Frequently Asked Questions

Betashares Direct is the new investing platform designed to help you build wealth, your way. You can learn more about Betashares, Betashares Direct, the Early Access period, and more in our frequently asked questions below.

General/About
Getting started
Accounts
Investing
Autopilot
Fees
Tax
Security & privacy
ETF transfers
How does Betashares protect my account and personal data?

The security of your Betashares Direct account is very important to us. We have implemented robust measures to safeguard your account and sensitive personal information:

• You are verified by email when your account is created and each time you login
• We will notify you when a new login is detected, highlighting the time of login and device used.
• For mobile, access to your account is secured with a unique passcode. If your device supports it, you can use Face ID for quick and secure access.
• Data, including personal information data, is encrypted to prevent external attackers accessing unencrypted data and protect against data breaches.
• Protections in place if your Betashares Direct account is shared on screen sharing tools typically used in phishing attempts.

If you have any security or privacy concerns relating to Betashares Direct, please contact Customer Support through the live chat feature, via email [email protected], or over the phone 1300 202 738.

What is Betashares Direct?

Betashares Direct is a new investing platform designed to help you build wealth, your way.

With Betashares Direct you can invest in ETFs traded on the ASX with zero brokerage. You can set up recurring investments and cost-effectively automate your investing strategy by accessing professionally constructed pre-built portfolios or build-your-own custom portfolios, all with streamlined, personalised performance and tax reporting to make your investments simple to administer and manage.

*Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement for more information on interest retained by Betashares on cash balances and AutoPilot portfolio fees..

How do I open a Betashares Direct account?

It takes just a few minutes to open an account with Betashares Direct.

Simply download the Betashares Direct app for your iOS device via the App Store or for Android via Google Play. You can then sign-up and register for an account by providing:

• Your email address,
• Your name, date of birth, and address (as they appear on your ID)

If we are unable to verify your identity from the information provided above, we may ask for additional information including:

• A current Australian Driver’s Licence, or
• An Australian passport or international passport within three years of its expiry date.

What if I don’t have a passport or driver’s licence?

If you don’t have a current Australian Driver’s Licence or a valid passport, our customer support team will assist you through live chat or via email ([email protected]) by asking for documents such as your Medicare card, bank statements, or utility bills.

To comply with Australian AML/CTF laws and AUSTRAC guidelines, Betashares is obliged to collect certain personal details to open a Betashares Direct account for you. This includes your legal name, date of birth, address, and sources of wealth.

Is Betashares Direct available for SMSFs, Trusts and Companies?

Betashares Direct will be open to SMSF and Trust accounts soon.

What are the investment options on Betashares Direct?

Betashares Direct currently offers access to the following investment options:

• ETFs traded on the ASX or Cboe Australia with zero brokerage
• AutoPilot portfolios - automated investing allowing you to:

• invest in a range of professionally constructed pre-built portfolios to suit different risk/return profiles and investment strategies
• build your own custom ETF portfolio (up to a maximum 10 ETFs) to suit your own goals and financial circumstances.
• set up recurring investments into one or more ETFs of your choosing

What are AutoPilot Portfolios?

AutoPilot Portfolios let you easily and efficiently automate your investing strategy. The benefits of AutoPilot Portfolios include:

• Make recurring or one-off investments from your bank account directly into your Autopilot portfolio
• Choose from diversified pre-built portfolios, or customise your own investment strategy
• Instantly top up your AutoPilot Portfolio direct from your Cash Wallet
• Your investments into AutoPilot are made automatically according to your chosen portfolio’s strategy
• Automatic monitoring and rebalancing of your portfolio
• Automatic reinvestment of your distributions
• Low monthly fees with zero brokerage

What are the fees and costs for using Betashares Direct?

Betashares Direct aims to keep your costs low, to help you maximise your investment returns over the long-term.

No brokerage fees apply for investing in, or selling, ETFs using Betashares Direct.

If you decide to automate your investing using an AutoPilot Portfolio (pre-built portfolios or custom portfolios), low monthly portfolio fees apply. These portfolio fees don't apply to an AutoPilot custom portfolio with a single Betashares ETF.

Interest income received on the cash balance in your Cash Wallet is retained by Betashares, this amount is not directly deducted from your Betashares Direct account. No minimum cash balance applies to your Cash Wallet.

No other account or transaction fees apply to your Betashares Direct account.

