Betashares secures Australian Unity bond listing in ETF first

Binaya Dahal

Journalist

23 April 2026

Betashares has secured a listing for 11 of its flagship exchange traded funds (ETFs) on Australian Unity’s Lifeplan Investment Bond menu, making ETFs accessible via the tax-effective vehicle for the first time.

The funds span Australian and global equities, diversified portfolios, geared exposure, cash and fixed income, and provide customers with access to low-cost, transparent ETF solutions within a tax-effective structure.

Betashares’ head of distribution and capital markets Peter Harper said the selection reflected the growing use of ETFs in portfolio construction.

“ETFs have become an increasingly important tool for portfolio construction, with a growing number of investors and financial advisers using them as building blocks for portfolios across a range of investment objectives and risk profiles,” Harper said.

“Betashares’ flagship ETFs are widely adopted by Australian investors for this purpose, offering efficient access to key exposures that can form a part of long-term portfolios.”

Under the bond structure, Australian Unity taxes earnings internally at a 30% corporate rate, net of available franking credits, and investors do not need to declare returns in their personal tax filings.

Furthermore, investors who hold the bond for more than 10 years pay no personal income tax on withdrawals, including realised capital gains, provided they comply with the 125% annual contribution rule.

Australian Unity’s executive general manager of life Adnan Glinac said demand for investment bonds has broadened beyond tax considerations.

“We’re seeing more parents and grandparents use investment bonds as a structured way to build wealth for the next generation, whether that’s helping their kids with home deposits, supporting education or funding other major life expenses,” Glinac said.

“The addition of 11 Betashares ETFs to our Lifeplan Investment Bond menu reflects growing demand from customers looking for innovative investments that offer choice, quality and diversification within a long‑term investment structure.”