ETFLens Blog
Investing Guides: ETFLens Blog
Practical guides for Australian ETF investors: overlap, EOFY tax, portfolio construction and more.
28 articles in Investing Guides
View all articles →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 · 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 →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 →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 →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 →20 May 2026 · 14 min read
Best ETFs in Australia 2026: The Data, Not the Hype
Best ETFs Australia 2026: data-driven comparison across Australian shares, global shares, income and diversified.
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 →16 May 2026 · 7 min read
EOFY ETF Investing Guide 2026: Tax Tips
EOFY ETF checklist 2026: review distributions, franking credits and capital gains before 30 June.
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 94%.
Read article →Other categories
General information only · Not financial advice · Always read the relevant PDS and consider seeking advice from a licensed financial adviser before making investment decisions.