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If your question does not appear here, please feel welcome to call us on 1300 0 BELLS (1300 023 557) or contact us.

Who can open an account?
An Australian resident who is over 18 or an international individual. A limited company, trust, superannuation fund or registered charity.

How do I open an account?
When you are ready to make your first purchase or sale contact us on 1300 0 BELLS (1300 0 23557). We can open an account for you the same day as your request.

What information will I need to open an account?
We will need to take your full name, address and date of birth. We will also need you to complete anti-money laundering documentation and provide photo identification.

I wish to trade on an account that is not in my name, how do I go about it?
If you want to give trading rights to another party you will need to complete a Third Party Authority Form which can be obtained from a Bell Potter adviser. If you are not an existing client, we require identification from you for anti-money laundering purposes.

I live overseas, can I open an account with you?
Yes, in accordance with the Anti‑Money Laundering and Counter‑Terrorism Financing Act 2006, we will require evidence of your overseas address such as utility bills or bank statements in English before you can trade. We will also require your Tax File Number (TFN – AUS residents only). If you do not have one, we will require your date and place of birth, which will need verifying from your passport or other official identity card.

I have an account with another broker and wish to transfer to Bell Potter, how do I go about it?
You need to complete a broker transfer form which allows you to transfer your assets into a new or existing Bell Potter account.

How can I update my shareholding address?
Follow the below process, or contact us and we will help you.

  1. Go to your company’s page on the ASX website
  2. Find the name of the share registry your company uses eg: Computershare or Link Market Services
  3. Google for the share registry’s website and then find their Investor Centre
  4. Select Holding Inquiry and enter your shareholding details to login online (HIN or SRN followed by your postcode)
  5. Follow the links to update you shareholding address
  6. Contact your adviser to update your Bell Potter account

How do I get information about the company in which I invest?
There are a number of ways you can do this; firstly you can access your shareholding online at the relevant share registry website to register for announcements, updates and other communications from the Company you are invested in. Go to the ASX website and search the Company’s profile page. Visit the Company’s website. Our experienced advisers are happy to provide you with further research and analysis of the companies you have invested with. Call us 1300 0 BELLS (1300 0 23557).

What price will I get for my shares?
The exact price you will receive for your shares depends on where the stock is trading at the time of your sale. For a 20 minute delayed price quote you can visit the company’s page on the ASX website.

How do I tell if my shares are CHESS or Issuer sponsored?
If your shares are in a stockbroking account they will be CHESS sponsored to your broking account HIN (Holder Identification Number). A HIN is a 10 digit number beginning with an ‘X’. If your shares are not in a stockbroking account, they will instead be Issuer Sponsored at whichever share registry is used by the company you have shares in. Issuer sponsored shares have an SRN (Security Reference Number), a nine or ten digit number beginning with an ‘I’.

How do I sell my shares?
A Bell Potter adviser will be able to execute your trade on your behalf. Call us on 1300 0 BELLS (1300 0 23557).

How secure is the information I provide to you? Who else can view what?
Bell Potter understands that privacy is important to you. We are subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) which governs, among other things, how private sector organisations handle personal information. For more information, click here.

When will I receive the money for my shares?
Once we receive your ID and signed share sale form the stock will usually be sold within 1-2 business days. The ASX works to 2 day settlement, meaning funds will be in your linked bank account 2 business days after the shares have been sold. You will also receive an email trade confirmation on the day the shares are sold.