Vanguard ETFs in Australia

Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (VAS) aims to replicate the performance of the S&P/ASX 300 Index before taking into account fees, expenses and tax. This index tracks the largest 300 companies by market capitalisation in Australia listed on the ASX.

VAS is a simple way to get exposure to the Australian share market. It provides more diversification in comparison to its close competitors from SPDR (STW) and iShares (IOZ) which track the S&P/ASX 200, and Betashares (A200) which tracks the Solactive Australia 200 Index.

This ETF is included in the Stockspot model portfolios.

Find out more about the best Australian share ETFs.

Vanguard US Total Market Shares Index ETF (VTS) aims to replicate the performance of the US share market. It tracks the CRSP US Total Market Index, which includes large, mid, small and micro cap shares regularly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ.

VTS is a popular ETF with a large amount of funds under management and amongst the lowest fees of all ETFs. It provides investors with highly diversified and liquid exposure to the American share market, with greater coverage than the well-known S&P 500 Index. This includes stocks from major companies like FANG stocks (Facebook, Apple, Netflix, Google).

The Vanguard All-World ex-US Shares Index ETF (VEU) aims to provide access to the performance of many of the world's largest companies listed in developed and emerging countries, excluding those from the USA.

This ETF seeks to replicate the returns of the FTSE All-World ex-US Index, which measures the returns of global markets by a free-float-adjusted market capitalisation-weighted index.

VEU provides access to a diverse range of companies around Asia, Europe and other large economies such as Nestle, Samsung and Tencent. The large size of the US economy and its stock market means many global ETFs still have a significant exposure to it, so this ETF can help investors reduce exposure to the US.

This ETF is included in our Stockspot Themes offering.

The Vanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF (VAP) offers a simple and low cost way to get exposure to the Australian property market.

Essentially, VAP focuses on replicating the returns of the S&P/ASX 300 A-REIT Index. This index tracks the performance of Australian REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts).

VAP's holdings include REITs with diversified, retail, industrial and office properties. These are from well-known developer groups such as Scentre, Goodman, Stockland, Dexus and Mirvac.

VAP has relatively low fees and higher assets under management compared to its SPDR (SLF) and VanEck Vectors (MVA) competitors.

This ETF is included in our Stockspot Themes offering.

Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (VHY) aims to replicate the returns of the FTSE Australia High Dividend Yield Index. This index consists of ASX listed companies that have higher expected dividends than others, weighted by market capitalisation. It does not include REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts).

Behind VHY's construction is the idea that dividends are an important factor. It also considers the importance of diversification by restricting investment in any one industry to 40% and in any one company to 10% of the index.

This ETF is included in our Stockspot Themes offering.

Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF (VAF) aims to provide some protection against capital volatility by tracking the returns of the Bloomberg AusBond Composite 0+ Yr Index. Its investments are mostly rated BBB- or higher by Standard & Poor's system.

VAF invests in high quality securities issued by various levels of the Australian government, treasury corporations and corporate issuers. These include treasury bonds, government related bonds and corporate bonds.

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares Index Fund (VGS) aims to replicate the returns of the MSCI World ex-Australia index. VGS provides exposure to many large companies listed on the stock exchanges of major developed countries, excluding those from Australia.

VGE offers a low cost way to access international shares. Although the Australian sharemarket only makes up a very small proportion of global stocks (2%), many investors already have local investments and use this fund to access global companies.

Note: A hedged version of this ETF, called VGAD, is also available.

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Shares ETF (VGE) aims to replicate the performance of the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index. The index includes small, mid and large cap stocks from listed companies in various emerging market countries.

VGE gives investors a simple and low-cost way to get exposure to thousands of growing companies across emerging economies, including the BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India and China).

The diversification of this ETF reduces the relatively higher risks of individual countries and provides access to share markets that are difficult to reach directly. VGE charges a lower management fee than competitor ETF, iShares IEM, but has less assets under management and does not include countries such as South Korea.

Launched in 2017, Vanguard's Diversified High Growth ETF (VDHG) is a broadly diversified ETF covering multi-asset classes.

VDHG is classed as a high growth ETF, and is aimed at investors who are comfortable with risk, and who are seeking to invest for the long term. The ETF targets a 10% allocation to income asset classes and a 90% allocation to growth asset classes. The VDHG ETF charges a low management fee of 0.27% per year.

Launched in 2017, Vanguard's Diversified Growth ETF (VDHG) is similar to VDHG with a slightly less risky approach. This ETF targets a 30% allocation to income asset classes and a 70% allocation to growth asset classes.

Like VDHG, VDGR provides low-cost access to a broad diversification across multiple asset classes. It's also designed for the investor who is planning to buy and hold for the long term and offers a low management fee of 0.27%.

Launched in 2017, Vanguard's Diversified Balanced ETF (VDHG) is similar to VDHG and VDGR, but with the most conservative approach of the three. This ETF targets a 50% allocation to income asset classes and a 50% allocation to growth asset classes.

Like VDHG and VDGR, VDBA provides low-cost access to a broad diversification across multiple asset classes. It's also designed for the investor who is planning to buy and hold for the long term and also offers a low management fee of 0.27%.

The Vanguard Global Aggregate Bond Index (Hedged) ETF, offers low-cost exposure to high-quality, income-generating securities worldwide, predominantly rated BBB- or higher. Hedged to Australian dollars, it is suitable for investors seeking a stable and diversified portfolio of international fixed-interest securities with minimal vulnerability to currency fluctuations.

The Vanguard MSCI Australian Small Companies Index ETF VSO aims to replicate the MSCI Australian Shares Small Cap Index's performance, delivering low-cost and diversified exposure to small companies on the ASX. The ETF offers potential long-term capital growth, which can be typical of the small company market sector.

The Vanguard International Fixed Interest Index ETF, VIF,seeks to mirror the performance of the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped Index, offering investors low-cost exposure to a diversified portfolio of high-quality fixed-interest securities. VIF is hedged to Australian dollars so the value of the ETF is relatively unaffected by currency fluctuations.

The Vanguard Ethically Conscious International Shares Index ETF, aims to replicate the FTSE Developed ex Australia Choice Index's return, offering low-cost access to a diversified portfolio of securities from major developed economies. This ETF aligns with ethical considerations by excluding companies involved in fossil fuels, nuclear power, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, gambling, adult entertainment, weapons, or controversial conduct related to United Nations Global Compact principles.

The Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Shares ETF, aims to replicate the returns of the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index in Australian dollars. VGE provides investors with exposure to companies in emerging markets and aims to capture the long-term growth potential of these economies, while acknowledging the inherent currency risk, as it remains exposed to the fluctuating values of foreign currencies without hedging to the Australian dollar.

The Vanguard Australian Corporate Fixed Interest Index ETF (VACF) aims to replicate the returns of the Bloomberg AusBond Credit 0+ Yr Index in Australian dollars, providing investors with cost-effective and diversified exposure to Australian corporate bonds. This ETF focuses on investment-grade bonds issued by various entities, including Australia's major banks, offshore banks, lending institutions, and property trusts.

The Vanguard Global Value Equity Active ETF (Managed Fund) VVLU aims for long-term capital appreciation through an active management strategy, focusing on global equity securities exhibiting value characteristics. Utilising a proprietary quantitative model, VVLU evaluates a diverse investment universe of large, mid, and small-cap equity securities from developed markets worldwide, favoring securities with lower prices relative to fundamental measures of value, such as price-to-book, price-to-earnings ratio, and price-to-operating cash flow.