VAS vs ASUS: Which ETF Is Better?
A side-by-side comparison of fees, size, returns and holdings, using data to 30 September 2026.
VAS comes out ahead on 5 of 5 measures. Which matters most depends on you.
The short answer
Worth about $35,480 on $100,000 over 20 years.
Bigger funds usually trade more cheaply and are less likely to close.
A tighter gap between the buy and sell price.
VAS vs ASUS side by side
| VAS leads on 5, ASUS on 0 | VASVanguard Australian Shares Index ETF | ASUSAusbil Active Sustainable Equity Fund |
|---|---|---|
| The basics | ||
| Index tracked | S&P/ASX 300 Index | Benchmark: S&P/ASX 200 Index |
| Fund manager | Vanguard | Ausbil |
| Asset class | Australian shares | Australian shares |
| Listed | May 2009 | May 2026 |
| Cost and size | ||
| MERyearly fee, lower is better | 0.07%✓ | 0.59% |
| AUMfund size | $26.7bn✓ | $405m |
| Net flows (Sep)new money in, last month | $449m✓ | −$14m |
| Bid/ask spreadtrading cost, lower is better | 0.02%✓ | 0.60% |
| Total returns | ||
| 1 month | −2.5%✓ | −3.9% |
| 1 year | +2.2% | – |
| 3 years p.a. | +10.8% | – |
| 5 years p.a. | +6.5% | – |
| $10,000 invested | ||
| 1 year ago | $10,223 | – |
| 5 years ago | $13,672 | – |
✓ marks the better figure on each measure. Returns include distributions, to 30 September 2026.
VAS vs ASUS price chart
Both ETFs on one chart as % change. Use the 1D to All buttons to change the period. Price only, so it leaves out distributions · TradingView
What $10,000 invested is worth now
Only VAS has a 5 years record: $10,000 then is worth $13,672 today.
Total returns to 30 September 2026, with distributions reinvested, before tax and brokerage. The price chart above leaves out distributions, so it can look worse. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
What the fees cost you
VAS's lower fee leaves about $35,480 more in your pocket over 20 years.
Total fees paid on a $100,000 investment, assuming a 7% a year return before fees. Illustration only: it ignores tax, brokerage and differences in returns.
Get the full VAS vs ASUS report
- Every holding of each ETF: the top 50 companies, with sectors and countries
- Exactly which companies they share, and how much of each
- Fees in dollars over 10, 20 and 30 years
- Every metric side by side, including the index each tracks
- ★ FREE BONUSIs now a good time to invest? The Market Health-O-Meter
FAQs
Which is better, VAS or ASUS?
It depends on what you need. On our numbers VAS wins on 5 measures and ASUS on 0. VAS is cheaper, with a management fee of 0.07% vs 0.59%. On $100,000 over 20 years that difference is worth about $35,480. VAS is the larger fund at $26.7bn vs $405m. VAS has the tighter bid/ask spread (0.02%), so it is usually slightly cheaper to trade.
Which is cheaper, VAS or ASUS?
VAS charges 0.07% a year and ASUS charges 0.59% a year.
Can I hold both VAS and ASUS?
You can, but check how much they overlap. VAS is a Australian shares fund and ASUS is a Australian shares fund.
More comparisons
General information only, not a recommendation. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.