Earning passive income from the share market sounds like something reserved for retirees with million-dollar portfolios — but it doesn't have to be.

With the right strategy, smart stock selection, and a little patience, building a reliable $500 per month income stream from ASX dividend shares is perhaps more achievable than many investors realise.

Here's how I would go about making it happen.

Step 1: Know your number

To generate $500 per month — or $6,000 a year — from dividends, you first need to know what kind of dividend yield your portfolio will produce.

If your portfolio yields 5% on average (which is entirely possible with fully franked ASX shares), you will need around $120,000 invested to hit that $6,000 annual target.

Of course, the higher the yield, the lower the capital required — but chasing high-yield stocks without regard for quality could prove to be a trap. Focus on reliable, sustainable dividends from companies with strong balance sheets and defensive earnings.

Step 2: Choose quality ASX dividend shares

There's no shortage of options on the ASX. Some go-to dividend names for a dependable income stream could include:

• GQG Partners Inc (ASX: GQG) – A global fund manager delivering huge yields at present due to recent weakness. Analysts expect fully franked dividends of around 14–16 US cents per share over the next two years, which translates to a yield of over 11% based on recent pricing.
• Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) – A consistent dividend payer with a fully franked yield and defensive earnings. It isn't flashy, but it gets the job done.
• HomeCo Daily Needs REIT (ASX: HDN) – A real estate investment trust focused on essential retail, with a reliable quarterly payout and attractive yield, backed by supermarkets and medical centres.
• Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) – A staple of Aussie households and investor portfolios. Solid cash flow and franking credits make this a quiet achiever for income.

By combining these types of ASX dividend shares, you can build a diversified income portfolio that pays quarterly or semi-annually — and often with the added benefit of franking credits.

Step 3: Reinvest or withdraw?

If you're still in the accumulation phase, reinvesting your dividends through dividend reinvestment plans (DRPs) can supercharge your long-term returns.

But if you're ready to withdraw income, it could be worth constructing your holdings so you receive payments regularly throughout the year. Some investors even structure their portfolio by payout months, blending stocks that pay in different quarters to smooth out their income.

Foolish takeaway

$500 a month in passive income isn't out of reach — it is a matter of consistency, quality stock selection, and giving your investments time to do the heavy lifting.

And with dividend yields from some ASX shares sitting well above savings account rates, the passive income potential is as attractive as it has been in years. It might not happen overnight, but if you start today, that $500 per month goal could be closer than you think.