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

At a glance

Comparing RSM, VGB, VAF, and AGVT. VAF has the lowest management fee at 0.1% a year, RSM has the highest 10 years return at 1.6% a year, and AGVT offers the highest at 4.32%.

Lowest fee

VAF 0.1% p.a.

Highest 10 years return

RSM 1.6% p.a.

Highest yield

AGVT 4.32%

Lowest volatility

RSM 3.5% (10y)

Largest fund

VAF $3.9bn

Side-by-side comparison

Metric	RSM Russell Investments Australian Semi-Government Bond ETF	VGB Vanguard Australian Government Bond Index ETF	VAF Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF	AGVT BetaShares Australian Government Bond ETF
Snapshot
Provider	—	Vanguard	Vanguard	BetaShares
Tracks index	—	Bloomberg AusBond Govt 0+ Yr Index	Bloomberg AusBond Composite 0+ Yr Index	Solactive Australian Government 7-12 Year AUD TR Index
Categories	Bonds, AU	AU, Bonds	AU, Bonds	Bonds, AU
Listed since	—	2012 (14 yrs)	2012 (14 yrs)	—
Fund size (AUM)	$50m	$1.4bn	$3.9bn	$1.1bn
Cost & income
Management fee	0.26%	0.16%	0.1%	0.22%
Dividend yield	3.37%	3.32%	3.27%	4.32%
Franking	0%	0%	0%	0%
Turnover	20%	25%	30%	30%
Tax drag	1.56%	1.66%	1.77%	2.1%
Returns	Tax bracket - adjusts tax drag & net returns
1-year return	-0.6% net	-0.9% net	-0.5% net	-2.2% net
3-year return	3.3% net	3.2% net	3.5% net	3.3% net
5-year return	0.4% net	-0.5% net	-0.1% net	-1.6% net
10-year return	1.6% net	1.1% net	1.4% net	—
Risk
Volatility (3y)	3.5%	4.2%	3.9%	6.2%
Volatility (5y)	4.6%	5.8%	5.4%	8.2%
Volatility (10y)	3.5%	4.9%	4.5%	—
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

RSM Russell Investments Australian Semi-Government Bond ETF

Low-cost: a 0.26% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
Low volatility (3.49% over 10 years) for a smoother ride.

Has lagged most peers over 3 years (211th of 236).

Full RSM 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 (4.85% over 10 years) for a smoother ride.

Has lagged most peers over 10 years (104th of 110).

Full VGB 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 (4.46% over 10 years) for a smoother ride.

Has lagged most peers over 10 years (97th of 110).

Full VAF analysis →

AGVT BetaShares Australian Government Bond ETF

Low-cost: a 0.22% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
Pays a useful 4.32% income yield.

Has lagged most peers over 5 years (179th of 189).

Full AGVT analysis →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

RSM, VGB, VAF, and AGVT are 4 Australian-listed ETFs we compare side by side. VAF carries the lowest management fee (0.1%). Over 10 years, RSM has delivered the highest total return (1.6% a year). The table above breaks down fees, returns, income and risk for each.

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

VAF has the lowest management fee at 0.1% a year, versus RSM 0.26%, VGB 0.16%, and AGVT 0.22%.

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

Over the past 10 years, RSM has delivered the highest total return at 1.6% a year. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Which pays the highest dividend yield?

AGVT pays the highest at 4.32%. Remember distributions are taxed each year at your marginal rate.

Which is the largest and most liquid?

VAF is the largest fund by assets ($3.9bn). Larger funds are typically more liquid and trade on tighter spreads.

Related comparisons

RSM vs IGB VGB vs IAF VGB vs ILB VGB vs VIF VGB vs OZBD VGB vs 1GOV VGB vs 5GOV VAF vs IAF

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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.