The definitive, independent ranking of Australia's best ETFs across every major category. Updated monthly with the latest CBOE performance data.
Review ETF Team · 14 May 2026 · Data to 30 April 2026
Forget marketing spin. Forget paid placements. Forget rankings that mysteriously match an issuer's biggest advertisers.
This is the only ranking that uses the official April 2026 CBOE Australia performance data to crown a gold, silver and bronze medallist in every major ETF category — across 488 ASX-listed ETFs.
No fund manager wrote this article. No issuer is paying for placement. Just data, medals, and a clear answer in every category.
🥇 The 10 category champions at a glance
# | Category | 🥇 Gold | 5-Year Return |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Gold & Precious Metals | ETPMAG — Global X Physical Silver | +197.7% |
2 | Commodities & Resources | OOO — Betashares Crude Oil (hedged) | +135.2% |
3 | US Market | FANG — Global X FANG+ | +128.2% |
4 | Technology & Growth | FANG — Global X FANG+ | +128.2% |
5 | Thematic & Specialty | IKO — iShares MSCI South Korea | +98.2% |
6 | International (Developed) | IVV — iShares S&P 500 | +93.2% |
7 | Australian Shares | MVR — VanEck Australian Resources | +80.5% |
8 | Dividend & Income | INCM — Betashares Global Dividend Aristocrats | +64.7% |
9 | Diversified All-in-One | DHHF — Betashares Diversified All Growth | +57.3% |
10 | Bonds & Fixed Income | SUBD — VanEck Australian Subordinated Debt | +21.8% |
The story of 2026 so far: silver still dominates, oil and US tech are right behind, and the gap between the strongest category (precious metals at +198%) and the weakest (bonds at +22%) is the widest in years.
🏆 The 10 category champions at a glance
1️⃣ Australian Shares — 🥇 MVR
The foundation of most Aussie portfolios. Broad ASX 200 exposure costs as little as 0.04%, but in 2026 the resources tilt is doing the heavy lifting.
Medal | Ticker | Fund | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | MER | AUM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
🥇 | VanEck Australian Resources | +55.8% | +36.1% | +80.5% | 0.35% | $650M | |
🥈 | VanEck Australian Banks | +19.5% | +69.0% | +78.8% | 0.28% | $288M | |
🥉 | Betashares FTSE RAFI Australia 200 | +20.4% | +41.7% | +58.0% | 0.40% | $1.11B | |
4 | iShares ASX Dividend Opportunities | +20.3% | +44.6% | +51.8% | 0.23% | $373M | |
5 | Vanguard MSCI Aus Large Companies | +12.8% | +33.9% | +48.9% | 0.20% | $309M | |
6 | SPDR MSCI Aus Select High Dividend | +17.0% | +30.6% | +46.1% | 0.20% | $629M | |
7 | SPDR S&P/ASX 50 | +9.4% | +29.4% | +44.9% | 0.20% | $709M | |
8 | Betashares Australia 200 | +10.6% | +30.5% | +44.4% | 0.04% | $9.52B | |
9 | SPDR S&P/ASX 200 | +10.1% | +29.9% | +42.7% | 0.05% | $6.30B | |
10 | Vanguard Australian Shares | +10.2% | +29.8% | +41.8% | 0.07% | $24.17B |
Best for most investors: A200 at 0.04% MER. The broad-market index winner is rarely the highest performer but it's the right default core for 95% of portfolios.
The medallists' edge: Resources (MVR), banks (MVB) and value-weighted Australia (QOZ) all tilt away from the cap-weighted ASX 200. That tilt has been the difference in 2026.
Read more: VAS vs A200 vs IOZ · Every Australian Shares ETF
2️⃣ International Shares (Developed) — 🥇 IVV
Broad developed-world exposure outside Australia. Where most Australian portfolios put their international allocation.
