September could be a good time to look for new income ideas on the ASX.

But which ASX dividend shares could be worth buying this month?

Three that stand out are listed below. Here’s why they could be top options for passive income investors.

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN)

The first ASX dividend share to consider is Harvey Norman.

It has been a difficult period for the retail sector, with higher interest rates and cost-of-living pressures weighing on consumer spending.

But Harvey Norman remains a high-quality retailer with a strong brand, a global footprint, and a valuable property portfolio.

The company also has exposure to several offshore markets, which gives it more growth options than some investors may realise.

If consumer spending conditions improve over the next couple of years, Harvey Norman could be well-placed to benefit.

Bell Potter remains positive and has a buy rating and $5.00 price target on its shares.

With respect to income, the broker expects fully franked dividends per share of 26.5 cents in FY 2027 and then 27.9 cents in FY 2028. This equates to dividend yields of 6.3% and 6.6%, respectively.

Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF)

Another ASX dividend share that could be worth a look is Rural Funds.

This agricultural property group owns a portfolio of farmland assets across Australia. These include properties leased to operators in areas such as cattle, almonds, vineyards, macadamias, and cropping.

Instead of operating the farms, it collects rent from its tenants, many of which are on long-term leases. This can provide a great degree of income visibility for investors.

Like many property stocks, Rural Funds has been pressured by higher interest rates and weaker investor sentiment. But for income investors, that may have created an opportunity.

UBS has a buy rating and $2.30 price target on its shares. The broker also expects attractive dividend yields of 6% and 6.2% in FY 2027 and FY 2028, respectively.

Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI)

A final ASX dividend share to consider is Universal Store.

It is a youth-focused fashion retailer behind the Universal Store, Perfect Stranger, and Thrills brands.

Retail can be a tough sector, especially when household budgets are under pressure. But Universal Store has continued to appeal to younger shoppers and has a strong store rollout opportunity ahead of it. This has allowed it to outperform many of its peers.

Bell Potter is positive on the company and has a buy rating and $9.70 price target on its shares.

As for income, it is forecasting fully franked dividends per share of 41.2 cents in FY 2027 and then 46.6 cents in FY 2028. Based on its current share price of $7.58, this equates to dividend yields of 5.4% and 6.1%, respectively.

The post 3 top ASX dividend shares to buy in September appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much is needed in superannuation to target a $60,000 annual passive income?
• Down 28% to 46%: Are these beaten-down ASX shares cheap buys?
• How much superannuation do I need to earn $90,000 per year in passive income?
• 2 ASX dividend shares with yields above 7%
• How much is needed in superannuation to target a $2,500 monthly passive income?

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Universal Store. 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 Harvey Norman and Rural Funds Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Universal Store. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Superannuation is a very effective tool for investors to generate returns while being taxed at a lower rate. It can be very attractive for Australian investors who want passive income.

Pleasingly, superannuation has a lower tax rate than many individuals, trusts and companies. The nature of the superannuation (and how we access the money) makes it very easy to invest for the long term.

I think receiving passive income is one of the best elements of owning shares. Being paid money into our bank accounts every year for no ongoing effort sounds good to me.

One of the main benefits of superannuation is that less of the passive income return is lost to tax. I believe that the after-tax figure is what Australian investors should focus on.

If a full-time working Australian is paid passive income in their own name, they may lose a third (or more) of that dividend income to tax. That effect can make passive income seem much less appealing.

Superannuation is often the best place to invest for passive income due to the lower tax rate in the accumulation phase of life, compared to a full-time earner’s individual tax rate.

However, each person’s tax situation is different, so we’ll just run through a particular dividend income level and not consider tax rates from now on.

How much is needed in superannuation for $60,000 of annual passive income?

Being paid $60,000 in dividends each year is appealing to me. I’m nowhere near that goal, but I’d love to reach that level of income one day.

One of the most important decisions to consider is the investments that we want to own and the dividend yield that comes with that.

I think ASX shares are the best choice for passive income, with the attached franking credits being a great bonus.

