ETFs rival property as young Australians' first investment, Commonwealth Bank says
ETFs and residential investment property were each the first investment for 22% of Australian on-exchange investors aged 18–29, while Australian-listed shares led at 26%, Commonwealth Bank said. Australian ETF holders more than doubled to 2.82 million in 2026 from 1.35 million in 2020.
1. ETF investing by age
More than two-thirds of Gen Z investors trade ETFs, compared with fewer than one in five Baby Boomers. Among investors aged 18–29, 31% bought, sold or made a new ETF investment in the past 12 months, compared with 16% of pre-retirees and 8% of retirees.
