From Tuesday, it will become a lot easier for investors to buy and sell a piece of the federal government’s triple-A rated debt.

Australia, like most developed countries, borrows money by issuing bonds and other securities, and is one of only eight countries left with the top level credit rating, with a stable outlook from all three ratings agencies.

Previously Australian government securities were mainly bought by large institutions in large parcels.

But from 1015 AEST on Tuesday, they will be bought and sold in units the equivalent of $100 face value of the Treasury bond as easily as shares are traded.

In recent years, Australian bonds have been popular with local and overseas investors looking for a safe-haven to park their money.

That has also pushed the yields down to record levels reducing the amount of interest the Australian government pays.

ASX chief executive Elmer Funke Kupper defended the timing of the launch of the new trading system.

“Some would say that the timing of the launch of exchange traded bonds is not ideal; it is true that interest rates are at a record low,” he said on Monday.

“We don’t look at it this way, we launch products for the long term benefit of investors.

“Over time growth, inflation and interest rates will move around, our job is to make sure investors have access to a full range of products that suit their needs at the time.”

Labor parliamentary secretary to the prime minister Andrew Leigh said the exchange-traded bonds will allow greater access to a fixed interest investment.

“Another major benefit of this is broad investment opportunities for superannuation funds,” he said.

“The product that we’re launching today will be of enduring interest.”

There will a total of 22 Exchange-traded Treasury Bonds (eTBs) and Exchange-traded Treasury Indexed Bonds (eTIBs).

The Australian government has a web site with information about the new scheme: www.australiangovernmentbonds.gov.au