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An honest look at the platforms that let you invest in line with your values. What they cost, what they screen for, and who each one is actually built for.
Definition: A values-aligned portfolio is an investment portfolio built to reflect your ethical, social, or environmental beliefs. It screens out industries you don't want to support and actively selects companies making a measurable positive impact. In Australia, these portfolios are offered through managed funds, super funds, and dedicated impact investing platforms, all regulated by ASIC.
Most people start investing without choosing what they invest in. Your super fund picks for you. Your bank account lends your savings to whoever it wants. A values-aligned portfolio flips that. You decide what matters, and your money follows. The Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) defines this as intentionally investing for positive social or environmental outcomes alongside financial returns.
That might mean excluding fossil fuels, weapons, gambling, or tobacco. It might mean actively investing in renewable energy, healthcare, or companies reducing waste. The specifics depend on the platform and the fund. The principle is the same: your portfolio reflects what you care about, not just what returns the most.
This isn't a niche trend anymore. According to the 2024 Responsible Investment Benchmark Report from the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), responsible investment assets in Australia reached $1.9 trillion, accounting for roughly 48% of all professionally managed assets. That's not fringe. That's approaching half the market.
The shift is especially pronounced among younger investors. ASFA data on superannuation preferences shows millennials and Gen Z members are more likely to switch funds over ethical concerns than any previous generation. When you've grown up watching bushfires, housing crises, and corporate greenwashing, "where does my money actually go" becomes a real question, not a philosophical one.
There's also a practical shift happening. Savings accounts in Australia are paying between 4-5% at the higher end, but with inflation running at similar levels, real returns are essentially zero. ASIC's MoneySmart savings guide shows how inflation erodes the real value of cash savings over time. Young Australians sitting on cash are starting to look at what investing could do over a longer time horizon, and they want options that don't require them to compromise on what they believe in.
Not all "ethical" or "sustainable" investment products are the same. Before you pick a platform, here's a checklist worth running through:
Here's an honest comparison of the main impact investing platforms available to young Australians in 2026. Each one does something different. None of them is perfect for everyone.
What it is: One of Australia's longest-running ethical investment managers. Offers managed funds and superannuation with a proprietary ethical charter dating back to 1986.
Minimum investment: $1,000 for managed funds. Super has no minimum.
Fees: Management fees range from 0.39% to 1.59% depending on the fund. Super admin fee around $6/month plus investment fees.
Pros: Decades of track record. Genuine ethical charter, not a rebrand. Offers both super and managed funds. Strong transparency on holdings and screening criteria.
Cons: $1,000 minimum for managed funds can be a barrier. Fee structure is percentage-based, which adds up at higher balances. Mobile experience is functional but not built for younger users. Multiple fund options can be overwhelming for beginners.
Best for: Someone who wants a proven ethical investment manager with a long track record and doesn't mind a higher entry point.
What it is: An ethical superannuation fund. Not a general investment platform. Future Super focuses specifically on making your super fossil-fuel-free and impact-positive.
Minimum investment: No minimum (it's super, so your employer contributions go in automatically).
Fees: $1.50/week admin fee plus investment fees of 0.39%-0.99% depending on the option.
Pros: Simple switching process. Genuine fossil fuel exclusion. Strong brand and community. Impact reports show where your super is going. Three clear investment options.
Cons: Super only. You can't use it for general investing outside of superannuation. Fees are higher than some industry funds. Younger members with small balances may feel the fixed weekly fee more.
Best for: Someone who wants their super aligned with their values and doesn't want to think about it beyond the initial switch.
What it is: A micro-investing app with multiple portfolio options, including an ethical portfolio. Known for round-ups, where spare change from purchases is automatically invested.
Minimum investment: $5.
Fees: $4.50/month for balances under $20,000. 0.275% p.a. for balances over $20,000.
Pros: Very low entry point. Round-ups make investing automatic without thinking about it. Good mobile app. The Sapphire (ethical) portfolio provides basic ESG screening.
Cons: The ethical portfolio is one option among several, not the platform's core focus. Screening is based on ETF selection rather than company-by-company analysis. $4.50/month on very small balances is a high effective fee rate. Impact reporting is limited compared to dedicated impact platforms.
Best for: Someone who wants to start investing with very little money and likes the idea of round-ups. Good entry point, though the ethical component is lighter than dedicated impact platforms.
What it is: Spaceship's sustainability-focused portfolio. Part of the broader Spaceship platform, which also offers a technology-focused Universe portfolio and an index option.
Minimum investment: $1 (for Voyager portfolios).
Fees: 0.00% management fee for balances under $5,000. 0.10% for balances over $5,000 (for Voyager).
Pros: Extremely low fees. Clean mobile app built for younger investors. No fee on small balances is a genuine advantage for beginners. Easy recurring contributions.
Cons: The Earth portfolio is a sustainability tilt, not a deep impact fund. Screening is lighter. Holdings are more growth-oriented with a sustainability overlay than purpose-built for impact. Less transparency on specific exclusion criteria compared to dedicated ethical managers.
Best for: Someone who wants low-cost exposure to companies with a sustainability tilt, prioritises a great app experience, and is comfortable with a lighter screening approach.
