5 steps to bring in $1,000 per month in passive income

It could be income aplenty for investors following these steps.

| More on:
Business man with a cigar in his mouth counting US dollars.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points

  • Generating passive income is something that anyone can do
  • Having a plan is key to making it a success
  • Five steps you can take to generate income are listed below

If you're wanting to generate passive income with ASX shares, there are a few key steps to follow to make this a reality.

5 steps to growing your passive income

First up, you'll want to invest in shares that pay sustainable dividends. This means looking for companies with strong earnings, manageable payout ratios, and positive long term outlooks. Some examples on the ASX could include Dicker Data Ltd (ASX: DDR) and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES).

Next, it's important for investors to build a diversified portfolio. Don't just invest in one or two ASX shares, spread your risk across a variety of sectors. This will help you weather any ups and downs in the market and increases your chance of generating stable passive income.

The Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY) could be just the ticket for this step. It provides investors with easy access to a diverse group of high-yield ASX dividend shares.

Thirdly, it could be worth thinking about franking credits. These are tax credits for Aussie investors who receive dividends from ASX shares. You will probably want to look for shares that pay fully franked dividends so you can maximise your after-tax return.

Moving onto the next step, it could be smart to reinvest your dividends instead of withdrawing the payouts. Doing this allows you to buy more shares in the companies you already own (sometimes at a discount). This will help you to compound your returns and increase your passive income over the long-term.

Finally, it is important to monitor your portfolio regularly. This includes keeping an eye on the performance of each share, making changes if necessary. This will help you to maximise your passive income and minimise your risk.

All in all, if all goes to plan, by following these steps, once you have grown a portfolio valued at $240,000 and have an average yield of 5% across your portfolio, you will be generating $12,000 of passive income a year (the equivalent of $1,000 a month) with potential to grow further in the future.

Should you invest $1,000 in Dicker Data right now?

Before you buy Dicker Data shares, consider this:

Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Dicker Data wasn't one of them.

The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys...

See The 5 Stocks *Returns as of 30 April 2025

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Dicker Data. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Dicker Data and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on How to invest

A group of young ASX investors sitting around a laptop with an older lady standing behind them explaining how investing works.
How to invest

How a beginner investor could build a $250,000 ASX share portfolio

These easy steps could help you on your way to riches in the share market.

Read more »

A laughing woman wearing a bright yellow suit, black glasses and a black hat spins dollar bills out of her hands signifying the big dividends paid by BHP
How to invest

How to generate $70,000 of passive income a year from ASX shares

ASX shares could be the key to generating a big income boost. Here's how to do it.

Read more »

A sophisticated older lady with shoulder-length grey hair and glasses sits on her couch laughing while looking at her phone
How to invest

Did you buy the dip on Wesfarmers shares? You just made a motza!

Buying the dip on this ASX 200 conglomerate last month would have been a very good call.

Read more »

Warren Buffett
How to invest

What is the 'Buffett Indicator'? And what is it signalling right now?

Warren Buffett believes this tool is one of the best ways to value the market.

Read more »

person laying on a couch with a hat, symbolising passive income.
How to invest

How to invest: Why Morgan Housel says '99% of good investing is doing nothing'

Doing nothing is often the best course of action.

Read more »

Happy young woman saving money in a piggy bank.
How to invest

How to build a $100k ASX share portfolio with just $250 a month

This is the easy way to build a sizeable investment portfolio without breaking the bank.

Read more »

Man holding out Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.
How to invest

Want $1,000 a month in passive income? Here's how to get there with ASX dividends

The share market is a great place to earn additional income without lifting a finger.

Read more »

Warren Buffett
How to invest

4 of my favourite Warren Buffett stock investing quotes

These are excellent lessons from the Oracle of Omaha.

Read more »