Hi all, looking to get started investing and just wondering what platform everyone recommends. Thanks in advance

Hey Everyone,

This is intended to gauge how I'm going financially at my age and how I could potentially improve.

Context:

I'm 25m working full time starting from $0 4 years ago. I am currently on ~150k a year base with potential to make upwards of ~250k with OT

I currently have 60k in shares, majority ETFs with varying investment areas. And invest regularly ~1k a month atm.

I am currently contributing an additional 15k a year to super as well as an additional 5% as work will contribute another 2% on top if I do this. I have maxed my FHSS with 90k in high growth super at the moment.

Furthermore I have ~30k saved in cash as a safety net. Giving me a 6-9 month buffer.

I am debt free and want to travel but feel as though I'd be throwing away the last 3 years of hard work by doing this.

Curious to know everyone's opinions.

TIA.

Hey everyone, I’m 23 and finished uni this year. I’ve started a full-time job and can invest around $300–$600 per week into ETFs after expenses and emergency savings.

I’m new to investing and looking for advice on building a portfolio for long-term growth. I’m using Betashares and already have some money invested.

What ETFs would you recommend for core and satellite holdings?

Thanks for the help!

We have all heard the 4% withdrawal rate, but it is based in the US. With Australia’s health system and tax-free super, I have heard that 5% withdrawal rate (with 100% equities and adequate cash buffer) would easily be achievable in Australia.

What are your thoughts on this?

Hi All,

I am looking to buy more ETFs, likely BGBL and VAS (~80%/20%) on CMC. Firstly do you agree? I chose BGBL over VGS due to the management fee.

Secondly, I already have some money in NDQ which has done well over the last few year but looking to exit that position due to the high management fee. Is this a good/bad descision? I'm just not sure as I will have to pay CGT on it.

Hi, I'm pretty new to investing and from what I've learned so far alot of peoe recommend DHFF, A200+BGBL, or IVV+A200, I can't really decide what to go with, i want steady growth and don't want to miss out on markets like NDQ. Could anyone please help me of choosing what might be the best etf portfolio?

Hey guys, new to investing and started around 3 months ago. I got advice from my friend who is a pilot and loves investing. His advice was to use Betashares and invest in the two portfolios- All Growth Core and Technology Innovators. Another friend of mine who is into investing suggested VGS and IVV.

I decided to invest in the following:

-50% into VGS

-18.75% into IVV

-15.625% into All Growth Core

-15.625% into Technology Innovators

I just wanted some honest feedback and advice from you guys with more experience in investing. I’m not looking to take massive risks which is why I went with the following.

My goal is to outperform what a term deposit would have made me in the 3-4 years.

Thanks in advance and good luck to everyone and their investments!! 🫡

Currently have a CommSec account with my investments in it, Want to know which platform is best to use and how the transferring process will work if i do decide to switch.

sorry if this has been asked before

I’m 33F, living in Melbourne, and I’ve never had private health insurance. I’m trying to educate myself on whether it’s financially worthwhile to take out hospital cover now or continue relying on Medicare.
My main concern is the Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading. From what I understand, I’m already looking at approximately 6% loading if I join now, which will continue for 10 years of eligible cover. I’m wondering whether it makes more financial sense to start paying for basic hospital cover now or save that money and potentially accept a higher loading later.

A bit about my circumstances:
- 33F, single, no dependants, living in Victoria.
- Annual salary approximately $75,000 before tax.
- No existing private health insurance.
- No significant debt apart from HECS.
- Currently saving towards a house deposit.
- No regular specialist appointments or anticipated surgeries.
- Dental appointments are free through my previous employment in the dental industry.
- Recently had my eyes checked and don’t require glasses.
- Considering seeing a podiatrist, but unsure whether ongoing treatment will be necessary.
- Occasional physiotherapy or remedial massage might be useful, but I’m comfortable paying out of pocket.
- Planning to take out Ambulance Victoria membership separately.

What I’m considering:
At this stage, I don’t think extras insurance would be worthwhile given my limited use of those services.
I’m more interested in whether a Basic, Basic Plus or Bronze hospital policy is a sensible financial decision.
I’ve been looking at policies potentially costing around $80 to $110 per month after the government rebate and applicable loading, although I haven’t obtained personalised quotes yet.

I’d appreciate advice on the following:
- Is it financially worthwhile taking out hospital cover at 33 primarily to prevent further LHC loading?
- Would I potentially be better off saving or investing the equivalent premiums and taking out hospital cover later?
- For those who have Basic or Bronze hospital cover, has it actually been useful, or do you feel you’re paying primarily for the tax and LHC benefits?
- Are there any important financial considerations I’m overlooking, particularly regarding government rebates, exclusions, waiting periods and future premium increases?

I’m not necessarily opposed to paying for insurance, but I’d prefer to understand whether I’m getting genuine value from it rather than committing to an ongoing expense out of fear of future penalties.
Interested to hear how others have approached this, particularly anyone who was in a similar position in their early 30s.

Love learning about investing and how the market works. I’ve been investing $50 a week for 2.5 months, I’ve increased to $200 a week now and into I’ll be at a $10k portfolio by end of 2027.

It’s been a year of investing, started when I was 26. Never missed, consistently putting $600 per month regardless. Automation is such a big factor to it.

Please let me know how I can improve. Cheers!

I made it a goal to put in 350 per fortnight since January 2026, along with any excess income which I would have at hand. I mainly started off with DHHF, which was followed by now going into a VAS and VGS split. I also put some money into the Wall Street (The money in SS for Wall st is USD) for the vibes and put some money into Ethereum.

Would love to hear any advice. I'm mostly looking for long-term investments, and I'm not planning on using this money anytime soon. Would love to hear your guys' advice.

Hello, I am a 22 year old who wants to invest but no idea about anything on it. I have just started watching some videos to learn about it but would be really glad to know from real people who has been investing and have a lot of experience that would be helpful to a complete beginner. I want some advice, ideas and guidance for what to do and what not to do. Any advice would be appreciated. I earn around 1200 AUD a fortnight, hopefully 1500 from next week. Thankss.