Low-Cost ETFs and Index Funds in Australia
📅 Data to 30 Sep 2026The 50 cheapest ETFs by management fee (MER), limited to funds with at least $50m under management so they are well established.
| Compare | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VTS | Vanguard US Total Market Shares Index ETF | Vanguard | 0.03 | 7.3bn | International shares | 2.2 | 9.8 | 67.7 | 79.2 | 08/05/2009 | |
| MQAE | Macquarie Core Australian Equity Active ETF | Macquarie | 0.03 | 1.3bn | Australian shares | −1.7 | 1.6 | – | – | 15/05/2024 | |
| IVV | iShares S&P 500 ETF | iShares | 0.04 | 14.9bn | International shares | 2.6 | 10.1 | 69.5 | 87.8 | 10/10/2007 | |
| A200 | Betashares Australia 200 ETF | Betashares | 0.04 | 11.1bn | Australian shares | −2.4 | 2.9 | 36.8 | 39.9 | 08/05/2018 | |
| IOZ | iShares Core S&P/ASX 200 ETF | iShares | 0.05 | 9.7bn | Australian shares | −2.4 | 2.6 | 36.0 | 39.0 | 09/12/2010 | |
| STW | SPDR S&P/ASX 200 ETF | State Street (SPDR) | 0.05 | 6.5bn | Australian shares | −2.4 | 2.6 | 36.7 | 38.2 | 27/08/2001 | |
| E200 | State Street SPDR S&P/ASX 200 ESG ETF | State Street (SPDR) | 0.05 | 474m | Australian shares | −2.1 | 3.0 | 35.0 | 40.1 | 05/08/2020 | |
| VAS | Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF | Vanguard | 0.07 | 26.7bn | Australian shares | −2.5 | 2.2 | 36.0 | 36.7 | 08/05/2009 | |
| VEU | Vanguard All-World ex US Shares Index ETF | Vanguard | 0.07 | 6.5bn | International shares | 0.9 | 14.0 | 58.1 | 55.0 | 08/05/2009 | |
| BILL | iShares Core Cash ETF | iShares | 0.07 | 1.3bn | Cash | 0.4 | 4.0 | 12.6 | 16.8 | 06/06/2017 | |
| WXOZ | State Street SPDR S&P World ex Australia Carbon Aware ETF | State Street (SPDR) | 0.07 | 858m | International shares | 1.0 | 7.6 | 59.8 | 55.6 | 19/03/2013 | |
| IJR | iShares S&P Small-Cap ETF | iShares | 0.07 | 827m | International shares | −2.6 | 10.6 | 38.7 | 33.4 | 10/10/2007 | |
| IJH | iShares S&P Midcap ETF | iShares | 0.07 | 485m | International shares | −1.2 | 6.4 | 38.2 | 45.7 | 10/10/2007 | |
| V500 | Vanguard S&P 500 US Shares Index ETF | Vanguard | 0.07 | 183m | International shares | 2.4 | – | – | – | 04/03/2026 | |
| BGBL | Betashares Global Shares ETF | Betashares | 0.08 | 5.5bn | International shares | 2.1 | 10.4 | 67.4 | – | 11/05/2023 | |
| MQEG | Macquarie Core Global Equity Active ETF | Macquarie | 0.08 | 234m | International shares | 1.8 | 11.8 | – | – | 15/05/2024 | |
| IWLD | iShares Core MSCI World All Cap ETF | iShares | 0.09 | 2.0bn | International shares | 1.8 | 10.4 | 65.7 | 78.6 | 28/04/2016 | |
| IESG | iShares Core MSCI Australia ESG ETF | iShares | 0.09 | 607m | Australian shares | −2.6 | −3.0 | 32.1 | 33.5 | 04/06/2021 | |
| SPY | State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | State Street (SPDR) | 0.09 | 403m | International shares | 0.1 | 7.4 | 65.4 | 83.3 | 13/10/2014 | |
| IHVV | iShares S&P 500 (AUD Hedged) ETF | iShares | 0.10 | 4.3bn | International shares | 0.0 | 15.4 | 77.0 | 67.6 | 18/12/2014 | |
| VAF | Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF | Vanguard | 0.10 | 3.9bn | Australian bonds | −0.8 | −0.4 | 10.5 | −0.7 | 31/10/2012 | |
| IAF | iShares Core Composite Bond ETF | iShares | 0.10 | 3.7bn | Australian bonds | −0.7 | −0.4 | 10.5 | −0.9 | 14/03/2012 | |
| WXHG | State Street SPDR S&P World ex Australia Carbon Aware (Hedged) ETF | State Street (SPDR) | 0.10 | 410m | International shares | −1.3 | 14.7 | 66.7 | 42.4 | 09/07/2013 | |
| GOVT | State Street SPDR S&P/ASX iBoxx Australian Government Bond ETF | State Street (SPDR) | 0.10 | 145m | Australian bonds | −0.9 | −0.7 | 10.4 | −4.4 | 27/07/2012 | |
| BOND | State Street SPDR S&P/ASX iBoxx Australian Bond ETF | State Street (SPDR) | 0.10 | 52m | Australian bonds | −0.7 | −0.0 | 11.6 | −1.6 | 27/07/2012 | |
