Best ETFs in Australia (2026): Top Pick in Every Category

There's no single best ETF, but there's a clear front-runner in each category. Here are the picks, chosen on four things you can check: low fees, large fund size, a track record, and Australian domicile (no US tax forms).

If you want…	Pick	Fee (p.a.)	Alternative
One ETF for everything	DHHF	0.19%	VDHG (0.27%, includes bonds)
Australian shares	A200	0.04%	VAS (0.07%)
Global shares	BGBL	0.08%	VGS (0.18%)
US shares	IVV	0.04%	V500 (0.07%)
Emerging markets	VGE	0.48%	—
Higher dividends	SYI	0.20%	VHY (0.25%)
Bonds	VAF	0.10%	—

Fees from each issuer, linked in the sections below. Checked October 2026.

Most people only need the first row, or the second and third together. Everything else is optional. The sections below explain each pick, with returns.

Best all-in-one ETF: DHHF

	DHHF	VDHG
Fee	0.19%	0.27%
Mix	100% shares	About 90% shares, 10% bonds
Size	A$1.66b (14 Oct 2026)	A$3.99b ETF class (30 Jun 2026)
1 year	7.79% (to 30 Sep 2026)	13.11% (to 30 Jun 2026)
3 years p.a.	15.49% (to 30 Sep 2026)	13.91% (to 30 Jun 2026)

An all-in-one ETF holds Australian, US, other developed and emerging-market shares in one fund and rebalances itself. DHHF holds about 8,000 companies. Its target mix is 40.5% US, 37.2% Australia, 15.2% other developed markets and 7.0% emerging markets (BetaShares).

DHHF is the cheaper pick for a long-term investor who won't need the money for many years. VDHG's 10% bonds soften falls a little, worth the extra 0.08% if that stops you selling in a crash. The return figures above are to different dates, so don't compare them directly. Full comparison: DHHF vs VDHG.

Best Australian shares ETF: A200

	A200	VAS
Fee	0.04%	0.07%
Holdings	ASX 200	ASX 300 (308 companies)
Size	A$11.0b (14 Oct 2026)	A$25.4b ETF class (30 Jun 2026)
3 years p.a.	11.51% (to 30 Sep 2026)	10.52% (to 30 Jun 2026)

A200 is the cheapest broad Australian shares ETF. VAS is larger and adds 100 smaller companies, which make up a tiny slice of the index, so the two perform very similarly. Over 12 months to 30 September 2026, A200's distributions were 71.1% franked (BetaShares). Australian shares are the part of a portfolio that delivers franking credits. More: VAS vs A200.

Best global shares ETF: BGBL

	BGBL	VGS
Fee	0.08%	0.18%
Size	A$5.5b (14 Oct 2026)	A$16.9b ETF class (30 Jun 2026)
1 year	10.22% (to 30 Sep 2026)	14.96% (to 30 Jun 2026)
3 years p.a.	18.90% (to 30 Sep 2026)	17.84% (to 30 Jun 2026)
Track record	Since May 2023	Since 2014

Both hold large and mid-sized companies across developed markets outside Australia, with the US at about three-quarters. BGBL charges less than half VGS's fee, which is $100 a year on $100,000. VGS has the longer history and quarterly distributions. Full comparison: BGBL vs VGS.

Best US shares ETF: IVV

IVV tracks the S&P 500 for 0.04% a year, holds A$15.0 billion and is Australian-domiciled. It returned 19.56% a year over the three years to 30 September 2026. V500 (0.07%) is the alternative if you invest through Vanguard Personal Investor. The Nasdaq-focused NDQ charges 0.48% and is much more concentrated in technology. Compare all of them in best S&P 500 ETF and best Nasdaq ETF.

A US-only ETF overlaps heavily with a global one, since the US is most of BGBL and VGS. Pick one or the other as your international core, not both (how many ETFs should you hold).

Best emerging markets ETF: VGE

VGE holds about 6,300 companies across markets such as China, India and Taiwan for 0.48% a year. It returned 14.58% a year over the three years to 30 June 2026. BGBL and VGS hold no emerging markets, so VGE is the usual add-on for a two-ETF portfolio that wants them. DHHF and VDHG already include emerging markets, so you don't need VGE alongside those.

Best dividend ETF: SYI

SYI tracks an MSCI high-dividend index that screens out likely dividend cutters, for 0.20% a year. It returned 14.94% a year over the three years to 30 September 2026, against 11.51% for A200. That came from heavier weights in banks and miners, which won't always pay off. The highest-yielding ETFs (YMAX, HVST) returned less in total. Full comparison: highest dividend ETFs.

Best bond ETF: VAF

VAF holds 841 Australian government and corporate bonds for 0.10% a year. Bonds are for stability, not growth. They make sense if you're within a few years of needing the money, or want to cushion share-market falls. Most long-term investors in their 20s to 40s hold few or none.

Gold and cash

Gold ETFs hold physical gold, not companies. The cheapest at the time of writing is NUGG (0.14%); compare them in best gold ETF Australia. For cash you may need soon, a high-interest savings account is usually simpler than an ETF.

Which ETF should you invest in? Three simple portfolios

Approach	ETFs	Blended fee
One fund	DHHF	0.19%
Two funds (30% Australia / 70% global)	A200 + BGBL	about 0.07%
Three funds	A200 30% + BGBL 60% + VGE 10%	about 0.11%

The cheapest portfolio isn't automatically the best one for you. With one fund, there's no rebalancing and no decisions, which for many people is worth the extra 0.12%. With two or three, you control the mix but have to keep it on track. The ETF calculator shows what each fee costs you over 20 or 30 years.

Whichever you choose, the habit matters more than the pick: invest regularly and don't sell in downturns. If you're new to this, start with the beginners guide to ETF investing, and compare brokers in best ETF brokers.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best ETF to invest in in Australia?

For most people, a diversified all-in-one ETF such as DHHF (0.19% a year, about 8,000 companies) is the simplest complete portfolio. If you'd rather build it yourself, A200 (0.04%) for Australian shares plus BGBL (0.08%) for global shares costs less. "Best" depends on how much you want to manage and how long you're investing for.

Which ETF should I buy first?

Usually a broad, diversified one: an all-in-one fund like DHHF or VDHG, or a broad Australian or global shares ETF. Narrow funds such as technology, Nasdaq, single-country or thematic ETFs are better added later, as small positions, once you have a diversified core.

What ETF should I buy right now?

Trying to pick the ETF that will do best next is market timing, which rarely works. The more reliable approach is to choose a low-cost diversified ETF that suits your timeframe and invest in it regularly regardless of market conditions. This page is general information, not a recommendation for your situation.

Are ETFs a good investment in Australia?

Broad index ETFs are a low-cost way to own the share market. A200 charges 0.04% a year, and 89% of active Australian equity funds underperformed the S&P/ASX 200 over 15 years (SPIVA Mid-Year 2026). They still rise and fall with the market and suit money you won't need for at least 5–7 years.

How many ETFs should I own?

One to three for most people. One all-in-one ETF is enough on its own, or two (Australian plus global), with a third only to add something the others lack, such as emerging markets or bonds.

Related calculators and guides

ETF Calculator — compare fees and growth across portfolios
ETF investing for beginners
Best ETF brokers in Australia
Best Vanguard ETFs
ETF vs managed fund
Are ETFs safe?
All ETF and broker comparisons

This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Individual circumstances vary. Consult a registered tax agent or licensed financial adviser before making decisions based on this information.