From 4 trades to 40,000: How 30 years of CommSec has shaped Aussie investing

When CommSec launched on 17 July 1995, just four trades were placed via telephone and fax, at $75 each. Investing was slow and largely reserved for the few who had the time, knowledge, and access.

But that day marked the beginning of a shift that would help reshape how Australians engage with financial markets. Fast forward to today, and investors can trade on the bus to work with the tap of their phone.

“Many younger investors would find it hard to imagine what it was like buying and selling shares 30 years ago. Back in the early ‘90s, investing wasn’t exactly easy. Picture having to put in a call to a stockbroker, sometimes even fax orders, fill out reams of paperwork, and then wait for what felt like weeks for your share certificate to arrive,” said CommSec’s Executive General Manger James Fowle. 

"In 2025, that same process now takes a matter of seconds and you can do it straight from your mobile."

CommSec’s vision 30 years ago was to make the stock market easy, accessible and affordable. 

Three decades later, CommSec customers now execute around 40,000 trades daily, with the average value of shares bought and sold on the platform reaching $575 million each day. In the past 30 years, CommSec has completed nearly 160 million orders, worth more than $2.5 trillion – roughly the equivalent size of Australia’s economy.

CommSec’s journey in many ways mirrors the broader evolution of investing in Australia, moving from the margins to the mainstream and becoming a core part of how Australians build wealth.

Through a commitment to empower more Australians to grow their wealth, CommSec has helped transform how Aussies invest.

"Over the past 30 years, CommSec has played a critical role in shaping the way Australians invest. Whether a first-time investor or seasoned portfolio builder, we’ve always pathed new ground to make investing more accessible to all Australians through innovation and education. Trust is key to who we are and I’m thankful to the millions of Australians who continue to trust us to grow their wealth,” said Fowle.

The evolution of investing 

CommSec’s path to becoming Australia’s leading online broker has transpired largely due to the platform’s ability to meet the evolving needs of investors.

In 1997, CommSec became the first Australian broker to launch a share trading website, paving the way for a digital trading future. 

By 2001, around 80 percent of CommSec’s trades were being placed online, mirroring a broader trend: Australians wanted more control, more transparency, and more speed when they invested. 

In 2008, CommSec launched Australia's first iPhone trading app, making trading accessible to Aussies with a smartphone.  And in 2019, CommSec Pocket was launched – a low cost, simple investing app that aims to empower more Australians to start their investing journey. 

Fast forward to today, and nearly 50 per cent of trades are made via mobile. 

Over the years, market participation has also grown across demographics as government privatisations, the rise of self-managed super funds (SMSFs), the popularity of exchange traded funds (ETFs), and the increasing use of mobile apps have all contributed to a more engaged and informed investor base.

Ten years ago, 20 per cent of CommSec’s customers were under 40 – today, that number has more than doubled to 43 per cent. Meanwhile, the percentage of female investors on CommSec has almost tripled in the past 5 years. 

“Markets have become more dynamic, and so have investors,” said Tom Piotrowski, CommSec’s long-time market analyst.

“We’ve gone from a world where people waited for the morning paper to receive market news, to one where they’re trading on their phones during a lunch break. Now we’re pushing out a daily podcast and educating our customers on TikTok. That shift has been extraordinary to witness.”

Not only that, CommSec has taken great strides in making investing more accessible through education. Initiatives like CommSec Learn offers tips to beginners, while the CommSec Invest podcast breaks down the fundamentals of investing. Also, bite sized content is delivered through channels like Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

A trusted partner through volatility 

From bull markets to the GFC, CommSec has supported customers through the uncertainty and volatility of the market.

In CommSec’s 30-year history, the top 10 trading days have all occurred over the last 5 years.

“Covid really changed the market - the number of first-time traders has more than doubled since February 2020,” said Fowle.

“The introduction of tariffs by President Trump on April 2 rattled global financial markets, with the three-day drop in the S&P 500 being one of the worst market sell-offs since World War II, while the ASX witnessed its biggest one-day drop since 2020. In fact, April 7 was CommSec’s largest trading day in three years, with the team processing over $1.4 billion in trades.

“What makes me proud is not just how we responded to the high and low moments like these; but how over three decades, CommSec has remained a trusted partner for Australians on their investment journey.”

Looking forward to the future

As technology continues to evolve at an ever-accelerating pace, CommSec is committed to remaining at the forefront of innovation to help more Aussies invest and grow their wealth.

“The Australian stock market is poised for continued evolution, with technology playing a central role in shaping trading practices and investor engagement,” Fowle said.

“I’m incredibly proud that CommSec, 30 years on, continues to make investing easy, accessible and affordable. As innovation continues to accelerate, we are well positioned to continue to harness new technologies to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

30 Years of CommSec by the Numbers

Australian Markets Since 1995

• The ASX All Ordinaries Accumulation Index has risen 335%
• Average NSW house prices have increased by 751%
• CBA’s share price has grown from $9.34 (30/6/95) to $184.75 (30/6/25), a 1878% increase
• Wealth per capita has surged from $96,810 to $810,000

CommSec Firsts

• July 1995: First direct broker 
• 1997: First free live share price quotes 
• November 2003: First retail Stop Loss order 
• July 2008: First Financial Services iPhone App 

Average number of trades

• Four trades on day 1
• 10,000 trades per day by 2002
• 40,000 /$575m per day by 2025

Method of Trading

• Telephone and Fax only on launch 31 July 1995 ($75 per trade) 
• Internet access was offered in October 1996, providing information only. Trading started March 1997. 80% of trades made online by 2001

Top trading days

• 2020 and 2021 dominate the top five biggest trading days showing the impacts of COVID.
• The sixth biggest trading day was on 7 April 2025, following the announcement of U.S. tariffs. 
   

Stocks over time 

Top 5 stocks: 25 June 1995 

1. BHP
2. News Corp
3. NAB
4. CRA 
5. WBC  

Top 5 Stocks: 26 June 2025  

1. CBA 
2. BHP
3. Rio Tinto 
4. NAB 
5. CSL 

CommSec customers 

Percentage of customers under 40: 

• Now: 39.80% 
• 5 years ago: 25.57% 
• 10 years ago: 20.19% 
• 30 years ago: 26.42% 

Percentage of female customers with holdings: 

• Now: 27.46% 
• 3 years ago: 12.62% 
• 5 years ago: 10.60% 

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