You’ve got a few ETFs. Now what?

Maybe you started your investing journey with one ETF. Then you added another because you read something about global shares.

Maybe you invested in a thematic ETF after seeing a trend you wanted exposure to. Maybe you picked up a few direct shares along the way.

Maybe there is an ETF in your portfolio you still like but are not entirely sure what role it plays anymore.

If the above rings true, it doesn’t mean you have done anything wrong. It probably means you started the way many investors start: one decision at a time.

But over time, a portfolio built from individual decisions can start to feel unclear. If someone asked you to explain the logic of your holdings, you might hesitate.

There is a difference between owning a collection of investments and having a ‘deliberate’ portfolio.

A collection might include a few ETFs, a handful of direct shares and maybe an investment you bought because it made sense at the time. Each holding may have had a reason behind it, but together the portfolio may not have a clear structure.

A deliberate portfolio is different. It typically has a ‘foundation’.

Your portfolio’s foundation (or core) is the part designed to do the steady, long-term work. It generally offers broad, diversified and low-cost exposure and may include equities or fixed income. It is something you can explain in plain language.

The rest of your investments can sit around that core and might include thematic ETFs, direct shares, higher-conviction ideas or smaller positions that reflect your interests.

Those holdings are not automatically a problem. They just should not accidentally become the centre of your portfolio if that was never the plan. You do not need to start again.

A common misconception is that creating a more structured portfolio means selling everything and starting from scratch.

For many investors, the simplest next step is not to overhaul the portfolio. It is to decide where the next contribution goes.

Instead of asking, “Is my whole portfolio right?” ask, “Where does my next dollar belong?”

That shift matters. It turns a big, uncomfortable review into one practical decision.

If your current portfolio feels scattered, your next dollar can go into something deliberate. Over time, repeated contributions can help your portfolio become more structured without needing to tear down what you already own.

A simple portfolio check can help.

First, look at your broadest and lowest-cost exposure. Do you already own an ETF that gives you diversified access to Australian shares, global shares or both? If so, that may already be acting as part of your share portfolio core (depending on your risk profile).

Then look at what’s left over.

You might find that some holdings are more specific. For example:

– A technology-focused ETF
– A direct share in a company you follow closely
– A sector ETF
– A fixed income ETF
– A smaller position you bought after reading about an opportunity
– An older ETF you added before you had a clear plan

Again, these are not necessarily a problem. The question is whether they are acting as your core or are sitting around it.

If a holding is narrower, more concentrated or based on a particular theme or company view, it may belong outside the core. That distinction alone can make your portfolio easier to understand.

A useful test is whether you can explain why each investment is there.

For example:
– “This is my Australian shares exposure.”
– “This is my global shares exposure.”
– “This is a smaller thematic position.”
– “This is my fixed income exposure.”
– “This is a direct share I want to hold separately.”

If you cannot explain a holding’s role, it may be worth reviewing. But that does not mean you need to act immediately. The more important step is to make sure new money has a clear purpose.

Depending on your circumstances, that’s where a core equities (or share) fund can help.

If you want to turn your next contribution into a more deliberate foundation, there are two simple pathways that an investor can consider, using Betashares ETFs.

DHHF Diversified All Growth ETF provides diversified exposure across Australian and global shares in a single ETF. It may suit investors who want one fund for their core share portfolio and a simple way to keep adding over time.

DHHF has a management fee of 0.19% p.a and is a 100% growth allocation fund, so it is designed for investors with a long-term timeframe who are comfortable with the risks and volatility of share market investing.

The second pathway to help build a core share portfolio is to combine A200 and BGBL.

– A200 Australia 200 ETF provides exposure to 200 of the largest companies listed on the ASX and has a management fee of 0.04% p.a.
– BGBL Global Shares ETF provides exposure to more than 1,200 global companies across developed markets and has a management fee of 0.08% p.a.

Together, they can form two clear building blocks: Australian shares and global shares.

This pathway may suit investors who want more control over their Australian versus global allocation, or who prefer to add to each side separately over time.

Beyond equities, fixed income exposures can also be a component of a well-diversified portfolio for many people depending on their goals.

A stronger portfolio does not always come from making a big change. Sometimes it starts with making the next contribution more deliberate.

Your current holdings are your starting point and the next step is to give your portfolio a clearer foundation, so each new dollar has a more defined role.

If you’re ready to start building a simple, low-cost share portfolio foundation, explore DHHF, A200 and BGBL. You can start investing in these funds through Betashares Direct, or on the platform or broker of your choice.