Medal | Ticker | Fund | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | MER | AUM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
🥇 | iShares S&P 500 | +16.8% | +64.7% | +93.2% | 0.04% | $12.76B | |
🥈 | Vanguard US Total Market | +16.8% | +63.3% | +82.7% | 0.03% | $6.32B | |
🥉 | Vanguard MSCI International | +15.0% | +56.2% | +78.3% | 0.18% | $15.39B | |
4 | iShares Core MSCI World ex-AU | +15.6% | +58.0% | +75.9% | 0.09% | $1.58B | |
5 | Vanguard MSCI International (hedged) | +26.8% | +64.0% | +58.7% | 0.21% | $6.76B | |
6 | iShares S&P 500 (hedged) | +28.1% | +69.2% | +52.3% | 0.10% | $3.74B | |
7 | Vanguard All-World ex-US | +16.8% | +44.5% | +52.1% | 0.07% | $5.47B | |
— | Betashares Global Shares | +15.3% | n/a | n/a | 0.08% | $3.94B |
Best for most investors: VGS for one-fund diversification across 23 developed markets, OR IVV for US conviction at 0.04% fee.
Cheapest option to watch: BGBL at 0.08% — same MSCI World ex-AU index as VGS at less than half the fee. Too new for a 5-year track record but the fundamentals are sound.
Read more: IVV vs VGS vs VTS · VGS vs BGBL · Australian vs Global Shares
3️⃣ US Market — 🥇 FANG
US-specific exposure — broad market, factor tilts, and concentrated mega-cap options.
Medal | Ticker | Fund | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | MER | AUM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
🥇 | Global X FANG+ | +18.6% | +144.6% | +128.2% | 0.35% | $1.55B | |
🥈 | iShares Global 100 | +26.7% | +74.8% | +117.1% | 0.40% | $5.41B | |
🥉 | Betashares Nasdaq 100 | +25.5% | +89.8% | +104.1% | 0.48% | $8.06B | |
4 | iShares S&P 500 | +16.8% | +64.7% | +93.2% | 0.04% | $12.76B | |
5 | VanEck MSCI International Value | +33.0% | +66.3% | +90.8% | 0.40% | $453M | |
6 | Vanguard US Total Market | +16.8% | +63.3% | +82.7% | 0.03% | $6.32B | |
7 | VanEck MSCI International Quality | +10.9% | +53.6% | +79.3% | 0.40% | $8.05B | |
8 | VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat | +5.8% | +26.1% | +54.3% | 0.49% | $897M | |
9 | Betashares S&P 500 Equal Weight | +7.9% | +32.5% | +50.9% | 0.29% | $996M |
Best for most investors: IVV. At 0.04% MER and $12.76B AUM, it's the cleanest, cheapest way to own the 500 largest US companies.
Best for high growth: FANG or NDQ — concentrated mega-cap tech with the highest historical returns and the highest concentration risk.
Read more: IVV vs VGS vs VTS · Hedged vs Unhedged
4️⃣ Technology & Growth — 🥇 FANG
Concentrated thematic exposure to tech sub-sectors. Best as a satellite, not a core.
Medal | Ticker | Fund | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | MER | AUM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
🥇 | Global X FANG+ | +18.6% | +144.6% | +128.2% | 0.35% | $1.55B | |
🥈 | Betashares Nasdaq 100 | +25.5% | +89.8% | +104.1% | 0.48% | $8.06B | |
🥉 | Global X Battery Tech & Lithium | +108.0% | +89.5% | +103.0% | 0.69% | $828M | |
4 | Betashares Nasdaq 100 (hedged) | +37.1% | +96.3% | +74.5% | 0.51% | $865M | |
5 | Betashares Global Cybersecurity | -7.7% | +58.3% | +61.3% | 0.67% | $1.19B | |
6 | Betashares Asia Tech Tigers | +73.3% | +157.9% | +55.2% | 0.67% | $1.19B | |
7 | Global X Morningstar Global Tech | +2.6% | +33.8% | +23.2% | 0.45% | $285M | |
8 | Betashares Global Robotics & AI | +19.0% | +39.8% | +18.0% | 0.57% | $306M | |
— | Global X Semiconductor | +126.9% | +252.8% | n/a | 0.45% | $781M | |
— | Global X Hydrogen | +188.4% | +73.3% | n/a | 0.69% | $54M |
Best for most investors: NDQ — the cheapest established US tech option with $8B AUM and a full 5-year track.
The "look but don't buy yet" pick: SEMI is the dominant 3-year tech performer (+253%) but doesn't yet have a 5-year track. Conviction holders are well rewarded; everyone else should wait for the longer track record.
