Investing in Australia can help you reach your financial goals, from saving for retirement to securing a comfortable lifestyle. But investing comes with risks, so it’s important to understand the options and choose the right investments for your circumstances.

Taking a long-term view is key to building confidence in your investment skills and reducing the risk of making emotional decision-making. The Australian Government’s MoneySmart website provides bite-sized learning and tips to get you started. And CommBank’s Investing hub in the app offers you access to more investment resources and tips.

Investing in Australia: What You Need to Know

A diversified portfolio can reduce the impact of market volatility and improve returns, especially over the long-term. Investors should consider a range of asset classes, such as shares, bonds, property, and cryptocurrencies. But be aware that short-term investments, such as trading stocks and cryptocurrencies, are typically higher risk than longer-term investments, such as property and superannuation.

Government bonds in Australia offer a safe, stable investment, backed by the full faith and credit of the Australian government. These bonds can be held until maturity for guaranteed interest or sold on the secondary market. Companies in sectors such as finance, energy, and telecommunications issue corporate bonds to raise capital. They are generally riskier than government bonds, but can offer higher returns.

Australian investors can also benefit from a system called dividend imputation, which allows companies to claim tax credits for the dividends they pay their shareholders. The credits are based on the company’s taxable income and are not subject to double taxation.