| HGBL | Betashares Global Shares Currency Hedged ETF | Betashares | 0.11 | 3.0bn | International shares | −0.3 | 17.4 | 75.6 | – | 18/05/2023 | |
| ISEC | iShares Enhanced Cash ETF | iShares | 0.12 | 745m | Cash | 0.4 | 4.1 | 13.0 | 17.3 | 06/06/2017 | |
| IYLD | iShares Yield Plus ETF | iShares | 0.12 | 266m | Australian bonds | 0.1 | 3.1 | 15.0 | 16.3 | 29/05/2020 | |
| IHWL | iShares Core MSCI World ex Australia ESG Leaders ETF | iShares | 0.13 | 1.1bn | International shares | −0.6 | 17.1 | 74.0 | 68.6 | 28/04/2016 | |
| EXUS | Betashares Global Shares Ex Us ETF | Betashares | 0.14 | 158m | International shares | −0.7 | – | – | – | 10/11/2025 | |
| PMGOLD | Perth Mint Gold | Perth Mint | 0.15 | 2.4bn | Commodities | −3.5 | 1.9 | 106.1 | 147.4 | 29/12/2010 | |
| GLIN | iShares Core FTSE Global Infrastructure (AUD Hedged) ETF | iShares | 0.15 | 1.9bn | Property & infrastructure | −5.5 | 5.7 | 41.5 | – | 18/05/2023 | |
| GXLD | Global X Gold Bullion ETF | Global X | 0.15 | 766m | Commodities | −3.4 | 1.9 | – | – | 01/05/2024 | |
| GLPR | iShares Core FTSE Global Property Ex Australia (AUD Hedged) ETF | iShares | 0.15 | 695m | Property & infrastructure | −4.9 | 6.3 | 28.6 | – | 18/05/2023 | |
| ICOR | iShares Core Corporate Bond ETF | iShares | 0.15 | 525m | Australian bonds | −0.6 | 1.0 | 14.3 | 7.2 | 29/05/2020 | |
| ALTB | iShares 15+ Year Australian Government Bond ETF | iShares | 0.15 | 315m | Australian bonds | −2.6 | −5.9 | – | – | 13/06/2024 | |
| MONY | VanEck Cash Plus Active ETF | VanEck | 0.15 | 115m | Australian bonds | 0.4 | – | – | – | 06/02/2026 | |
| VGB | Vanguard Australian Government Bond Index ETF | Vanguard | 0.16 | 1.4bn | Australian bonds | −0.7 | −0.7 | 9.8 | −2.7 | 30/04/2012 | |
| VETH | Vanguard Ethically Conscious Australian Shares ETF | Vanguard | 0.16 | 651m | Australian shares | −2.5 | −4.6 | 35.3 | 29.3 | 14/10/2020 | |
| SLF | SPDR S&P/ASX 200 Listed Property ETF | State Street (SPDR) | 0.16 | 451m | Property & infrastructure | −1.7 | −14.1 | 30.7 | 12.3 | 18/02/2002 | |
| VGS | Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF | Vanguard | 0.18 | 18.7bn | International shares | 1.9 | 10.1 | 64.1 | 74.6 | 20/11/2014 | |
| AAA | Betashares Australian High Interest Cash ETF | Betashares | 0.18 | 5.1bn | Cash | 0.4 | 4.1 | 12.7 | 17.0 | 07/03/2012 | |
| VESG | Vanguard Ethically Conscious International Shares Index ETF | Vanguard | 0.18 | 1.6bn | International shares | 2.6 | 12.4 | 70.7 | 73.8 | 13/09/2018 | |
| ILB | iShares Government Inflation ETF | iShares | 0.18 | 1.6bn | Australian bonds | −0.5 | −0.4 | 8.6 | 1.6 | 14/03/2012 | |
| MMKT | Betashares Australian Cash Plus Active ETF | Betashares | 0.18 | 666m | Australian bonds | 0.4 | 4.3 | – | – | 24/11/2023 | |
| GLDN | iShares Physical Gold ETF | iShares | 0.18 | 458m | Commodities | −3.2 | 1.8 | – | – | 01/11/2023 | |
| QMIX | State Street SPDR MSCI World Quality Mix ETF | State Street (SPDR) | 0.18 | 449m | International shares | 0.6 | 9.5 | 52.4 | 65.1 | 14/09/2015 | |
| IGB | iShares Treasury ETF | iShares | 0.18 | 355m | Australian bonds | −0.9 | −1.1 | 8.7 | −4.0 | 14/03/2012 | |
| U100 | Global X US 100 ETF | Global X | 0.18 | 107m | International shares | 5.3 | 12.8 | 98.0 | – | 23/08/2023 | |
| DHHF | Betashares Diversified All Growth ETF | Betashares | 0.19 | 1.7bn | Diversified (all-in-one) | 0.2 | 8.1 | 52.4 | 55.4 | 05/12/2019 |
Lowest-cost index funds in Australia
Index funds track a whole market, such as the ASX 200 or global shares, at very low cost. They are the usual building blocks for the core of a long-term portfolio. These are the largest broad-market index ETFs on the ASX, cheapest first within each group, with fees and 1-year returns to 30 September 2026.
