Australian Finance Podcast

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your hosts Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell continue the ETF mini-series by helping you actually build your ETF portfolio.

After learning what ETFs are, how they work, and how to research them, this episode focuses on decision-making—how to choose ETFs, structure your portfolio, and grow with confidence over time.

They cover:

- How to build a simple ETF portfolio from scratch
- The role of asset allocation and diversification
- Common beginner building blocks like A200 and global ETFs
- How your portfolio evolves as you become more experienced

If you like this Australian Finance Podcast episode on ETFs, you'll love our series. Don't forget to subscribe for weekly shows on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for more investing insights.

Topics Covered

- Recap: Risk profiles and choosing suitable ETFs
- Understanding risk in your portfolio:
- Market ups and downs
- Not all ETFs are equal
- Overconcentration risk (e.g. all Aussie shares)
- What is asset allocation?
- How diversification works in a portfolio
- Simple portfolio frameworks:
- Core and satellite approach
- Beginner ETF building blocks:
- Australian shares ETF (e.g. A200)
- International shares ETF
- Bonds ETFs
- How many ETFs should you have?
- Avoiding ETF overlap (and how to check it)
- How your portfolio evolves over time (beginner → advanced)
- Common mistakes:
- Trying to build the perfect portfolio from day one
- Holding too many ETFs
- Keeping your strategy simple and repeatable

Resources for this episode

- Download the ETF mini series checklist here
- Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”
- Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

- Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit
- Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith
- View Betashares range of funds

Rask resources

- All services
- Financial Planning
- Invest with us
- Access Show Notes
- Ask a question
- We love feedback!

Follow us on social media:
- Instagram
- TikTok

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your hosts Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell continue the ETF mini-series by showing you how to research and compare ETFs like a pro.

After learning what ETFs are and how they work in episodes one and two, this episode focuses on building trust and confidence when choosing between similar ETFs.

They cover:
– How to research ETFs using a simple checklist
– The key documents you need (like the PDS)
– How to compare performance, fees and fund size
– Why similar ETFs can still be very different

If you like this Australian Finance Podcast episode on ETFs, you'll love our series. Don't forget to subscribe for weekly shows on Apple, Spotify), YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for more investing insights.

Topics Covered

– Why ETFs are used by both beginners and advanced investors
– Why similar ETFs aren’t always identical
– How to research an ETF step-by-step
– What is a PDS (Product Disclosure Statement)?
– Key documents to review before investing
– Comparing ETF performance (and why past performance isn’t everything)
– How ETF prices actually work
– Does fund size matter?
– Does ETF price matter ($5 vs $100)?
– ETF research checklist:
– Index (what does it track?)
– Fees (MER / management costs)
– Long-term performance
– Fund size (FUM)
– Common investor questions:
– Should you hold multiple similar ETFs?
– Is that real diversification?
– Why choose one ETF over another?
– Do lower fees always win?
– What if an ETF is new with limited history?
– When ETFs work well (long-term investing)
– When ETFs might not suit your strategy

Resources for this episode

- Download the ETF mini series checklist here
- Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”
- Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

- Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit
- Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

- View Betashares range of funds

Rask resources

- All services
- Financial Planning
- Invest with us
- Access Show Notes
- Ask a question
- We love feedback!

Follow us on social media:
- Instagram
- TikTok

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does the 2026 Federal Budget actually mean for your money once you cut through the noise? In this Australian Finance Podcast Q&A, Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell unpack the biggest proposed changes and explain what they could mean for everyday Australians, investors and retirees.

The episode walks through the headline issues people are asking about right now: proposed changes to the capital gains tax discount, new limits on negative gearing, what discretionary trust changes could mean for families and business owners, and why super may have become even more attractive if the proposed settings go ahead.

Topics covered:

- Capital gains tax discount changes

- Negative gearing and property investing

- Trust changes and tax planning

- Super in your 50s and retirement planning

- ETF tax record-keeping and cost base issues

- Single-parent money questions and household impacts

- EV incentives and what they could mean

Episode resources

- Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”

- Speak with the Rask Advice team

- Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

- Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit

- Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith

- View Betashares range of funds

Rask resources

- All services

- Financial Planning

- Invest with us

- Access Show Notes

- Ask a question

- We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

- Instagram: @rask.invest

- TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your hosts Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell continue the ETF mini-series with a deeper dive into how ETFs actually work.

After covering the basics in episode one, this episode focuses on building your confidence by explaining how you make money from ETFs, what’s happening behind the scenes, and how to think about risk.

They cover:
- How ETFs generate returns through capital growth and distributions
- What’s inside an ETF and how index tracking works
- The difference between passive and thematic investing
- How to assess risk and choose the right ETF for you

If you like this Australian Finance Podcast episode on ETFs, you'll love our series. Don't forget to subscribe for weekly shows on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for more investing insights.

Topics Covered
- Recap: What is an ETF?
- How you make money from ETFs:
- Capital growth
- Dividends (distributions)
- Who makes money: fund managers & fees explained
- What is an ETF “risk profile”?
- Understanding risk levels:
- What’s inside an ETF (holdings explained)
- What is an index? (ASX 200, S&P 500 examples)
- How index tracking works
- What is passive investing? What is thematic investing?
- Ethical ETFs explained
- How to read ETF names & tickers
- Beginner mistakes to avoid:
- Thinking you must pick individual stocks inside ETFs
- Misunderstanding daily price movements
- Long-term mindset when investing in ETFs

Resources for this episode

- Download the ETF mini series checklist here
- Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”
- Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources
- Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit
- Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith
- View Betashares range of funds

Rask resources
- All services
- Financial Planning
- Invest with us
- Access Show Notes
- Ask a question
- We love feedback!

Follow us on social media:
- Instagram
- TikTok

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your hosts Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell kick off a 5-part ETF investing mini-series by breaking down what ETFs actually are and why they’ve become so popular.

Over this series, you’ll learn how to research, compare and build your own ETF portfolio with confidence. In this first episode, we focus on the foundations and remove the intimidation around getting started.

They cover:

- What an ETF is (and what it’s not!)
- What “exchange traded fund” actually means
- Why ETFs have grown so quickly in Australia
- The key benefits: low cost, diversification and simplicity
- How ETFs compare to shares and managed funds

If you like this Australian Finance Podcast episode on ETFs, you'll love our series. Don't forget to subscribe for weekly shows on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for more investing insights.

Topics Covered

- What is an ETF (and not an EFT)?
- Breaking down the name: Exchange, Traded, Fund
- “A basket of investments in one trade” explained
- What is a share?
- Why ETFs have grown rapidly (230 → 422 ETFs)
- Accessibility: how easy it is to start investing
- Low cost investing explained
- Diversification and reducing analysis paralysis
- Transparency: knowing what you own
- ETFs vs Shares (one company vs many)
- ETFs vs Managed Funds (listed, tradable, often cheaper)
- Types of ETFs:
- Shares ETFs
- Bond ETFs
- Gold ETFs
- Cash ETFs
- Thematic ETFs
- How ETFs can help you grow wealth over time
- Simple investing strategy: small, consistent investing

Resources for this episode

- Download the ETF mini series checklist here
- Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”
- Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources

- Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit
- Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith
- View Betashares range of funds

Rask resources

- All services
- Financial Planning
- Invest with us
- Access Show Notes
- Ask a question
- We love feedback!

Follow us on social media:

- Instagram
- TikTok

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices