iShares is the ETF brand of BlackRock — the world’s largest asset manager with over US$10 trillion in assets globally. In Australia, iShares offers a comprehensive range of ETFs on the ASX, including IOZ (ASX 200), IVV (S&P 500), IAF (Australian bonds), and several sector and regional ETFs. This article covers the iShares ETF range for Australian investors.
About iShares and BlackRock Australia
BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited manages iShares ETFs in Australia, operating under an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) regulated by ASIC. BlackRock’s global scale and institutional infrastructure underpin iShares ETFs — including deep market-making relationships that help maintain tight bid/ask spreads even for smaller Australian-listed ETFs.
iShares Australian Share ETFs
| ETF | Index | Holdings | MER | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IOZ | S&P/ASX 200 | ~200 | 0.05% | Quarterly |
| IHD | S&P/ASX Dividend Opportunities | ~50 | 0.30% | Quarterly |
| ILC | S&P/ASX 20 Leaders | ~20 | 0.24% | Quarterly |
IOZ is iShares’ flagship Australian share ETF and one of the three most widely used Australian broad-market ETFs (alongside VAS and A200). See the IOZ ETF review.
ILC tracks only the ASX’s 20 largest companies — very concentrated in CBA, BHP, CSL, NAB, Westpac, ANZ, and similarly. Suitable for investors specifically wanting the largest ASX blue-chip stocks.
iShares International Share ETFs
| ETF | Index | Holdings | MER | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IVV | S&P 500 | ~500 | 0.03% | USA only |
| IJH | S&P MidCap 400 | ~400 | 0.07% | US mid-cap |
| IJR | S&P SmallCap 600 | ~600 | 0.07% | US small-cap |
| IEU | STOXX Europe 600 | ~600 | 0.60% | European shares |
| IJP | MSCI Japan | ~300 | 0.48% | Japanese shares |
| IAA | MSCI Asia ex Japan | ~600 | 0.56% | Asia ex Japan |
| IEM | MSCI Emerging Markets | ~1,400 | 0.69% | Emerging markets |
IVV at 0.03% MER is the cheapest ETF on the ASX — but it covers only the US S&P 500, not global diversification.
IVV + IJH + IJR together cover the full US market (large, mid, and small cap) — sometimes called a “total US market” combination.
IEU and IJP are useful for investors who want specific regional exposure beyond what VGS or BGBL provide.
iShares Fixed Income ETFs
| ETF | Index | Duration | MER | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IAF | Bloomberg AusBond Composite | ~7 yrs | 0.18% | Monthly |
| BOND | Bloomberg AusBond Credit | ~5 yrs | 0.26% | Monthly |
| ILB | Bloomberg AusBond Inflation-Linked | ~8 yrs | 0.18% | Monthly |
| BILL | ICE 0–6 Month T-Bill (AUD) | ~0.3 yrs | 0.18% | Monthly |
IAF at 0.18% is the cheapest broad Australian bond ETF on the ASX — marginally cheaper than Vanguard’s VAF (0.20%). It tracks the same index as VAF.
ILB (inflation-linked bonds) links the bond’s principal to CPI — useful for investors concerned about inflation eroding fixed income returns.
BILL is a very short-duration (T-Bill) ETF — essentially a cash management vehicle with minimal price sensitivity to interest rate changes.
iShares Sector ETFs
| ETF | Focus | MER |
|---|---|---|
| IXJ | Global healthcare | 0.46% |
| IXI | Global consumer discretionary | 0.46% |
| IXN | Global technology | 0.46% |
| ISEC | Cybersecurity (iShares) | 0.47% |
IXJ is the main iShares healthcare ETF used by Australian investors. See Healthcare ETFs Australia.
iShares vs Vanguard vs BetaShares — Provider Summary
| Area | Cheapest option |
|---|---|
| Australian broad market | A200 (BetaShares, 0.04%) |
| Australian broad market — iShares | IOZ (0.05%) |
| International developed (US + world) | IVV (US only, iShares, 0.03%); BGBL (global, BetaShares, 0.08%) |
| All-in-one diversified | DHHF (BetaShares, 0.19%) |
| Australian bonds | IAF (iShares, 0.18%) |
| Short duration / cash-like | BILL (iShares, 0.18%) / AAA (BetaShares, 0.18%) |
Related Articles
- IOZ ETF Review
- VAS vs A200 — Australian Share ETF Comparison
- Best Australian Share ETFs
- Best Bond ETFs Australia
- Vanguard ETFs Australia
- BetaShares ETFs Australia
- ETFs hub
Frequently Asked Questions
Is iShares or Vanguard better for Australian investors? Both are credible, regulated ETF providers backed by some of the world’s largest asset managers. For specific categories, the cheapest option varies: iShares wins on Australian bonds (IAF at 0.18%) and US shares (IVV at 0.03%); Vanguard wins on international diversification with breadth (VGS, 1,500+ stocks) and diversified all-in-one options (VDHG, VDGR). Many Australian investors hold ETFs from multiple providers.
Does iShares have a diversified all-in-one ETF like DHHF or VDHG? No. iShares (BlackRock) does not offer a diversified multi-asset all-in-one ETF on the ASX comparable to DHHF or VDHG. BlackRock’s global product suite includes multi-asset ETFs in other markets, but as of 2026, iShares’ Australian ASX range does not include a direct equivalent.
Is IVV hedged against AUD? No. IVV is an unhedged ETF — its unit price in AUD moves with both the S&P 500 performance and AUD/USD exchange rates. If the AUD strengthens, IVV falls in AUD even if the S&P 500 is flat. iShares does not currently offer a hedged IVV equivalent on the ASX.
This article provides general financial information only. ETF mentions are for educational context. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. For advice tailored to your situation, speak with a licensed financial adviser. You can find one through the ASIC financial advisers register or MoneySmart.