Reaching $60,000 of annual dividends depends on the size of the dividend yield and the portfolio size.

For example, if an Australian investor had investments with a 6% dividend yield, it would require a $1 million portfolio. If the portfolio had a 3% dividend yield, it would need to be a $2 million portfolio for $60,000 annual income.

As you can see, different investments provide different dividend yields. So, it depends on what Aussies want to choose.

Which ASX dividend shares I’d look at

There are a number of different investment options that investors can choose on the ASX with good dividend yields like real estate investment trusts (REITs), quality operating companies, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and good listed investment companies (LICs).  

I think REITs are very attractive at these valuations amid high interest rates. Some of my leading ideas are Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP), Dexus Industria REIT (ASX: DXI), Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF) and Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW).

Some of the leading operating companies out there include Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL), Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) and Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL).

There are a few very attractive ETFs that could be useful options for dividend income such as WCM Quality Global Growth Fund (ASX: WCMQ), Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) and Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY).

Some of the LICs that I highly rate for superannuation include MFF Capital Investments Ltd (ASX: MFF), WCM Global Growth Ltd (ASX: WQG), Future Generation Australia Ltd (ASX: FGX), Future Generation Global Ltd (ASX: FGG) and Hearts and Minds Investments Ltd (ASX: HM1).

The post How much is needed in superannuation to target a $60,000 annual passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 top ASX dividend shares to buy in September
• These are the most popular ASX ETFs – Which has performed best in 2026?
• ASX shares investors are getting younger and trading more often: CBA report
• 2 ASX passive income ideas I’d use to generate $700 a month in 2027
• 3 excellent ASX ETFs for passive income

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Future Generation Australia, Future Generation Global, Hearts And Minds Investments, Mff Capital Investments, Rural Funds Group, Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited, Wcm Global Growth, and Wcm Quality Global Growth Fund. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Lovisa, Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Mff Capital Investments, Rural Funds Group, Telstra Group, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Lovisa, Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

On Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was back on form and pushed higher. The benchmark index rose 0.45% to 9,020.1 points.

Will the market be able to build on this on Friday and end the week on a high? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to rise

The Australian share market looks set for a positive session on Friday following a strong night of trade in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 22 points or 0.25% higher this morning. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones was up 1.2%, the S&P 500 rose 1.1%, and the Nasdaq jumped 1.4%.

Oil prices rise

ASX 200 energy shares including Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) could have a good finish to the week after oil prices rose again overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 0.8% to US$91.69 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 0.2% to US$95.81 a barrel. Traders have been bidding oil prices higher this week following an escalation in Middle East tensions.

Shares going ex-dividend

Another group of ASX 200 shares will be going ex-dividend this morning and could trade lower. This includes auto retailer Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE), fuel retailers Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) and Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA), and broadband provider Aussie Broadband Ltd (ASX: ABB). The latter will be paying a 3.6 cents per share fully franked dividend on 21 September.

Gold price jumps

ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) could have a strong finish to the week after the gold price charged higher overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 2.4% to US$4,520.1 an ounce. Softer US dollar and bond yields gave the precious metal a lift.

Buy Paladin Energy shares

The team at Bell Potter thinks investors should be buying Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) shares. This morning, the broker has retained its buy rating and $14.80 price target on  the uranium producer’s shares. It said: “We retain our Buy recommendation. We have a positive medium- to long-term outlook for the uranium market, supported by barriers to new supply and demand growth linked to electrification, energy security and AI-related power requirements. PDN has ~56% exposure to market prices out to 2030. Production at LH continues to improve with higher-grade mined ore feeding the processing plant. PDN continues to derisk its key growth project at Paterson Lake South in Canada’s Athabasca Basin.”

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 40 ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week
• These 2 ASX energy shares have 18-31% upside according to Bell Potter
• 11 ASX 200 shares with reaffirmed buy ratings post-results
• What’s behind the ASX 200 rebound today?
• Own BHP, Woodside or Coles shares? Here’s what investors should know

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woodside Energy Group Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Aussie Broadband. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Aussie Broadband and Eagers Automotive Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.