Aware Super | Performance, features and fees
Aware Super is a low-fee super fund with 12 different ways to invest including a MySuper option and an ethical investment option.
We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
Aware Super performance and fees
1 - 8 of 8
What are the key features of Aware Super?
- Choose from 12 investment options. Choose between 5 pre-mixed investment portfolios or 7 single asset class options.
- MySuper investment option. Aware Super's MySuper option is a high growth investment option while you're under age 55, then it'll gradually change to a growth option with slightly less exposure to shares.
- Ethical investments available. Choose to invest in a pre-mixed portfolio of socially responsible investments, or invest in socially responsible Australian shares.
- Doesn't directly invest in tobacco. Aware has less than 0.1% of all its investments in companies that manufacture tobacco products.
- Default insurance cover. Eligible members receive automatic death and total permanent disablement (TPD) cover, with the option to increase, reduce or cancel cover at any time. Aware Super also offers tailored insurance cover for some higher risk professions such as police and ambulance.
- Consolidate your super online. You can easily opt to consolidate your existing super into your new Aware Super account when joining, or any time after you've joined via the web portal or mobile app.
Aware Super investment options explained
Option 1: Pre-mixed investment portfolios
You can choose to invest your super in one of the following pre-mixed investment options depending on your risk tolerance and personal preference.
If you don't want to choose, you'll automatically be invested in the High Growth option below until you're 55 years old. From 55 to 60 this will gradually adjust to the Growth option. And then change to Balanced Growth for members 60-65 years.
| Pre-mixed investment option | Risk level | How your money is invested |
|---|---|---|
| High Growth | High | This option has the largest allocation towards growth assets including shares, and aims for higher returns over the long term. This option aims to invest about 65% of your balance in Australian and international shares. Due to the higher allocation towards shares, this option predicts more volatility in the short term compared with the lower-risk options. |
| Growth | High | This option aims for high returns over the long term, with slightly less risk and volatility in the short term when compared to the High Growth option. This option aims to invest about 50% of your balance in Australian and international shares. |
| Diversified Socially Responsible Investment | High | This option has a similar risk level to the Growth option, and aims to invest about 53% of your balance in Australian and international shares. However, this option excludes companies involved with fossil fuels, coal, tobacco, gambling, alcohol, pornography and live animal exports, while actively investing in companies developing renewable energy and innovative technologies. |
| Balanced Growth | High | This option aims for growth over the medium to long term, however with less volatility in the short term when compared with the High Growth and Growth options. It aims to invest about 35% of your balance in Australian and international shares, with about 39% of your balance invested in defensive assets like credit, fixed income and cash. |
| Conservative Growth | Low to medium | This option aims for some growth over the medium to long term, with much lower levels of risk and volatility than the other pre-mixed investment options. It only aims to invest about 13% of your balance in shares, with the rest invested in more stable, defensive asset classes like cash, fixed income and credit. |
Option 2: Single asset class investment options
If you want to be more hands-on with your super, you can build your own investment portfolio using one or a combination of these single asset class options.
| Single asset class option | Risk | Target asset allocation |
|---|---|---|
| Cash | Very low | Cash: 100% |
| Australian Equities | Very high | Australian equities: 100% |
| International Equities | Very high | International equities: 100% |
| Property | High | Listed and unlisted property: 100% |
| Australian Fixed Interest | High | Fixed income: 100% |
| International Fixed Interest | High | Fixed income (international): 100% |
| Australian Equities Socially Responsible Investment | Very high | Australian equities: 100% |
What insurance options are available with Aware Super?
You can opt in for the following default insurance when you become an Aware Super member:
- Death: This is paid to your beneficiaries (usually your immediate family) in the event of your unexpected death.
- TPD: This is paid to you in the event you become disabled to the point you cannot work.
Your level of cover will depend on your age and occupation, and you can reduce your level of cover or cancel your cover altogether at any time. You also have the option of adding income protection insurance cover at any point.
How do I join Aware Super?
You can join Aware Super online; and the application process is simple and should take you 10-20 minutes to complete.
Make sure you have the following details handy before you start the application:
- Your full name, date of birth and gender
- Your Australian residential address
- Your phone number and email address
- Your tax file number (TFN)
- Your chosen investment option and insurance cover
- Details of your existing super fund if you'd like to consolidate your funds during the application process
Once your application has been completed successfully, you'll receive the details of your membership by email. You should then give these details to your employer if you'd like your compulsory employer super payments to go into your Aware Super fund.
More guides on Finder
-
Worst Super Funds
Here’s a current list of the worst-performing super funds in Australia and steps for how to switch to a better fund.
-
Kogan Super | Performance, features and fees
Kogan Super offers 5 different investment options that each have low fees and mostly follow an indexed investment approach.
-
Retirement planning in Australia
This guide explains how to devise a superannuation strategy that works for you and how to plan for further income in old age, and gives you tips for pulling it all together.
-
Superhero Super: How to invest your super with Superhero
Superhero Super offers two different investment options which both give members more control over how their super is invested. Here's how the super account works.
-
What is superannuation?
Superannuation is the main way of saving for your retirement in Australia. Your superannuation is one big investment portfolio in your name that's managed for you by your super fund.
-
Superannuation statistics 2022
There are 23.2 million super accounts in Australia with assets totaling $3.4 trillion. Find out the latest superannuation statistics.
-
International Women’s Day Report 2021
Finder's International Women's Day report explores the personal finance gap between men and women and the key drivers of financial inequality.
-
Finder Investing Report
Finder's Investing Report 2021 discusses what this year has in store for shares, property, micro-investing and superannuation. Access the report here.
Ask an Expert
