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Compare super funds
Taking a few minutes to compare superannuation funds by fees and performance can help you retire with tens of thousands more in your super.
Types
Employees
Employers
Switching to a low-fee, high-performing super fund early on in your life could help increase your super balance by more than $100,000 by retirement. And despite what you might think, switching is an easy process that can be done online in less than 30 minutes. Once you've chosen your new fund, they'll do most of the work for you.
You can compare super funds in Australia in the table below by comparing the past one, three and five year performance returns and annual fees. In terms of fees, the lower the better. And for the performance, the higher the better. You can also learn more about how to compare super funds and what to look for when choosing a fund in this guide.
AustralianSuper - Pre-mixed, Balanced Super Fund
AustralianSuper - Pre-mixed, Balanced Super Fund
Choose from an extensive range of investment options and enjoy discounted rates on select banking products when you join AustralianSuper.
- 2019 Finder Awards Winner: Best Super Fund - Balanced
- Join and consolidate your super with the easy-to-use mobile app
- Australia's largest industry super fund
Compare super funds below
Use our comparison table to compare super funds based on performance, fees and insurance options.
*Past performance data is for the period ending December 2019.
Superannuation: What is it and why should you compare?
Superannuation is a way of saving for your retirement in Australia. Employers are legally required to pay a certain percentage of your annual salary or earnings into your super fund each year. This money is then invested into a range of different assets like shares, commodities, property and cash on your behalf. Your super benefits from compounded investment returns over your working life, and then when you're retired you can start withdrawing the money to fund your retirement.
You need to compare super funds as they all charge different fees, and they all invest your super in different ways. This is why some super funds have better long-term performance than others. Comparing super funds early on in your working life can save you thousands of dollars in fees and help you retire with a lot more money.
How to compare super funds
Consider the following when you're comparing super funds in the comparison table above:
- Low fees. The last column in the comparison table shows the total annual fees charged on a $50,000 super balance. To put it simply: the lower the fees the better. A general rule of thumb is to make sure you're not paying much more than 1% of the value of your super balance in fees per year (so for a $50,000 balance, funds with annual fees around $500 or less are relatively low). However, you should look at more than fees alone when comparing super funds.
- High past performance figures. Unlike the fees, you want to look for a fund with high performance figures. When looking at past performance, make sure to look at the three and five year performance instead of only looking at the past one year's performance. This is because you want to look for a fund that has high performance over the medium to long term.
- Investment strategy. Some funds offer life stage investment options, meaning they'll adjust your investments for you as you get older so you're not taking on too much risk. Similarly, a balanced fund will invest your money in a range of different things to ensure you're not 'putting all your eggs in one basket'. These aim to provide good returns while still protecting your super from big market crashes.
- Ethical investing. Some funds also offer a sustainable or ethical investment option, if this is something you're passionate about.
Almost ready to switch? Here's what to do before switching super funds.
Do you already have a super fund and you're looking to switch to a new fund? Here's a few things to do first.
- Check your super balance. When you're switching funds it's a great time to check your super balance and make sure all your recent super contributions have been made successfully. Take a look at your contributions over the last 12 months and make sure you've received all the payments you're entitled to from your employer (you should receive contributions from your employer at least four times a year).
- Check your insurance cover. Check the insurance cover you're currently receiving, and make sure the new fund you're switching to has a similar level of cover. Or, if you don't think you need any cover, you can opt out of insurance all together when switching to the new fund.
- Check for any lost super. Now's a perfect time to look for any lost super you might have. You could have some missing super if you've worked at several different jobs. You can look for any lost super via myGov online, and bring it over into your new fund.
- Let your employer know. Lastly, once you've you've switched super funds make sure you let your employer know right away so they can pay your next super guarantee payment to the correct fund.
Comparing super funds and switching is a quick, easy process.
The table above can help you compare super funds and find one that's right for you. Once you've decided on a new fund, you'll be pleased to know that switching is quick and easy to do.
You can apply to join a new fund by completing the online application form. You'll need to fill in your personal details, select your investment option (you only have to do this if you want to, most Australians are in the default option) and the insurance cover you want. you'll also need to give the details of your employer and your old super fund, if you want to bring your super over into the new fund. This shouldn't take you any longer than 30 minutes to do.
Once you've submitted the form, the super fund will take it from there and do all the work for you. they'll set up your new fund and even contact your old fund to make sure all your super is transferred over as soon as possible. You don't even need to contact your old fund.