Consistent with Betashares philosophy and focus on helping clients build long term wealth, Betashares Direct is subject to a fair use policy, to ensure the platform is not used in an excessive manner.

For more information on the above fees and costs, please refer to the Product Disclosure Statement

Do I need to be an Australian tax resident to invest on Betashares Direct?

Yes, currently Betashares Direct is only available to Australian tax residents. This means you must be able to provide an Australian residential address as a part of the onboarding requirements.

When you make your first deposit into your Betashares Direct account, you will also be asked if you are a tax resident of any other country.If so, you will be asked to provide your Tax Identification Number (TIN) for that country.

If you are a tax resident of the United States (as well as Australia) the field to enter your TIN will be mandatory because we are required to collect this under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).

What do I need before I transfer my ETF holdings from another account to Betashares Direct?

What do I need before I transfer my ETF holdings from another account to Betashares Direct?
It can take less than five minutes to submit your portfolio transfer if you have the required information at hand. You don't need to submit any paperwork - the process is completed online.Before you start, make sure you have:
• details of the other account that you’ll be transferring your holdings from, including your HIN or SRN
• details of the ETF holdings to be transferred, including ASX code, the quantity you want to transfer and (if available) the cost price and purchase date of the relevant holdings
• the photo ID for each account holder.

Who is Betashares?

Betashares is a leading Australian fund manager, with a focus on exchange traded funds (ETFs). Established in 2009 with the vision of enabling every Australian to financially progress, we serve over 1 million investors and thousands of financial advisers, managing more than $37 billion in assets.

Learn more about Betashares here.

I’m a financial adviser, how can I make use of Betashares Direct?

Betashares Direct is currently for self-directed investors. Financial advisers continue to be a core focus of our business and we are actively exploring functionality that will enable financial professionals to work with their clients on the platform, as well as a financial adviser referral program for investors with more complex needs. If you would like to provide feedback into what adviser specific features would be of most value, we encourage you to contact us. Financial advisers are also able to register for Betashares Direct accounts as individual investors.

Do I own my investments held on Betashares Direct?

You are the beneficial owner of the investments held in your Betashares Direct account. As the beneficial owner, you retain the rights to distributions paid on your investments. You have the sole right to dispose of (sell) your investments.

All investments are held on a pooled basis by the custodian of Betashares Direct. Betashares has appointed Citigroup Pty Ltd as the custodian to hold investments on Betashares’ behalf.

When you open a Betashares Direct account, a Cash Wallet will be opened for you. The cash in your Cash Wallet will be pooled with the cash balance of other investors, and held in one or more Australian bank accounts operated by the custodian.

Do platform fees apply to your individual ETF holdings on Betashares Direct?

No platform fees apply to individual ETFs held in your Betashares Direct account (i.e the ETFs held outside an AutoPilot Portfolio).

Interest income received on the cash balance in your Cash Wallet is currently retained by Betashares. This amount is not directly deducted from your Betashares Direct account. No minimum cash balance applies to your Cash Wallet.

For more information on the above fees and costs, please refer to the Product Disclosure Statement

How does Betashares Direct help me with tax reporting?

Betashares Direct has been built to significantly simplify tax time for you.

At the end of each financial year, Betashares will automatically provide you with a single annual tax statement relating to all your investments in Betashares Direct. This includes gains and losses from ETFs bought and sold over the last financial year, income received from ETF distributions, and the consolidated report of all the tax attributes associated with your ETF holdings on Betashares Direct. You will be able to use this document, or send to your accountant to facilitate efficient preparation of your tax return.

In addition, information from your Betashares Direct annual tax statement will be provided to the ATO, who will use it to pre-fill your tax return on myGov account.

The Betashares Invest Tax Guide is also available to accompany the annual tax statement which may also assist you or your tax agent with the preparation of your tax return.

How do I transfer ETF holdings from another account to Betashares Direct?

It’s a simple process to transfer your holdings from another account to Betashares Direct.

1. Log in to Betashares Direct, click on Profile and then Transfer request
2. Enter the details of your other account
3. Enter details of the holdings you want to transfer
4. Upload photo ID e.g. driver’s licence or passport
5. Review, digitally sign and submit.
We take care of the rest.

Is transferring ETF holdings from another account to my Betashares Direct account a CGT event?

As long as there is no change in beneficial ownership, the transfer of holdings from your other account to your Betashares Direct account should not trigger a capital gains tax (CGT) event.
We recommend you obtain independent professional taxation advice to confirm the taxation implications of transferring your holdings.

Do I need to contact the other account provider or broker I am transferring my holdings from?

No, we will arrange with your other account provider to process the transfer after you submit the transfer request.

How much does it cost to transfer ETF holdings to Betashares Direct?

We do not charge a fee to transfer holdings into your Betashares Direct account from another account.
Your other account provider may charge fees- be sure to check before you submit the transfer request.

Can I transfer shares?

No. Betashares currently only supports the transfer of exchange traded products traded on Australian exchanges that are accessible via Betashares Direct.

How long does it take to transfer holdings from another platform/broker?

Holdings will generally be transferred to your Betashares Direct account within 7 business days of submitting your transfer request.
Transfers may sometimes be delayed due to circumstances outside our control e.g. issues or delays with the account provider you are transferring your holdings from.

Will my performance and CGT reporting be affected when I transfer my ETF holdings to my Betashares Direct account?

When you request to transfer your ETF holdings to Betashares Direct, you can record the individual cost price of each holding to ensure your capital gains tax (CGT) and performance reporting is accurate.
If you don’t provide this information, the cost price of the holdings you transfer will be taken to be the prevailing market price at the time the relevant holdings are transferred into your Betashares Direct account, and the purchase date will be the date on which the relevant holdings are transferred.

I’m a broker or account provider looking to process a transfer of ETF holdings to Betashares Direct submitted by a customer. Where do I send my request?

You can email us at [email protected] to initiate such a transfer, and we can work with you to complete the process.

How much does it cost to transfer ETF holdings out of Betashares Direct?

Betashares Direct charges a fee of $9.50 per security to transfer your investments out of your Betashares Direct account to another account in your name. Such a request will need to be initiated with the provider of your other account.
Note that any part units (being fractional interests that don’t make up a whole unit) held within your Betashares Direct Account can not be transferred to another account. You can realise the value of any part units you hold by selling them.

What is Betashares Direct?

Betashares Direct is a new investing platform designed to help you build wealth, your way.

With Betashares Direct you can invest in ETFs traded on the ASX with zero brokerage. You can set up recurring investments and cost-effectively automate your investing strategy by accessing professionally constructed pre-built portfolios or build-your-own custom portfolios, all with streamlined, personalised performance and tax reporting to make your investments simple to administer and manage.

*Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement for more information on interest retained by Betashares on cash balances and AutoPilot portfolio fees..

Who is Betashares?

Betashares is a leading Australian fund manager, with a focus on exchange traded funds (ETFs). Established in 2009 with the vision of enabling every Australian to financially progress, we serve over 1 million investors and thousands of financial advisers, managing more than $37 billion in assets.

Learn more about Betashares here.

How do I open a Betashares Direct account?

It takes just a few minutes to open an account with Betashares Direct.

Simply download the Betashares Direct app for your iOS device via the App Store or for Android via Google Play. You can then sign-up and register for an account by providing:

• Your email address,
• Your name, date of birth, and address (as they appear on your ID)

If we are unable to verify your identity from the information provided above, we may ask for additional information including:

• A current Australian Driver’s Licence, or
• An Australian passport or international passport within three years of its expiry date.

What if I don’t have a passport or driver’s licence?

If you don’t have a current Australian Driver’s Licence or a valid passport, our customer support team will assist you through live chat or via email ([email protected]) by asking for documents such as your Medicare card, bank statements, or utility bills.

To comply with Australian AML/CTF laws and AUSTRAC guidelines, Betashares is obliged to collect certain personal details to open a Betashares Direct account for you. This includes your legal name, date of birth, address, and sources of wealth.

What are the investment options on Betashares Direct?

Betashares Direct currently offers access to the following investment options:

• ETFs traded on the ASX or Cboe Australia with zero brokerage
• AutoPilot portfolios - automated investing allowing you to:• invest in a range of professionally constructed pre-built portfolios to suit different risk/return profiles and investment strategies
• build your own custom ETF portfolio (up to a maximum 10 ETFs) to suit your own goals and financial circumstances.
• set up recurring investments into one or more ETFs of your choosing

What are AutoPilot Portfolios?

