If you’re ready to tap into your superannuation, and aiming to maintain your super balance by living off the passive income it can provide, then you’ve come to the right place.

Below we’ll look at three quality S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) dividend stocks I’d buy today to form the bedrock of a $4,000 monthly passive income portfolio.

And we’ll see how much superannuation you’d need to invest in these ASX shares to earn that income without drawing down your super balance over time.

Do be aware that a properly diversified passive income portfolio will hold more than just three ASX dividend stocks. There’s no magic number. But somewhere in the range of 10 to 15 is a decent ballpark figure.

Ideally these companies will operate across a range of sectors and locations. This will reduce the risk of your passive income stream taking a big hit if a single sector or company runs into a rough patch.

With that said…

Three ASX 200 income shares to buy

The first stock I’d buy with my superannuation for $4,000 a month in retirement income is Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD).

Ampol just reported its half-year (H1 2026) results on Monday. The Aussie fuel supplier swung from a $25 million loss in H1 2025 to a statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) of $1.36 billion this year.

With profits surging, Ampol declared a fully franked interim dividend of $1.85 per share. If you want to bank that payout, you’ll need to own shares at market close on 3 September.

Now, if we add in the 60 cents per share final dividend, Ampol has paid, or shortly will, pay $2.45 a share in dividends over 12 months. At the recent Ampol share price of $41.46, this ASX 200 stock trades on a fully franked 5.9% dividend yield.

The second ASX 200 stock I’d target for passive income in retirement is Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN).

Bendigo Bank paid a fully franked interim dividend of 30 cents per share and on Monday declared a final dividend of 30 cents per share. To bank that passive income, you’ll need to own Bendigo Bank shares at market close on 31 August.

At the recent share price of $10.58, Bendigo Bank shares trade on a 5.7% dividend yield.

And the third ASX dividend share I’d buy with my superannuation for reliable passive income is Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS).

Telstra paid an interim dividend of 10.5 cents per share and will shortly pay a final dividend of 10.5 cents per share, both franked at 90%. If you want to grab the final dividend, you’ll need to own shares at market close today.

At the recent Telstra share price of $4.70, the ASX 200 telco trades on a dividend yield of 4.5%.

Which brings us back to our headline question.

How much superannuation do I need for a $4,000 monthly passive income?

Based on the recent yields, and assuming you invest the same amount in each stock, you could expect to earn an average yield of 5.4%.

So, for $4,000 a month – or $48,000 a year – in passive income, you’d need $888,889 in superannuation today in order not to draw down that super balance over time.

The post How much superannuation do I need to earn $4,000 a month in passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• By August 2027, $5,000 invested in Ampol shares could turn into…
• Everything you need to know about the monster Ampol dividend
• Why PLS, Bendigo Bank and Ampol shares are turning heads on Monday
• Looking to bank the boosted Telstra dividend? You better hurry!

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben 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 positions in and has recommended Bendigo And Adelaide Bank and Telstra Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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.