What is Direct Access?

Direct Access is TelstraSuper's self-managed investment option available through an easy-to use online platform. It’s for those members who are comfortable making their own investment decisions in managing part of their super.

Whether you're looking for the relative safety of a term deposit, or the ability to pick and choose from a range of listed shares or Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)^ to invest in, the Direct Access investment option gives you the power to make specific investment decisions for yourself.

Key Benefits

Investment Control

Buy and sell investments in real-time. Our easy- to-use online platform provides transaction visibility of trading, returns and performance.

Informed investment decisions

Access to the latest independent research, market data and stock commentary and the ability to speak to one of our financial advisors.

Less paperwork, compliance and reporting

Through the Direct Access investment option, TelstraSuper takes care of all the administration, compliance and reporting requirements. There are no set-up costs and ongoing fees may be lower compared to a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF).

What can I invest in?

The Direct Access investment option allows you to invest a proportion of your super in your choice of investments. The return will depend on the mix of investments you choose. You can choose from the following options:

Who can invest in Direct Access?

To be eligible to invest in a Direct Access account you must:  

  • be registered for SuperOnline
  • have a Tax File Number (TFN) and a valid email address on file
  • meet other requirements, depending on the type of TelstraSuper account you have or are opening (see below):

Members with a Corporate Plus, Personal Plus or Voluntary Accumulation Accounts (VAA):

  • have a minimum balance of $50,000 in your TelstraSuper account
  • transfer at least $10,000 into Direct Access (which includes a minimum balance of $200 in a Cash Transaction Account) 
  • keep a minimum of $10,000 in your other TelstraSuper investment options (these other investment options cannot include a MySuper interest#)

RetireAccess account:

  • applicable for new and existing Retirement income stream accounts (not applicable for Transition to Retirement and Term Allocated Pension accounts)
  • have (or have had) an initial minimum account balance of at least $50,000
  • transfer at least $10,000 into Direct Access‡ (which includes a minimum balance of $200 in a Cash Transaction Account) 
  • keep $10,000 or the equivalent of 24 months' worth of income payments (whichever is the greater amount), in non-Direct Access TelstraSuper investments
  • do not appoint a reversionary beneficiary.


How to select Direct Access investment option

Step 1

Existing members should read the Direct Access Product Guide, consider your tolerance for risk, investment timeframe and your investment objectives, and decide if Direct Access offers the type of investments and the level of control you’re looking for you.

 

Step 2

Login to your SuperOnline account

If you are not yet registered for SuperOnline you can register here

 

Step 3

Click on the Direct Access link in the menu bar and provide a valid email address and your Tax File Number.

You will receive a mailbox item confirming your Direct Access registration.

 

Step 4

Transfer at least $10,000 into Direct Access (which includes ensuring a minimum balance of $200 in a Cash Transaction Account) and meet other eligibility criteria. You will receive a mailbox item confirming the funds have been transferred.

You can now trade.

 

Not a TelstraSuper member?

That’s ok, anyone can join. Simply open a TelstraSuper Personal Plus account and then follow the steps 1-4 (see above).

Seamless transfer to RetireAccess (Retirement income stream account)

You can keep your Direct Access investment holdings when you reach retirement by requesting a transfer from your TelstraSuper Personal Plus account or TelstraSuper Corporate Plus account to a new Retirement income stream account.

When you open a Retirement income stream account and request a transfer, we’ll move the entire balance of your Direct Access investments from your Personal Plus or Corporate Plus account† to your Retirement income stream account§. Term deposits cannot be transferred, so you will need to wait until these mature or break any term deposits you have before the transfer (where a term deposit is broken, a reduced rate of interest may apply). Partial Direct Access transfers are not possible.


You don’t need to sell-down or re-purchase your investments and by using seamless transfer you don’t pay capital gains tax or brokerage/transaction costs.

Eligibility criteria apply. More information is available here.

Need help with Direct Access?