| ETF | Name | Type | MER | AUM | 1Y return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A200 | Betashares Australia 200 ETF | Australian shares | 0.04% | $11.1bn | +2.9% |
| IOZ | iShares Core S&P/ASX 200 ETF | Australian shares | 0.05% | $9.7bn | +2.6% |
| STW | SPDR S&P/ASX 200 ETF | Australian shares | 0.05% | $6.5bn | +2.6% |
| VAS | Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF | Australian shares | 0.07% | $26.7bn | +2.2% |
| VTS | Vanguard US Total Market Shares Index ETF | International shares | 0.03% | $7.3bn | +9.8% |
| IVV | iShares S&P 500 ETF | International shares | 0.04% | $14.9bn | +10.1% |
| BGBL | Betashares Global Shares ETF | International shares | 0.08% | $5.5bn | +10.4% |
| IWLD | iShares Core MSCI World All Cap ETF | International shares | 0.09% | $2.0bn | +10.4% |
| VGS | Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF | International shares | 0.18% | $18.7bn | +10.1% |
| DHHF | Betashares Diversified All Growth ETF | All-in-one (diversified) | 0.19% | $1.7bn | +8.1% |
| VDHG | Vanguard Diversified High Growth Index ETF | All-in-one (diversified) | 0.27% | $4.1bn | +7.5% |
Not sure where to start? Where do I start? builds a simple core and satellite portfolio, and our index funds guide explains each option.
Low-cost index funds explained
An index fund tracks a whole market, such as the ASX 200 or the world's largest companies, instead of trying to pick winners. Because there's no stock picking, fees can be very low: several ASX index ETFs now charge less than 0.10% a year, or under $10 on every $10,000 invested. Over 20 or 30 years, a lower fee can make a real difference to what you end up with, which is why low-cost index funds are the usual building blocks for the core of a long-term portfolio.
The 5 largest low-cost ETFs by funds under management are VAS ($26.7bn), VGS ($18.7bn), IVV ($14.9bn), A200 ($11.1bn), IOZ ($9.7bn). The cheapest established fund is VTS at 0.03% a year, and the best performer over the past year was HGBL at +17.4%. Fees range from 0.03% to 0.19%, with a median of 0.11%. Data to 30 September 2026.
Popular choices include VAS (Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF, $26.7bn, MER 0.07%), VGS (Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF, $18.7bn, MER 0.18%), IVV (iShares S&P 500 ETF, $14.9bn, MER 0.04%). Use the table above to sort by fee, size or return, or compare the top three side by side.
Low-cost ETF and index fund FAQs
What is the best low-cost index fund in Australia?
There is no single best low-cost ETF or index fund: it depends on what you want it to do. By size, the largest is VAS (Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF, $26.7bn). The cheapest with at least $20m in assets is VTS at 0.03% a year. Over the past year the best performer was HGBL at +17.4%, but past returns are not a reliable guide to the future. Compare fees, size, what the fund holds and whether it is currency hedged before choosing.
How many low-cost ETFs are there in Australia?
There are 50 low-cost ETFs listed in Australia, holding $154.3bn between them (data to 30 September 2026).
What fees do low-cost ETFs charge?
Management fees (MER) range from 0.03% to 0.19% a year, with a median of 0.11%. On a $10,000 investment, that median works out to about $11 a year.
Are ETFs the same as index funds?
Most ETFs are index funds that trade on the ASX like shares. Unlisted index funds are bought directly from the manager instead. The investments can be very similar; the main difference is how you buy, sell and pay fees.
Is the cheapest ETF always the best?
Not always. Check which index it tracks, how big the fund is, its trading spread and whether it is currency hedged. A fee difference of a few hundredths of a percent matters less than holding the right mix of investments.