How to buy the iShares Core S&P 500

The iShares Core S&P 500 ETF is an investment that gives you exposure to the largest US stocks through a single fund. It aims to track the performance of the S&P Index, which is based on large cap US equities. The benefit for you as an investor is that you can access this through one fund which is also low fee.

Our top picks for trading platforms

ASX trading

Finder Award

Moomoo Share Trading

$100 Reward

Go to site

T&Cs apply

Trade ASX, US and Hong Kong stocks

Copy trading

Most Loved

eToro

$150 Reward

Go to site

T&Cs apply

Social trading features

Beginners

Finder Award

Tiger Brokers

$120 Reward

Go to site

T&Cs apply

Easy-to-use mobile trading

• How we chose these brokers

  For our top picks, we compared our Finder partners using a proprietary algorithm. We update the list regularly. Keep in mind that our top picks may not be the best for your individual circumstances and we encourage you to compare for yourself. Read our full methodology to find out more.

How to buy iShares Core S&P 500 units

1. Compare online brokers. To invest in exchange traded funds (ETFs) listed in Australia, you'll need to sign up to an ETF broker platform with access to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). Our table below can help you choose.
2. Open and fund your brokerage account. Complete an application with your personal and financial details, like your ID and tax file number. Fund your account with a bank transfer, PayPal or debit card.
3. Search for the iShares Core S&P 500 . Find the ETF by name or ticker symbol. Research its history to confirm it's a solid investment against your financial goals.
4. Purchase now or later. Buy today with a market order or use a limit order to delay your purchase until the iShares Core S&P 500 reaches your desired price. To spread out your risk, look into dollar-cost averaging, which smooths out buying at consistent intervals and amounts.
5. Decide on how many to buy. At today's price, weigh your budget against a diversified portfolio that can minimise risk through the market's ups and downs.
6. Check in on your investment. Congratulations, you've invested in the iShares Core S&P 500 . Optimise your portfolio by tracking how your stock — and even the business — performs with an eye on the long term. You may be eligible for dividends and shareholder voting rights on directors and management that can affect your stock.

Compare online ETF brokers

{"userFilters":[{"componentType":"MULTI-SELECT CHECKBOX","options":{"comparator":"contains","includeAllSelection":false,"defaultMatcher":"ANY","values":["8.95-10","6.95-8.94999","4.95-6.94999","0-4.94999"],"fields":[{"label":"[[FINDER_SCORE_BADGE|9+]] Excellent: 9+","value":"8.95-10","comparator":"range"},{"label":"[[FINDER_SCORE_BADGE|7+]] Great: 7+","value":"6.95-8.94999","comparator":"range"},{"label":"[[FINDER_SCORE_BADGE|5+]] Standard: 5+","value":"4.95-6.94999","comparator":"range"},{"label":"[[FINDER_SCORE_BADGE|0+]] Basic: 0+","value":"0-4.94999","comparator":"range"}]},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"PRODUCT","fieldCode":"FINDER_SCORE.FINDER_SCORE"},"dataType":"NUMBER","label":"Finder Score","queryParameter":"finderScore"},{"dataSelector":{"recordType":"UI_FILTER_COMPONENT","fieldCode":"SPECIAL_OFFERS"},"dataType":"BOOLEAN","label":"Special offers","componentType":"SpecialOffersFilter","config":{"VALUES":"1","fields":[{"value":"rewards_exclusive","label":"Finder Rewards & exclusives"},{"value":"all_offers","label":"All offers"}]},"options":{"comparator":"eq"},"queryParameter":"special-offers"},{"config":{},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"GENERAL.PROVIDER_ID"},"dataType":"UUID","label":"Provider","order":100},{"config":{"MULTISELECT":true,"VALUES":"Desktop,Android,iOS"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"FEATURES.AVAILABLE_DEVICES"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Available devices","order":null},{"config":{"MULTISELECT":true,"VALUES":"Australian stocks,US stocks,Global stocks,ASX Options,mFunds,ETFs,Bonds,Futures,US Options,Gold (physical),Silver (physical),Cryptocurrencies,Ready-made investment portfolios,Ethical portfolio option,Alternative investments,Commodities,NFTs,Endowment warrants,Installment warrants,Options trading,Commodity ETFs,ASX small cap stocks"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"FEATURES.AVAILABLE_PRODUCTS"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Products","order":null},{"config":{},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"FEATURES.HAS_ONLINE_DEMO"},"dataType":"BOOLEAN","label":"Online Demo","order":null},{"config":{"MULTISELECT":true,"VALUES":"News,Technical analysis charts,Margin trading,Fractional shares"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"FEATURES.TRADING_TOOLS"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Trading tools","order":null},{"config":{},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"FEES.INACTIVE_ACCOUNT_FEE"},"dataType":"BOOLEAN","label":"Inactivity fee","order":null},{"config":{"VALUES":"0"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"UI_FILTER_COMPONENT","fieldCode":"FULL_MARKET"},"dataType":"FULL_MARKET","label":"More products","queryParameter":"full-market"}],"niche":{"currencySymbol":"$","decimalPoint":".","decimalPlaces":"2","thousandsSeparator":",","filterBoundsMap":{"product.GENERAL.PROVIDER_ID":null,"product.FEATURES.AVAILABLE_DEVICES":null,"product.FEATURES.AVAILABLE_PRODUCTS":null,"product.FEATURES.HAS_ONLINE_DEMO":null,"product.FEATURES.TRADING_TOOLS":null}},"prefilled":false,"experimental":false}

5 of 33 results

Updated regularlyShare

Finder Score	Brokerage on AU ETFs	Inactivity fee	Asset Class
Promoted 9.6 Excellent Moomoo Share Trading Finder Award	9.6 Excellent	$3.00	$0	ASX shares, Global shares, Options trading, US shares, ETFs	Trade major markets with built-in social trading tools.	$100 RewardT&Cs apply T&Cs apply Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted 8.7 Great eToro Most Loved	8.7 Great	US$2.00		ASX shares, Global shares, US shares, ETFs, Cryptocurrencies	CFD service. Capital at risk. Trade a range of assets from a single account with access to social trading features.	$150 RewardT&Cs apply T&Cs apply Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted 9.3 Excellent Tiger Brokers Finder Award	9.3 Excellent	$3.00	$0	ASX shares, Global shares, Options trading, US shares, ETFs	Deposit any amount and receive $20 to trade in Tiger Brokers. Plus 4x zero brokerage trades and no FX fees on the first $2,000 you exchange every month. T&Cs apply. + Finder Rewards: Get this PLUS a $120 digital Visa gift card when you join Finder, sign up to Tiger Brokers, deposit $2,000 within 7 days and complete a qualifying BUY trade within 20 days. T&Cs apply.	Trade US, Asian and CHESS-sponsored ASX stocks, China A-class shares, plus US and Hong Kong options and ETFs.	$120 RewardT&Cs apply T&Cs apply Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
9.8 Excellent Webull Finder Award	9.8 Excellent	$0.00	$0	ASX shares, Global shares, Options trading, US shares, ETFs, Cryptocurrencies	Earn up to 5,000 Qantas Points per month on international trades, plus 2,500 bonus points on your first international buy order with Webull. Min spend and T&Cs apply. + Finder Rewards: Get this PLUS a $150 digital Visa gift card when you join Finder, sign up to Webull as a new customer, deposit at least $2,000 in a single transaction and place at least 1 BUY order for a US-listed stock or ETF during the promotion period. T&Cs apply.	Invest in over 15,000 shares, options, and $0 Brokerage on all U.S. and Australian Chess-Sponsored ETFs.	$150 RewardT&Cs apply T&Cs apply Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
9.3 Excellent IG Share Trading Finder Award	9.3 Excellent	$0.00	$0	ASX shares, Global shares, US shares, UK shares, ETFs	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading

loading

Load More

Showing 5 of 6 results

Compare other products

Looking for other options? Check out these similar products.

How we picked these

Finder Score for share trading platforms

We've scored over 30 share trading platforms assessing them for their core features, fees, customer experience and accessibility. Our experts give each platform a score out of 10.

Read the full methodology

Frequently asked questions

• Is the iShares S&P 500 ETF a good investment for Australians?

  It can be a solid way for Australians to gain exposure to the largest US companies without needing to pick individual stocks. However, whether it’s “good” depends on your goals, risk tolerance and time frame. It’s designed to track the performance of the S&P 500 Index, which means returns will broadly follow the US share market rather than the Australian one.

• How are dividends from the iShares S&P 500 ETF paid to Australian investors?

  Dividends are paid in Australian dollars and deposited into your brokerage account. Distributions are typically made quarterly and include income from the US companies held in the fund, minus fees and taxes. Keep in mind, you may need to declare these earnings in your Australian tax return.

• What are the tax implications of investing in a US ETF from Australia?

  When investing in US ETFs like the iShares S&P 500 ETF, Australian investors may be subject to US withholding tax on dividends, generally 15% under the US-Australia tax treaty. You’ll also pay Australian tax on the income and capital gains. Completing a W‑8BEN form with your broker ensures you’re not double-taxed at the higher US rate.

• Can I buy the iShares S&P 500 ETF with my superannuation?

  Yes, if you’re using a self-managed super fund (SMSF). Many online brokers supporting SMSFs allow trading in ETFs listed on the ASX, including the iShares S&P 500 ETF. However, consider your fund’s investment strategy and compliance rules before adding international exposure.

• What’s the difference between buying this ETF on the ASX versus in the US?

  The iShares S&P 500 ETF listed on the ASX (ASX: IVV) is structured for Australian investors and traded in Australian dollars. The US-listed version (NYSE: IVV) trades in US dollars. Performance is similar, but your choice may depend on brokerage costs, currency exposure and tax treatment.

• Does currency exchange affect my returns from the iShares S&P 500 ETF?

  Yes. The ETF’s underlying assets are priced in US dollars, so your Australian dollar returns will rise or fall depending on the exchange rate. A falling Australian dollar generally increases your returns, while a stronger Aussie dollar can reduce them.

• How often should I review my iShares S&P 500 ETF investment?

  It’s sensible to review your holdings at least once or twice a year, or if your financial goals or circumstances change. While the ETF tracks the S&P 500 automatically, your broader portfolio may need rebalancing to maintain your ideal mix of assets.

• What fees will I pay on the iShares S&P 500 ETF?

  You’ll typically pay a small management fee called the expense ratio (currently around 0.04% p.a.) plus your broker’s usual trading commissions. There are no entry or exit fees charged by iShares, but brokerage and bid–ask spreads can slightly impact your total cost.

• What percentage of iShares Core S&P 500 is owned by insiders or institutions?

  Currently N/A% of iShares Core S&P 500 shares are held by insiders and N/A% by institutions.