Index investing has become mainstream in Australia, driven by industry super funds and a growing retail ETF market on the ASX. The key Australian-specific decision is whether to invest inside super (tax advantages but locked until retirement) or outside in a brokerage account (accessible but taxed).
Popular Australian ETFs on the ASX
| ETF | What it tracks | MER | Issuer |
|---|---|---|---|
| VGS | MSCI World ex-Australia | 0.18% | Vanguard |
| VAS | ASX 300 (Australian equities) | 0.07% | Vanguard |
| VDHG | Diversified High Growth (90/10) | 0.27% | Vanguard |
| DHHF | Global + Aus diversified | 0.19% | Betashares |
| NDQ | Nasdaq 100 | 0.48% | Betashares |
| A200 | ASX 200 | 0.04% | Betashares |
Australian investing platforms compared
| Platform | Brokerage fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Pearler | $6.50/trade | Long-term buy-and-hold, automation |
| CommSec Pocket | $2 (under $1k) / $9.50 | Beginners, small amounts |
| Stake | $3/trade (ASX) | Frequent traders, low brokerage |
| Vanguard Personal Investor | $9/trade | Vanguard fund investors |
| SelfWealth | $9.50 flat | ASX and US shares |
Inside super vs outside super
Super is taxed at 15% on earnings (vs your marginal rate of 32.5-47% outside). For long-term wealth building, this makes super very attractive. The trade-off: you can't access it until preservation age (60). The optimal strategy for most Australians:
- Max out super contributions first (especially salary sacrifice) for the tax benefit
- Invest outside super in ETFs for flexibility and earlier access
- Keep emergency fund and short-term goals in HISA/offset
Track your budget in Australian dollars
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