How to actually buy and sell shares.
To buy and sell shares on the ASX you need to go through a broker. A broker is an online platform or service that connect you to the market. You open an account, transfer in some money and then you can place orders to buy and sell different companies. In Australia, most brokers are easy to use apps or websites. While some full-service brokers do still exist that give personal advice, they are becoming less common and usually reserved for high networth individuals.
Brokers typically charge a fee each time you trade. This is called a brokerage fee. For small investors, the fee is often a flat amount per trade, like $10 or $20, though some new apps offer lower costs. IT is important to remember that these fees eat into your returns, so frequent trading can become expensive.
When you place a trade you need to choose the order type. The most common is a market order, which means you are happy to buy and sell at the best price available right now. Another common choice is a limit order, where you set the maximum price you are willing to pay if you are buying or the minimum price you are willing to accept if you are selling. Limit orders give you more control, but they may not always be filled if the stock price does not reach your target.
In simple terms, buying and selling shares comes down to opening a broker account, understanding the fees and learning how to place the right type of order. Once you are set up, the process is quick and straightforward, and the ASX takes care of the rest by ensuring every trade is settled properly.