October is underway, and I have been looking at which ASX shares I would be comfortable adding to a portfolio this month.

The three below are exposed to very different industries, but each has a growth story I think could have plenty further to run.

Here is why they make my October buy list.

NEXTDC Ltd (ASX: NXT)

NEXTDC is my pick for exposure to the rapid growth in digital infrastructure.

The company is benefiting from rising demand for data centre capacity as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and other digital services require more computing power.

That demand is already showing up in the business. In FY26, net revenue increased 16% and underlying EBITDA rose 15%. More importantly for the years ahead, contracted utilisation more than tripled as customers locked in substantial amounts of future capacity.

That gives NEXTDC a large pipeline of business that should progressively move into revenue as new capacity comes online.

There is still plenty to execute, particularly given the enormous investment required to build data centres. But I think NEXTDC has a much clearer growth runway today than it did a few years ago.

That puts this ASX share firmly on my October buy list.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

CSL makes the list for a completely different reason.

FY26 was a difficult year, but I think the healthcare giant now has a clearer opportunity to rebuild growth.

Underlying demand for immunoglobulin therapies remains healthy, while CSL has been improving efficiency across its plasma collection network and investing in manufacturing technology designed to increase yields.

Newer products also give the company additional avenues for growth.

For me, the opportunity is not dependent on CSL suddenly returning to the growth rates investors once expected. A steady recovery in margins, improving plasma economics, and continued demand for its therapies could be enough to produce a much healthier earnings trajectory over the next few years.

I think that makes the current recovery story worth buying into.

Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL)

Netwealth rounds out my three October picks.

The wealth platform provider continues to attract substantial amounts of investor money, which gives the business a growing base from which to generate revenue.

I like the structural story here. Financial advisers and their clients are increasingly using modern investment platforms to manage portfolios, reporting, administration, and other parts of their wealth.

Netwealth has established itself as one of the major beneficiaries of that shift and continues to win new funds onto its platform.

That creates a relatively straightforward growth opportunity. If more advisers and investors choose Netwealth, the amount of money administered through the platform can keep expanding alongside earnings.

For me, that makes Netwealth a quality ASX growth share I would be happy to buy in October and hold for many years.

Foolish takeaway

I am looking beyond what these companies might deliver over the next few months and focusing on the long term.

NEXTDC already has a huge pipeline waiting to be built, CSL has an opportunity to restore momentum, and Netwealth continues taking a larger share of Australia’s wealth platform market.

Those are growth stories I think still have plenty of chapters left, which is why all three ASX shares would be on my buy list in October.

The post Top ASX shares to buy in October 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• This ASX 200 share is tipped to return over 50%
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• CSL vs Pro Medicus: Which ASX healthcare share is better?
• 5 leading ASX shares I’d buy and hold until 2040
• Expert names Woodside and CSL shares as top buys today

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in CSL. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL and Netwealth Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Netwealth Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Imagine having an extra $1,000 arriving in your bank account every week without having to work for it.

That could make a huge difference to your lifestyle, particularly if you are approaching retirement.

And while building a portfolio capable of producing this income will take time, it is something you can start working towards today.

Here’s how.

Start by buying yourself some future income

One way to approach this goal is to think about how much income each investment could eventually provide.

For example, every $20,000 invested in a portfolio yielding 5% would generate $1,000 in annual passive income.

Build that portfolio to $100,000 and you’re looking at $5,000 a year. Reach $200,000 and the potential income doubles to $10,000.

Ultimately, you would need approximately $1.04 million invested at a 5% yield to generate $52,000 a year.

But of course, starting from zero means there is plenty of work to do before those dividends start paying the bills.

Let growth do the heavy lifting

Rather than chasing dividends immediately, I would start by focusing on building the portfolio’s value.

This could mean investing in quality ASX growth shares such as Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) and ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD), alongside established companies such as Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES).

Exchange traded funds (ETFs) could also play a role, providing exposure to hundreds of Australian and international stocks.

The idea is to build a portfolio capable of growing over many years while reinvesting any dividends received.