Read more: Every theme ETF on the ASX
5️⃣ Diversified All-in-One — 🥇 DHHF
One-fund portfolios. Australian shares + international shares + (sometimes) bonds in a single ticker. Perfect for beginners, small accounts, or set-and-forget investors.
Medal | Ticker | Fund | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | MER | AUM | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
🥇 | Betashares Diversified All Growth | +14.1% | +44.9% | +57.3% | 0.19% | $1.26B | ~100% | |
🥈 | Vanguard Diversified High Growth | +14.8% | +41.1% | +46.4% | 0.27% | $3.72B | ~90% | |
🥉 | Vanguard Diversified Growth | +11.8% | +33.2% | +34.6% | 0.27% | $1.41B | ~70% | |
4 | Vanguard Diversified Balanced | +8.8% | +25.7% | +22.9% | 0.27% | $875M | ~50% | |
5 | Vanguard Diversified Conservative | +6.3% | +19.0% | +14.2% | 0.27% | $288M | ~30% | |
— | Betashares Wealthbuilder All Growth Geared | +22.1% | n/a | n/a | 0.35% | $281M | ~120% (geared) | |
— | Vanguard Diversified All Growth | +16.3% | n/a | n/a | 0.27% | $337M | ~100% |
Best for most investors: DHHF. Cheapest fee (0.19%) AND the strongest 5-year return in the category. The exception that proves the "low fee + diversification" rule.
Best for slightly defensive: VDHG — 90/10 split, larger AUM ($3.72B), still strong returns.
Read more: VDHG vs DHHF vs GHHF · 2-ETF vs Core Satellite
6️⃣ Gold & Precious Metals — 🥇 ETPMAG
The dominant story of the past five years. Every single fund in the top 5 has delivered triple-digit returns over 5 years.
Medal | Ticker | Fund | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | MER | AUM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
🥇 | Global X Physical Silver | +97.2% | +165.4% | +197.7% | 0.49% | $1.54B | |
🥈 | VanEck Gold Miners | +65.3% | +144.5% | +187.2% | 0.53% | $1.46B | |
🥉 | Perth Mint Gold | +23.7% | +112.6% | +179.7% | 0.15% | $2.50B | |
4 | Global X Physical Gold | +23.0% | +109.5% | +174.0% | 0.40% | $6.03B | |
5 | Betashares Gold Miners (hedged) | +82.8% | +155.9% | +148.3% | 0.57% | $253M | |
6 | Betashares Gold Bullion (hedged) | +35.2% | +116.4% | +124.1% | 0.59% | $1.46B | |
7 | Global X Physical Precious Metal Basket | +42.9% | +97.1% | +96.6% | 0.44% | $142M | |
8 | Global X Physical Platinum | +73.8% | +61.4% | +69.1% | 0.49% | $88M | |
— | VanEck Gold Bullion | +24.2% | +111.4% | n/a | 0.25% | $240M |
Best for most investors: PMGOLD. Cheapest physical gold option at 0.15% MER and backed by Perth Mint.
The 5-year king: ETPMAG (silver) has been the best ETF on the entire ASX over 5 years — turning $10K into roughly $29,770.
Read more: Gold ETFs Guide
7️⃣ Commodities & Resources — 🥇 OOO
Oil, miners, uranium, copper. The hard-asset trade that finished off the inflation cycle.
Medal | Ticker | Fund | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | MER | AUM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
🥇 | Betashares Crude Oil (hedged) | +124.3% | +112.5% | +135.2% | 1.29% | $163M | |
🥈 | Betashares Global Energy (hedged) | +50.8% | +52.5% | +128.1% | 0.57% | $280M | |
🥉 | Global X Battery Tech & Lithium | +108.0% | +89.5% | +103.0% | 0.69% | $828M | |
4 | VanEck Australian Resources | +55.8% | +36.1% | +80.5% | 0.35% | $650M | |
5 | Betashares Australian Resources | +50.7% | +35.3% | +61.0% | 0.34% | $452M | |
6 | SPDR S&P/ASX 200 Resources | +50.9% | +34.7% | +60.0% | 0.34% | $258M | |
7 | Betashares Global Agriculture | +33.5% | +26.4% | +28.1% | 0.57% | $80M | |
— | Betashares Global Uranium | +79.4% | +126.8% | n/a | 0.69% | $349M | |
— | Global X Copper Miners | +83.2% | +89.8% | n/a | 0.65% | $737M | |
— | Betashares Energy Transition Metals | +116.6% | +91.4% | n/a | 0.69% | $125M |
Best for most investors: MVR — diversified across the Australian mining sector at 0.35% MER, solid long-term track.