AutoPilot Portfolios let you easily and efficiently automate your investing strategy. The benefits of AutoPilot Portfolios include:

• Make recurring or one-off investments from your bank account directly into your Autopilot portfolio
• Choose from diversified pre-built portfolios, or customise your own investment strategy
• Instantly top up your AutoPilot Portfolio direct from your Cash Wallet
• Your investments into AutoPilot are made automatically according to your chosen portfolio’s strategy
• Automatic monitoring and rebalancing of your portfolio
• Automatic reinvestment of your distributions
• Low monthly fees with zero brokerage

How does Betashares protect my account and personal data?

The security of your Betashares Direct account is very important to us. We have implemented robust measures to safeguard your account and sensitive personal information:

• You are verified by email when your account is created and each time you login
• We will notify you when a new login is detected, highlighting the time of login and device used.
• For mobile, access to your account is secured with a unique passcode. If your device supports it, you can use Face ID for quick and secure access.
• Data, including personal information data, is encrypted to prevent external attackers accessing unencrypted data and protect against data breaches.
• Protections in place if your Betashares Direct account is shared on screen sharing tools typically used in phishing attempts.

If you have any security or privacy concerns relating to Betashares Direct, please contact Customer Support through the live chat feature, via email [email protected], or over the phone 1300 202 738.

Is Betashares Direct available on Web?

Not right now, but access via Web will be available in the near future.

Is Betashares Direct available for SMSFs, Trusts and Companies?

Betashares Direct will be open to SMSF and Trust accounts soon.

Do I own my investments held on Betashares Direct?

You are the beneficial owner of the investments held in your Betashares Direct account. As the beneficial owner, you retain the rights to distributions paid on your investments. You have the sole right to dispose of (sell) your investments.

All investments are held on a pooled basis by the custodian of Betashares Direct. Betashares has appointed Citigroup Pty Ltd as the custodian to hold investments on Betashares’ behalf.

‍When you open a Betashares Direct account, a Cash Wallet will be opened for you. The cash in your Cash Wallet will be pooled with the cash balance of other investors, and held in one or more Australian bank accounts operated by the custodian.

Do I need to be an Australian tax resident to invest on Betashares Direct?

Yes, currently Betashares Direct is only available to Australian tax residents. This means you must be able to provide an Australian residential address as a part of the onboarding requirements.

When you make your first deposit into your Betashares Direct account, you will also be asked if you are a tax resident of any other country. If so, you will be asked to provide your Tax Identification Number (TIN) for that country.

If you are a tax resident of the United States (as well as Australia) the field to enter your TIN will be mandatory because we are required to collect this under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).

How does Betashares Direct help me with tax reporting?

Betashares Direct has been built to significantly simplify tax time for you.

At the end of each financial year, Betashares will automatically provide you with a single annual tax statement relating to all your investments in Betashares Direct. This includes gains and losses from ETFs bought and sold over the last financial year, income received from ETF distributions, and the consolidated report of all the tax attributes associated with your ETF holdings on Betashares Direct. You will be able to use this document, or send to your accountant to facilitate efficient preparation of your tax return.

In addition, information from your Betashares Direct annual tax statement will be provided to the ATO, who will use it to pre-fill your tax return on myGov account.

The Betashares Invest Tax Guide is also available to accompany the annual tax statement which may also assist you or your tax agent with the preparation of your tax return.

What are the fees and costs for using Betashares Direct?

Betashares Direct aims to keep your costs low, to help you maximise your investment returns over the long-term.

No brokerage fees apply for investing in, or selling, ETFs using Betashares Direct.

If you decide to automate your investing using an AutoPilot Portfolio (pre-built portfolios or custom portfolios), low monthly portfolio fees apply. These portfolio fees don't apply to an AutoPilot custom portfolio with a single Betashares ETF.

Interest income received on the cash balance in your Cash Wallet is retained by Betashares, this amount is not directly deducted from your Betashares Direct account. No minimum cash balance applies to your Cash Wallet.

No other account or transaction fees apply to your Betashares Direct account.

Consistent with Betashares philosophy and focus on helping clients build long term wealth, Betashares Direct is subject to a fair use policy, to ensure the platform is not used in an excessive manner.

For more information on the above fees and costs, please refer to the Product Disclosure Statement

Do platform fees apply to your individual ETF holdings on Betashares Direct?

No platform fees apply to individual ETFs held in your Betashares Direct account (i.e the ETFs held outside an AutoPilot Portfolio).

Interest income received on the cash balance in your Cash Wallet is currently retained by Betashares. This amount is not directly deducted from your Betashares Direct account. No minimum cash balance applies to your Cash Wallet.

