Passive income investors have plenty of Australian shares to choose from outside the major banks.

I like companies that can generate enough cash to reward shareholders while still investing in their businesses.

Here are three I think are worth considering.

Aurizon Holdings Ltd (ASX: AZJ)

Aurizon plays an important role in moving Australia’s commodities from where they are produced to where they need to go.

It is Australia’s largest rail-based transport business, carrying more than 250 million tonnes of commodities each year for miners, primary producers, and industrial customers.

I think that infrastructure makes Aurizon an attractive passive income candidate.

Rail networks are expensive and difficult to replicate, while customers need reliable transport to move enormous volumes of products such as coal, iron ore, and agricultural commodities. Aurizon also owns and operates regulated rail infrastructure in Queensland alongside its freight operations.

The company has made returning capital to shareholders an important part of its approach.

Aurizon paid an interim dividend of 12.5 cents per share for FY26 and has declared a final dividend of 10.5 cents. Both are 90% franked, taking the full-year payment to 23 cents per share.

Based on its recent share price, those payouts equate to a dividend yield of roughly 6.3%.

Commodity volumes and regulatory decisions can affect the business, so I would not assume that dividend remains unchanged every year. Still, I think Aurizon’s infrastructure and focus on shareholder returns make it worth considering for income.

Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI)

Universal Store could be another top passive income pick.

The retailer sells youth fashion through its Universal Store, Perfect Stranger, and THRILLS businesses, and it has been gradually expanding its physical store network.

What catches my eye from an income perspective is the cash the business has been able to return while still funding that expansion.

In FY26, Universal Store paid a fully franked interim dividend of 26 cents per share before declaring a fully franked final dividend of 17 cents. That takes FY26 dividends to 43 cents per share.

With Universal Store shares recently trading around $8.45, that represents a dividend yield of approximately 5.1%.

I would expect more variation from the dividend of a fashion retailer than from some traditional income businesses. Consumer spending and fashion trends can change quickly.

But I like that Universal Store can continue expanding while also sending a meaningful amount of cash back to shareholders.

Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL)

Sonic Healthcare provides pathology and medical diagnostic services across major healthcare markets around the world.

These are services that doctors and patients need regardless of what is happening in financial markets, giving Sonic exposure to healthcare demand rather than discretionary spending.

Its scale also stands out to me. Sonic operates across nine countries and 11 markets and provides medical services to more than 140 million patients each year.

I think that makes it an interesting share for investors seeking both income and long-term exposure to healthcare.

Sonic has also built an impressive record of gradually increasing its dividend. Its total dividends rose to $1.08 per share for FY26, comprising a 45 cent interim dividend and 63 cent final dividend. Those FY26 dividends are 60% franked.

At a share price of around $21.41, that works out to a yield of roughly 5%.

I like the possibility of receiving income while Sonic continues building its diagnostics operations around the world.

Foolish takeaway

A high dividend yield alone would never be enough to convince me that a share is a good income investment.

I would also want a business capable of generating the cash needed to support those payments over time.

I think Aurizon, Universal Store, and Sonic Healthcare each give passive income investors a credible reason to look beyond the usual dividend names.

The post 3 top Australian shares to buy for passive income appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: Super Retail, APA, Sonic Healthcare shares
• This retailer’s dividend yield could top 8% in coming years: Broker
• Why this ASX consumer discretionary stock could be the pick of the sector 
• Sonic Healthcare share price in focus on FY26 profit jump and digital push
• Universal Store FY26 results: Sales, profit up as store rollout continues

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino 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 recommended Sonic Healthcare and Universal Store. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Yesterday, Forrestania Resources Ltd (ASX: FRS) announced a fifth extension to its takeover offer for Zenith Minerals Ltd (ASX: ZNC) The offer period has now been pushed out until 5:00pm (AWST) on 7 September 2026, allowing shareholders more time to consider their options.

What did Forrestania Resources report?

• Offer to acquire all ordinary shares in Zenith Minerals remains open until 7 September 2026.
• This is the fifth extension of the bid period since the original offer was made in June 2026.
• Zenith shareholders who accepted previously now have new withdrawal rights if they wish to reconsider.
• The offer remains subject to certain defeating conditions, as detailed in Forrestania’s latest notice.

