
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.
Finder Best Balanced Super Fund Awards 2023 winner!
Aware Super - Balanced Socially Conscious
Aware SuperBalanced Socially Conscious secured the top spot this year for Best Balanced Super Fund. Members can expect to pay an annual fee of $327 on a $50,000 balance. The fund has consistently delivered long-term performance returning an annual average of 8.4% over the past 10 years and 7.06% over the past 5 years.

Aware Super performance and fees
Finder Best Conservative Super Fund 2023 Highly commended
Aware Super Conservative Balanced
Aware Super Conservative Balanced secured the second position in the conservative category. The fund charges an annual fee of $454 on a $50,000 balance. It has maintained consistent performance, with an annual return of 6.29% over the past 10 years and 4.77% over the past 5 years.

Finder Best Single Asset Classes Super Fund 2023 Highly commended
Aware Super International Shares
Aware Super International Shares secured the second position in the single asset classes category, with an annual fee of $179.41 on a $50,000 balance. The fund has consistently provided solid returns in international equities, with an annual average of 11.59% over the past 10 years and 10.60% over the past 5 years.

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.
- 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.
- Access to advice about your super. Members can get free access to general advice about their super account, insurance and investment options. Members can also get access to personal financial advice and planning for an additional fee.
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.
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Ask an Expert
Can i join Aware with zero funds. Funds will start going in as soon as i give my details to my employer. How long does it takes to be effective member? Can i give my membership details to my employer as soon as possible once i received it. Thank you.
Hi,
Yes you can join the fund without bringing over any money into it initially. You’ll receive your membership details right away after your application is complete, which you can give to your employer.