Regular contributions would be equally important. Investing $1,000 a month and achieving an average annual return of 10% could potentially build a portfolio worth approximately $1.04 million in 23 years.

That return isn’t guaranteed, nothing is in the share market, but it demonstrates what consistent investing and compounding could achieve.

Increasing those monthly contributions as your income grows could also bring the target forward.

Turn your wealth into passive income

As the portfolio approaches its target, the investment strategy could gradually change.

Instead of focusing primarily on capital growth, investors could start directing more money towards companies offering attractive and sustainable dividends.

This could include infrastructure shares such as APA Group (ASX: APA) and Transurban Group (ASX: TCL), property investments such as HomeCo Daily Needs REIT (ASX: HDN), and dividend-focused ETFs.

The aim would be to achieve an average yield of approximately 5% without relying too heavily on any individual company.

Once the portfolio reaches $1.04 million, that yield would produce $52,000 annually before tax.

And if the underlying companies can grow their dividends over time, the income stream could increase as well, potentially helping it keep pace with rising living costs.

The post How to build a $52,000 passive income with ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX 200 shares brokers tip to rocket 25% to 77%
• In a tough retail environment, what’s the outlook for Wesfarmers shares?
• AGL Energy vs Wesfarmers: Which share delivers better passive income?
• How much could the Wesfarmers share price rise in the next year?
• Transurban Group share price: $4.5bn deal for bigger Sydney road stakes

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Goodman Group and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goodman Group, ResMed, Transurban Group, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group, Goodman Group, ResMed, and Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended HomeCo Daily Needs REIT and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

How does your superannuation balance compare with other Australians approaching retirement?

It is a question worth asking, particularly as you get closer to finishing work and enjoying your retirement.

So, let’s look at the latest figures for Australians aged around 57 and 67.

What’s the average super balance at 57?

According to the latest Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) figures, Australians aged 55 to 59 have an average superannuation balance of $243,300. This gives us a reasonable guide for someone aged 57.

At this stage, retirement may be getting closer, but there could still be plenty of opportunities to increase your savings.

Someone planning to retire at 67, for example, would have another decade of potential investment returns and superannuation contributions ahead of them.

Those final working years could make a considerable difference, particularly if earnings are higher than earlier in their career.

Making additional contributions, where affordable and within contribution limits, could also help improve their retirement position.

How much super does the average 67-year-old have?

By age 67, things look a little different. APRA’s latest figures show that Australians aged 65 to 69 have an average superannuation balance of $290,600.

That is approximately $47,300 more than the average for Australians aged 55 to 59.

However, there is something important to remember when comparing these numbers. Many Australians in their late 60s have already retired and started accessing their superannuation.

Their balances may reflect a combination of investment returns and retirement withdrawals.

How much super is enough?

Of course, knowing the average balance is only part of the story.

The more important thing to know is whether those savings will provide enough income to enjoy retirement.

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) estimates that a single homeowner needs approximately $630,000 in retirement savings at age 67 to support a comfortable retirement.

For couples, ASFA estimates that a total combined balance of $730,000 is required for a comfortable retirement.

Both estimates assume they receive some Age Pension support over time.

These figures are considerably higher than the average super balance reported by APRA for Australians aged 65 to 69, although the couples’ target represents combined savings.

Someone who owns their home outright and qualifies for the Age Pension may need considerably less than someone who is renting or hoping to fund a more expensive lifestyle.

For Australians approaching 57, these figures could provide a good reason to review their superannuation strategy while there is still time to make changes.

And for those approaching 67, understanding their expected spending, other savings, and potential Age Pension entitlement could help determine how far their superannuation will go.

The post Here’s the average Australian superannuation balance at 57 and 67 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to build a $52,000 passive income with ASX shares
• How many Woodside shares do I need to buy for $1,000 per month of passive income?
• 3 ASX 200 shares I would buy and hold for 10 years
• Fortescue vs National Australia Bank: Which ASX blue chip is the better buy this month?
• Where to invest $10,000 in ASX ETFs in October

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.