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
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
