iShares MSCI Australia ETF (EWA): Complete Beginner's Guide
Last updated: March 2026 • BlackRock • Australia Equity
Expense Ratio
0.50%
AUM
$2.0B
Dividend Yield
4.20%
Inception
1996
Beginner Score
8.5/10
What is iShares MSCI Australia ETF?
EWA invests in Australian companies with heavy emphasis on mining, banking, and healthcare sectors that drive the country's resource-rich economy. It provides exposure to some of the world's largest mining companies alongside Australia's dominant big four banks. This fund is popular with investors seeking commodity-linked equity exposure combined with above-average dividend income.
EWA is managed by BlackRock and has been available since 1996. With $2.0B in assets under management, it's a growing fund that has attracted significant investor interest. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.50%, which means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $50 per year in management fees.
EWA at a Glance — Key Metrics
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% |
| Total Holdings | 65 |
| P/E Ratio | 16.0 |
| Beta | 0.90 |
| Dividend Yield | 4.20% |
| AUM | $2.0B |
| Inception Year | 1996 |
| Issuer | BlackRock |
Top 10 Holdings in EWA
EWA holds 65 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BHP Group | BHP.AX | 13.00% |
| 2 | Commonwealth Bank of Australia | CBA.AX | 10.00% |
| 3 | CSL Limited | CSL.AX | 8.00% |
| 4 | National Australia Bank | NAB.AX | 5.00% |
| 5 | Westpac Banking | WBC.AX | 4.00% |
| 6 | ANZ Group Holdings | ANZ.AX | 4.00% |
| 7 | Macquarie Group | MQG.AX | 3.50% |
| 8 | Woodside Energy | WDS.AX | 3.00% |
| 9 | Wesfarmers Ltd. | WES.AX | 3.00% |
| 10 | Rio Tinto Ltd. | RIO.AX | 3.00% |
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EWA Performance History
Here's how EWA has performed over different time periods. Remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future results, but it gives you a sense of the fund's track record:
YTD
2.00%
1 Year
8.00%
3 Year
4.00%
5 Year
5.00%
10 Year
5.00%
Beginner Suitability Score: 8.5/10
Our proprietary Beginner Suitability Score evaluates ETFs based on five factors that matter most to new investors: fees, volatility, diversification, dividend history, and track record length.
EWA scores 8.5/10 because it has very low fees, shows lower-than-average volatility, focuses on 65 selected holdings, and has been available since 1996, giving it a proven track record.
How to Buy EWA — Step by Step
- Open a brokerage account — We recommend Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard for ETF investing. All offer $0 commissions on ETF trades.
- Fund your account — Transfer money from your bank. You can start with as little as $1 if your broker offers fractional shares.
- Search for "EWA" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find iShares MSCI Australia ETF.
- Place your order — Choose "Market Order" for simplicity or "Limit Order" if you want to set a specific price. Enter how many shares (or dollar amount) you want to buy.
- Set up automatic investing — Most brokers let you schedule recurring purchases (e.g., $100/month on the 1st). This is dollar cost averaging in action.
Dollar Cost Averaging Into EWA
Here's what consistent monthly investing could look like over time, assuming an average annual return of 8% (approximate historical stock market average):
| Monthly | 10 Years | 20 Years | 30 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100/mo | $18,417 | $59,295 | $150,030 |
| $250/mo | $46,041 | $148,237 | $375,074 |
| $500/mo | $92,083 | $296,474 | $750,148 |
*Projections assume 8% average annual return with monthly compounding. Actual returns will vary. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Fee impact: With EWA's expense ratio of 0.50%, a $10,000 investment would lose approximately $4,131 to fees over 20 years compared to a zero-fee investment. This is significant — consider whether the fund's strategy justifies these costs.
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Pros and Cons of EWA
Pros
- ✓One of the highest dividend yields among all developed market country ETFs
- ✓Major mining holdings benefit directly from rising global commodity prices
- ✓Australia's banking sector is well-regulated and consistently profitable
- ✓CSL provides unique biotech and healthcare growth exposure within a resource-heavy fund
Cons
- ✗Very concentrated in just two sectors making it vulnerable to banking or mining downturns
- ✗Australian dollar volatility against the US dollar adds currency risk to returns
- ✗Dependence on Chinese commodity demand creates indirect exposure to China's economic health
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EWA a good ETF for beginners?▾
EWA has a Beginner Suitability Score of 8.5/10 on our scale. This makes it a strong choice for new investors due to its low fees and focused strategy.
What is the expense ratio of EWA?▾
EWA has an expense ratio of 0.50%. This means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $50 per year in fees. This is considered very low and cost-efficient.
How much money do I need to invest in EWA?▾
You can invest in EWA with as little as $1 through brokers that offer fractional shares (like Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood). There is no minimum investment required beyond the share price itself, which changes daily. Dollar cost averaging — investing a fixed amount regularly — is a popular strategy.
Does EWA pay dividends?▾
Yes, EWA pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 4.20%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.
What are the top holdings in EWA?▾
The top holdings in EWA include BHP Group (13.00%), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (10.00%), CSL Limited (8.00%), and more. The fund holds 65 total positions, providing focused exposure to selected companies.