3 Best Healthcare ETFs ASX

Last Updated on 30th september

The healthcare industry has exceptional long-term growth potential because ageing populations and changing global demographics are increasing demand for healthcare products and services.

Other growth drivers include higher research and development spending as well as medical innovation and advances in biotechnology. Genetic medicines and medical devices are also advancing while technology is becoming more widely used across healthcare. The sector may also benefit from new treatments and therapies because pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are investing in solutions for complex and emerging health needs. These long-term trends can create opportunities for wealth creation and the following three ASX healthcare ETFs will offer diversified exposure to the sector.

1. VanEck Global Healthcare Leaders ETF (ASX: HLTH) will give targeted exposure to 50 fundamentally strong and attractively valued global healthcare companies which have growth prospects while equal weighting across the portfolio provides diversification among healthcare businesses.

The ETF tracks the MarketGrader Developed Markets Health Care Net Return AUD Index and was launched on 8 September 2020 with a management fee of 0.45% per year.

Its portfolio includes pharmaceuticals at 37.6% followed by biotechnology at 25.2% and healthcare equipment and supplies at 21.9% while life sciences tools and services account for 7.9% and healthcare providers and services represent 7.5%. The United States makes up 61.7% of country exposure and major holdings include Illumina at 3.2% and Halozyme Therapeutics at 3.0% along with Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals at 2.7%.

The investment rationale is supported by demographic changes along with healthcare innovation and rising demand for healthcare products and services.

2.  iShares Global Healthcare ETF (ASX: IXJ) is designed to track the S&P Global 1200 Healthcare Capped Index and will provide global exposure to healthcare companies including advanced medical device manufacturers.

IXJ was launched on 13 November 2001 and charges an annual management fee of 0.41% for its diversified exposure to global healthcare sector through a single investment.

The ten largest underlying holdings include Eli Lilly at 9.97% and Johnson & Johnson at 6.97%.

The United States accounts for 72.02% of the portfolio followed by Switzerland at 9.72%, the United Kingdom at 5.01% and Japan at 3.74% which gives the fund exposure to major healthcare markets around the world.

 3. Global X S&P Biotech ETF (ASX: CURE) is a solid pick as it will provide access to the US biotech companies and is focused on areas such as genomic sequencing along with genetic medicines and therapeutics.

The ETF charges 0.45% in management fees and costs each year and was launched on 8 November 2018.

CURE currently holds 147 companies and tracks the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index which uses a modified equal-weighted approach with quarterly rebalancing.

Its portfolio has a focus on small and mid-sized biotechnology businesses with 54.4% allocated to mid-cap companies, 29.0% to large caps and 16.6% to small caps.

CURE has recorded a 65.2% return over one year and an annualised return of 22.6% over three years while its annualised return since inception stands at 8.8% as of 31 August 2026.

(Source: Company Announcements)