Australian ETF Research and Guides
Plain-English articles on ASX ETFs: fees, overlap, and how to build a portfolio. General information only, not financial advice.
17 August 2026 · 9 min read
Small-Cap ETFs in Australia: VSO, MVS, SMLL and the Global Options
Australian and international small-cap ETFs compared with live data: VSO, MVS, SMLL and SSO on the ASX side, VISM and QSML for global small companies.
Read article →17 August 2026 · 10 min read
ETFs vs Super: The Same Investments in Different Wrappers
ETFs vs super is not a contest between investments. It is a choice of tax wrapper. Access rules, tax treatment, fees and using both, in plain English.
Read article →16 August 2026 · 9 min read
VHY vs HVST: Index Yield or Monthly Dividend Harvesting?
VHY vs HVST with live data: quarterly index yield against monthly dividend harvesting. Fees, franking, income mechanics and the total-return trade-off.
Read article →16 August 2026 · 8 min read
ETF Returns Explained: Why 1-Year Figures Move So Much
A 1-year ETF return can halve while the fund does nothing. How rolling windows, base effects and annualised figures work, with live 2026 examples from ASX ETFs.
Read article →4 August 2026 · 8 min read
VAS vs IVV: Australian Shares vs the S&P 500 (2026)
VAS vs IVV: Australian shares or the S&P 500? VAS holds ASX companies with franking credits, IVV holds 500 US large caps. They barely overlap. Live data.
Read article →4 August 2026 · 7 min read
AAA ETF Review: Betashares Australian High Interest Cash ETF (2026)
AAA ETF review: Betashares Australian High Interest Cash ETF holds cash and bank term deposits, pays monthly. Yield, fees, and why it is not a bank deposit.
Read article →11 July 2026 · 9 min read
IVV ETF Review: iShares S&P 500 ETF on the ASX (2026)
IVV ETF review: the S&P 500 on the ASX at 0.04% p.a., one of the lowest fees of any ASX ETF. Fees, holdings, domicile and how it compares to VGS and VTS.
Read article →11 July 2026 · 9 min read
GHHF vs DHHF: What Internal Gearing Actually Changes (2026)
GHHF and DHHF hold near-identical all-growth portfolios. The difference is gearing: GHHF borrows internally for approximately 1.43-1.67x exposure at 0.35%, DHHF is ungeared at 0.19%.
Read article →11 July 2026 · 8 min read
BGBL ETF Review: Betashares Global Shares ETF (2026)
BGBL ETF review: approximately 1,323 developed-market companies at 0.08% p.a., less than half VGS's fee, with approximately 92% overlap. Holdings, distributions and trade-offs.
Read article →11 July 2026 · 7 min read
FHNG vs NDQ: FANG+ Concentration or Nasdaq-100 Breadth
FHNG and NDQ overlap by approximately 48%: every FANG+ stock sits inside NDQ. FHNG charges 0.38% for 10 stocks; NDQ 0.48% for 103.
Read article →8 July 2026 · 7 min read
Ethical and ESG ETFs Australia: ETHI, FAIR and How the Screening Works (2026)
Ethical and ESG ETFs Australia explained: how sustainability screening works, what ETHI, FAIR and DBBF actually hold, fees, and how to check a fund for greenwashing.
Read article →8 July 2026 · 7 min read
Covered-Call ETFs Australia: How YMAX, UYLD and QYLD Generate Their Yield (2026)
How covered-call ETFs like YMAX, UYLD and QYLD generate high yields, the capped-upside trade-off, and why the headline distribution yield is not the same as a dividend yield.
Read article →8 July 2026 · 7 min read
Property and REIT ETFs Australia: VAP, SLF, MVA and DJRE Compared (2026)
Property and REIT ETFs Australia compared: VAP, SLF, MVA and DJRE on fees and coverage, Australian vs global property, and whether you need a property ETF if you already hold VAS.
Read article →22 June 2026 · 5 min read
The 3-ETF Portfolio: VAS + VGS + VGE
Adding emerging markets to the two-fund core: how VAS, VGS and VGE divide global coverage, the blended fee, and who includes emerging-markets exposure.
Read article →22 June 2026 · 5 min read
Core-Satellite ETF Portfolio: VAS + VGS + NDQ
The core-satellite approach explained: a broad, low-cost VAS + VGS core with NDQ as a US-technology satellite, the blended fee, and the overlap to watch.
Read article →22 June 2026 · 5 min read
The FIRE ETF Portfolio: VAS + VGS + VHY
Why some investors pursuing financial independence add VHY for income: the blended fee, the large VAS/VHY overlap to flag, and the income-versus-growth trade-off.