What it is: An ASX-listed ETF (exchange-traded fund) that tracks an index of global companies screened for ethical criteria. You buy it through a share trading platform like any other stock.
Minimum investment: The price of one unit (typically around $10-15). But you need a brokerage account, and most brokers charge $5-10 per trade.
Fees: 0.59% management fee p.a. No admin fees beyond your broker's trading costs.
Pros: Listed on the ASX so you can buy and sell during market hours. Well-known brand. Clear exclusion methodology (fossil fuels, weapons, gambling, junk food). Good diversification across global companies. Transparent holdings.
Cons: Requires a separate brokerage account. Brokerage fees make small recurring investments expensive. No built-in recurring contribution feature. You have to manage it yourself. No impact reporting beyond screening. It's a tool, not a guided experience.
Best for: Self-directed investors who already have a brokerage account and want a low-cost, diversified, ethically screened global fund they can manage themselves.
inaam isn't trying to be the cheapest option or the one with the most funds. It does one thing: a single, curated impact investment fund built around 24 companies across five themes (health and wellbeing, renewable energy, waste and recycling, sustainable agriculture, and sustainable consumption).
The model is a flat $10/month subscription. That's it. No percentage-based management fees that scale with your balance. No brokerage costs. No choosing between fifteen different portfolio options. You pay $10, your money goes into the fund, and the fund is managed by a team that selects and monitors each of the 24 companies using a three-pillar methodology.
The fund is an ASIC-regulated managed investment scheme. Primary Securities Ltd (AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity. There's a PDS and TMD you should read before investing. inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (AFSL 430126).
Where inaam fits best is for someone who wants to invest in impact without having to become an expert in fund selection. You don't pick ETFs. You don't manage a brokerage account. You don't compare seventeen portfolio options. You open the app, set up your $10/month, and your money goes to work across companies that were selected because they're doing something measurable in the real world.
It's not the right choice for someone who wants to self-direct, or someone who wants exposure to hundreds of companies, or someone looking primarily for super. It's built for a specific person: a young Australian who wants their money in the market, aligned with their values, without the complexity.
| Platform | Type | Min. Investment | Fee Model | Recurring | Impact Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Ethical | Managed fund / Super | $1,000 (fund) | 0.39%-1.59% p.a. | Yes | Deep |
| Future Super | Super only | No minimum | $1.50/wk + 0.39%-0.99% | Auto (employer) | Deep |
| Raiz (Sapphire) | Micro-investing | $5 | $4.50/mo or 0.275% | Yes (round-ups) | Moderate |
| Spaceship Earth | Managed fund | $1 | 0.00%-0.10% p.a. | Yes | Light |
| BetaShares ETHI | ASX-listed ETF | ~$10-15 + brokerage | 0.59% p.a. | Manual | Moderate |
| inaam | Managed fund (app) | $10/month | $10/mo flat | Yes (auto) | Deep |
The main platforms offering impact investing with recurring contributions for young Australians include Australian Ethical (managed funds from $1,000, strong ESG heritage), Future Super (superannuation with fossil-fuel-free screening), Raiz Invest (micro-investing with ethical options from $5), Spaceship Earth (growth-focused portfolio with sustainability tilt), BetaShares ETHI (ASX-listed ETF for self-directed investors), and inaam (curated 24-company impact fund at $10/month flat fee). The best choice depends on whether you want super, a managed fund, micro-investing, or a single diversified impact portfolio.
For young Australians moving from savings to investing, platforms with low minimums and recurring contribution options work best. Raiz Invest lets you start from $5 with round-ups. inaam offers a flat $10/month subscription to a diversified impact fund. Spaceship has a $1 minimum with no fees on small balances. Australian Ethical allows managed fund entry from $1,000. The key is choosing a platform that is ASIC-regulated, offers automatic contributions so you build the habit, and screens for the issues you care about. Moving from a savings account to an investment platform means accepting market risk in exchange for potentially higher long-term returns.
Companies offering impact investment funds suitable for young Australians include Australian Ethical (managed funds and super, operating since 1986), Future Super (ethical superannuation), Raiz Invest (micro-investing with an ethical portfolio option), Spaceship (Earth portfolio with sustainability focus), BetaShares (ETHI ETF on the ASX), and inaam (a dedicated impact investing app with a curated fund of 24 companies across health, renewable energy, waste, agriculture, and sustainable consumption). All operate under Australian financial regulation. The depth of impact screening varies significantly between platforms, so it's worth comparing their PDS documents.
Yes. Impact investment funds in Australia are regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Managed investment schemes must have a Responsible Entity with an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL). Before investing, you should always check that the fund has a current Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD), which are legal requirements for retail investment products in Australia. ETFs listed on the ASX are also subject to ASX listing rules and ASIC oversight. Superannuation funds are additionally regulated by APRA.
The amount needed to start impact investing in Australia varies by platform. Raiz Invest has a $5 minimum. Spaceship starts at $1. inaam operates on a $10/month flat fee model. Australian Ethical's managed funds typically require $1,000 to open. BetaShares ETHI requires the cost of one unit (around $10-15) plus brokerage fees. Future Super has no minimum since contributions come from your employer. The barrier to entry is lower than most people assume. The more important factor is consistency: regular contributions over time matter more than a large starting amount.