Selling Shares with an Account Designation

Many Australian shareholdings are registered with an account designation, shown in angle brackets <A/C>, for example:

     John Smith
    <Smith Family Trust A/C>

These commonly appear on holdings for deceased estates, trusts, SMSFs, minors, or where additional descriptive information was added when the account was created.

Unbroker makes it simple to sell shares registered with an account designation — without changing the name on the share registry and without opening a trading account. Submit your application online and our team will guide you through the process, from verification through to settlement.

What Is an Account Designation?

An account designation refers to the descriptive label added to a shareholding when the owner is holding the shares on behalf of someone else — such as a child, a trust, an SMSF, or a deceased estate.

It is often used where shares are held in a specific capacity or include additional identifying information.

Designated holdings are extremely common — and fully compatible with our one‑off online share sale service.

How the Process Works

Selling shares registered with an account designated is straightforward:

1. Submit your online sale request
2. Complete secure ID verification
3. Provide any required supporting documents
4. We complete the sale and transfer funds after settlement

Our team reviews each holding individually and will confirm if any additional information is required based on the registration details.

What You’ll Need

To sell shares with an account designation, you will need:

1. Your Holding Details

You’ll find these on any recent holding or dividend statement.
If you need help retrieving your SRN we may be able to assist here

2. Identification

Identification is required for the person or persons legally authorised to sell the shares which depends on how the holding is registered.

If you’re unsure who needs to provide identification, contact our specialist team before submitting your application. We can review your holding details and confirm exactly what will be required.

ID verification is completed securely using our 100-point verification process. More information on our ID verification process can be found here. 

3. Supporting Documents (if required)

Some designated holdings require additional documentation to confirm authority to sell such as:

  • Estate — Will, Probate/Letters of Administration, Death Certificate
  • Trust — Trust Deed or trustee appointment documents
  • SMSF — Evidence of the SMSF and trustee identity
  • Minor accounts — Parent/guardian ID and proof of authority
  • Generic “<A/C>” designations — Usually no extra documents required

4. Payment information (bank account details)

For receiving sale proceeds after settlement.

All documents can be uploaded directly through our online share sale form.

Fees for Selling Account Designated Shareholdings

There are no upfront or ongoing costs. All fees are deducted directly from your sale proceeds.

  • Standard service fees apply to most designated holdings.
  • A complex‑holding surcharge applies for trusts, SMSFs, deceased estates, company-held shares and international investors.

For a detailed breakdown, please see our Pricing & Fees page or contact us for a personalised estimate.

Why Use Unbroker?

Unbroker is the easiest way to sell shares registered with an account designation.

We’re ideal for people who:

  • Want to sell shares held under a trust, SMSF, estate, or other designation
  • Prefer a streamlined one-off sale
  • Don’t want to open a trading account
  • Want a fast, secure, fully online process

Our team manages everything from verification through to settlement — making the process clear, compliant, and stress-free.

Ready to Sell Shares with an Account Designation?

Simply submit your one-off sale request online and we’ll guide you through the rest.

If you’re unsure what documents may be required, contact our specialist team today — we’ll confirm everything for you before you begin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — if your shares are issuer-sponsored and registered in your personal name, you can sell them online without opening a trading account. For more information, click here.

Yes — shares registered in joint names can be sold online through Unbroker, as long as both shareholders complete the ID verification process. For more information on how to sell your joint holdings, click here.

100 points of ID is a document-based identity check used in Australia. You’ll need to provide certified copies of documents—like a passport, licence, or utility bill—that add up to 100 points. For more information on 100 points of ID click here.

If your shares are issuer-sponsored and you have the SRN, you can sell them quickly online using Unbroker—no trading account required. To learn more about selling issuer-sponsored shares in Australia, click here.

Yes — if your shares are issuer-sponsored, you can sell them online through Unbroker without opening a trading account or using a full-service broker. For a quick guide to selling shares with Unbroker, click here.

Yes — if you're acting under a valid Power of Attorney, you can sell issuer-sponsored shares through Unbroker by providing the required documents and ID.  To find out what’s required when selling shares under a Power of Attorney, click here.

An SRN identifies shares held directly with a share registry, while a HIN is used for shares held through a broker. Unbroker can only sell shares registered with an SRN. To learn more about the difference between an SRN and a HIN, click here.

Yes — if you’re acting as an executor or legal representative for an Estate, you can sell issuer-sponsored shares through Unbroker by providing the required estate documents and ID. For more information on selling shares belonging to an estate, click here.

That’s fine — both shareholders can authorise the funds to be paid into one person's account using a signed authority form provided by Unbroker. 

A one-off share sale lets you sell issuer-sponsored shares without opening a trading account or using a full-service broker — perfect for casual or one-time sellers.

Unbroker specialises in one-off share sales — no trading account, no upsells, and no ongoing fees. We're built for people who just want to sell and move on. For a detailed comparison, click here.

Most share sales settle within one to three business days — including ID verification, trade execution, and payment. Unbroker offers same-day sale and settlement, enabling you to receive your funds one business day after the sale. For more information on sales and settlement timelines, click here.

Yes — if you have your SRN and ID, you can sell issuer-sponsored shares through Unbroker without logging into the registry. Click here for more information.

Yes — if the shares are registered in the company’s name, they can be sold through Unbroker with the proper documentation and ASIC verification. Click here to see our full guide on selling shares held company.

Yes — if the shares are registered in the name of your trust or SMSF, you can sell them through Unbroker by providing the deed, trustees ID and any supporting documents. To learn more, see our full guide on selling shares held by a family trust or SMSF here.

Yes — if your ESS shares are issuer-sponsored and registered in your name, you can sell them through Unbroker without needing a trading account. For more information on selling shares from an ESS, click here.

Yes — as an overseas resident, you can sell issuer-sponsored shares through Unbroker by posting original certified ID. For more information on our international ID requirements, click here

We’re required by law to verify the identity of each registered shareholder before processing a sale — it helps prevent fraud and ensures compliance with ASIC and anti-money laundering regulations. For more information on ID verification, click here.

Your SRN is usually found on a holding statement or letter from the share registry — it’s required to sell issuer-sponsored shares through Unbroker. For more information about what an SRN is, click here. 

Yes, it’s still possible to sell shares if you can’t find your SRN. In many cases, Unbroker can retrieve your SRN for you and handle the sale process without needing to contact the registry. For more information, click here.

Yes — as long as you're using a licensed and compliant provider like Unbroker. We verify all sales, protect your information, and never ask for upfront payments. For more details on how Unbroker keeps your transactions secure, click here.

Yes — as a parent or legal guardian, you can authorise the sale of shares held by a minor by providing certified ID and signing an authority form.

Yes — as long as your IPO shares are issuer-sponsored and no longer subject to escrow, you can sell them through Unbroker without needing a trading account. To get started today, click here.

If you’ve lost your holding statement, you’ll need to contact the share registry to request a replacement. Once you have your SRN, you can sell your shares through Unbroker.

Yes — as long as you can provide certified evidence of the name change (e.g. marriage certificate or name change certificate), Unbroker can help process your share sale. For more information, see our full guide on selling shares when your name has changed here.

Funds are paid one business day after settlement.

Depending on whether you choose Same Day Sale & Settlement or Standard settlement, you’ll receive your money within 1–3 business days. For more information, click here.

Yes — you don’t need a TFN to sell your shares through Unbroker.

However, if no TFN is recorded on your shareholding, the registry may withhold tax from any dividends you’ve received. This doesn’t affect the sale itself.

If the shareholder can’t sign, someone else may be authorised to act under a valid Power of Attorney or court order. We’ll need certified documents confirming their authority before we can proceed. To find out what’s required when selling shares under a Power of Attorney, click here.

Yes — shares registered with an account designation can be sold through Unbroker, provided the authorised person completes the required verification process. Click here to learn how the process works.

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