The top 10 Aussie suburbs for highest ETF wealth
New analysis from Stockspot has revealed the top 10 suburbs across Australia with the highest average balance invested in exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
The Australian ETF market continues to see strong expansion, with the industry forecast to reach $230 billion in assets under management by the end of the 2024 calendar year and $500 billion in the next five years, according to EY.
“ETFs are quickly becoming one of the most popular ways to grow wealth outside of property, offering investors a diversified and cost-effective means of accessing global markets,” Chris Brycki, founder and chief executive of Stockspot, told Money Management.
Exclusive analysis provided by Stockspot has uncovered where the greatest wealth invested in ETFs lies throughout Australia.
The top 10 suburbs and postcodes in Australia with the highest average ETF balances are:
| Suburbs | Average ETF balance |
| VIC: Brighton | $355,126 |
| VIC: Richmond, Cremorne | $264,214 |
| NSW: Lavender Bay, McMahons Point, North Sydney, Waverton | $168,480 |
| VIC: Melbourne, Port Melbourne | $164,340 |
| NSW: Clovelly, Clovelly West, Randwick, St Pauls | $121,603 |
| QLD: Broadbeach, Mermaid Beach, Mermaid Waters, Broadbeach Waters | $120,432 |
| NSW: Castlecrag, Middle Cove, North Willoughby, Willoughby, Willoughby East, Willoughby North | $94,951 |
| QLD: Buderim, Sippy Downs, Forest Glen, Tanawha | $92,622 |
| QLD: Brisbane, South Brisbane, West End, Highgate Hill | $89,620 |
| WA: Doubleview, Woodlands, Karrinyup, Innaloo, Churchlands | $77,927 |
Commenting on the findings, Brycki said many of the suburbs with the highest investment balances exhibit common characteristics, such as high property values and established home owner wealth.
“In these areas, home owners can leverage their property equity to invest in ETFs, either through refinancing or by freeing up capital due to relatively lower housing costs as a percentage of income,” he explained.
With several of the stated suburbs having a mid-40s median age, the CEO said this indicates a demographic of mature, established professionals who have accumulated wealth over time that has led to larger ETF balances.
“Our analysis at Stockspot reveals a significant concentration of ETF wealth in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia. It’s particularly noteworthy that Victoria and New South Wales dominate the list, reflecting the strong property values and established wealth in these regions,” he continued.
“This national spread of ETF wealth underscores the diverse economic landscape across Australia, where established home owners in key regions are leveraging their property equity to invest in ETFs. It clearly indicates that ETF investments are becoming an integral part of wealth management strategies nationwide.”
Recommended for you
After introducing its first active ETF to the Australian market earlier this year, BlackRock is now preparing to launch its first actively managed, income-focused ETF by the end of November.
Milford Australia has welcomed two new funds to market, driven by advisers’ need for more liquid, transparent credit solutions that meet their strong appetite for fixed income solutions.
Perennial Partners has entered into a binding agreement to take a 50 per cent stake in Balmoral Investors and appoint it as the manager of Perennial's microcap strategy.
A growing trend of factor investing in ETFs has seen the rise of smart beta or factor ETFs, but Stockspot has warned that these funds likely won’t deliver as expected and could cost investors more long-term.

