2 income portfolios delivering 6%+ p.a. consistently (they're yours to download)

What does it take to build an income portfolio that delivers a yield of 6%+ per annum?

That’s the challenge we put to two of Australia’s most experienced investment advisers - David Lane of Ord Minnett and Hugh Robertson of Centaur Financial Services.

We asked them: If you were limited to a maximum of 12 investments that provide strong cash flow, diversification, and some growth upside as a bonus - what would you pick?

The result is two very distinct strategies that blend large and mid-cap stocks, ETFs, listed investment companies, and income-focused securities - each reflecting a different philosophy and level of conviction.

In their own words, David and Hugh walk us through how they approached the challenge, the traits they look for in income opportunities, and how they think about building portfolios designed to generate resilient, long-term cash flow.

The full portfolios - including all holdings and expected return forecasts - are available to download below.

Before we begin...

This exercise is not about providing ready-made portfolio solutions. It’s about showcasing how experienced investors approach the challenge of constructing an income sleeve within a broader, diversified portfolio. These portfolios are not personal financial advice, and they are not recommendations.

The holdings and return assumptions in the downloadable Excel sheets are based on each expert’s analysis and valuation methods. These are forward-looking estimates — and like all forecasts, they are assumptions that may not eventuate.

With that out of the way, let's get to the good stuff!

David Lane, Ord Minnett: The high-octane income engine

This portfolio brings together numerous high yield investment opportunities, from a combination of high dividend-paying listed companies, complex ETFs, investment grade corporate bonds (subordinated debt) and private credit.

Each of the investments carries certain risks, as generating income above the cash rate always does. All of the securities selected in the portfolio are listed and therefore are liquid.

The individual stocks selected are high-yielding and are currently recommended as Buy or Accumulate by Ord Minnett. 

In forecasting the potential capital and income returns, we have utilised Ord Minnett research analyst forecasts for 12-month share price targets and dividend yields. Although our analysts regularly research and monitor the companies, their forecasts are estimations and should be treated as such.

In the main, the individual stocks recommended are mid-cap stocks and may be more volatile than the broader market.

However, we have assumed that investors seeking yield are long-term investors and are willing to be rewarded from the long-term cash flows generated by these businesses.

For the ETFs and listed investment trusts (LIT), the forecast yields are the historic yields of these funds.

It is important to note that the ‘buy-write’ strategies employed by the Global X covered calls ETFs (AYLD and QYLD) employ derivatives to help enhance the income generated by these investments. These strategies are often employed across direct equity portfolios to enhance income. Now they can be implemented in a more streamlined, easier manner through these complex ETFs.

📥 Download David's High-Octane Income Engine here

Hugh Robertson, Centaur Financial: The all-weather income portfolio

With retiree investors in mind, this strategy prioritises income stability, capital resilience and long-term sustainability. I have built this with retirees in mind to navigate the volatility of typical income producing strategies.

• Low correlation between assets to improve diversification and reduce overall risk.
• Multiple income sources, so if interest rates fall, investors can maintain lifestyle income without disruption.
• Lower volatility holdings to help investors stay the course during market disruptions (like the next “Trump Tariff Tantrum”), avoiding emotional decisions and capital losses.
• Capital preservation with modest growth, aiming to outpace inflation over time.

BHP is included for its strong 4.4% fully franked dividend yield, attractive valuation with a P/E of ~11.5 and P/B of ~2.4, backed by robust free cash flow from diversified resources and long-term demand for copper and potash. 

It has been somewhat unloved but if China recovers, iron ore rises, then BHP could be a beneficiary for higher dividends, plus capital growth.

Importantly, the portfolio deliberately avoids highly concentrated positions or speculative growth stocks. Instead, it takes a defensive and disciplined approach, building what I call an "all-weather income portfolio". 

The portfolio is designed not to excite, but to endure - generating consistent yield regardless of what the market throws our way.

📥 Download Hugh's All-Weather Income Portfolio here

Editor’s note: Who says income investing is boring?

Let’s be honest, income investing often gets boxed in as a sleepy strategy built on “set-and-forget” dividend payers. But these two portfolios show just how dynamic it can be.

Hugh Robertson's strategy stood out straight away. It felt balanced, deliberate, and quietly confident - with 60% anchored in debt and alternatives, right where investors should look if they want to secure that elusive ~6% yield. The remainder delivers equity income, stability, and just enough growth to make this a well-rounded, all-weather approach.

What’s likely underappreciated is the consistency of Hugh’s cash flow. With monthly-paying holdings like VanEck Global Listed Private Credit (ASX: LEND), Plato Income Maximiser (ASX: ASX: PL8), and the Yarra Enhanced Income Fund, income isn’t just attractive - it’s regular. 

BHP (ASX: BHP) rounds it out nicely. The stock remains well below its all-time high of $50.84 set in 2023 but has recently rebounded to around $40 and currently offers a 4.4% fully franked yield. If key commodity prices hold firm, BHP’s strong free cash flow could pave the way for a dividend uplift.

Then I opened David Lane's portfolio — and nearly fell off my chair (in a good way!).

The strategy goes in the other direction to Hugh's, with 60% allocated to mid-cap stocks, all paying strong dividends and trading at what Ord Minnett believes are attractive valuations with serious upside potential.

Names like GQG Partners (ASX: GQG) and Redox (ASX: RDX) feature prominently, and while this strategy requires investors to stomach higher risk and volatility, it also offers serious capital upside for those willing to ride the wave, along with an attractive aggregated yield of nearly 10%.

For too long, income investing has meant one thing: banks, miners, and the ASX 200. But this exercise proves there’s more than one way to earn a good income. Some paths are steady and conservative. Others are simply high-octane.

Which one speaks to you?

If you found this exercise valuable and would like to see more expert-built strategies in future or more data points, let us know, we’d love to hear your feedback.

And if you have or are planning to build your own 10-best-ideas portfolio, we'd love to hear about it in the comments below!