Getting started with investing can be both exciting and overwhelming.

With so many choices and market noise, it is easy to feel unsure where to begin. But if you've saved up $10,000 and want to put it to work on the Australian share market, you're already ahead of the game.

Let's break down a simple, balanced approach to investing your first $10,000 across ASX shares — designed for long-term growth, diversification, and peace of mind.

Building a portfolio

Before making your first investments in ASX shares, it is important to understand what sort of portfolio you are building.

Some investors look for growth, others look for stability, and others may be focused on income generation.

For the purpose of this article, we are going to look at building a portfolio that is tilted towards growth but has an element of stability.

A sample portfolio allocation

With the above in mind, here's how you might spread your $10,000 across a handful of quality ASX shares.

$5,000 – Growth Exposure

One way to capture future upside is by investing in high-potential ASX shares such as Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) or WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC). These businesses are growing revenue rapidly and expanding internationally. And while they can be volatile in the short term, they have huge addressable markets and the potential to grow materially over the next decade.

$2,500 – Stable blue chips

This portion could go into proven performers like CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) and Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG). These companies offer a strong combination of profitability, scale, and resilience in tough economic conditions. They are also more than capable of generating market-beating returns when things are going well.

$2,500 – ASX ETFs for diversification

If you'd prefer not to pick all individual shares, consider using the final $2,500 to buy an ETF or two. That's because ETFs allow you to buy hundreds (even thousands) or stock through a single investment. This includes 500 stocks from Wall Street with the iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) and the 100 largest non-financial stocks on the Nasdaq exchange with the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ). These offer instant diversification, exposure to the best companies in the world, and can be great for set-and-forget investors.

Stay invested

Investing is a marathon, not a sprint. Once your portfolio is in place, the key is to remain patient, avoid trying to time the market, and stick to your strategy — even during volatility.

And remember: with dividends reinvested and a disciplined approach, your initial $10,000 can grow meaningfully over the long term. Especially if you continue to add to it through the years.

Foolish takeaway

Starting with $10,000 is a strong foundation. With the right mix of growth, stability, and ETFs, you'll be well positioned to grow your wealth steadily and sensibly in the years ahead.