What is a Holder Identification Number (HIN)?

By Jack Dona ·
Fact Checked
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In share trading, a Holder Identification Number (HIN) is a unique ID assigned to anyone who buys shares in the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). 

When you buy shares through a broker, your HIN will be used to record the ownership of your shares in a database called the Clearing House Electronic Subregister System (CHESS). 

However, some brokers do not offer CHESS sponsorship. Instead, they offer issuer-sponsored shares, in what’s more commonly known as a custodial model. 

Issuer-sponsored shares are held on a separate register to the ASX’s CHESS database.

How do I get a Holder Identification Number?

When you open an account with a broker or online share trading platform that offers CHESS sponsorship, you will get a HIN. 

You can have multiple HINs if you’ve got multiple CHESS sponsors (brokers), or you can transfer your HIN and any holdings across to a new broker.

What does a Holder Identification Number look like?

Your HIN starts with an ‘X’, followed by ten digits. For example, a HIN could look like this: X0123456789.

Where to find my Holder Identification Number?

You should be able to find your HIN on your CHESS statement if your shares are CHESS-sponsored.   

If you don’t have a CHESS statement, then your shares may be issuer-sponsored (held in a separate subregister), or held under an omnibus HIN – essentially, your broker’s own HIN, under which all their clients’ holdings are kept.

If your shares are issuer-sponsored, then you will likely have a Security Reference Number (SRN) instead.

Are HIN and SRN the same?

HINs and SRNs work on the same principle but are entirely different ways of tracking share ownership. 

Where your HIN will be registered on the ASX’s CHESS subregister, a Securityholder Reference Number (SRN) will be kept on an alternative subregister by the issuer of your shares.

Which share trading accounts are CHESS-sponsored?

In the Mozo database, you can compare share trading accounts and get a detailed overview of which online trading platforms offer CHESS ownership of shares (just click the ‘Details’ arrow beneath each product to reveal the hidden info). 

You can also take a look at the top five CHESS-sponsored share trading platforms – a list of some of the best share trading accounts, as decided in the Mozo Experts Choice Awards^. 

If you’re looking for a new account, start with some of the ones below!

Share account comparisons on Mozo - rates updated daily

Search promoted share trading below. Advertiser disclosure.
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