{"id":121640,"date":"2026-01-22T03:07:40","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T03:07:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/?p=121640"},"modified":"2026-08-03T06:49:29","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T06:49:29","slug":"how-to-buy-us-shares-in-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/how-to-buy-us-shares-in-australia\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Buy US Shares In Australia (The Fees Most Investors Miss)"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 5<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\n

ASX stock gains have been moderate, with most ASX200 indexes recording 10-15% over the past few years. The NASDAQ, meanwhile, has been ripping along (gaining over 30% across the same timespan), tempting many Aussies to buy US shares.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, many Australians feel intimidated by the prospect of buying US stocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is why I created this quickstart guide, based on my own personal experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My portfolio is roughly 80% US stocks, and I have exposure to most Magnificent Seven megacaps<\/a> (although their momentum died down recently – sadface), so I have a considerable amount of exposure to the US share market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s the process I follow to buy US stocks – I hope it helps you save time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Key Takeaways:<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
The US inflation has eased,<\/strong> and the Fed has continued to cut rates<\/a>, helping support confidence in equity markets.<\/td><\/tr>
US share investing<\/strong> carries platform and currency risks.<\/td><\/tr>
You must <\/strong>submit the W-8BEN form to qualify for the 15% dividend tax discount.<\/td><\/tr>
I offer<\/strong> comprehensive guides to stock trading platforms that sell US shares (see below).<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. Understand How US Share Ownership Works.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The legalities around owning US shares differ from those for Australian-listed stocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Australian shares are usually traded under the CHESS sponsorship arrangement<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under CHESS, you are the legal owner of the shares.<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Your purchases are recorded directly on the ASX – in your name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

US-listed shares, in contrast, are held under a custodial brokerage arrangement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Related: How To Avoid Brokerage Fees When Buying Shares<\/a>).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rather than being registered in your own name, the shares are held by a custodian (i.e., the share trading platform) on your behalf. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The platform is the legal owner, but you retain full beneficial ownership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under this model, you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n