3 excellent ASX ETFs for beginners in September

These funds could be worth a look if you're planning your first investments and don't know where to put your money.

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Getting started in the share market can feel daunting, but exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are one of the easiest ways to begin.

With just a single trade, you can own a diversified basket of stocks and start building wealth straight away.

With that in mind, here are three excellent ASX ETFs that look especially well-suited for beginners as we head into September.

Betashares Australian Quality ETF (ASX: AQLT)

For new investors, it is often tempting to chase speculative small caps. But history shows that owning high-quality businesses is one of the safest ways to compound returns over the long run. That's exactly what the Betashares Australian Quality ETF is built for.

Rather than track the entire ASX, the Betashares Australian Quality ETF screens for the strongest shares based on profitability, balance sheet strength, and earnings stability.

The result is a portfolio tilted toward names like CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH), and REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA). These are companies with strong competitive advantages that can weather tough markets.

For a beginner, that focus on quality provides peace of mind that your first investments are in businesses with proven resilience. The Betashares Australian Quality ETF was recently tipped as one to consider buying by Betashares.

BetaShares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF (ASX: ATEC)

Australia and New Zealand aren't always thought of as technology hubs, but the ASX is home to some remarkable success stories. The BetaShares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF lets you buy into this slice of the market in one go.

Its portfolio includes innovators like WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) in logistics software, Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) in cloud accounting, and Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK) in online recruitment. These shares are growing rapidly and increasingly competing on the global stage.

For beginners, this ASX ETF offers a simple way to add growth and innovation to a portfolio, balancing out more traditional sectors like banks and resources. It was also named as one to consider buying by Betashares.

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

While starting locally makes sense, no beginner portfolio is complete without some global diversification. The iShares S&P 500 ETF does this by tracking the S&P 500 index, giving you exposure to the 500 biggest stocks in the United States.

That means instant ownership of world leaders such as Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ). Beyond tech and healthcare, the fund also covers consumer giants like Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO), Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX), and Walmart (NYSE: WMT).

For a new investor, this ASX ETF is a low-cost, straightforward way to tap into the world's largest economy and most competitive businesses, adding resilience and breadth to an ASX-focused portfolio.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL, Cochlear, REA Group, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Apple, CSL, Cochlear, Microsoft, Starbucks, Walmart, WiseTech Global, Xero, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Johnson & Johnson and has recommended the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple, CSL, Cochlear, Microsoft, Starbucks, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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