Best Super Funds Australia

Best super funds: Finder's 5 picks

• Best balanced super fund: Hostplus Indexed Balanced
• Best high growth super fund: Aware Super International Shares
• Best value super fund: UniSuper - Sustainable Balanced
• Best ethical super fund: Australian Ethical Super Growth
• Best conservative super fund: HESTA Conservative

Finder Score	Last 1 year performance (p.a.)	Last 3 year performance (p.a.)	Last 5 year performance (p.a.)	Last 10 year performance (p.a.)	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
Best balanced super fund
Finder Score 9.6 Excellent Hostplus Indexed Balanced Finder AwardIndustry fundHigher risk	Finder Score 9.6 Excellent	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +10.4%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +12.58%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +8.88%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +8.27%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $139	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Hostplus Indexed Balanced was named the best balanced super product in the 2025 Finder Awards. It has incredibly low fees of just $139.16 on a $50,000 balance. It has achieved strong returns of 10.4% over the past year and 8.88% p.a. over 5 years. It has strong exposure to Australian and international shares and is passively managed to keep costs low.
Best high growth super fund
Finder Score 9.9 Excellent Aware Super International Shares Finder AwardIndustry fundHigher risk	Finder Score 9.9 Excellent	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +11.66%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +20.83%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +14.45%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +12.45%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $162	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Aware Super International Shares was named the best high growth super product in the 2025 Finder Awards. This product has low fees of just $162 on a $50,000 balance. It has achieved high returns of 11.66% over the last year and 14.45% p.a. over the last 5 years. This product invests entirely in international shares and is passively managed to keep costs low.
Best value super fund
Finder Score 8.9 Great UniSuper - Sustainable Balanced Most LovedIndustry fundEthicalHigher risk	Finder Score 8.9 Great	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +6.8%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +11.46%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +6.81%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +7.78%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $326	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it UniSuper was also voted the top value super fund by customers in the Finder Customer Satisfaction Awards 2025. UniSuper has some of the lowest fees in the market across all investment options. Its Sustainable Balanced option charges just $326 on a $50,000 balance. It has achieved strong returns of 6.8% over the past year and 6.81% p.a. over 5 years. It invests in a mix of different assets based on a range of ethical criteria that limits investment in fossil fuel companies, gambling, alcohol and tobacco and weapon manufacturing.
Best ethical super fund
Finder Score 7.3 Great Australian Ethical Super Growth Ethical	Finder Score 7.3 Great	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +7.47%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +10.51%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +7.44%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +7.82%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $723	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Australian Ethical is one of just a handful of super funds to be certified by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia. It excludes all fossil fuel investments and most mining companies, while actively investing in renewable energy. Its growth product has returned 7.47% over the past year and 7.44% p.a. for the last 5 years.
Best conservative super fund
Finder Score 8.7 Great HESTA Conservative Finder AwardIndustry fund	Finder Score 8.7 Great	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +6.49%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +6.56%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +4.73%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +5.33%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $352	View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it HESTA Conservative was named the best conservative super product in the 2025 Finder Awards. It has a combination of competitive fees and decent returns among all conservative investment options. It invests in a range of asset classes, with around 30-40% exposure to growth assets as the remainder invested in defensive assets to protect your balance.

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How do we pick the best super funds?

• Full methodology

  Each year we take a deep dive into all the super funds in our database and analyse their fees, performance and other features to determine the best products in the market. These are revealed as winners (or highly commended) in our Finder Product Awards and Customer Satisfaction Awards. Our best super fund picks are a combination of winners from the Finder Awards and our own expert selections from our partners.

  For more detailed insights into how each category of super fund awards was judged, take a look at our Finder Superannuation Awards for a full breakdown of each methodology.

Top 10 best-performing super funds

Here are the 10 Balanced super funds with the highest 10-year performance returns, as of the latest data at December 2025.

You can see super fund performance for other investment options in our separate guide.

