Advice In Investments

1. Portfolio Allocation

Your proposed ETF allocation is a reasonable start for a diversified portfolio. Here's a closer look:

AUS Equities (25%)

VAS: Broad exposure to the ASX 300 (300 largest Australian companies), highly liquid, with low management fees.
A200: Tracks the ASX 200, slightly cheaper fees than VAS but with marginally less coverage.
IOZ: Tracks the ASX 200, similar to A200 but less popular, meaning slightly lower liquidity.

Suggestion: Either VAS or A200 would work well. VAS's broader market exposure may edge it out unless fees are your deciding factor.

US Equities (60%)

BGBL: Tracks the MSCI World ex-Australia Index, including the U.S., with low fees. Great for diversification beyond just the U.S.
IVV: Tracks the S&P 500, providing pure U.S. exposure but not as diversified globally.
N100: A solid pick if you’re keen on tech-heavy exposure to the Nasdaq-100 but is higher risk.

Suggestion: BGBL is a smart, low-cost option. If you lean heavily toward U.S. growth, consider IVV as a complement, but don’t overweight tech too much unless you’re comfortable with the volatility.

US Equities (AUD Hedged | 10%)

VGAD: Similar to IVV but hedged to protect against AUD/USD currency movements.
HGBL: Hedged global ETF, also low-cost.

Suggestion: Go with VGAD if you’re already using IVV for unhedged U.S. exposure. Hedging smooths returns if AUD/USD fluctuations worry you.

Emerging Markets (5%)

Good idea to add some emerging market exposure for growth potential.
Look at VGE (Vanguard Emerging Markets ETF) or IEM (iShares Emerging Markets ETF).

2. Super Contributions

Maximizing your super contributions can be a highly tax-effective way to invest:

Benefits:
- Contributions are taxed at 15% in super (versus your marginal tax rate of ~32.5% for income over $45k).
- Compounding growth within super is tax-advantaged (15% on earnings, 10% on capital gains held for over a year).
Strategy:
- If you haven’t reached the concessional contributions cap ($27,500 per year), consider salary sacrificing to this amount. Use online calculators to balance current savings versus super contributions.

3. Lump Sum vs. Dollar-Cost Averaging

Lump Sum: Historically, investing a lump sum provides better long-term returns since markets tend to rise over time. However, it can feel riskier due to timing (e.g., a market dip soon after investing).
Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA): Investing smaller amounts regularly can reduce the risk of investing everything before a downturn. It's also psychologically easier if you're worried about timing.

Suggestion: A hybrid approach might work best:

Invest a significant portion (e.g., $50k–$100k) upfront to get started.
Use DCA to invest smaller amounts ($1k–$2k monthly) going forward.

4. Emergency Fund

Given your $207k in savings, ensure you’re keeping enough liquid as an emergency fund (6–12 months of expenses). You’re in an enviable position of having a substantial buffer, so only invest what you can afford to lock away for the long term.

5. Investment Property

Your property is positively geared, which is excellent. Keep in mind:

Positive gearing means you’ll pay tax on rental income, but depreciation and expenses can offset some of this.
Consider whether paying down the mortgage faster offers better returns than ETF investing (unlikely with current low rates, but worth calculating).

6. Additional Tips

Track Your Expenses: You mentioned your expenses are low, but using a budgeting tool can highlight where you can save even more.
Regular Super Review: Make sure your super is invested in growth-oriented options, given your age.
Tax Efficiency: ETFs are generally tax-efficient, but reinvesting dividends (via a DRP) can help compound growth further.

Next Steps

Finalize your ETF selections and decide on the balance between lump sum and DCA investing.
Research and implement salary sacrifice contributions into super.
Set up a monthly automatic investment plan to consistently grow your portfolio.
Monitor your investments annually but avoid tinkering too much unless there’s a major life or market event.