1. What is a share?

Learn about what a share is, what the sharemarket is and how you can buy and sell shares.

Estimated time to complete: 10mins.

What is a share? - text version (PDF 628KB)

2. Why and how to invest

Learning how to invest is an important skill. This course looks at the reasons people invest in shares, the main investment areas and how to start investing. Learn the key features of an investment plan including how to analyse the risk you are comfortable with, timeframes, financial goals, the amount to invest and effective diversification.

Estimated time to complete: 10mins.

Why and how to invest - text version (PDF 264KB)

3. Risks and benefits of shares

Shares present benefits as well as risks. Learn about these important considerations as well as some insights into why share prices go up and down. Find out what dividends are and how franking credits work.

Estimated time to complete: 10mins.

Risks and benefits of shares - text version (PDF 320KB)

4. What to consider in an investment

Evaluating investment opportunities is easier if you use a standard set of criteria to measure and compare them. This course looks at the main methods of investment evaluation.

Estimated time to complete: 15mins.

What to consider in an investment - text version (PDF 218KB)

5. How to buy and sell shares

This course looks in detail at the process of buying and selling shares. It explores choosing a stockbroker, buying and selling shares, settlement of your trade, CHESS, and off-market transfer of shares.

Estimated time to complete: 15mins.

How to buy and sell shares - text version (PDF 344KB)

6. Trading simulation

It's time to practise what you have learnt. Use this course to practice the steps in researching shares and placing orders to buy shares with your stockbroker.

Estimated time to complete: 15mins.

7. Record keeping

As an investor in the sharemarket you will need to follow some simple record keeping practices. This course steps you through this process. The course will also look at reading the financial press and describes the different types of shares that can be traded on ASX.

Estimated time to complete: 15mins.

Record keeping - text version (PDF 301KB)

8. Market indices and market sectors

Keeping track of your share portfolio is easier if you understand the language of the sharemarket. This course describes what the All Ordinaries is and how to follow the market using the sharemarket indices.

Estimated time to complete: 15mins.

Market indices and market sectors - text version (PDF 186KB)

9. Sharemarket investment strategies

There are a number of different approaches to investing in the sharemarket. This course introduces the importance of understanding the sharemarket's context in the broader economy. The course also details the pros and cons of investing directly or via a managed fund. Gearing and margin lending is also explored along with the important aspect of when to sell.

Estimated time to complete: 15mins.

Sharemarket investment strategies - text version (PDF 535KB)

10. Fundamental analysis

Annual reports, balance sheet analysis, dividend yield, PE ratio - learning to assess a company's financials is an important skill. This course introduces the concepts of fundamental analysis.

Estimated time to complete: 15mins.

Fundamental analysis - text version (PDF 506KB)

11. Technical analysis

Every picture tells a story - sharemarket price charts can be a valuable tool for assisting your investment decisions. Technical analysis is the study of price charts. This course will introduce learners to different chart types, moving averages, support and resistance lines.

Estimated time to complete: 15mins.

Technical analysis - text version (PDF 267KB)