ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have gone from a niche investment to a mainstream way for Australians to build wealth.

Today, around two million Australians invest through ASX ETFs, drawn by their low costs, instant diversification, and simplicity. Rather than researching dozens of companies, investors can buy a single fund and gain exposure to hundreds – or even thousands – of investments.

The trend shows no sign of slowing. According to ASX data, ETF trading activity jumped 26% during the last financial year, comfortably outpacing the broader sharemarket, where trading volumes increased 22%.

So, what’s driving the boom?

A simpler way to invest

One of the biggest attractions of ASX ETFs is convenience. Instead of trying to identify tomorrow’s winning shares, investors can buy one ETF and instantly own a diversified portfolio.

Depending on the fund, that could mean exposure to Australian shares, global companies, bonds, property, or even specific sectors such as healthcare or technology.

Cost is another major advantage. Most ETFs simply track an index, allowing them to charge significantly lower management fees than traditional actively managed funds. Those savings can add up over decades, leaving more of an investor’s returns compounding over time.

Many ETFs also pay regular distributions, making them popular with investors seeking passive income. Better still, they’re just as easy to buy and sell as any other ASX-listed share.

The market keeps growing

The ETF industry isn’t just attracting more investors, it’s also offering more choice.

According to ASX data, the number of ETFs listed on the exchange has more than doubled over the past five years to 456 products. Another 72 ETFs launched during the last financial year alone.

Meanwhile, assets invested across Australia’s ETF industry have surpassed $350 billion.

Whether investors want exposure to Australian blue chips, global technology leaders, emerging markets, fixed income, or dividends, there’s now likely an ASX ETF that fits the bill.

More choice isn’t always better

The explosion in new products also means investors need to be more selective. As demand has grown, fund managers have rushed to launch ASX ETFs targeting the latest investment themes.

Artificial intelligence is the newest example. Funds such as the Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: RBTZ), and VanEck Global Defence ETF (ASX: DFND) all offer exposure to companies expected to benefit from AI.

While these thematic ETFs can be appealing, they often carry greater risk than broad-market index funds. Many own relatively concentrated portfolios, and some launch only after a sector has already enjoyed a strong rally.

Foolish takeaway

The rise of ASX ETFs reflects a growing preference for simple, diversified, and low-cost investing.

But investors shouldn’t assume every ETF is a good investment. Choosing a well-diversified, high-quality fund remains just as important as deciding to invest through ETFs in the first place.

The post Why millions of Aussies are switching to ASX ETFs appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares closed higher in the green on Wednesday afternoon.

When the bell rang on the ASX at 4pm, the shares were up around 2.5% at $59.76 each.

The increase means the ASX mining giant’s shares have now risen nearly 31% over the year-to-date, and are up around 44% from 12 months ago.

BHP’s share price gains over the past couple of years is one thing attracting many investors.

But the shares are also a very popular option for investors searching for passive income.

It’s not hard to see why. The blue-chip major is currently the largest stock on the ASX by market capitalisation, it has a consistently strong operational performance, and therefore, a long history of paying fully-franked dividends to shareholders.

But what if you wanted to generate $10,000 of passive income from BHP shares every year? What exactly would that entail?

Let’s crunch the numbers.

What passive income does BHP pay its shareholders?

First, we need to understand what dividends the mining giant pays its shareholders.

BHP traditionally pays two fully-franked dividends to shareholders each year, in March and September. 

The miner most recently paid its shareholders an interim dividend of $1.0385 per share in March, fully franked. 

Based on the latest consensus forecasts, BHP is expected to pay a fully-franked dividend of A$2.148 per share in FY26. Based on the current share price, that translates to a forward dividend yield of around 3.6%.

It’s not the highest dividend yield, but it represents the company’s stability and consistency.

How many BHP shares do I need to buy to generate $10,000 in passive income?

Using the figures above, in order to generate $10,000 in passive income from BHP shares alone, an investor would need to buy 4,655 shares.

How much would that cost?

At the time of writing, BHP shares are changing hands for $59.76.

This means that to buy the 4,655 shares I need for $1,000 of passive income, I would need to invest around $278,000.

That’s certainly not a small amount. But it could be worth it in the long run.

