ETFs rival property as young Australians' first investment, Commonwealth Bank says

• ETFs were the first investment for 22% of Australian on-exchange investors aged 18–29, matching residential investment property; Australian-listed shares led at 26%.
• Australian ETF holders more than doubled to 2.82 million in 2026 from 1.35 million in 2020.
• 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.
• Comparable ETF activity reached 16% among pre-retirees versus 8% among retirees.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Commonwealth Bank of Australia published the original content used to generate this news brief on October 16, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.