VGS — the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF — is Australia’s most popular international share ETF. It tracks the MSCI World ex-Australia Index, giving investors exposure to over 1,500 large and mid-cap companies across 22 developed markets in a single ASX trade. It is commonly paired with VAS (Australian shares) to form a simple, low-cost diversified portfolio.
VGS at a Glance (2026)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| ASX code | VGS |
| Full name | Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF |
| Index tracked | MSCI World ex-Australia Index |
| Number of holdings | 1,500+ companies |
| MER | 0.18% per year |
| Distribution frequency | Annually (June) |
| Inception date | November 2014 |
| Fund size | $7B+ (AUM) |
| Provider | Vanguard Australia |
| Currency exposure | Unhedged (AUD/USD/EUR/etc. fluctuations apply) |
Verify current details at vanguard.com.au.
What Does VGS Hold?
VGS tracks the MSCI World ex-Australia Index — a market-cap-weighted index of large and mid-cap companies across 22 developed markets. Australia is excluded (covered separately by VAS).
Top country allocations (approximate):
| Country | Weight |
|---|---|
| United States | 65–70% |
| Japan | 5–6% |
| United Kingdom | 4–5% |
| Canada | 3–4% |
| France | 3–4% |
| Switzerland | 3–4% |
| Germany | 2–3% |
| Other developed markets | ~10% |
Top holdings (approximate): Apple, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Amazon, Alphabet (Google), Meta, Tesla, Berkshire Hathaway, Eli Lilly, UnitedHealth Group — the largest global companies by market cap, dominated by US technology.
VGS Sector Allocation
| Sector | Approximate weight |
|---|---|
| Information Technology | 22–25% |
| Financials | 14–17% |
| Healthcare | 11–13% |
| Consumer Discretionary | 10–12% |
| Industrials | 10–12% |
| Communication Services | 7–9% |
| Consumer Staples | 6–8% |
| Energy | 4–5% |
| Materials | 3–5% |
| Real Estate | 2–3% |
Compared to VAS (which is heavy in financials and materials), VGS provides a technology and healthcare tilt — making the combination of VAS + VGS a meaningfully more balanced sector exposure than either alone.
VGS MER — 0.18%
At 0.18%, VGS is competitive among international ETFs available on the ASX. It is more expensive than VAS (0.07%) and A200 (0.04%), reflecting the higher cost of replicating a global index versus a domestic one.
Annual cost on $100,000: $180.
VGS Currency Exposure (Unhedged)
VGS is unhedged — it does not protect against AUD/foreign currency fluctuations. This means:
- If the AUD weakens, your VGS units become worth more in AUD (currency gain)
- If the AUD strengthens, your VGS units become worth less in AUD (currency loss)
- Currency movements can significantly amplify or reduce returns in any given year
For long-term investors (10+ years), currency effects tend to smooth out over time. Short-term currency exposure adds volatility but also provides a natural hedge — Australia’s currency often weakens when global growth slows (which is also when international markets fall), partially cushioning returns.
For hedged international exposure, see VGAD (Vanguard International Shares Hedged).
VGS Distributions
VGS distributes annually in June. Distributions are primarily international dividends and do not carry Australian franking credits. Foreign income tax offsets (FITOs) may apply for taxes withheld in the countries where underlying companies are based (primarily US withholding tax on dividends).
Distribution yields are typically lower than Australian share ETFs — approximately 1–2% cash yield — because VGS holds many growth-oriented US technology companies that pay low or no dividends.
VGS + VAS — The Classic 2-ETF Portfolio
Many Australian investors combine VAS and VGS as a complete, simple portfolio:
- VAS (37%): Australian shares exposure
- VGS (63%): International developed market exposure
This combination broadly replicates the global share market allocation (with ~2% home country + global weight for Australia). Total MER on a 37/63 VAS/VGS portfolio ≈ 0.14% — lower than DHHF or VDHG.
See ETF Portfolio Australia for sample portfolio allocations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is VGS a good long-term investment? VGS tracks the MSCI World ex-Australia — a broad index of 1,500+ companies in 22 developed markets. As a low-cost, passively managed, globally diversified ETF, it represents the kind of investment that many financial educators consider suitable as a core long-term holding. Past performance of the underlying index has been strong — the MSCI World has historically returned approximately 7–10% per annum (in USD). Future returns are not guaranteed and will vary.
Does VGS include Australia? No. VGS tracks the MSCI World ex-Australia — Australia is excluded. This is intentional — it is designed to complement Australian share ETFs (VAS, A200) rather than duplicate them.
What is the difference between VGS and IVV? IVV (iShares S&P 500 ETF) tracks the S&P 500 — the 500 largest US companies only. VGS tracks 1,500+ companies across 22 developed markets (including the US). VGS is more geographically diversified than IVV but still has high US exposure (~65–70%). IVV has a lower MER (0.03%) but concentrates entirely on the US market.
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.