For more information on the above fees and costs, please refer to the Product Disclosure Statement

I’m a financial adviser, how can I make use of Betashares Direct?

Betashares Direct is currently for self-directed investors. Financial advisers continue to be a core focus of our business and we are actively exploring functionality that will enable financial professionals to work with their clients on the platform, as well as a financial adviser referral program for investors with more complex needs. If you would like to provide feedback into what adviser specific features would be of most value, we encourage you to contact us. Financial advisers are also able to register for Betashares Direct accounts as individual investors.

What do I need before I transfer my ETF holdings from another account to Betashares Direct?

What do I need before I transfer my ETF holdings from another account to Betashares Direct?
It can take less than five minutes to submit your portfolio transfer if you have the required information at hand. You don't need to submit any paperwork - the process is completed online.
Before you start, make sure you have:
• details of the other account that you’ll be transferring your holdings from, including your HIN or SRN
• details of the ETF holdings to be transferred, including ASX code, the quantity you want to transfer and (if available) the cost price and purchase date of the relevant holdings
• the photo ID for each account holder.

How do I transfer ETF holdings from another account to Betashares Direct?

It’s a simple process to transfer your holdings from another account to Betashares Direct.
1. Log in to Betashares Direct, click on Profile and then Transfer request
2. Enter the details of your other account
3. Enter details of the holdings you want to transfer
4. Upload photo ID e.g. driver’s licence or passport
5. Review, digitally sign and submit.
We take care of the rest.

Do I need to contact the other account provider or broker I am transferring my holdings from?

No, we will arrange with your other account provider to process the transfer after you submit the transfer request.

How much does it cost to transfer ETF holdings to Betashares Direct?

We do not charge a fee to transfer holdings into your Betashares Direct account from another account.  
Your other account provider may charge fees- be sure to check before you submit the transfer request.

Can I transfer shares?

No. Betashares currently only supports the transfer of exchange traded products traded on Australian exchanges that are accessible via Betashares Direct.

How long does it take to transfer holdings from another platform/broker?

Holdings will generally be transferred to your Betashares Direct account within 7 business days of submitting your transfer request. 
Transfers may sometimes be delayed due to circumstances outside our control e.g. issues or delays with the account provider you are transferring your holdings from.

Is transferring ETF holdings from another account to my Betashares Direct account a CGT event?

As long as there is no change in beneficial ownership, the transfer of holdings from your other account to your Betashares Direct account should not trigger a capital gains tax (CGT) event. We recommend you obtain independent professional taxation advice to confirm the taxation implications of transferring your holdings.

Will my performance and CGT reporting be affected when I transfer my ETF holdings to my Betashares Direct account?

When you request to transfer your ETF holdings to Betashares Direct, you can record the individual cost price of each holding to ensure your capital gains tax (CGT) and performance reporting is accurate. 
If you don’t provide this information, the cost price of the holdings you transfer will be taken to be the prevailing market price at the time the relevant holdings are transferred into your Betashares Direct account, and the purchase date will be the date on which the relevant holdings are transferred.

How do I transfer ETF holdings from Betashares Direct to another account?

If you wish to transfer investments held in your Betashares Direct account to another account in your name, you'll need to initiate this request through the provider of your other account. Your other account provider may charge fees - be sure to check before you submit the transfer request. 
Note that any part units (being fractional interests that don’t make up a whole unit) held within your Betashares Direct Account can not be transferred to another account. You can realise the value of any part units you hold by selling them. 
If you have any general queries or need assistance with the transfer process, you can contact us at [email protected].
We're here to help with any concerns or questions you may have.

I’m a broker or account provider looking to process a transfer of ETF holdings to Betashares Direct submitted by a customer. Where do I send my request?

You can email us at [email protected] to initiate such a transfer, and we can work with you to complete the process.

How much does it cost to transfer ETF holdings out of Betashares Direct?

Betashares Direct charges a fee of $9.50 per security to transfer your investments out of your Betashares Direct account to another account in your name. Such a request will need to be initiated with the provider of your other account. 
Note that any part units (being fractional interests that don’t make up a whole unit) held within your Betashares Direct Account can not be transferred to another account. You can realise the value of any part units you hold by selling them.

Still have questions?

Access support your way: whether it be live chat, email, or phone, our expert Australian-based support team is here to help.

Contact Support
Address
Level 6, 50 Margaret St, Sydney NSW 2000
Contact
1300 487 577
[email protected]