Client Services
Frequently Asked Questions:
About Vanguard
- Who is Vanguard?
- What is indexing?
- Why should I invest with Vanguard?
- How is Vanguard's investment approach different to other fund managers?
- Why are Vanguard's funds tax-effective?
- What types of funds does Vanguard offer?
- Who are Vanguard’s key people?
- How do I contact or give Vanguard feedback?
Who is Vanguard?
Vanguard pioneered the concept of indexing, introducing the first retail index fund in the US in 1976. Vanguard has since become one of the world's largest and most experienced indexing specialists managing more than $1.5 trillion worldwide.
Vanguard now has global presence with offices in the US, Australia, Brussels, Paris, Amsterdam, Tokyo and Singapore. In Australia, we’ve been helping professional and personal investors invest through our unique style of indexing for more than ten years.
What is indexing?
Indexing is a way of gaining exposure to an investment market. Rather than trying to guess which investments will outperform in the future, index managers replicate a particular market or sector. Indexing takes advantage of two time-honoured investment principles – diversification and long-term investing. As such, it offers two distinct advantages:
- Investing in all or a representation of stocks in a market index can maximise diversification and reduce risk.
- Buying and holding securities over the long term reduces volatility and investment costs and can lead to better returns in the long run.
Why should I invest with Vanguard?
Vanguard offers high quality, low-cost investment solutions that have stood the test of time. We believe in providing a better deal for investors, so our clients' interests always come first. We can help you realise your long-term financial potential through:
- long-term investment strategies that work
- low costs
- investor education
- transparent reporting
- exceptional service
How is Vanguard's investment approach different to other fund managers?
As an index fund manager, Vanguard structures its portfolio to closely track the performance of a specified market index. Rather than holding every stock in the index, Vanguard builds its portfolios with the optimal number of securities to closely track the index performance, without incurring unnecessary transaction costs. It's what we call optimised indexing. This way investors get all the benefits of holding a diversified portfolio like lower risk and the potential for improved returns, without the associated costs.
Our approach is different to active managers who seek to outperform a benchmark or market index using a combination of stock picking, market timing and asset allocation. Active managers typically hold a much smaller number of securities than index managers but will generally have a high level of trading activity within the fund.
With Vanguard, indexing is not about timing markets or picking hot stocks. Instead, the emphasis is on broad diversification within a specific index and low portfolio turnover. This buy and hold approach can significantly reduce the cost of investing over time, which can lead to better returns.
Why are Vanguard's funds tax-effective?
Vanguard's funds have a buy and hold strategy which means they have low turnover. Generally the lower the portfolio turnover the longer securities are held within a portfolio. If securities are held for more than 12 months, any capital gain on the disposal of those securities will attract a lower tax rate for investors who are eligible for the capital gains discount. Vanguard also uses crossing strategies to minimise the impacts of cashflows. Crossing refers to the process of matching redemption and application monies to avoid having to buy securities on market, which can provide both tax and cost savings when passed onto the investor.
What types of funds does Vanguard offer?
Vanguard's investment and super solutions for personal investors are suitable for individuals, businesses, self managed super fund investors and trusts. All funds are managed using our low-cost, indexing approach.
| Types of funds | Description |
|---|---|
| Managed funds up to $500,000 | A range of single sector and diversified investment options including Australian shares, international shares, Australian property securities, diversified fixed interest and cash and four diversified options from conservative to high growth. Minimum investment is $5,000. Find out more. |
| Managed funds over $500,000 | A range of single sector and diversified investment options including Australian shares, international shares, Australian property securities, diversified fixed interest and cash and four diversified options from conservative to high growth. Minimum investment is $500,000. Find out more. |
| Personal Superannuation Plan | A flexible super plan you can use throughout your life with low fees, choice of investment options, easy switching facilities and free consolidation service. Single sector options include Australian shares, international shares, Australian property securities, Australian fixed interest and cash. There are four diversified options from conservative to high growth. Find out more. |
| Personal Pension Plan | A flexible "account-based pension" for retirees seeking a tax-effective income. It has all the ingredients for a powerful retirement income strategy like: flexible pension and lump sum payments, low-costs, easy switching facilities plus a choice of investment options. Find out more. |
Who are Vanguard’s key people?
Read more about the members of our leadership team - click here.
How do I contact or give Vanguard feedback?
Email
clientservices@vanguard.com.au
You can also email us from your mailbox on Vanguard Online®.
Telephone
Speak to a Vanguard Client Services Associate on 1300 655 101, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm, Melbourne time, Monday to Friday. Vanguard Premier clients can call us on 1300 650 899.
Fax
1300 765 712
Visit us
You can visit us and speak to a Vanguard representative in person. No appointment is necessary and our office hours are: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm, Melbourne Time, Monday to Friday. The Vanguard head office is located at:
Level 34,
Freshwater Place
2 Southbank Boulevard
Southbank Vic 3006
Mail
Vanguard Investments Australia Ltd
GPO Box 3006
Melbourne VIC 3001