Read article →22 June 2026 · 5 min read
ETF vs Managed Fund: What's the Difference?
ETFs and managed funds both pool your money into a diversified portfolio. The differences that matter for Australian investors: fees, how you buy and sell, holdings transparency and tax.
Read article →22 June 2026 · 5 min read
ETFs vs Listed Investment Companies (LICs)
ETFs and LICs are both ASX-listed ways to own a diversified portfolio, but they are built differently. How open-ended and closed-ended structures, NAV discounts and franking compare.
Read article →22 June 2026 · 5 min read
ETFs vs Term Deposits: Risk, Return and Liquidity
Term deposits and ETFs sit at different points on the risk and return scale. How capital safety, access to your money and the type of return compare for Australian savers and investors.
Read article →22 June 2026 · 5 min read
ETFs vs Direct Shares: Which Suits Your Goals?
Buying an ETF or buying individual shares are two ways into the sharemarket. How they compare on diversification, cost, effort and tax for Australian investors.
Read article →15 June 2026 · 10 min read
Thematic and Sector ETFs Australia: What's on the ASX in 2026
Thematic and sector ETFs on the ASX, compared: technology, semiconductors, batteries, cybersecurity, clean energy, healthcare, infrastructure and income, with live fees.
Read article →12 June 2026 · 8 min read
ETF Capital Gains Tax Australia: How to Calculate CGT on Your ETF Sales (2026)
How CGT works when you sell ASX ETF units: cost base, the 50% discount for eligible individuals and SMSFs, FIFO vs MinGain vs MaxGain, DRP parcels and AMIT adjustments.
Read article →5 June 2026 · 6 min read
Gold ETF Australia: What's Available on the ASX in 2026?
Gold ETF ASX guide: GOLD, QAU and GDX compared on fees, structure and physical gold vs gold miners, plus how gold fits a portfolio.
Read article →5 June 2026 · 6 min read
Index Funds Australia: How They Work and How They Compare to ETFs (2026)
Index funds Australia explained: how index funds work, how they differ from ETFs, and the most widely held ASX index ETFs by fee.
Read article →5 June 2026 · 5 min read
Silver ETF Australia: How to Get Silver Exposure on the ASX
Silver ETF ASX guide: the limited silver options on the ASX, physical silver vs silver miners, and how silver compares to gold.
Read article →5 June 2026 · 6 min read
How Many ETFs Do You Actually Need in Your Portfolio?
How many ETFs should you invest in? Why more does not always mean more diversification, the role of overlap, and a simple framework.
Read article →5 June 2026 · 6 min read
Emerging Markets ETF Australia: VGE, VAE and EMKT Compared (2026)
Emerging markets ETF ASX guide: VGE and VAE compared on fees and countries, plus where EMKT fits and how they differ from VGS.
Read article →30 May 2026 · 10 min read
S&P 500 ETF Australia: IVV, IHVV and VTS Compared (2026)
S&P 500 ETF Australia compared: IVV, IHVV and VTS on fees, currency hedging and US total-market scope, with live ETFLens data.
Read article →30 May 2026 · 8 min read
IVV vs VGS: S&P 500 or Global Shares ETF? (2026)
IVV vs VGS: S&P 500 or global shares? VGS is approximately 70% US, so holding both can overlap. Live fees, holdings and overlap data.
Read article →30 May 2026 · 11 min read
Bond ETFs Australia: How They Work and What's on the ASX (2026)
Bond ETFs Australia explained: how duration works, plus government, composite, floating-rate and cash options like IAF, VAF and AGVT.
Read article →30 May 2026 · 9 min read
IVV vs NDQ: S&P 500 or Nasdaq-100 for Australians? (2026)
IVV vs NDQ: S&P 500 or Nasdaq-100 for Australians? Holdings overlap, tech concentration and fees compared with live ETFLens data.
Read article →30 May 2026 · 10 min read
VanEck ETFs Australia 2026: Every ASX-Listed Fund Reviewed
VanEck ETFs Australia 2026: every ASX-listed VanEck fund (MVW, QUAL, MOAT, GDX and more) with live fees, yields and assets.
Read article →28 May 2026 · 6 min read
What Is an AMIT Statement? Australian ETF Tax Guide (2026)
An AMIT Member Annual (AMMA) statement breaks down the tax components of your Australian ETF distributions. Here is what it is, what is on it, and how to use it at tax time.
Read article →28 May 2026 · 7 min read
How Are ETF Distributions Taxed in Australia?
