Thematic and Sector ETFs Australia: What's on the ASX in 2026

Last updated: Q2 2026. Fees are computed from ETFLens data, sourced from each issuer's published disclosure documents and reviewed quarterly.

Thematic and sector ETFs let Australian investors buy a focused slice of the market in a single ASX trade: the companies behind semiconductors, batteries, cybersecurity, clean energy, healthcare and more. They appeal to investors who want to back a specific trend, but they work very differently from a broad market index fund. This guide lists the thematic ETFs available on the ASX, groups them by theme, and sets out the factual points to compare, with live fees from ETFLens data.

What is a thematic or sector ETF?

A thematic ETF targets a specific theme, sector or trend rather than tracking the broad market. Where a fund like VAS or VGS spreads money across hundreds of companies, a thematic ETF holds a concentrated basket tied to one idea, for example semiconductor makers or battery and lithium companies. That focus is the point, and also the risk: returns can move a long way from the wider market in either direction, and a theme can stay out of favour for years. For how the broad alternative works, see our guide to index funds in Australia.

Technology and semiconductor ETFs on the ASX

Technology is the largest thematic category on the ASX, ranging from broad Nasdaq exposure to narrow single-industry funds.

• Broad US technology. NDQ (Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF, 0.48% p.a.) holds the 100 largest non-financial companies on the Nasdaq, while FANG (Global X FANG+ ETF, 0.35% p.a.) is far more concentrated, holding around 10 mega-cap technology names.
• Semiconductors. SEMI (Global X Semiconductor ETF, 0.45% p.a.) holds the chipmakers behind computing and AI hardware, with a fund size of approximately $903.1M.
• Australian technology. ATEC (Betashares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF, 0.48% p.a.) tracks ASX-listed technology companies, a local alternative to the US-heavy tech funds.
• Asia and global technology. ASIA (Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF, 0.67% p.a.) holds the largest Asian technology companies, and TECH (Global X Morningstar Global Technology ETF, 0.45% p.a.) spreads across global technology more broadly.

These funds overlap with each other and with broad global funds such as VGS, which already holds large technology weights. Before adding one, it is worth checking the overlap with what you own using the ETFLens Overlap Checker.

Battery, lithium and clean energy ETFs

This group targets electrification and lower-carbon energy.

• ACDC (Global X Battery Tech and Lithium ETF, 0.69% p.a.) holds companies across the battery supply chain, from lithium miners to battery makers.
• ERTH (Betashares Climate Change Innovation ETF, 0.65% p.a.) holds companies focused on reducing or avoiding carbon emissions.
• CLNE (VanEck Global Clean Energy ETF, 0.65% p.a.) and HGEN (Global X Hydrogen ETF, 0.69% p.a.) are narrower again, targeting clean energy generation and hydrogen respectively.

These are among the more volatile themes on the ASX, since many holdings are smaller, earlier-stage companies. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Cybersecurity, robotics and AI ETFs

• HACK (Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF, 0.67% p.a.) holds global cybersecurity companies, a theme tied to rising spending on digital security.
• RBTZ (Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF, 0.57% p.a.) holds companies in robotics, automation and AI. It is one of the more direct ways to get AI-themed exposure on the ASX, though many of its holdings also appear in broad technology funds.

Healthcare and biotech ETFs

• DRUG (Betashares Global Healthcare ETF, currency hedged, 0.45% p.a.) holds large global healthcare and pharmaceutical companies.
• CURE (Global X S&P Biotech ETF, 0.45% p.a.) is narrower, focused on biotechnology, which tends to be more volatile than broad healthcare.

Energy and agriculture ETFs

• FUEL (Betashares Global Energy Companies ETF, currency hedged, 0.57% p.a.) holds traditional global energy companies, mostly oil and gas producers.
• FOOD (Betashares Global Agriculture Companies ETF, currency hedged, 0.57% p.a.) holds global agriculture and food-production companies.

Infrastructure and property ETFs

These sit between thematic and defensive, holding real assets that often pay steady income.

• IFRA (VanEck FTSE Global Infrastructure Hedged ETF, 0.31% p.a.) and VBLD (Vanguard Global Infrastructure Index ETF, 0.47% p.a.) hold global infrastructure such as utilities, toll roads and pipelines.
• MVA (VanEck Australian Property ETF, 0.35% p.a.) holds ASX-listed property trusts (A-REITs).

Income and covered-call ETFs

Some sector funds are built around income rather than a single industry. YMAX (Betashares Australian Top 20 Equity Yield Maximiser, 0.76% p.a.) holds large ASX companies and writes covered call options over them to generate extra income, which can lift the distribution yield while capping some of the upside. Check the current yield on the YMAX ETF page. A higher yield is not the same as a higher total return, and past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. For income funds more broadly, see our high yield ETF guide.

Sustainability and ESG ETFs

• ETHI (Betashares Global Sustainability Leaders ETF, 0.59% p.a.) holds large global companies screened on climate and ethical criteria.
• FAIR (Betashares Australian Sustainability Leaders ETF, 0.49% p.a.) applies a similar screen to Australian companies.

ESG funds are broader than most single-theme funds, but their screens still tilt the portfolio away from the whole market, so returns can differ from a standard index fund.

How thematic ETFs differ from broad market funds

Three differences matter most.

• Concentration and volatility. A thematic ETF holds far fewer companies than a broad fund, all tied to one theme. That can mean larger swings in both directions, and long periods out of favour. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.
• Overlap. Many thematic holdings already sit inside broad funds. A global technology fund overlaps heavily with the technology weight in VGS, so adding it can double up an existing exposure. Check before you buy with the ETFLens Overlap Checker.
• Fees. Thematic and sector MERs on the ASX range from around 0.31% p.a. (infrastructure) to 0.76% p.a. (a covered-call income fund), against roughly 0.04% to 0.20% for broad market funds. Over decades that gap compounds; model it on the Fee Analyser.

None of this makes thematic ETFs unsuitable, but it does mean they are usually considered a smaller, satellite part of a portfolio rather than its core. Whether any theme fits your situation depends on your objectives and circumstances, which ETFLens cannot assess. For the broad core alternative, see our guides to index funds in Australia and the most widely held ASX ETFs.

This article is general information only and not personal financial advice. ETFLens does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL). Thematic and sector ETFs are concentrated and can be more volatile than broad market funds. Consider your own objectives, financial situation and needs, or speak with a licensed financial adviser before making investment decisions. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.