Investing for kids

(without the fees)

At Stockspot, we believe that children deserve the best start in life.
That's why we don't charge any management fees for kids' portfolios up to $10,000.

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A tick in a circle

We're a fully licensed Australian Financial Services
provider (AFSL 536082).

Investing for kids (without the fees)
Finnies awards group
2021 Winner
Excellence in Wealth Management, Finnie Awards
Number 1
Australia's Largest Online Investment Adviser*
Since 2014

Say goodbye to the bank of mum and dad

$2,000 invested in a broad mix of investments earning 7% per annum + a regular top up of $100 a month could give your child nearly $66,092 by the time they're 21. And that's enough to ease the financial burden on you too.

Most savings accounts only offer about 2% interest per year.

See our assumptions.

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Ways to grow your kids' savings

ETFs (Stockspot)

We recommend investing for kids with Exchange traded funds (ETFs).
They provide direct access to a wide range of investments such as Australian shares, international shares, bonds and metals. Investing in a diversified ETF portfolio has the potential to earn you higher long-term returns from both income and capital growth.

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In a high interest savings account your balance will grow, albeit rather slowly, and without the benefit of long-term capital growth. Putting all your kids' money into a savings account has historically meant it's taken longer to save for goals due to lower interest rates.

An investment bond is a ‘tax paid’ investment. They are also known as insurance bonds. The returns on investment bonds have been poor over 5 years compared to a mix of low-cost index funds (ETFs) due to higher fees, even when you take the tax benefits into consideration. Learn more about investment bonds.

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Why invest for your child with Stockspot?

Stockspot
Broker or DIYETF providerMicro investing apps
Investing made easy
Kid-friendly app interfaceYesNoNoSometimes
Contributions from family and friends automatically investedYesNoNoYes
Set-and-forget experienceYesNoSometimesYes
Easy tax reportingYesNoSometimesYes
24/7 mobile accessYesYesSometimesYes
Complimentary kids investing certificateYesNoNoNo
Investments held in your name (CHESS-sponsored)YesYesNoNo
Smart long-term growth
Access to expert financial advisorsYesNoNoNo
Automatic rebalancingYesNoSometimesYes
Portfolio customisation (rebalancing and themes)YesYesNoSometimes
Transparency over what you ownYesYesYesSometimes
Fees
No fees for kids (up to $10k or age 18)YesNoNoNo
Zero brokerage or transaction feesYesSometimesSometimesYes
Low ongoing feesYesSometimesYesSometimes
Investing made easy
Kid-friendly app interface
Contributions from family and friends automatically invested
Set-and-forget experience
Easy tax reporting
24/7 mobile access
Complimentary kids investing certificate
Investments held in your name (CHESS-sponsored)
Smart long-term growth
Access to expert financial advisors
Automatic rebalancing
Portfolio customisation (rebalancing and themes)
Transparency over what you own
Fees
No fees for kids (up to $10k or age 18)
Zero brokerage or transaction fees
Low ongoing fees
Stockspot
Broker or DIY
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Sometimes
Yes
Sometimes
ETF provider
Micro investing apps
No
Sometimes
No
Yes
Sometimes
Yes
Sometimes
Yes
Sometimes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
Sometimes
Yes
No
Sometimes
Yes
Sometimes
No
No
Sometimes
Yes
Yes
Sometimes

A gift they'll remember

Every child who starts investing with Stockspot gets a personalised Young Investor Certificate.

It's a meaningful way to celebrate their first step into investing - perfect for parents, grandparents or anyone gifting a brighter future.

Includes your child's name

Great for birthdays, milestones or keepsakes

Get started
kid certificate

Investing for kids in less than four steps

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Our portfolios

The strategies below provide different mixes of growth and defensive assets, depending on your financial goals and risk appetite.

topaz

aggressive growth

emerald

Growth

turquoise

Balanced

sapphire

Moderately conservative

amethyst

CONSERVATIVE

Learn more about our Portfolios

Family friendly pricing

Already investing with Stockspot or planning multiple investment accounts?

Enjoy no management fees on kids’ portfolios up to your tier limit.

Silver

Account balance:

$1,000+

5 free kids accounts up to:

$10,000 each

Gold

Total balance:

$20,000+

5 free kids accounts up to:

$20,000 each

Platinum

Total balance:

$200,000+

5 free kids accounts up to:

$30,000 each

Diamond

Total balance:

$2,000,000+

5 free kids accounts up to:

$50,000 each

Open a kids account
Get started early

Get started early

Whether it's education, sports, music, or a nice financial boost when they're older, the earlier you start investing for your kids, the better for their future.

See our assumptions.

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Discover how other parents are investing

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Frequently asked questions

How can I open a Stockspot kids account?

Select 'Get Started' on the Stockspot website and select account type 'Kids'. The application should be completed in the name of an adult (for example, a parent or grandparent) on behalf of the child or through a formal trust as minors can't legally own investments until they are 18 or older.

What identification do I need to open a kids account?

Your passport or driver licence plus another form of ID like a utility bill. It's helpful to have these documents handy when completing your application.

How much money do I need to start investing and what are the costs?

You can start with any amount. We'll start investing on your behalf once your account hits $1,000. There are no Stockspot management fees until your child's portfolio reaches $10,000 (or until the child turns 18).

Read more about investing for kids.

Can I invest for grandchildren?

Yes, you can invest for your grandchildren through a Stockspot account by setting it up in your own name and nominating the funds for their future. Many grandparents choose to create a dedicated investment to help with milestones like education, a first car or a home deposit. You stay in control of the account, and can decide when and how to gift the money.

Is the account in my child's name?

No. If your child is under 18, the account is in your name on your child's behalf, or your trust's name if you are investing through a formal trust. This means you (or the trust) will be the legal owner of the investments until your child is 18 or older. At this point, you can transfer the holdings to the child or sell down from the portfolio to gift them the cash.

Can I create more than one kids account i.e. one for each of my children?

Yes. Apply for your first kids account and once opened you can apply for additional accounts from your dashboard. Just click on the arrow next to your account name (in the top-left corner of the screen), then select 'Add new account'.

Can I withdraw funds before my child turns 18?

Yes. You can withdraw funds anytime by lodging a request in your dashboard. There are no lock-ins, but ideally you want to invest for as long as possible to give the portfolio plenty of time to grow.

Does the fee free limit apply to per child?

Yes. The fee-free limit applies to each individual kids’ account you hold.

How many free kids accounts can I have?

You can have up to 5 kids accounts for free.

Where do I find out more about each of the pricing tier?

You can learn more about each of the pricing tier here.

Do other fees apply?

Yes. ETF fees still apply, and these are charged by the companies that manage the investment funds, not by Stockspot.

These fees are deducted from the fund’s performance rather than billed to you directly. They’re a standard cost for anyone investing in these funds, whether through us, another adviser, or directly.

Read more about investing for kids

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