The thematic leaders: Copper (WIRE), uranium (URNM) and energy transition metals (XMET) are the biggest gainers in 2026 — but lack 5-year tracks. Use as conviction satellite positions.
Read more: Commodity & Resource ETFs
8️⃣ Bonds & Fixed Income — 🥇 SUBD
The defensive allocation. Subordinated debt and hybrids beat traditional government bonds by a country mile this cycle.
Medal | Ticker | Fund | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | MER | AUM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
🥇 | VanEck Australian Subordinated Debt | +6.4% | +19.1% | +21.8% | 0.29% | $3.63B | |
🥈 | Betashares Australian Credit Income | +5.1% | +16.8% | +20.2% | 0.55% | $2.50B | |
🥉 | VanEck Australian Floating Rate | +4.7% | +14.6% | +17.0% | 0.22% | $1.15B | |
4 | Vanguard Aus Corp Fixed Interest | +1.7% | +12.1% | +6.9% | 0.20% | $738M | |
5 | VanEck Australian Corporate Bond Plus | +1.3% | +12.8% | +4.7% | 0.32% | $356M | |
6 | Betashares Aus Investment Grade Corp | +1.3% | +14.2% | +3.3% | 0.25% | $1.78B | |
7 | Betashares Western Asset Aus Bond | +0.1% | +6.8% | -0.1% | 0.42% | $844M | |
8 | Vanguard Aus Fixed Interest | -0.1% | +5.9% | -0.5% | 0.10% | $3.50B | |
9 | iShares Core Composite Bond | -0.2% | +5.8% | -0.7% | 0.10% | $3.56B |
Best for most investors: SUBD or HBRD for credit exposure with a yield kicker. The big traditional government bond funds (VAF, IAF) are still showing negative 5-year returns from the 2022-23 rate shock.
The "wait for the recovery" pick: If rates fall meaningfully, VAF and IAF benefit the most because they have the longest duration. Timing is everything.
Read more: Every Bond & Fixed Income ETF on the ASX
9️⃣ Dividend & Income — 🥇 INCM
Higher distributions, often with franking credits. Popular with retirees and income-focused investors — but the highest yield is rarely the best total return.
Medal | Ticker | Fund | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | MER | AUM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
🥇 | Betashares Global Dividend Aristocrats | +7.4% | +39.6% | +64.7% | 0.45% | $92M | |
🥈 | Vanguard Australian High Yield | +21.8% | +43.4% | +62.5% | 0.25% | $7.19B | |
🥉 | Betashares S&P 500 Yield Maximiser | +8.1% | +40.0% | +62.2% | 0.79% | $283M | |
4 | Betashares FTSE RAFI Australia 200 | +20.4% | +41.7% | +58.0% | 0.40% | $1.11B | |
5 | Betashares Diversified All Growth | +14.1% | +44.9% | +57.3% | 0.19% | $1.26B | |
6 | iShares ASX Dividend Opportunities | +20.3% | +44.6% | +51.8% | 0.23% | $373M | |
7 | SPDR S&P Global Dividend | +10.2% | +36.0% | +48.9% | 0.35% | $358M | |
8 | SPDR MSCI Aus Select High Dividend | +17.0% | +30.6% | +46.1% | 0.20% | $629M | |
9 | Russell Investments High Dividend | +11.1% | +33.8% | +43.6% | 0.34% | $331M | |
10 | Betashares Top 20 Yield Maximiser | +5.9% | +21.4% | +32.9% | 0.76% | $660M |
Best for most investors: VHY. Strong returns, big AUM, full franking, and a fee less than half of the new gold-medal winner.
