From beginners to sophisticated investors, a CFS Investment Account gives you more choice in how you invest for your future.
Ways to invest with CFS
However you like to invest, there's a way to get started. Choose the approach that matches your goals, your experience and how hands-on you want to be. Every investment involves risk, and the value of your investment can go up or down. Returns are not guaranteed.
Ready-made portfolios
A ready-made portfolio is a single investment option that provides diversification across a range of asset classes. You choose the risk profile that best aligns with your goals, timeframe and tolerance of market ups and downs. Our investment team handles asset allocation, manager selection and rebalancing.
May be suitable if you:
- are new to investing
- are looking for multi-sector diversification
- don’t want to actively manage your portfolio.
Learn more about our ready-made portfolios.
Build your own portfolio
Choose from our full range of 200+ investment options and 70+ leading fund managers across single sector, multi-asset and multi-manager options in all major asset classes. You choose the combination of investment options that suits your goals and timeframe, giving you greater control of your investment mix.
May be suitable if you:
- are an experienced investor
- want to choose your own asset allocation mix
- are prepared to review and rebalance your portfolio.
Learn more about building your own portfolio.
FirstRate Cash Fund
Our flexible, low-risk cash fund aims to provide steady returns and passive interest income for investors, while giving you the freedom to withdraw when it suits you.
May be suitable if you:
- want to maintain access to your money
- are looking for modest, steady growth with minimal risk.
Learn more about the FirstRate Cash Fund.
Why invest with CFS
Investing for Australians since 1988
We’ve guided investors for more than three decades through multiple market cycles, including the Wall Street crash, the global financial crisis and the COVID pandemic.
Trusted by millions of Australians
CFS has proudly helped over three million Australians with their investment, superannuation and retirement needs. We’re here to support you at every life stage, whichever way you choose to invest.
Access to institutional managers
Our investment menu gives you access to specialist Australian and global managers.
Experienced investment team
Our in-house investment professionals actively manage our ready-made portfolios, and select and monitor the external managers available via our investment menu.
Not sure which portfolio to choose?
Our Risk Profiler asks you a few simple questions about your goals, your timeframe, and how you feel about market ups and downs. From there, we'll suggest a risk profile based on your responses, so you can explore investment options that match your comfort level with risk.
How to open an account
Open an account
Provide your contact details, address, tax file number and identification. We’ll need to verify your identity as part of the process.
Choose your investments
Select a ready-made portfolio or build your own using 200+ investment options. Decide how much you’d like to invest in each option.
Fund your account
Make your initial investment via BPAY, EFT or direct debit. Add to your investment at any time or set up a regular investment plan.
Ask an adviser: When would I need to get advice again?
‘Any major changes in your life related to work, family, money or health are a great time to seek advice again and update your financial plan’, according to Financial Adviser – Gerard Casim.
Advice options for every stage of life.
Together in one place.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes. CFS offers non-super investment accounts as well as superannuation accounts. This matters if you’re investing for a goal before retirement age – e.g. a home deposit, school fees, or income before you can access super.
You can invest with CFS from just $1,000. We have a range of ready-made portfolios that offer broad diversification and our investment team does the hard work for you. Learn more about our ready-made portfolios.
CFS offers a range of ETF Exposure Series funds, which provide access to exchange-traded funds (ETFs) through a CFS investment account. These funds invest predominantly in an underlying ETF, allowing you to access a range of markets, sectors and asset classes without needing to buy and manage ETFs directly on the ASX.
In addition, the CFS investment menu includes 200+ investment options, including managed funds, index funds and ready-made portfolios. Depending on your goals and preferences, these can provide similar benefits to ETFs, such as diversification and access to specific asset classes.
Yes, you can switch between investment options within your account. Switching may have tax consequences outside superannuation, because selling units can trigger a capital gain. Check the PDS and consider getting advice before making changes.
You don’t need a financial adviser to open a CFS account. You can also choose one of our ready-made portfolios and have the CFS investment team manage your portfolio for you. If your situation is complex, or you’re looking for a more customised portfolio, you may want to explore our financial advice options.
We're here to help
Get in touch
Get in touch with us online or call us 8:30am to 6pm (Sydney time) Monday to Friday.
Find the right advice option
Our dedicated team can help you choose from a range of different financial advice options.
Download mobile app
Track your balance and see your transaction history from anywhere.
Disclaimer
Avanteos Investments Limited ABN 20 096 259 979, AFSL 245531 (AIL) is the trustee of the Colonial First State FirstChoice Superannuation Trust ABN 26 458 298 557 and issuer of FirstChoice range of super and pension products. Colonial First State Investments Limited ABN 98 002 348 352, AFSL 232468 (CFSIL) is the responsible entity and issuer of products made available under FirstChoice Investments and FirstChoice Wholesale Investments.
Information on this webpage is provided by AIL and CFSIL. It may include general advice but does not consider your individual objectives, financial situation, needs or tax circumstances. You can find the target market determinations (TMD) for our financial products at https://www.cfs.com.au/tmd which include a description of who a financial product might suit. You should read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Financial Services Guide (FSG) carefully, assess whether the information is appropriate for you, and consider talking to a financial adviser before making an investment decision. You can get the PDS and FSG at www.cfs.com.au or by calling us on 13 13 36.