ETF distributions taxed in Australia: franked dividends, foreign income and capital gains are all taxed differently.
Read article →28 May 2026 · 5 min read
What Is the Cheapest ASX ETF by MER?
Cheapest ASX ETF by MER 2026: A200 at 0.04% p.a. for Australian shares, VTS at 0.03% p.a. for US exposure.
Read article →28 May 2026 · 5 min read
When Do ASX ETFs Pay Distributions?
ASX ETF distribution schedules: most Australian equity ETFs pay quarterly; international ETFs pay semi-annually. 2026 schedule.
Read article →28 May 2026 · 8 min read
The Two-ETF Aussie Portfolio: VAS + VGS, A200 + BGBL, or Something Else?
A two-ETF portfolio combining Australian and international shares is a straightforward approach for Australian investors. This article compares the most widely discussed combinations and what to consider.
Read article →28 May 2026 · 8 min read
VGS vs VGAD: Hedged vs Unhedged Global ETF (2026)
VGS vs VGAD: same MSCI World index, different currency treatment. VGS unhedged, VGAD hedges to AUD. 2026 comparison.
Read article →28 May 2026 · 7 min read
HNDQ vs NDQ: Hedged vs Unhedged Nasdaq-100 (2026)
HNDQ vs NDQ: same Nasdaq-100 index, different currency treatment. NDQ unhedged, HNDQ hedges to AUD at higher MER.
Read article →28 May 2026 · 8 min read
IOZ vs VAS: iShares vs Vanguard Australia (2026)
IOZ vs VAS: both track ASX large caps from different providers. IOZ tracks ASX 200, VAS tracks S&P/ASX 300.
Read article →28 May 2026 · 8 min read
NDQ vs FANG: Nasdaq-100 vs Mega-Cap Tech (2026)
NDQ vs FANG: Nasdaq-100 vs mega-cap tech. NDQ holds 100 stocks; FANG holds approximately 10. Concentration risk explained.
Read article →28 May 2026 · 9 min read
VGS vs VEU: Global vs Ex-US International ETFs (2026)
VGS vs VEU: global developed markets vs international ex-US. VGS is 73% US; VEU has zero US exposure plus emerging markets.
Read article →27 May 2026 · 7 min read
Magnificent 7 ETFs Australia: Concentration Risk in VGS, NDQ and IVV (2026)
How much exposure do VGS, NDQ, IVV and BGBL have to Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta and Tesla? ETFLens breaks down the data.
Read article →27 May 2026 · 9 min read
VTS ETF Review: Vanguard US Total Market Shares Index ETF (2026)
VTS ETF review: the entire US sharemarket at 0.03% p.a., among the ASX's lowest fees. Holdings, performance and US tax notes.
Read article →27 May 2026 · 9 min read
HACK ETF Review: Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF (2026)
HACK ETF review: global cybersecurity companies on the ASX at 0.67% p.a.. Holdings, performance, distributions and thematic risks.
Read article →27 May 2026 · 9 min read
QUAL ETF Review 2026: Quality Factor ETF Explained
QUAL ETF review: VanEck's global quality-factor ETF at 0.4% p.a.. Holdings, the quality factor, performance and QUAL vs VGS.
Read article →21 May 2026 · 13 min read
NDQ ETF and the Magnificent 7: US Tech Concentration Explained
NDQ charges 0.48% p.a. for the Nasdaq-100: 103 large US companies, tech-heavy. Fees, Magnificent 7 concentration and overlap with VGS.
Read article →21 May 2026 · 14 min read
High-Yield and Dividend ETFs on the ASX: A Data Comparison (2026)
A data comparison of ASX-listed high-yield ETF Australia options including VHY, SYI, YMAX, IHD, WDIV and VAP. Fees, holdings, franking credits and trailing distribution yields compared.
Read article →21 May 2026 · 14 min read
iShares ETFs Australia 2026: Every BlackRock Fund on the ASX
A complete guide to iShares ETFs Australia listed on the ASX in 2026. Covers IOZ, IVV, IOO, IAF, IHD, BILL, ISEC, IWLD and IHVV, with management fees, fund sizes and what each BlackRock ETF Australia fund tracks.
Read article →21 May 2026 · 13 min read
VAS ETF and Franking Credits: What Australian Investors Need to Know
VAS charges 0.07% p.a. and holds 316 Australian companies. Fees, franking credits and how it compares with A200 and IOZ.