Back to topUnderstanding superannuation
The first step to choosing the right super fund for your needs and having adequate funding for your retirement is understanding what super is, how it works and how much of your income should be contributed towards it.
Superannuation explained
Use this guide to understand how superannuation works in Australia, how much your employers should be contributing towards your super, what the current superannuation guarantee rate is and what it will be in the future.
Consolidating your super
If you have multiple super funds open in your name, you'll also be paying multiple sets of fees. Paying multiple sets of fees will quickly eat into your super balance and leave you with a lot less at retirement. To solve this, it's important to consolidate your super.
Steps to consolidate your super
This guide breaks down the steps to take to consolidate your super into one super fund. The process of consolidating your super is simple, and should take less than 30 minutes to complete.
Changing super funds
Over the course of your working life, staying faithful to an underperforming fund could cost you tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Once you've compared super funds and made the decision to switch, arm yourself with an understanding of the steps involved in making it happen.
How to change super funds
This guide explains the steps involved in changing from one super fund to another. Though it might seem daunting now, the process of making the switch will seem far more approachable once you've read our simple guide.
Different types of super funds
There are two main types of super funds: accumulation funds and defined benefit funds. Defined benefit funds are very rare, so this guide discusses accumulation funds in detail. There are various types of accumulation funds available to Australians, which are outlined below. Click on the guides below to find out more about specific types of super funds.
What is lost super, and how can you find it?
Losing some of your superannuation is easier than you think. If you’ve changed jobs or moved house, you may have some lost super. But don’t worry, you can find your lost super and claim it back! If you suspect you may have some lost funds, you can create a myGov online account to search for any missing super.
Finding lost super and consolidating your funds
Find out more about what lost and unclaimed super is and the steps you need to take in order to find it. Once you're able to find your lost super, you can easily claim it back and consolidate it to your current fund. Read this guide to find out how and compare super funds for consolidation.
Accessing your super
Because superannuation is designed to fund your senior years, you generally can only access it once you reach retirement. The earliest opportunity you have to access your super is when you reach your preservation age, which is determined by the year you were born as shown in the table here.
Legal ways to access your super early
There are some situations where you may be eligible to access your super before your preservation age. These include if you have a total and permanent disability, a terminal illness or are experiencing extreme financial hardship. Read our comprehensive guide to find out more.
Pocket Money podcast: The superannuation gap
Frequently asked questions
Got it! What now?
Now that you understand how superannuation works and how to choose the best fund for you, it's time to do just that. Head to our comparison table at the top of this page to compare super funds, and click "Go to Site" if you'd like to open an account or learn more about the fund.
Back to top
Read more on this topic
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Best super funds We've analysed Australian super funds to find the best-performing super funds, the best industry super funds and the best super fund for low fees. Find the right super fund for you.
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Coronavirus early access to super If you've lost work or been made redundant due to coronavirus you could be eligible to access up to $20,000 from your super tax free, but should you?
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Coronavirus: What should you do with your super? With the impact coronavirus is having on the stock market, is now the right time to make changes to your super investments or switch super funds?
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Women could retire with $140,000 more by refinancing their home loan Here's how you can shed up to $50,000 from your mortgage and turn it into $140,000 by the time you retire.Â
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Future Super | Performance, features and fees Future Super is an ethical super fund that invests in renewable energy not fossil fuels. Here’s what to know about the fund and how to join online.
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Top 10 best super funds in 2019 revealed The best-performing growth super fund returned an impressive 18.4% in 2019.
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AustralianSuper named super fund of the year for the third time AustralianSuper has also won the best MySuper product and the best personal super product at Rainmaker's SelectingSuper Awards.Â
Ask an Expert
Where does Equip rank with the other super funds?
Hi Phil,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
As of this writing, we do not have a review page about Equip Super. In one of their blogs in 2016, they were ranked 2nd in Australia for super transparency. Some of the most well known industry super funds include, AustralianSuper, HESTA, Sunsuper and Hostplus.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
My daughter is a member of 2 super funds. Both have insurance for death and TPD. Are both funds obliged to pay out in the case of death? She is looking at consolidation into one super fund as well in the future to save on fees and insurance costs.
Hi Gary,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
Yes, she can receive payment from both policies if your daughter satisfy the conditions of both policies.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
I am 80 yo and not satisfied with the fees and retuins from my current super and am looking to change to an Inddustry fund and am looking at Hostplus , Aust super and Virgin . What do you suggest.
Hi Wayne.
