SelfWealth Review Australia (2026): Fees, Features & Is It Worth It?
SelfWealth has built a strong reputation in Australia as a low-cost, CHESS-sponsored share trading platform. With its simple flat-fee brokerage model, it's attracted a large following among self-directed investors who don't want to pay percentage-based commissions. But is SelfWealth still the right choice in 2026? This review covers everything you need to know.
What Is SelfWealth?
SelfWealth is an Australian online share trading platform that lets you buy and sell ASX-listed shares, ETFs, and US stocks. It's known for its flat brokerage fee model and for offering CHESS sponsorship on ASX trades, meaning shares are held in your name directly rather than in a custodial account.
SelfWealth Fees in 2026
- ASX trades: $9.50 flat brokerage per trade, regardless of trade size
- US stock trades: US$9.50 per trade
- No monthly account fees
- No inactivity fees
- Currency conversion fee: ~0.60% of transaction value for US trades
The flat fee makes SelfWealth particularly competitive for larger trades. A $5,000 trade at $9.50 is 0.19% brokerage — far lower than CommSec's $19.95 for the same amount (0.40%).
CHESS Sponsorship: Why It Matters
CHESS sponsorship means your ASX shares are held directly in your name on the ASX register. If SelfWealth were to face financial difficulty, your shares are yours — not the broker's assets. You receive a Holder Identification Number (HIN) for your portfolio and can transfer CHESS-sponsored shares to another broker without selling.
SelfWealth Platform Features
- ASX shares, ETFs, and US stocks
- Watchlists and price alerts
- Portfolio tracker
- Community feature (anonymised portfolio data)
- Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) support
SelfWealth vs Competitors
- vs CommSec: SelfWealth is significantly cheaper for trades above $1,000.
- vs Pearler: Pearler charges $6.50/trade with autoinvest — better for passive ETF investors. SelfWealth suits more active traders.
- vs Stake: Stake offers zero-brokerage US trading but no CHESS ASX sponsorship.
Pros of SelfWealth
- Flat $9.50 brokerage — transparent and competitive
- CHESS sponsorship on all ASX trades
- No monthly or inactivity fees
- Both ASX and US market access in one place
Cons of SelfWealth
- $9.50 is expensive for very small trades
- Currency conversion fees apply for US trades
- No managed funds or bonds
- No fractional shares for US stocks
Is SelfWealth Worth It in 2026?
For self-directed ASX investors making trades of $1,000+, SelfWealth remains one of Australia's best value platforms. The flat fee is fair, CHESS sponsorship adds a layer of security, and the lack of monthly fees means there's no penalty for inactivity. Highly recommended for its target audience.
General information only, not personal financial advice.