Read article →21 May 2026 · 13 min read
VDHG ETF and Capital Gains Distributions: What the Trust Structure Means for Tax
VDHG charges 0.27% p.a. for a diversified high-growth portfolio. Fees, trust-of-funds structure, capital gains distributions and tax treatment.
Read article →21 May 2026 · 13 min read
A200 ETF: Low-Cost Australian Shares and Franking Credits Explained
A200 charges 0.04% p.a., among the lowest-fee Australian shares ETFs, and passes franking credits through to unitholders. Fees, franking and holdings.
Read article →20 May 2026 · 14 min read
Australia's Most Widely Held ETFs 2026: The Data, Not the Hype
Australia's most widely held ETFs in 2026: a data-driven comparison across Australian shares, global shares, income and diversified funds.
Read article →20 May 2026 · 14 min read
How to Invest in ETFs in Australia: A Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
A practical, step-by-step guide to investing in ETFs in Australia in 2026: what an ETF is, how to open a brokerage account, what to look for when researching ETFs, how to place a trade, and the costs to understand.
Read article →20 May 2026 · 11 min read
Franking Credits and ETFs: Plain-English Guide (2026)
Franking credits from ETFs like VAS and A200 can reduce your tax bill or generate a refund. Plain-English 2026 guide.
Read article →20 May 2026 · 11 min read
DHHF ETF and the AMIT Structure: How BetaShares Reduces Capital Gains Distributions
DHHF charges 0.19% p.a. for an all-in-one growth portfolio. Fees, holdings, the AMIT structure and how it compares with VDHG.
Read article →20 May 2026 · 12 min read
VHY ETF: Dividend Yield and Franking Credits (2026)
VHY pays approximately 4.1% trailing yield, largely franked, paid quarterly. Calculate the franking on each distribution with the free ETFLens tool.
Read article →20 May 2026 · 12 min read
VGS ETF and the VAS+VGS Two-ETF Portfolio: Building a Global Core
VGS charges 0.18% p.a. and holds approximately 1,252 global companies. Fees, holdings, distributions and overlap with VAS, BGBL and VGAD.
Read article →19 May 2026 · 9 min read
IOZ ETF: Review, Fees and How It Compares to STW and VAS
IOZ charges 0.05% p.a. to track the ASX 200: 205 companies. Fees, holdings, dividend yield and how it compares with STW and VAS.
Read article →17 May 2026 · 8 min read
VDHG vs DHHF: Tax Treatment and CGT Distributions Compared
VDHG vs DHHF: both diversified all-in-one ETFs differ in tax structure. VDHG uses trust-of-funds; DHHF uses AMIT.
Read article →17 May 2026 · 12 min read
Vanguard ETFs Australia 2026: The Complete Guide
Every Vanguard ETF on the ASX, 36 funds with fees from 0.07%, holdings and category. Includes VAS, VGS and VDHG. Updated for 2026. Compare any two.
Read article →17 May 2026 · 14 min read
Betashares ETFs Australia 2026 Guide
BetaShares ETFs Australia 2026: complete guide to every BetaShares ETF on the ASX, with fees, holdings and category.
Read article →16 May 2026 · 8 min read
NDQ vs VGS: Tech Concentration vs Diversification (2026)
NDQ vs VGS: tech concentration vs broad global diversification. 100 Nasdaq companies vs 1,250+ across developed markets.
Read article →16 May 2026 · 7 min read
EOFY ETF Investing Guide: Tax Tips for FY2026-27
EOFY ETF checklist for FY2026-27: review distributions, franking credits and capital gains before 30 June 2027.
Read article →16 May 2026 · 6 min read
ETF Overlap Explained: Why It Matters for Australian Investors (2026)
ETF overlap: how much two ETFs share the same holdings. VAS and A200 sit at approximately 95%.
Read article →15 May 2026 · 8 min read
VAS vs VGS: Building a Two-ETF Core Portfolio
VAS vs VGS: the most widely held two-ETF combination for Australian index investors. Compare fees, overlap and allocation.
Read article →14 May 2026 · 7 min read
VAS vs A200: Which Suits a FIRE Portfolio?
VAS vs A200: approximately 95% holdings overlap, different index providers, similar fees. Key 2026 differences.
Read article →12 May 2026 · 7 min read
VGS vs BGBL: Vanguard vs BetaShares for Global Exposure
VGS and BGBL overlap by approximately 92%. VGS charges 0.18% vs BGBL's 0.08% and is the larger fund. Compare both with the ETFLens overlap checker.
Read article →General information only · Not financial advice · Always read the relevant PDS and consider seeking advice from a licensed financial adviser before making investment decisions.