Not only would I be getting a nice paycheck every six months, but there is potential for capital returns too.

And also don’t forget, that entire amount wouldn’t need to be invested all in one go. 

Is this a good time to buy into BHP? Expert analysts are on the fence. According to Market Index data, eight out of 10 brokers currently have a hold rating on the ASX bank shares. 

The post How many BHP shares do I need to buy for $10,000 of passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• BHP shares have tripled in the past 10 years. Could history repeat itself over the next decade?
• Is the BHP share price a buy for its 5% dividend yield?
• BHP shares soared 62% in FY26. Can they keep climbing?
• Why I think BHP is the best ASX mining share
• How to build an ASX dividend portfolio that keeps paying you for decades

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has positions in BHP Group. 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 BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The financial future of my kids is high up on my priority list. The goal is straightforward. I want to invest in ASX shares that have the potential to thrive for decades.

That’s because my kids are still in the single digits. So there is no point in chasing the next big growth stock. Instead I’m after consistent growth and good quality businesses that can stand the test of time.

Here are three ASX shares which I think fit the bill.

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

Transurban is a long-term favorite of mine. It’s a global infrastructure business that builds and operates urban toll road networks, tunnels, and bridges and operates 22 assets across Australia, the US, and Canada.

The business is widely considered a high-grade defensive ASX dividend stock because its toll road services are essential.

Even in the event of a downturn, people still need to travel to work and transportation will always continue. Transurban’s toll roads typically have stable traffic volumes year-round, which means the business enjoys resilient cash flow regardless of economic conditions.

Another bonus is that most of its toll roads are on an annual contract. This means Transurban is able to increase its toll prices each year in line with rising inflation.

Over the past year, the ASX shares have been relatively stable, fluctuating mildly between $13.25 a piece and $15.62 a piece. Over the past 12 months, the shares are up around 7%.

It’s this stability and consistent earnings that means Transurban is able to pay a reliable dividend to its shareholders too.

In February, the toll road operator paid an interim dividend of 34 cents per share, unfranked, to its shareholders.

For FY26, the company has forecast a distribution of 69 cents per security, which implies a forward dividend yield of around 4.1%, at the time of writing.

Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Ltd (ASX: SOL)

If I were to focus on long-term dividend income. Soul Patts is another ASX share I’d consider buying for my kids. 

Soul Patts is an Australian diversified investment house. It’s often compared to Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway because it invests in a broad portfolio of assets ranging from ASX-listed companies, to private credit, to real estate, and others.

It is widely regarded as Australian dividend royalty and it’s also one of the few ASX shares that have continually raised its dividend payments over the past 28 years.

Soul Patts historically pays its fully-franked dividends twice per year in May and a final dividend in December. It occasionally also pays shareholders an additional special dividend.

For the first half of FY26, Soul Patts paid a fully-franked interim dividend of 48 cents per share. This was a 9.1% increase on the prior corresponding period.  At the time of writing, the ASX shares have a grossed-up dividend yield of around 2.4%, including franking credits.

Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

The Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF is an entirely different type of investment. It is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that tracks the performance of the Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index and it gives investors easy access to cybersecurity-focused companies.

As an ETF, HACK allows Australian investors to invest in a diversified basket of international cybersecurity stocks without having to purchase individual shares on overseas exchanges. It typically holds around 30 to 40 companies involved in software, hardware, and services protecting digital infrastructure, data, and networks.

Cybersecurity is becoming more important across the world as cyberattacks grow in sophistication, frequency, and scale. 

I also think it will also become a larger cost for businesses as more activity moves online and businesses expand on their use of artificial intelligence.

The fund also pays a semi-annual dividend to its shareholders. Earlier this month, HACK paid its most recent $0.615682 per unit dividend to its investors. 

As at 30th June 2026, the HACK ETF has a 12-month gross distribution yield of 2.5%.

The post 3 ASX shares I’d buy and hold for my kids appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How I would turn $200,000 into an ASX retirement income portfolio
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• 5 ASX ETFs for beginner investors in July
• How much is needed in superannuation to target a $100,000 annual passive income?
• How to make $50,000 of passive income from ASX shares like CBA

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 BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF, Transurban Group, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Transurban 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.