SelfWealth Review 2026 — Low-Cost CHESS Broker Australia

SelfWealth is an ASX-listed Australian online broker offering flat-fee brokerage at $9.50 per trade — regardless of trade size. Unlike percentage-based or tiered brokers, SelfWealth’s flat fee makes it particularly cost-effective for larger individual trades. It is CHESS sponsored, meaning shares are held directly in your name, and offers access to ASX shares, ETFs, and US markets.

SelfWealth at a Glance

Brokerage Fees

SelfWealth’s flat $9.50 makes it significantly cheaper than CommSec ($19.95) for trades between $1,000 and $25,000. For small trades under $1,000, CommSec’s $10 fee is slightly cheaper. For large trades, SelfWealth’s flat fee provides strong value.

For investors making lump sum or larger individual trades, SelfWealth is markedly more competitive.

CHESS Sponsorship

SelfWealth is fully CHESS sponsored — shares are registered in the investor’s name via HIN. This is one of SelfWealth’s clear advantages over custodian-model platforms like Stake and some versions of Superhero. See CHESS vs Custodian.

SelfWealth Features

• Flat fee simplicity: $9.50 per trade, no tiering, no surprises
• Peer benchmarking: SelfWealth’s community feature lets users compare portfolio returns against other SelfWealth investors (anonymised)
• US market access: Trade US-listed stocks and ETFs at USD $9.50 per trade
• Portfolio dashboard: Holdings, performance tracking, dividend history
• No auto-invest: SelfWealth does not offer automatic investment scheduling (unlike Pearler)

SelfWealth for ETF Investors

At $9.50 flat, SelfWealth is competitive for ETF investors making moderate to large trades. However, Superhero’s $2 flat fee for ETF trades is notably cheaper for small to medium purchases. For investors contributing $1,000–$5,000 per trade, SelfWealth strikes a reasonable balance between cost and CHESS-sponsored safety.

SelfWealth Pros and Cons

Pros

• Flat $9.50 brokerage — simple and predictable
• CHESS sponsored — shares held directly in your name
• ASX-listed company (additional transparency layer)
• US market access at flat USD fee
• Peer benchmarking community

Cons

• No automatic investment / DCA feature
• $9.50 is more expensive than Superhero ($2 for ETFs) or Pearler ($6.50)
• No fractional shares
• Research tools less comprehensive than CommSec
• $500 minimum ASX trade

Who Is SelfWealth Best For?

SelfWealth suits:

• Investors making individual trades of $2,000+ who want CHESS sponsorship at a flat fee
• Investors who want a credible, ASX-listed broker at lower cost than CommSec
• US share investors wanting flat-rate access without percentage fees

Superhero and Pearler may be better for smaller regular investors or those wanting auto-invest.

Related Articles

• CommSec vs SelfWealth
• Superhero vs Pearler
• CHESS vs Custodian Explained
• Brokerage Fees Comparison Australia
• Best Broker for ASX Shares
• Share Trading Platforms hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SelfWealth safe? SelfWealth is an ASX-listed company (SWF) operating under an AFSL regulated by ASIC. Client shares are CHESS sponsored (held in the investor’s name), and client cash is held in a trust account separate from SelfWealth’s own funds.

Does SelfWealth charge inactivity fees? SelfWealth does not charge monthly or inactivity fees on standard accounts.

Can SelfWealth access international ETFs? SelfWealth provides access to US-listed securities including US ETFs (e.g., VTI, VOO). Note that many US-domiciled ETFs are not available to Australian retail investors due to ASIC/KIID requirements — ASX-listed equivalents (VGS, IVV-ASX) are generally preferable for Australian residents.

This article provides general financial information only. SelfWealth fees and features described are as of the date of publication and may have changed. For advice tailored to your situation, speak with a licensed financial adviser. You can find one through the ASIC financial advisers register or MoneySmart.