Smart Aussie InvestorCompare ETFs in 10 minutes
What we’re comparing
- What it holds: the mix of companies/bonds (examples help).
- Fee (management cost): keep it simple lower is usually better for broad funds.
- Distribution: how often it pays out income (and if you can auto-reinvest).
- Size & liquidity: larger funds often have tighter buy/sell spreads.
- Fit: does it match your goal (core holding, global tilt, tech tilt, defensive)?
A quick shortlist (examples)
- Australia core: broad ASX exposure (think BHP, Rio Tinto, the big 4 banks, Telstra).
- Global core: large developed markets (think Apple, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Tesla).
- US large-cap/tech tilt: concentrates on big US names, tech-heavy.
- Defensive sleeve: investment-grade bonds or cash-like ETFs for steadier balance.
Simple comparison grid
| Ticker | Focus | Typical holdings (examples) | Fee (high level) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU broad | Australia large companies | BHP, Rio Tinto, CBA, Westpac, ANZ, NAB, Telstra | Low | Core Aussie exposure |
| Global (ex-AU) | Developed markets | Apple, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Tesla, etc. | Low | Pairs we’ll with AU broad |
| US large/tech | Big US names, tech-heavy | Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, etc. | Low  Moderate | Adds growth tilt |
| Bonds | Investment-grade | AU gov’t & high-quality corporates | Low  Moderate | Stability & income |
| Cash-like | Short-term deposits | Term/notice deposits via ETF | Low | Park cash, earn interest |
Optional: Crypto sleeve (for context)
- Some investors add a small, satellite sleeve to BTC or ETH either directly or via a crypto ETF alongside core ETFs.
- We’ll cover pros/cons of direct ownership vs crypto ETFs later. Platform/exchange tokens are higher risk and not core .
How to choose (5-point check)
- Start with AU broad + Global as your core.
- Decide if you want a tech/growth tilt (optional).
- Add a defensive sleeve (bonds or cash-like) if you prefer smoother swings.
- Skim the fund page (fee, index tracked, distributions, size).
- Buy with a limit order. Consider DCA vs lump sum. Turn on DRP if you want set-and-forget compounding.