Thanks for getting in touch! As each person has unique situations, we are not able to suggest one industry fund for you. Our page above shows a list of superfunds and as you have chosen your top 3, the next step you can take is review what they offer as well as their terms and conditions to make sure it fits your needs. To read about the brand, click their name and it will direct you to our review page about them and if you want to go directly to their page, you may search their brand name on any web browser. Hope this helps!
Best,
Nikki
I will be retiring in 3 months, and my superannuation is with a major bank. Can I move to an industry fund at the same time as I change from accumulation to pension phase?
Hi Grahame,
Thank you for getting in touch with finder.
Pension phase or retirement phase is the period during which a super fund pays a superannuation income stream or pension, and the earnings (including capital gains) on those pension assets are exempt from tax. The alternative to a retirement phase is the accumulation phase (and earnings are subject to 15% earnings tax in accumulation phase).
You can move your superannuation to an industry fund and just verify with them if you can have it to a pension phase.
You may want to go through this page to learn more on how to choose a super fund that suits you most.
I hope this helps.
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other enquiries.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
I am with legal super, they have taken close to $100,000 out of my account since I stopped working 4 years ago. This seems to be excessive considering I know I selected low risk investments. How should I approach this issue?
Hi Rebecca,
Thanks for getting in touch.
If you think you’re paying high fees and costs, it would be best to contact and confirm with Legal Super directly to find out what they are charging you. You can also check with them other important factors like returns, risk and the services the fund provides.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
May
Do all super funds have transition to retirement and if not is there anything that can be done about it?
Hi Sonny,
Thank you for your comment.
Not all super funds has transition to retirement feature. You may check this page to see more details about this.
Types of accumulation funds are listed above.
If you currently have defined benefit fund and wish to get an accumulated one, you can change fund. Please seek professional advise before switching because once you get out, you can’t switch back to defined benefit fund. I hope this helps.
Regards,
Jhezelyn
Hi, I am going through a little bit of research about finding a good super fund for my son who is just starting in the workforce, and have already realized we need advise. He is a BC as he is working in landscaping and I was wondering if anyone could help us with this complicated decision. Is there a super that looks after young investors with low fees and low insurance premiums allowing their money to grow? Who could help us out? Kindly appreciate any response.
Hi Vanessa,
Thank you for your inquiry.
If you are currently unsure about Super Fund you may need to read our guide here for your further reference.
I hope this information has helped.
Cheers,
Harold
Hi I’m wondering if you could help me out I’m in a bad position for a long time now and I’m not having any luck in being able to get out of it I’ve got a crappy credit rating and at the moment well for about 3 1/2 years I’ve been unable to secure work so my hole just keeps getting bigger I’ve got 2 super funds both with the same sort of amount in them
So I’m wanting to have about $8,000 released from one of them but Centerlink is more concerned with putting me further in debt and on the street with my daughters who are 11 years old and 14 years old and in doing this we would loose everything we have to our names and truthfully we can not go through that again as we lost every thing we had and we also have had to Come to terms with loosing my baby boy who was 3 years old this all happened in a house fire and now since the break down of my marriage and my ex wife leaving and abandoning my daughters we are on the verge of being homeless and with out any thing I’ve had to sell my tools of my trade my vehicle has given up andblue
Thanks for your time I
And I’m hoping for mine and my daughters sake I hope that you are able to help us with this
Hi Glen,
Thanks for reaching out and I’m sorry to hear about your difficult situation right now.
Basically, your super fund cannot be accessed early if you have not reached the preservation age, not unless your reason for access is one of the following:
– Certain compassionate grounds, like to prevent the foreclosure of your home, paying medical bills, disability expenses or covering funeral costs
– Serious financial hardship, including to cover reasonable immediate living expenses for your family, such as loan repayments, rent arrears, car repairs, medical costs and overdue bills
– In the event of you being temporarily or permanently incapacitated
– If you are diagnosed with a terminal disease or injury
In the meantime, in case you may want to reconsider looking for a lender who might offer you a loan, please check this page. Though the amount you can borrow and your approval would be on a case by case basis depending on the lender, so best to get in touch with them before you submit your application to discuss your options/eligibility.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
May
Hi – are you able to send me a list of all Brisbane based super funds? I can see all fund but can narrow the search to Brisbane based only. I am interested in funds that have a head office in Brisbane only.
Thanks very much for your help.
Hello David,
Thank you for your question.
Unfortunately, listings can’t be filtered by state. But rest-assured the ones we provided on the website can be opened by anyone in Australia.
I hope that helps.
Cheers,
Harold
Hi i ‘ve got a problem that i transfer my money error to my superannuation when i’m doing online transfer. