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Vanguard’s new low-fee super fund: 3 things to consider before switching

This article is more than 3 years old. Some information may no longer be current.

Posted: 16 November 2022 4:26 pm

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Investment giant Vanguard has launched a superannuation fund in Australia with low fees and based on index investments.

Global investment manager Vanguard, well known for its range of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), has officially launched a new superannuation fund in Australia.

Vanguard is known for its low-cost index funds that allow retail investors to access hundreds of local and global stocks with just one trade.

If you're keen to switch to the new Vanguard Super product, here are 3 things to know about the fund first.

1. Vanguard Super has a range of investment options, based on index funds

Vanguard Super offers a range of diversified investment options to choose from as well as a lifecycle product and individual asset class options.

The default MySuper product is a lifecycle fund that invests your super into a mix of asset classes based on your age.

When you're under 50, you'll be mainly invested in growth assets with a small amount of defensive assets too.

As you approach 50 your asset allocation will continue to change each year so you're invested in fewer high-risk growth assets as you get closer to retirement. This is done automatically for you and there are no switching or adjusting fees for this.

As well as the lifecycle product Vanguard Super also offers high growth, ethically conscious growth, growth, balanced and conservative options. All Vanguard's super options are based on index investing, with a mix of different ETFs and index funds.

2. Vanguard Super fees are very low

Because Vanguard Super's investments are based on index funds, the fees are very low.

Investing via index funds is low cost as it's more passively managed, compared to a fund that has investment managers actively hand-picking each stock.

Vanguard Super lifecycle fees are 0.58% p.a., which adds up to an annual fee of $290 based on a $50,000 balance.

In comparison, AustralianSuper's default balanced fund has fees of $447 based on a $50,000 balance and Hostplus charges $648.

3. The performance returns aren't available just yet

Vanguard Super is a brand new super fund, so there are no past performance figures available yet. However, Vanguard ETFs have tended to perform well over the long term.

If you haven't checked your super in a while, now's a great time to compare super funds and make sure you're in a fund with low fees and strong returns.

16 of 473 results

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.)
Finder Score 9.6 Excellent Aware Super High Growth Indexed NewIndustry fundIndexed investmentHigher risk	Finder Score 9.6 Excellent	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +14.69%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) N/A	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) N/A	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) N/A	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $162	This is a high risk investment option that invests heavily in Australian and international shares and aims for higher returns over the long term.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder Score 9.9 Excellent Vanguard MySuper - Lifecycle Age 47 and under NewLifestageHigher risk	Finder Score 9.9 Excellent	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +14.02%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) N/A	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) N/A	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) N/A	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $280	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder Score 8.2 Great Australian Ethical Super - High Growth EthicalHigher risk	Finder Score 8.2 Great	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +11.4%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +13.32%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +11.24%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +9.3%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $748	This is a high-risk, high-growth option that invests in Australian and international shares, property and alternatives to provide long term growth.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder Score 8.8 Great UniSuper - Sustainable High Growth Most LovedIndustry fundEthicalHigher risk	Finder Score 8.8 Great	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +11.55%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +14.87%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +9.98%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +10.34%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $326	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder Score 8.8 Great Australian Retirement Trust - High Growth Industry fundHigher risk	Finder Score 8.8 Great	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +12.26%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +12.97%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +12.23%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +10.11%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $487	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder Score 9.3 Excellent Spaceship - GrowthX Higher risk	Finder Score 9.3 Excellent	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +19.52%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +21.83%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +11.28%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) N/A	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $564	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder Score 9.6 Excellent Hostplus Indexed Balanced Finder AwardIndustry fundHigher risk	Finder Score 9.6 Excellent	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +11.59%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +13.98%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +10.11%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +8.44%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $139	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder Score 9.2 Excellent Australian Ethical Super International Shares EthicalHigher risk	Finder Score 9.2 Excellent	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +17.84%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +19.24%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +13.58%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +10.29%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $668	This option aims for high growth, with a higher risk profile, by investing in international stock markets.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder Score 9.1 Excellent UniSuper - Sustainable Balanced Most LovedIndustry fundEthicalHigher risk	Finder Score 9.1 Excellent	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +10.21%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +12.43%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +7.81%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +8.27%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $326	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder Score 9.8 Excellent Virgin Money Super - LifeStage Tracker LifestageHigher risk	Finder Score 9.8 Excellent	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +13.3%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +15.37%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +11.14%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) N/A	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $344	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder Score 9.5 Excellent Aware Super - Balanced Socially Conscious Industry fundEthicalHigher risk	Finder Score 9.5 Excellent	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +12.6%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +12.81%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +9.56%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +8.73%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $337	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder Score 9.5 Excellent AMP Super MySuper Lifestages 1970s LifestageHigher risk	Finder Score 9.5 Excellent	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +13.27%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +13.4%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +10.35%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +8.38%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $465	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder Score 9.7 Excellent Australian Retirement Trust - International Shares Index (unhedged) Industry fundIndexed investmentHigher risk	Finder Score 9.7 Excellent	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +20.5%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +20.09%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +14.69%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +11.94%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $177	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder Score 8.3 Great Aware Super Future Saver - MySuper Lifecycle High Growth Industry fundLifestageHigher risk	Finder Score 8.3 Great	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +11.68%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +13%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +10.48%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +9.58%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $452	A lifecycle super fund weighted heavily towards high growth assets, targeted to people 55 and under.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder Score 9.3 Excellent Vanguard Super SaveSmart - High Growth NewHigher risk	Finder Score 9.3 Excellent	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +13.93%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) N/A	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) N/A	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) N/A	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $270	This is a high-risk, high-growth option that invests in a range of different asset classes, with a strong focus on Australian and international shares.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder Score 9 Excellent Aware Super Balanced Industry fundHigher risk	Finder Score 9 Excellent	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +10.37%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +11.53%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +8.8%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +8.19%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $417	This is a balanced option aiming for moderate growth over the long term.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading

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Showing 16 of 121 results

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Finder Score makes comparing superannuation products easier by scoring products out of 10 after assessing their performance, fees and features.

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The information in this table is based on data provided by SuperRatings Pty Limited ABN 95 100 192 283, a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No.1309956) of Lonsec Research Pty Ltd ABN 11 151 658 561, Australian Financial Services Licence No. 421445. In limited instances, where data is not available from SuperRatings for a product, the data is provided directly by the superannuation fund.

*Past performance data and fee data is for the period ending September 2025

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Vanguard’s new low-fee super fund: 3 things to consider before switching

Investment giant Vanguard has launched a superannuation fund in Australia with low fees and based on index investments.

1. Vanguard Super has a range of investment options, based on index funds

2. Vanguard Super fees are very low

3. The performance returns aren't available just yet

Finder Score for super funds

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