HESTA Conservative claimed the top spot in the conservative category this year. The annual fees for this fund amount to $362 on a $50,000 balance. HESTA Conservative has provided an annual average of 5.45% over the past 10 years and 4.28% over the past 5 years.
HESTA super performance returns and fees
You'll be invested in the Balanced Growth (MySuper) option when you join HESTA. After joining the fund, you can switch to any of the following ready-made or sector-specific investment options.
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Unless indicated otherwise, the information in the table is based on data provided by SuperRatings Pty Limited ABN 95 100 192 283, Australian Financial Services Licence 311880.
*Past performance data and fee data is for the period ending Feb 2024
What are the key features of HESTA superannuation?
Industry super fund. HESTA is an industry fund meaning all profits go back into the fund to benefit members, not shareholders. Industry funds have a reputation for having strong performance returns and low fees.
Aligned to the health sector. HESTA is dedicated to the health and community services sector and open to all Australians.
MySuper product available. HESTA's default MySuper-authorised investment option is the Balanced Growth product. MySuper products are no-frills, low-fee options designed to suit most Australians.
Up to 10 different investment options. Members can choose from 10 different ways to invest their super, based on their risk tolerance and how hands on they want to be. This includes ready-made, diversified investment funds and sector-specific options that are more concentrated on a particular asset class.
Sustainable investment option available. HESTA offers a sustainable investment option, Sustainable Growth, for members who want their super to be invested more ethically.
Insurance fee-free cover while on parental leave. Parents can be eligible for up to 12 months of fee-free insurance cover while on parental leave.
Two income stream options. When you're ready to start accessing your super, you can access a Transition to Retirement (TTR) Income Stream or a Retirement Income Stream to receive regular payments from your super while the balance remains invested.
What are the different HESTA investment options?
The table above shows the performance returns and fees for each of the investment options. Here's a bit more information on how each option differs.
Ready-made investment portfolios
Ready-made investment options
Risk level
Investor type
Asset allocation
Balanced Growth (MySuper default option)
This is the default investment option which all members will be placed in if you don't choose a different option after joining. It's designed for growth over the medium to long term. It has around 70% allocation to growth assets including local and international shares, private equity and property.
High
Ambitious
Growth: 70%
Defensive: 30%
Conservative
This option has the lowest risk level of all the ready-made options, with around 64% allocation to defensive assets including cash and bonds. It's designed for investors with a shorter investment timeframe (e.g.: if you're closer to retirement).
Medium
Cautious
Growth: 36%
Defensive: 64%
Indexed Balanced Growth
This option is designed to achieve growth over the medium to long term while lowering the costs of investing. It has around 75% allocation to growth assets, designed to match index returns.
High
Ambitious
Growth: 75%
Defensive: 25%
High Growth
This option is the highest risk level of all the ready-made options, with around 89% allocation to growth assets including local and international shares. It's designed for higher growth over the long term, and is suited for investors with a longer investment timeframe.
High
Very ambitious
Growth: 89%
Defensive: 11%
Sustainable Growth
This option has a similar asset allocation to the Balanced Growth and Indexed Balanced Growth options, with 73% allocation to growth assets including shares and property. However unlike the other options, this one excludes investment in tobacco, fossil fuels, uranium and weapon manufacturing.
High
Ambitious
Growth: 73%
Defensive: 27%
Your Choice investment options (single sector options)
The Your Choice options are for more experienced investors who are comfortable being in control of their asset allocations, and investors who want to be more hands-on with their super. You can choose from seven asset classes, as detailed below, and split your super balance between them as you wish.
Asset class
Risk level
Asset allocation
Cash and Term Deposits
Very low
Growth: 0%
Defensive: 100%
Diversified bonds
High
Growth: 0%
Defensive: 100%
Property and Infrastructure
Medium to High
Growth: 50%
Defensive: 50%
International shares
Very High
Growth: 100%
Defensive: 0%
Australian shares
Very High
Growth: 100%
Defensive: 0%
What insurance cover is available with HESTA super?
Automatic death and income protection cover is applied to your account when you join. You can opt out of this if you wish when you join, or cancel at any time after your account is opened. You can also tailor it to better suit your needs. You can also apply for lump-sum total and permanent disablement (TPD) cover if you wish.
How do I join HESTA?
If you've decided that HESTA's super account is right for you, you can apply online by filling out the application form.
