How to make $24,000 in passive income a year

Earning $2,000 a month in passive income sounds like a dream.

But you can make it a reality in the share market thanks to ASX shares and the power of compounding.

Here’s how you can do it:

Build your capital first

In the early days, the goal is not passive income. It is momentum.

When a portfolio is small, dividends make very little difference in dollar terms. At this stage, investors are usually better served by focusing on blue chip shares with growth potential, established growth stocks, and broad ASX and global ETFs. These assets are designed to grow earnings and capital over time.

Any income generated along the way should be reinvested instead of spent. Dividends quietly buy more shares. Growth compounds on top of earlier gains. The portfolio starts to build scale, which is essential for meaningful income later on.

Examples of good options for investors at this stage could be the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ), the iShares S&P 500 AUD ETF (ASX: IVV), and ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD)

How much do you need?

If you are wanting passive income of $2,000 a month or $24,000 a year, then you would need a portfolio worth $480,000 based on a 5% dividend yield.

That’s no small sum, but it is more achievable than you think.

Let compounding work for you

This is the part many investors underestimate.

In the early years, contributions do most of the work. Progress feels slow. But over time, returns start to matter more than new money. Compounding does the heavy lifting, provided the investor stays invested through both good and bad markets.

Reaching a portfolio size of $480,000 is usually the result of time and consistency rather than a single great decision.

For example, it would take 16.5 years of investing $1,000 a month to grow a portfolio to $480,000 if you achieved a return of 10% per annum. This sort of return is not guaranteed, but it is broadly in line with long-term market returns. So, it certainly is possible.

Transition from growth to income

Once the portfolio has sufficient size, its role changes.

Growth still matters, but reliability and cash flow become more important. This is where investors often begin shifting toward quality ASX dividend shares and income-focused ETFs. These assets are designed to convert capital into regular income rather than maximise capital growth.

At a 5% yield, a $480,000 portfolio can generate around $24,000 a year. Importantly, this income does not have to come at the expense of long-term stability. Many high-quality ASX dividend payers have durable businesses and growing cash flows. Current examples include Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) and Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN).

Foolish takeaway

Making $24,000 a year in passive income is not about finding the perfect dividend stock today.

It is about building a portfolio large enough to support that income sustainably. By starting with growth assets, allowing compounding to work, and only later transitioning to dividend shares and income ETFs, investors give themselves a realistic path to $2,000 a month in passive income.

The post How to make $24,000 in passive income a year appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX ETFs for genuine global exposure
• How much could I make investing $500 a month in ASX shares?
• Top 3 ASX 200 blue-chip shares to invest in right now
• IVV, VGS, VAS: Which ASX ETF produced the better returns in 2025?
• 3 super ASX ETFs for easy investing in AI

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, ResMed, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Harvey Norman, ResMed, and Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.