Benefits of CFD trading
Trade with leverage for greater market exposure
Profit from falling share prices by 'going short'
Access to advanced trading tools and features
Important to note: CFD trading involves significant risk and isn't suitable for all investors. Your losses can exceed your initial investment when trading with leverage.
How much does it cost to buy shares?
Understanding the costs involved in buying shares helps you make informed investment decisions and maximise your returns.
IG share trading costs
If you open an IG Share Trading account, you can buy Australian and international shares with $0 commission (0.7% FX fee applies to international trades).3
Other costs to consider
When buying shares, you may also encounter brokerage fees from your trading platform, government charges such as stamp duty in some countries, currency conversion costs when buying international shares and market data fees for real-time information.
Choosing the right shares to buy
Successful share investing starts with picking quality companies at reasonable prices. Here's how to identify shares worth buying.
Research before you buy
Fundamental analysis examines company financials, including revenue growth, profit margins, debt levels and competitive position. Key metrics include price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, return on equity (ROE), debt-to-equity ratio and dividend yield and payout ratio.
Technical analysis studies price charts and trading patterns to identify potential entry and exit points for your share purchases.
Popular share categories
ASX blue-chip stocks: large, established Australian companies like Commonwealth Bank, BHP and CSL that offer stability and regular dividends.
Growth shares: companies with strong earnings growth potential, often in technology or emerging sectors.
Dividend shares: stocks that pay attractive, sustainable dividends for income-focused investors.
International shares: global companies listed on US, European and Asian markets for geographic diversification.
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs): diversified funds that hold many different shares, offering instant diversification for new investors. Learn more about ETF trading with our comprehensive guide.
Use our stock screener tool to filter thousands of investment opportunities by your preferred criteria.
Managing risks when buying shares
All share investing involves risk and share prices can fall as well as rise. Here's how to manage these risks effectively.
Key risks to understand
Market risk: share prices fluctuate based on market sentiment, economic conditions and company-specific factors.
Company risk: individual companies can face challenges that impact their share price, including poor management decisions, competitive threats or regulatory changes.
Currency risk: when buying international shares, exchange rate movements can affect your returns in Australian dollar terms.
Liquidity risk: some shares may be difficult to sell quickly at fair prices, particularly smaller companies
Risk management strategies
Diversification: spread your investments across different companies, sectors and geographic regions to reduce concentration risk.
Position sizing: don't invest more than you can afford to lose in any single share or sector.
Stop losses: set predetermined exit points to limit potential losses on individual positions.
Regular monitoring: stay informed about your investments and market conditions that might affect their performance.
Education: continue learning about share investing through resources like IG Academy to improve your decision-making skills.
Start buying shares with IG
IG offers one of Australia's most comprehensive share trading platforms, with access to over 11,000 domestic and international shares and ETFs.
Why choose IG for buying shares
Award-winning platform1
Winner of Best Platform for the Active Trader, Best Multi-Platform Provider, and Best Finance App at the ADVFN International Financial Awards 2024; Canstar 5-Star Outstanding Value 2024 for Online Share Trading.
Extensive market coverage
Trade from over 11,000 shares across Australian, US, UK, German and Irish markets.
Competitive pricing
If you buy shares on an IG Share Trading account, you can buy Australian and international shares with $0 commission (0.7% FX fee applies to international trades).5
Advanced tools
Professional charting, research tools and market analysis to help you make informed decisions.
After-hours trading
Access to extended trading sessions on over 140+ leading US shares.
Educational resources
Free courses and guides through IG Academy to develop your investing skills.
Getting started
Opening your share trading account takes just minutes:
- Complete our online application with basic personal details
- Fund your account
- Start buying shares from our extensive range of markets
FAQs about buying shares in Australia
How does the stock market work?
The stock market connects buyers and sellers of company shares. Share prices move based on supply and demand – if more people want to buy a share than sell it, the price rises. Companies list on stock exchanges like the ASX to raise capital from public investors.
What's the difference between buying shares and trading shares?
In Australia, 'buying shares', 'trading shares' and 'investing in shares' are used interchangeably. They all refer to purchasing company stocks for direct ownership. The main difference is timeframe – traders may buy and sell more frequently, while investors typically hold shares longer-term.
How do I find good shares to buy?
Start by researching companies in sectors you understand. Use fundamental analysis to examine financial health, growth prospects and valuation. Our share screener tool helps filter opportunities by criteria like dividend yield, market cap and price performance.
Can I buy international shares from Australia?
Yes, Australian residents can buy shares in international companies. IG offers access to major global markets including US, UK and European stocks. Consider currency risk and international tax implications when investing overseas.
How are dividends paid when I buy shares?
When you own shares directly, dividends are automatically paid into your trading account on the payment date. Australian dividends often include franking credits, which can provide tax benefits for Australian residents.
Can I buy shares outside market hours?
Standard ASX trading hours are 10:00am to 4:00pm Sydney time (AEST or AEDT, depending on daylight saving). However, IG offers extended hours trading on 140+ leading US shares, allowing you to trade when US markets are open but Australian markets are closed.
What happens if a company I own shares in goes bankrupt?
If a company becomes insolvent, shareholders are last in line to recover money after creditors and bondholders. You could lose your entire investment. This highlights the importance of diversification and research before buying shares.
Try these next
1 Best Finance App, Best Multi-Platform Provider, Best Platform for the Active Trader and Best Online Stockbroker as awarded at the ADVFN International Financial Awards 2025.
Contact
New clients
1800 601 799
newaccounts.au@ig.com
Existing clients
1800 601 734
helpdesk.au@ig.com
Lines open
24/7 except 6am to 12pm Saturdays (AEST)
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Disclaimers
- CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You do not own or have any interest in the underlying asset. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Please consider the Margin Trading Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), Risk Disclosure Notice and Target Market Determination before entering into any CFD transaction with us.
- The value of shares, ETFs and ETCs bought through an IG share trading account can fall as well as rise, which could mean getting back less than you originally put in. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
- Please ensure you fully understand the risks and take care to manage your exposure.
- The information on this website is prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consequently, you should consider the information in light of your objectives, financial situation and needs.
- This website is operated by IG Australia Pty Ltd. IG Australia Pty Ltd is located on Level 32, Queen & Collins, 376-390 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000. ABN 93 096 585 410, Australian Financial Services Licence No. 515106. Derivatives Issuer Licence in New Zealand FSP No. 684191, NZBN 9429047618251.