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You don't need thousands to start investing sustainably. Some platforms let you begin with less than the cost of a coffee. Here is what's available.
There's a persistent belief that investing requires thousands of dollars upfront. A decade ago, that was mostly true. Traditional managed funds often required $5,000 or more to open an account. If you wanted to invest ethically, the options were even more limited.
That has changed. The rise of micro-investing platforms, app-based funds, and fractional share trading means you can now start a sustainable investmentAn investment that considers environmental, social, and governance factors alongside financial returns. Also called ethical, responsible, or impact investing. portfolio with pocket money. ASIC's MoneySmart guide covers the basics of getting started with investing in Australia. The real question is no longer "can I afford to start?" but "which platform suits my situation?"
Before we compare platforms, consider this: the biggest cost isn't the minimum investment. It's the time you lose by not starting.
leila (starts at 22)
Invests $25/month from age 22. By 35, she's contributed $3,900 and her balance is ~$5,700 (at 7% return).
dan (starts at 30)
Waits until he has $3,900 saved, invests it as a lump sum at 30. By 35, his balance is ~$5,470.
Same total money in. Leila ends up ahead because her money had more time in the market. The difference compounds further over 20 and 30 years. Waiting for a "proper" amount to invest usually costs more than whatever fees you'd pay starting small. ASIC's compound interest calculator lets you run your own scenarios.
| platform | minimum to start | type | ongoing fees | impact screening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raiz Invest | $5 | Micro-investing app | $3.50/month + 0.275% p.a. | Ethical portfolio option |
| Spaceship | No minimum | Managed fund app | 0.05-0.10% p.a. | Earth portfolio (sustainability tilt) |
| inaam | $10/month | Impact fund (managed) | $10/month flat | Full 24-company curated fund |
| BetaShares ETHI | ~$10-15 (fractional) | ETF | 0.59% p.a. | Ethical screening methodology |
| Australian Ethical | $1,000 | Managed fund | 0.95-1.69% p.a. | Comprehensive ESG (Ethical Charter) |
High minimums create a barrier that disproportionately affects young people. When a managed fund requires $5,000 to start, it excludes most uni students and early-career workers. The result is that people who care about where their money goes end up leaving it in a savings account earning almost nothing, or defaulting to whatever their super fund picked for them.
Low minimums don't mean low quality. An ASIC-regulated fund with a $10 entry point has the same legal obligations as one with a $50,000 minimum. The regulation doesn't change based on how much you invest. You can check any fund's registration on the ASX investor portal or ASIC's professional registers.
This is the part most "start investing with $5" articles skip. Fees matter more on small balances because they eat a larger percentage of your total investment.
| balance | $3.50/month flat fee | 0.59% annual fee | $10/month flat fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | 42% per year | 0.59% per year | 120% per year |
| $500 | 8.4% per year | 0.59% per year | 24% per year |
| $2,000 | 2.1% per year | 0.59% per year | 6% per year |
| $10,000 | 0.42% per year | 0.59% per year | 1.2% per year |
| $25,000 | 0.17% per year | 0.59% per year | 0.48% per year |
The pattern: flat monthly fees punish small balances but become cheap on larger ones. Percentage fees stay proportional regardless of balance. Neither is universally better. It depends on where you are now and where you expect to be in a year or two.
If you're starting with under $500, a percentage-based fee (like an ETF's MER) costs you less. If you're building past $10,000, a flat monthly fee can be the better deal. The right choice changes as your balance grows.
Forget "which is best." The right question is which one fits your specific situation. Here's how to think about it:
Regardless of which platform you choose, verify these five things:
The barrier to sustainable investing in Australia is lower than it's ever been. You can start with $5. The bigger risk isn't choosing the wrong platform. It's spending six months comparing platforms and not investing at all. Pick one that matches your budget and values. Start. You can always switch later.
If you're not sure which values matter most to you, our money values quiz takes two minutes. If you want to see how platforms compare side by side, check our comparison page.
Micro-investing platforms like Raiz start from $5. inaam starts at $10/month. Spaceship has no minimum. Traditional managed funds like Australian Ethical require $1,000. ETFs like BetaShares ETHI require at least one unit purchase, around $10-15 via fractional shares on supported platforms.
All legitimate investment platforms in Australia must be regulated by ASICAustralian Securities and Investments Commission. The government body that regulates financial services and consumer credit in Australia.. A low minimum does not mean lower regulation. The same consumer protections apply regardless of how much you invest. Always check for an AFSL number and read the PDS.
Fee structures vary. inaam charges $10/month flat. Raiz charges $3.50/month plus 0.275% annually. Spaceship charges management fees within the fund. Australian Ethical charges 0.95-1.69% per year. BetaShares ETHI charges 0.59% per year. Compare fees relative to your expected balance, not just the headline number.
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