Our expert says

"To most people, the concept of 'best' means the highest-performing by net performance. To calculate net performance, you look at the overall return and deduct fees and expenses. If your fund charges more than others, but is also consistently outperforming its peers by some margin, then you would probably be happy wearing the higher fees. "

Pascale Helyar

Superannuation and wealth expert

Top 5 super funds for customer satisfaction

The Finder Customer Satisfaction Awards recognises the best performing super fund for customer satisfaction. It's an award that is decided by the only votes that really matter – yours. We asked customers of major super funds to tell us about their experiences.

Provider	Overall satisfaction	Trustworthy/reliable
	★★★★★ 4.46/5	100%
	★★★★★ 4.46/5	94%
	★★★★★ 4.28/5	94%
	★★★★★ 4.26/5	100%
	★★★★★ 4.15/5	91%

What's the best super fund for my age?

While you're in your 20s, 30s and even 40s you want to have a super fund that charges minimal fees while delivering high returns. While you're young, make sure you're invested in enough growth assets to ensure your balance really benefits from compound growth.

As you get closer to retirement you might want to gradually reduce your exposure to growth assets like shares, so look for a fund that has a more balanced mix.

We've got more tips for managing your super depending on your lifestage:

• Superannuation for under 18s
• Superannuation in your 30s and 40s
• Superannuation in your 50s

How to pick the best super fund

Look for these features:

• High long-term returns. A consistent track record of strong returns over the long term (funds with 10-year returns above 8% p.a. are among the top performers).
• Low fees. Opt for afund with lower fees without compromising on performance (aim for annual fees less than 1% of your super balance).
• Investment strategy aligns with your age. Younger investors might prefer high-growth options, whereas those nearing retirement may prioritise stability and prefer to be invested in a lower risk option.
• Access to insurance cover. Does the fund offer members cost-effective life, TPD and income protection policies?

"I only moved to Australia 6 years ago so I'm playing catch up with my super. For me, low fees are important and to know my money isn't being invested in something that's destroying the planet. I also cancelled the life insurance inside my super because the premiums increase every year."

Gary Ross Hunter

Journalist

FAQs about picking the best super funds in Australia

• What's the best industry super fund?

  Some of the best-performing industry super funds include Hostplus, AustralianSuper, Australian Retirement Trust, UniSuper and Cbus.

• What's the best super fund for age 30?

  While you're in your 30s you still have 30+ years for your super to be invested and benefit from compound returns, so it'd best to stay invested in a growth or high growth option.

• What's the best super fund for someone starting their first job?

  If you're starting work and looking for a super fund, look for a fund with low fees and high long-term returns. Your balance will start off small, so you don't want this already small amount of money eaten away by excessive fees.

• What types of super funds can I choose from?

  There are 2 main types of super funds: industry super funds and retail super funds. Both funds invest your money in similar ways, but they are different in the way they're owned and managed. Industry super funds are independently run and owned by members, while retail funds are owned by major banks, insurance companies or other financial organisations. Industry super funds typically have lower fees.

• What's the best super fund for retirees?

  When you're already retired, you may want to choose a super fund that offers an account-based pension so you can access some of your super savings while the remainder stays invested.

• Can I have multiple super funds

  Yes, you can have multiple super funds, but it's not a good idea to do so. If you had more than one fund, you'd be paying multiple sets of fees which would eat into your retirement balance. If you've got more than one fund open in your name it's a good idea to consolidate them.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Richard Whitten and reviewed by Pascale Helyar, a member of Finder's Editorial Review Board.

Written by

Alison Banney

Editorial Manager, Money

Alison is an editor at Finder and a personal finance journalist with over 10 years of experience, having contributed to major financial institutions and publications such as Westpac, Money Magazine, and Yahoo Finance. She is frequently quoted in media outlets like SmartCompany and SBS, offering expert insights on superannuation and money management. Alison holds a Bachelor of Communications in Public Relations and Journalism from the University of Newcastle, and has earned three ASIC RG146 certifications in superannuation, securities and managed investments and general financial advice, ensuring her expertise is fully aligned with ASIC standards. See full bio

Alison's expertise

Alison has written 667 Finder guides across topics including:

• Superannuation
• Savings accounts, bank accounts and term deposits
• Budgeting and money-saving hacks
• Managing the cost of living