AGVT vs ALTB vs VAF vs VGB - Compare ETFs side by side

At a glance

Comparing AGVT, ALTB, VAF, and VGB. VAF has the lowest management fee at 0.1% a year, VAF has the highest 10 years return at 1.5% a year, and AGVT offers the highest at 4%.

Lowest fee

VAF 0.1% p.a.

Highest 10 years return

VAF 1.5% p.a.

Highest yield

AGVT 4%

Lowest volatility

VAF 4.5% (10y)

Largest fund

VAF $3.8bn

Side-by-side comparison

Metric	AGVT BetaShares Australian Government Bond ETF	ALTB iShares 15+ Year Australian Government Bond ETF	VAF Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF	VGB Vanguard Australian Government Bond Index ETF
Snapshot
Provider	BetaShares	iShares	Vanguard	Vanguard
Tracks index	Solactive Australian Government 7-12 Year AUD TR Index	—	Bloomberg AusBond Composite 0+ Yr Index	Bloomberg AusBond Govt 0+ Yr Index
Categories	Bonds, AU	Bonds, AU	AU, Bonds	AU, Bonds
Listed since	—	—	2012 (14 yrs)	2012 (14 yrs)
Fund size (AUM)	$1.1bn	$222m	$3.8bn	$1.4bn
Cost & income
Management fee	0.22%	0.15%	0.1%	0.16%
Dividend yield	4%	3.34%	3.24%	3.27%
Franking	0%	0%	0%	0%
Turnover	30%	20%	30%	25%
Tax drag	2%	1.55%	1.76%	1.65%
Returns	Tax bracket - adjusts tax drag & net returns
1-year return	0.3% net	-2.3% net	1% net	0.7% net
3-year return	3.4% net	—	3.6% net	3.2% net
5-year return	-1.6% net	—	-0.2% net	-0.6% net
10-year return	—	—	1.5% net	1.3% net
Risk
Volatility (3y)	6.4%	—	4%	4.3%
Volatility (5y)	8.2%	—	5.4%	5.8%
Volatility (10y)	—	—	4.5%	4.8%
Sharpe ratio (3y)	—	—	—	—
Sharpe ratio (5y)	—	—	—	—
Sharpe ratio (10y)	—	—	—	—
Bid/ask spread	—	—	—	—

marks the strongest fund in each row. “net” shows the after-tax return at your selected bracket. “—” means we don’t have that data point yet.

Each fund at a glance

AGVT BetaShares Australian Government Bond ETF

Low-cost: a 0.22% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
Pays a useful 4% income yield.

Has lagged most peers over 5 years (179th of 188).

Full AGVT analysis →

ALTB iShares 15+ Year Australian Government Bond ETF

Low-cost: a 0.15% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.

Cheaper alternatives exist: VAF.

Full ALTB analysis →

VAF Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF

Low-cost: a 0.1% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
Low volatility (4.45% over 10 years) for a smoother ride.

Has lagged most peers over 10 years (97th of 108).

Full VAF analysis →

VGB Vanguard Australian Government Bond Index ETF

Low-cost: a 0.16% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
Low volatility (4.84% over 10 years) for a smoother ride.

Has lagged most peers over 10 years (102nd of 108).

Full VGB analysis →

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between AGVT vs ALTB vs VAF vs VGB?

AGVT, ALTB, VAF, and VGB are 4 Australian-listed ETFs we compare side by side. VAF carries the lowest management fee (0.1%). Over 10 years, VAF has delivered the highest total return (1.5% a year). The table above breaks down fees, returns, income and risk for each.

Which has the lowest fees - AGVT vs ALTB vs VAF vs VGB?

VAF has the lowest management fee at 0.1% a year, versus AGVT 0.22%, ALTB 0.15%, and VGB 0.16%.

Which has performed highest - AGVT vs ALTB vs VAF vs VGB?

Over the past 10 years, VAF has delivered the highest total return at 1.5% a year. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Which pays the highest dividend yield?

AGVT pays the highest at 4%. Remember distributions are taxed each year at your marginal rate.

Which is the largest and most liquid?

VAF is the largest fund by assets ($3.8bn). Larger funds are typically more liquid and trade on tighter spreads.

Related comparisons

AGVT vs IGB AGVT vs 1GOV AGVT vs 5GOV AGVT vs BBAB ALTB vs IGB VAF vs IAF VAF vs OZBD VAF vs BNDS

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General information only, generated from each fund's published data — not personal financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Consider your own circumstances or seek licensed advice before investing.