3 must-own ASX dividend shares which belong in every portfolio

ASX dividend shares are a great choice for investors who want a long-term passive income.

When it comes to choosing the best ones for your portfolio, you should be looking for a history of consistent payouts, and ones which are able to steadily increase over time.

Here are three reliable and robust ASX dividend shares which I think should be in every investor’s portfolio.

Washington H Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL)

Soul Patts is widely regarded as Australian dividend royalty. The diversified Australian investment house pays its fully-franked dividends twice per year.

For the first half of FY26, the ASX dividend share paid a fully-franked interim dividend of 48 cents per share. That’s a 9.1% increase on the prior corresponding period and represents the 28th consecutive year of increasing dividends. It also implies a trailing dividend yield of 2.69% at the time of writing.

In FY25, it paid a total $1.03 per share, 100% fully franked. All Australian investors should consider having Soul Patts shares in their portfolio.

At the close of the ASX on Tuesday afternoon, the shares were $40.40 a piece.

APA Group (ASX: APA)

APA is one of the most stable ASX dividend shares listed on the ASX. The energy infrastructure business is well-known for paying strong, consistent dividends, with revenue derived from long-term contracted infrastructure assets. 

APA has hiked its payout every year for the last 20 years. Its yield is usually much higher than the wider market, too, which makes it an appealing option for investors seeking an ongoing passive income.

The company paid an interim dividend of 27.5 cents in the first half of FY26 and is guiding a full-year dividend of 58 cents per security. That translates to a forward distribution yield of 6.07%, partially franked.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) 

As a textbook defensive asset, Telstra shares are likely to perform steadily regardless of what part of the economic cycle we’re in. The telco has a predictable cash flow, reliable earnings, and a dividend payout ratio close to 100% of its earnings. That unlocks a great dividend yield for its shareholders. 

Telstra pays investors two dividends every year, in March and September. Last month, investors received an interim 10.5 cent dividend, 90.48% franked.

In FY25 the company paid investors an annual dividend of 19 cents per share, which translates to a 3.9% dividend yield at the time of writing. The telco is expected to pay an even larger 20-cent final dividend for FY26, which represents a 5.25% increase year-on-year. 

At the close of the ASX on Tuesday, Telstra shares were $5.33 a piece.

The post 3 must-own ASX dividend shares which belong in every portfolio appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 2 ASX dividend shares to hold for the next 7 years
• 5 reasons why I’d buy Telstra shares for passive income
• Telstra just hit a 10-year high. Has this ASX income giant still got more to give?
• Why Soul Patts shares are a retiree’s dream
• 3 reliable ASX dividend shares for set-and-forget investing

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group, Telstra Group, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.