The medal-changer this month: INCM — Betashares Global Dividend Aristocrats — just edged ahead of VHY on 5-year total return. The global-aristocrats screen produces lower yield (~3.5%) but higher quality companies, which delivered better capital appreciation.
The yield trap: YMAX and HVST are covered-call / dividend-rotation strategies. High headline yield, but NAV erosion eats into total return. See Australia's dividend ETFs exposed for the full breakdown.
Read more: Best ETFs for Retirees
🔟 Thematic & Specialty — 🥇 IKO
Concentrated bets on specific trends, countries, or sectors. High variance — many themes have delivered eye-watering returns, others have lost half their value.
Medal | Ticker | Fund | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | MER | AUM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
🥇 | iShares MSCI South Korea | +155.2% | +151.7% | +98.2% | 0.45% | $142M | |
🥈 | Betashares Global Cybersecurity | -7.7% | +58.3% | +61.3% | 0.67% | $1.19B | |
🥉 | Betashares Asia Tech Tigers | +73.3% | +157.9% | +55.2% | 0.67% | $1.19B | |
4 | VanEck Morningstar Intl Wide Moat | +1.0% | +16.6% | +34.8% | 0.55% | $55M | |
5 | Global X ROBO Global Robotics | +39.8% | +39.3% | +26.9% | 0.69% | $297M | |
6 | Global X S&P Biotech | +38.8% | +49.0% | +0.3% | 0.45% | $39M | |
7 | Betashares S&P/ASX Australian Tech | -20.3% | +24.3% | -0.5% | 0.48% | $558M | |
— | Betashares Crypto Innovators | +25.3% | +163.4% | n/a | 0.67% | $179M | |
— | Global X 21Shares Bitcoin | -29.0% | +131.4% | n/a | 0.45% | $154M |
Best for most investors: Don't put core money here. Thematic ETFs are for conviction satellite positions, sized small (5-10% of a portfolio at most).
This month's new gold medallist: IKO (Korea) replaces HACK with +155% 1-year and +152% 3-year. Samsung, SK Hynix and Hyundai's reform-driven rally has put Korea on every thematic shortlist.
Warning labels: ATEC (-0.5% 5Y), ERTH and CLNE all have negative 5-year returns. Thematic ETFs can go down hard. See Every theme ETF on the ASX for the full picture.
What this month's medals tell you
A few patterns worth noticing in the April 2026 leaderboard:
1. Resources and banks have hijacked the Australian Shares podium. MVR (resources) and MVB (banks) sit at #1 and #2 — not the broad-market index funds. If your Australian core is just VAS or A200, you're missing where the gains have been.
2. Hard assets dominate everything. Gold, silver, oil, copper, miners — they're not just the gold medallists in their own categories, they're often beating broad-equity gold medallists. ETPMAG (+198%) leads the entire ASX.
3. The cheapest fund is often the best. IVV at 0.04% wins International (Developed). PMGOLD at 0.15% is in the gold podium. DHHF at 0.19% wins Diversified. Fees matter — and the low-fee winners prove it.
4. The "yield trap" is real. The highest-yield income ETFs (YMAX, HVST) sit at the bottom of the income leaderboard on total return. Compare to INCM (3.5% yield, +64.7% 5Y) vs HVST (~9% yield, lower total return).
5. Don't confuse 1-year heroes with long-term winners. HGEN is up +188% in one year but doesn't even have a 5-year track. The gold medallists ranked on 5Y are who you actually want owning your retirement money.
How we picked the medals
Every ranking on this page is based on:
Total return data from CBOE Australia — the official ASX-licensed source
1-year, 3-year, and 5-year cumulative returns to 30 April 2026
MER from issuer disclosures
AUM as reported by issuers
Sort order: 5-year total return (with 3-year used as a tiebreaker for funds without 5-year history). We do not accept payment from issuers. No affiliate links for ETF purchases. No ranking based on brand recognition or marketing spend.
Browse every ASX-listed ETF in our full directory.
Related reading
Portfolio construction
Beginner guides
Direct comparisons
Life stage
Data sourced from CBOE Australia (performance to 30 April 2026) and issuer websites. All rankings updated monthly. Past performance is not indicative of future results. This article is general information only — not personal financial advice.