At TelstraSuper we’re here to help you build a secure financial future. TelstraSuper Financial Planning has a team of phone-based Advisers who can provide you with simple general advice about Direct Access. There's no additional charge for our phone-based service as this is included in your TelstraSuper membership.

If you require further personalised Advice, we have comprehensive advisers who can assist you with portfolio construction of ETFs and term deposits with Direct Access. They can be contacted on 1300 033 166 or fill in our online form.

FAQs

  • What can I invest in?

    Direct Access offers a range of investments, including Australian shares that form part of the S&P/ASX 300 Index, other listed securities such as Exchange Traded Funds (ETF’s)^ approved by the Trustee, and a range of approved term deposits.

  • What are ETFs?

    ETFs provide you with access to a portfolio of securities in a particular market, industry, or asset class. Like shares, ETFs are traded on an exchange, however, are structured like a managed fund in that they contain a collection of securities and usually represent a particular market index (eg. S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Index).

    They combine the diversification benefits of traditionally-managed index funds with the flexibility of investing directly in the sharemarket. While diversification can reduce risk, they are still subject to market risk (the level of which depends on the underlying securities in the ETF).
    ETFs can offer an efficient, cost-effective way to access targeted areas of investment, such as an international region or a specific market sector, without having to select individual shares. For more information Exchange Traded Funds | TelstraSuper

  • What is the difference between investing via Direct Access and a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF)?
    When a person operates a SMSF they must carry out the role of trustee or director, which imposes legal obligations, and they must ensure the fund is properly invested and administered in accordance with the relevant superannuation law. They must also keep comprehensive records and arrange an annual audit by an approved SMSF auditor.

    The Direct Access investment option gives you control and flexibility over your investments but without the hassle of having to monitor strict compliance requirements and the higher costs of managing your own superannuation fund.
  • Can I invest in the Direct Access investment option as a RetireAccess Retirement income stream member?

    Yes you can. Find out more here

  • How and when is interest paid on my term deposit?
    You will begin earning interest from the time you invest, and this interest will be paid at the completion of the term (known as maturity). 
  • Which stock can I invest in?
    You can invest in any of the companies listed on the ASX300, ETFs^ and other listed securities approved by us, providing you meet the minimum and maximum Direct Access investment rules.
  • Can I transfer listed securities I already own into my Direct Access?
    No, you can’t transfer listed securities you already personally own into your Direct Access. However, as stated above, you can transfer Direct Access investments from a TelstraSuper Personal Plus or Corporate Plus account to a new RetireAccess Retirement income stream account.

# If you have a MySuper allocation for either your current and/or future contributions, you'll need to move this allocation to another investment option to register for Direct Access.

‡If you are transferring your existing Direct Access investments held in Corporate Plus or Personal Plus account when starting a new Retirement income stream, you must transfer all your Direct Access investments across. Term deposits cannot be transferred. You will need to wait for the term deposit to mature or break the term deposit before you can transfer. Where a term deposit is broken, a reduced rate of interest may be applied

^It is important to note, that TelstraSuper is not making any recommendation to any person to acquire any ETF product and makes no representations and/or warranties as to whether a particular ETF product will meet any individual’s investment needs and requirements.  

*Direct Access term deposits cannot be transferred to a Retirement incomes stream account. If you are invested in a term deposit, you will need to wait for the term deposit to mature or break the term deposit before you can transfer your Direct Access investment options to a Retirement income stream account. Where a term deposit is broken, a reduced rate of interest may be applied.

§Excludes Transition to Retirement income stream accounts and Term Allocated Pensions. Also excludes Retirement income stream accounts with a reversionary beneficiary nomination. Other eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply. See above and refer to the Direct Access Guide for details.

†If you are a defined benefit member and wish to open a Retirement incomes stream account from your Voluntary Accumulation Account (VAA) or productivity account, please call us. Before you act on any general advice, you should consider whether it is appropriate to your individual circumstances.

 

Before you act on any general advice, you should consider whether it is appropriate to your individual circumstances. Before making any decisions, you should obtain and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement. Past performance is no indication of future performance.