Share Basics
HIN vs SRN: How to Tell How Your Shares Are Held
Compare HINs and SRNs, understand CHESS-sponsored and issuer-sponsored holdings, and learn which party to contact about a transfer or donation.
The quickest way to understand who administers your Australian shareholding is to determine whether it is held under a HIN or an SRN. Both identify registered holdings, but they sit on different subregisters and lead to different transfer processes.
The simple difference
A HIN is generally connected to a CHESS sponsor, usually a broker. An SRN is generally connected to an issuer-sponsored holding administered by the company's share registry. A HIN may cover shares in several companies, while an investor usually receives a separate SRN for each issuer-sponsored company holding.
Clues on your paperwork
A HIN commonly starts with X.
An SRN commonly starts with I.
Broker statements and CHESS notifications point to a HIN; company-branded or registry-issued holding statements often point to an SRN. Do not post either number publicly.
Who should you contact?
For HIN holdings, contact your broker (Commsec, Nabtrade etc).
For SRN holdings, contact the relevant share registry (eg Computershare, MUFG, Boardroom etc).
If you are unsure which registry acts for the company, check the company's investor relations page or recent shareholder correspondence.
Why registered details matter
Transfers can be delayed when names, addresses or account designations do not match. Middle names, joint-holder order, trustee wording and estate designations may all matter. Check the holding statement before beginning paperwork.
Which is easier to donate?
Neither structure is automatically better. The steps are simply different. A clean issuer-sponsored holding may be transferred using registry-compatible documentation, while a CHESS-sponsored holding normally requires broker involvement.
Ready to take the next step?
Use our donation form to tell us how the shares are held. We will guide you toward the correct transfer process.
General Information Disclaimer
This article contains general information only and does not constitute financial, legal or tax advice. Requirements vary between holdings, brokers, registries and personal circumstances. Consider obtaining advice from an appropriately qualified professional.