A record number of new exchange-traded funds are being listed on the Australian Securities Exchange as asset managers race to meet surging demand from retail investors.
The wave of launches reflects a structural shift in how Australian households are accessing top-tier fund management, driven by the search for lower costs and greater tax efficiency.
The surge in ETF activity is closely tied to investor positioning ahead of upcoming capital gains tax (CGT) reforms.
Although the regulatory changes are not scheduled to take effect for another year, market participants are accelerating their shift toward ETFs to optimize their tax outcomes.
This proactive behavior is reshaping the competitive landscape for asset managers, who are expanding their product offerings to capture this growing pool of retail capital.
The trend underscores a broader move away from traditional active management toward passive and semi-passive strategies among individual investors.