> What are the prerequisites for investing first time in the shares market in Australia?

What are the prerequisites for investing first time in the shares market in Australia?

Posted at: 2014-12-05 
If I knew the answer to that I would be doing it myself and making money. It's generally agreed that shares on the ASX are priced high at the moment as yields are generally around 2%.

One of my friends wants to invest in the shares market of (Sydney)Australia for first time. Need suggestions. Which sector would be best and is this the right time to invest? In a company's financial statement which section is important to look for investment actually?