How to transfer Australian shares to a UK account

If you have investments in Australia but have recently moved to the UK, you might want to look into transferring them over to a UK account.

It could make it easier to manage your investments, all in one place. But is it possible, and how easy is it to do?

In this guide, we’ll run through everything you need to know about transferring Australian shares to a UK account.

This includes info on how share transfers between countries work, what kinds of accounts you can transfer to and how to gift shares to family members and spouses.

Can you transfer Australian shares to a UK account without selling?

Yes, it should be possible to transfer AUD stock to a UK investment account without having to sell your shares.

As long as your new broker or investment platform can hold the asset in question, you can do it through something known as an in-specie transfer.

You’ll need to apply for it, and once approved your Australian and UK platforms or account providers will handle the transfer.

However, this option may not be available for all shares, and with all UK trading platforms.

For example, the Interactive Investors platform only supports shares held in CHESS with Australian brokers, but not those held on a share register such as Computershare Australia.¹

How does transferring shares work?

As the owner of the shares, you’ll need to apply to your new UK-based investment platform for a transfer.

You may have a choice of ways to request a transfer. For example, investment platforms like Webull let you make transfer requests online, via app or through a desktop application - as long as the brokerage firm in Australia supports ACATS (Automated Customer Account Transfer Service).²

Steps to transfer Australian shares to a UK account

Ready to start your transfer? Here are the steps you’ll need to take (these may vary slightly depending on which trading platform you use):

1. Check that the UK platform, account or broker holds the asset or product you want to transfer. You might also need to check that the new platform has a matching brokerage account type available, and that it accepts transfers in.
2. Apply for a transfer with your new UK provider, making sure to check all details carefully
3. Wait for your transfer to complete. It can take just a few days, but it depends on the platforms involved. For example, Trading 212 says it can take up to 30 days to complete transfers.³

Can I give my shares to a family member or beneficiary?

Yes, you should be able to transfer your shares to another person or even a company. To do it, you’ll need to complete a stock transfer form and send it to HMRC. You can get the form from your UK brokerage.⁴

Bear in mind that there may be tax implications when you give shares away, so it could be worth getting professional advice first.

How to transfer Australian shares to a spouse with a UK account

It may be possible to transfer Australian shares directly to a spouse with a UK trading account, but you’re likely to find that it’s quite complicated. Contact your broker or trading platform to find out its particular processes and policies.

A possible workaround could be to apply for a transfer of your Australian shares into a UK account in your own name. Then, you’ll complete an HMRC stock transfer form to give the shares to your spouse.

Is it possible to transfer Australian shares to an ISA?

It’s not possible to transfer Australian shares directly into a UK ISA. However, there is an alternative way to do it known as ‘Bed and ISA’. This is where your broker sells your shares and immediately repurchases them in your ISA.⁵

You’ll need to contact your UK broker platform to find out more about whether it offers this for international shares. And bear in mind that this may also have tax implications.

Can I transfer Australian shares using a share certificate?

Yes, it is possible to transfer Australian shares with a share certificate, although it’s much more common to submit transfer requests online. And how exactly it works may vary depending on your broker. ⁶

Don’t let currency conversion trip you up when trading - use Wise

In this handy guide, we’ve looked at how to transfer Australian shares to a UK account, including a few different ways to do it.

But it’s important to remember that if you trade in different currencies, you need to keep an eye on the costs of currency conversion. This can be a particular issue when trading and buying shares overseas from UK accounts, as your money will need to be converted between AUD and GBP.

The good news is that you can use Wise to avoid hidden currency exchange markups. Open a Wise account to convert currency at mid-market exchange rates, for low, transparent fees*.

You may wish to hold your money in a Wise account until you decide to invest it in your chosen platform or wait until the conversion rate is more favourable.

There’s even a dedicated service for sending large amounts, especially useful if you are rebalancing or diversifying your portfolio, capitalising on investment opportunities that require substantial capital or looking to withdraw RSUs.

If you're transferring large amounts, you can get in contact with our expert team via email, request a callback or learn more below.

Learn about large amount transfers

And don’t forget, you can turn on the Wise Interest feature in your Wise account to earn returns on GBP, USD and EUR. This works by investing in a fund that holds government-guaranteed assets. Capital at risk.

Capital at risk. Growth not guaranteed. Wise Assets UK Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with registration number 839689. When facilitating access to Wise investment products, Wise Payments Ltd acts as an Introducer Appointed Representative of Wise Assets UK Ltd. Please be aware that we do not offer investment advice, and you may be liable for taxes on any earnings. If you’re uncertain, we urge you to seek professional advice. To find out more about the Funds, visit our website.

Sources used:

1. Interactive Investors - investments can you transfer
2. Webull - starting your transfer
3. Trading 212 - portfolio transfer
4. GOV.UK - completing a stock transfer form
5. Interactive Investor - transfer shares into an ISA
6. Investor.gov - transferring assets

Sources last checked on date: 28-Feb-2025