Investments & returns
How do I start investing in shares in Australia?
Start with the goal, not the stock. Decide what the money is for and when you'll need it, then pick the mix of ASX shares, ETFs, managed funds and super that fits that timeframe and how much risk you can live with. We guide you through those choices, with financial freedom as the goal we work toward together. Returns are never guaranteed, and past performance isn't a reliable guide to the future.
Investing with a plan behind it.
We guide you through building a portfolio around what your money needs to do and when, with financial freedom as the goal we work toward together. That means shares, ETFs, managed funds and super, each with a job to do, and plain-English advice on the risks that come with them.
The proof
Why you can check this, not just trust it.
- Authorised for sharesAFSL 238337 covers advice on listed shares, ETFs, managed funds and super for retail clients. It does not cover derivatives.
- AuthorisedFinForce advisers are authorised representatives of Financial Force Pty Ltd, AFSL 238337. Check the Financial Advisers Register.
- Shay Ram, adviserAuthorised Representative No. 000412776, first provided advice in 2010. See his register entry.
- QualificationsBachelor of Commerce (Griffith University) and Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning).
- A set processSix steps from first conversation to review, with fees agreed in writing before personal advice starts. See how we work.
Common questions
Do I need a lot of money to start investing in shares?
No set minimum applies to buying shares or ETFs, but costs, diversification and your timeframe matter more as amounts grow. An adviser can help you weigh those up.
Shares or ETFs: which is better?
Neither is better in general. Individual shares concentrate risk in a few companies. An ETF spreads it across many. The right mix depends on your goal, timeframe and risk tolerance.
Will FinForce tell me which stocks to buy?
We don't publish stock tips. Any recommendation comes as personal advice in a Statement of Advice, after we understand your situation.
How we build a portfolio
Start with the goal, then pick the tools.
Every portfolio starts with a conversation about your timeframe, income needs, tax position and how much ups and downs you can live with. Only then do we look at investments.
A portfolio might use some or all of these:
- Shares (ASX-listed securities): part-ownership of listed companies. They can grow over time and may pay dividends, often with franking credits.
- Exchange traded funds (ETFs) and listed investment companies: one trade buys a spread of companies, bonds or assets, usually at low cost.
- Managed funds and investment platforms: professional managers running diversified portfolios, held on a platform so reporting stays in one place.
- Superannuation and SMSFs: the most tax-effective place for many people to invest for retirement.
- Government bonds and cash: to steady the portfolio and fund near-term needs.
How returns work
Four ideas that do most of the work.
Growth and income
A return comes from two places: income (dividends, distributions, interest) and growth (a change in the value of the investment). Growth assets can rise and fall in value; income assets tend to move less.
Compounding
When income is reinvested, it can earn returns of its own. Over long periods, time in the market usually matters more than picking the perfect moment to buy.
Diversification
Spreading money across companies, sectors, countries and asset types means one bad result has less impact on the whole portfolio. It reduces risk; it doesn't remove it.
Risk and time horizon
Higher potential returns come with bigger swings in value. Money needed in two years should be invested very differently from money you won't touch for twenty.
What we can advise on
Authorised to advise on shares.
Our advisers are authorised representatives of Financial Force Pty Ltd, AFSL 238337. That licence covers financial product advice to retail clients on:
- Securities, including ASX-listed shares
- Interests in managed investment schemes, including investor directed portfolio services (platforms)
- Superannuation and retirement savings account (RSA) products
- Government debentures, stocks and bonds
- Deposit products, and life investment and life risk insurance products
We don't publish stock tips. Any recommendation about a specific investment is personal advice, given only after we understand your situation, in a Statement of Advice. You can check our authorisations on the Financial Advisers Register.
Talk it through
Want a second opinion on your investments?
Book a time with Shay Ram and we'll guide you through your options: what you hold, what you want it to do and whether the mix still fits.
Investments can fall as well as rise in value and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise of any return. This is general information only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs.
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