What else do investors need to know?

Forrestania’s bid for Zenith Minerals has experienced several extensions, reflecting an ongoing process subject to regulatory orders and unresolved conditions. ASIC has granted Forrestania relief under two ASIC Instruments specific to this bid, and the Takeovers Panel has issued interim orders currently restricting Forrestania from declaring the offers unconditional.

Shareholders who have already accepted the offer can withdraw their acceptance within a one-month window, following the announcement of the extended bid period. Withdrawal is available by written notice and further details are provided by Forrestania for shareholders seeking guidance.

What’s next for Forrestania Resources?

Forrestania Resources intends to keep the offer for Zenith Minerals open until 7 September 2026, unless it is withdrawn or extended further. The company continues to encourage Zenith shareholders to review the latest terms and, if needed, seek professional advice before acting.

With the status of certain bid conditions still pending, Forrestania’s approach remains cautious as it awaits developments from ASIC and the Takeovers Panel. Investors should watch for any further updates on both the offer itself and regulatory responses.

Forrestania Resources share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Forrestania Resources shares have risen 136%, significantly outperforming the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO).

View Original Announcement

The post Forrestania Resources extends Zenith Minerals takeover offer again appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Forrestania Resources reports high-grade gold intersections at British Hill
• Forrestania Resources lifts British Hill gold resource by 131%

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

For dividend focussed investors, earnings season provides an important snapshot of how dividend stocks are performing. 

According to a new report from Bell Potter, there is one dividend stock in particular that investors should be aware of. 

Why earnings season matters for income investors

Earnings season is an especially important time for dividend investors because a company’s results can reveal far more than just whether it beat or missed analysts’ expectations. 

For income-focused investors, earnings reports provide a fresh look at the strength of the business, the sustainability of its cash flow, and, ultimately, its ability to keep paying and growing its dividend.

While dividend announcements often get the most attention, the numbers behind them matter just as much. 

Revenue and profit trends, free cash flow, debt levels, and management’s outlook can all provide clues about whether a company has the financial capacity to maintain its payout through different economic conditions. 

Why this dividend stock stands out

For investors looking to add a dividend stock to their portfolio, Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) is worth considering. 

Regis Resources is an established multi-mine gold producer and one of the largest ASX-listed gold producers with an all-Australian asset base. 

It released full-year results last Friday, which included a record net profit after tax of $715 million. 

This ASX gold stock has now risen more than 100% over the last year. 

Even more importantly for dividend investors, it declared fully franked final dividends of 20 cents per share, including a 5 cent special dividend.

According to Bell Potter, the record distributions reflect the implementation of Regis’ new dividend policy. 

The policy targets a payout between 25% and 50% of the “Group Cash Increase” over the preceding half-year (cash and bullion increase net of dividends and tax). For FY26, this ratio was 39%, equating to a fully franked 4.3% yield. 

Capital growth also a factor

While strong yields are great news for dividend stocks, some can provide the exciting combination of passive income and capital growth. 

That appears to be the case for Regis Resources. 

Bell Potter has upgraded its price target on this dividend stock to $9.35 (previously $8.45). 

The broker also has a buy recommendation. 

From yesterday’s closing price, this indicates an upside potential of 10% to go alongside the yield fetching over 4%. 

While this lifts operating costs it also increases gold price leverage and Resource value extraction. Free cash flows continue to support dividends and the capacity to pursue both organic and inorganic growth options. 

Overall, we remain positive towards RRL’s all-Australian, multi-mine asset portfolio, its leverage to the gold price and its fully unhedged, debt free balance sheet. Our NPV-based valuation lifts 11%, to $9.35/sh. We retain our Buy recommendation.

The post The fantastic dividend stock with upside investors should be targeting this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX 200 stocks, including CSL, leaping 15% to 23% in this week’s sliding market
• 3 ASX 200 gold stocks jumping higher on big news today
• Regis Resources delivers record FY26 profit and dividends
• Buy, hold, sell: Bega Cheese, Temple & Webster and Whitehaven Coal shares after results
• Why this ASX consumer discretionary stock could be the pick of the sector 

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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.