Compare Top Super Funds

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Overview of Leading Funds

These five funds cover the majority of Australian workers. All are industry funds with strong long-term performance and member-focused structures.

AustralianSuper

• Members: Over 3 million
• Fees (Balanced option): Admin $2.17/week + 0.51% investment fee (est. 1.03% p.a. total for $50k balance)
• 10-year return (Balanced): ~8.2% p.a.
• Insurance: Life, TPD, Income Protection (with default cover for eligible members)
• Features: Strong digital platform, free financial advice, Member Direct (invest in ASX shares/ETFs), retirement income products
• Best for: Most workers, especially those wanting a well-rounded fund with many features

Hostplus

• Members: Over 1.8 million
• Fees (Balanced option): Admin $1.45/week + 0.53% investment fee (est. 0.95% p.a. total for $50k balance)
• 10-year return (Balanced): ~8.4% p.a.
• Insurance: Life, TPD, Income Protection — competitive premiums
• Features: Very low fees, strong investment performance, Choice Plus (direct investment option), good mobile app
• Best for: Cost-conscious members and those wanting low-fee high-growth options

REST

• Members: Over 1.9 million
• Fees (Core Strategy): Admin $1.75/week + 0.39% investment fee (est. 0.87% p.a. total for $50k balance)
• 10-year return (Core Strategy): ~8.0% p.a.
• Insurance: Life, TPD, Income Protection — flexible cover options
• Features: Low fees, good member portal, Member Investment Choice (MIC) with ethical and indexed options
• Best for: Workers wanting simplicity and low cost, especially in retail/hospitality

UniSuper

• Members: Over 600,000
• Fees (Balanced option): Admin $2.50/week + 0.47% investment fee (est. 1.12% p.a. total for $50k balance)
• 10-year return (Balanced): ~8.6% p.a.
• Insurance: Life, TPD, Income Protection — good default cover
• Features: Exceptional long-term performance, Member Direct (ETF/term deposit investing), strong advice services
• Best for: Higher education and research sector workers (open to all but originally for uni staff)

Aware Super

• Members: Over 1.1 million
• Fees (Balanced option): Admin $2.50/week + 0.56% investment fee (est. 1.18% p.a. total for $50k balance)
• 10-year return (Balanced): ~8.1% p.a.
• Insurance: Life, TPD, Income Protection — includes mental health support
• Features: Strong ESG/sustainable investing options, dedicated retirement income products, excellent member education
• Best for: Members interested in ethical investing and comprehensive retirement planning

Fee Comparison Table (Estimate for $50,000 balance)

• Hostplus: ~0.95% p.a. (~$475)
• REST: ~0.87% p.a. (~$435)
• AustralianSuper: ~1.03% p.a. (~$515)
• UniSuper: ~1.12% p.a. (~$560)
• Aware Super: ~1.18% p.a. (~$590)

Note: Fees vary by investment option, account balance, and insurance cover. Always check the latest PDS.

Which Fund Is Best for You?

There is no single "best" fund. The right choice depends on your:

• Account balance and fee sensitivity
• Preferred investment strategy (growth vs conservative, ethical vs traditional)
• Need for insurance and advice services
• Desire for direct investment options

Consider having one super account to avoid multiple sets of fees. Use the ATO's YourSuper comparison tool to see how your fund stacks up.

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How to Read Performance and Fees

Past performance is not a guarantee of future returns, but long-term numbers still tell you something. When comparing funds, look at 10-year returns rather than one-year figures — a single strong year can be noise. Also check which investment option the return relates to: a "balanced" option in one fund is not identical to a "balanced" option in another, and default MySuper products can differ in growth exposure, fees, and insurance by design.

The most useful comparison is total cost. All funds must disclose fees in dollar terms for a $50,000 balance, and the ATO's YourSuper comparison tool publishes a heatmap that flags funds whose MySuper options have underperformed over 8 years. For a $50,000 balance, the difference between the cheapest and most expensive funds in this guide's comparison table is usually a few hundred dollars a year — which compounds into tens of thousands over a career.

Action Plan: Shortlisting Your Fund

1. Write down what matters to you: fees, investment options, insurance, digital tools, or a specific ethical/sustainable option.
2. Compare the funds in the table above on total fees for your actual balance, not the headline percentage.
3. Check insurance premiums and cover levels for your age and occupation — tradies and other high-risk occupations pay more for cover.
4. Verify the fund offers the investment options you want (e.g. indexed, international shares, or cash) without high switching costs.
5. Consolidate into your chosen fund through myGov and review your choice annually — fees and performance change.