You will need to supply:
Personal details. You'll need to provide your personal contact details including your Australian residential address.
Previous super fund details. If you'd like to consolidate an existing super fund with your new fund online, you will need to provide your current fund details.
After joining you will need to select:
Investment option. You'll be invested in the Balanced Growth (MySuper) option when you join HESTA. After joining the fund, you can switch to any of the following ready-made or sector-specific investment options.
Insurance instructions. You'll be asked if you'd like to opt out of or tailor the default insurance policies.
Alison Banney is the money editorial manager at Finder. She covers all areas of personal finance, and her areas of expertise are superannuation, banking and saving. She has written about finance for 10 years, having previously worked at Westpac and written for several other major banks and super funds.
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Hostplus and HESTA are two popular industry super funds, but which is right for you? We've compared their fees, investment options and performance side by side to help you choose.
When you give a % figure of earnings made, is that after your fees are taken out or how is it worked out. I mean, I have over $1M, so that is a lot of fees you will take out. Is that fee negotiable.
Hi Trevor, We’re a review and comparison site, so we can’t provide personal customer service based on your account or fund value. Your best bet is to contact Hesta directly to see what your options are.
Do these super funds offer capped fee…..
currently i have $450k in my current super fund it has a capped fee of $3000 is similar offered by these other accounts
I want a super fund as I have been out of the work force for several years and only have a few hundred to put into a fund, but I want one with low fees, death and accident insurance. Im 52 years old and plan on working for the next 15-20 yrs.
What super fund do you suggest.
Regards
Belinda
Hi Belinda, you can use our tables to filter funds by the lowest fees first, if this is what you’re after. However, there is more to consider with super as well as just the fees. I’d suggest speaking to a financial adviser or accountant to get some personal advice on your super and what is best for you.
I just logged on to Mygov to realise that I have two super funds, Hesta being one of them. Do you have capacity on your website to compare Hesta with other specific super funds?
Yes, aside from Hesta, you can compare other super funds using our comparison table. You may compare them in terms of Past Performance (1,3, and 5 years) and Calculated fees per annum on $50,000 balance.
If you click the More Info link, it will redirect you to another page dedicated to that particular super fund where you will find more details such as features and steps to apply. Once you have chosen a particular super fund, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to their website where you can get in touch with their representatives for further inquiries you may have.
When choosing a super fund, I encourage you to review their Product Disclosure Statements and Terms & Conditions to see if it is the right option for you.
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When you give a % figure of earnings made, is that after your fees are taken out or how is it worked out. I mean, I have over $1M, so that is a lot of fees you will take out. Is that fee negotiable.
Hi Trevor, We’re a review and comparison site, so we can’t provide personal customer service based on your account or fund value. Your best bet is to contact Hesta directly to see what your options are.
Do these super funds offer capped fee…..
currently i have $450k in my current super fund it has a capped fee of $3000 is similar offered by these other accounts
Hi Andre,
Thanks for your question.
Yes, the percentage-based administration fees and costs charged by Hesta are not charged on any amount of your account balance in excess of $500,000.
Hope this helps,
Elizabeth
I want to join Hesta
Hi Daniel, to join HESTA you need to complete the online application form available on HESTA’s website.
I want a super fund as I have been out of the work force for several years and only have a few hundred to put into a fund, but I want one with low fees, death and accident insurance. Im 52 years old and plan on working for the next 15-20 yrs.
What super fund do you suggest.
Regards
Belinda
Hi Belinda, you can use our tables to filter funds by the lowest fees first, if this is what you’re after. However, there is more to consider with super as well as just the fees. I’d suggest speaking to a financial adviser or accountant to get some personal advice on your super and what is best for you.
I just logged on to Mygov to realise that I have two super funds, Hesta being one of them. Do you have capacity on your website to compare Hesta with other specific super funds?
Hi Jodie,
Thanks for your question.
Yes, aside from Hesta, you can compare other super funds using our comparison table. You may compare them in terms of Past Performance (1,3, and 5 years) and Calculated fees per annum on $50,000 balance.
If you click the More Info link, it will redirect you to another page dedicated to that particular super fund where you will find more details such as features and steps to apply. Once you have chosen a particular super fund, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to their website where you can get in touch with their representatives for further inquiries you may have.
When choosing a super fund, I encourage you to review their Product Disclosure Statements and Terms & Conditions to see if it is the right option for you.
Cheers,
May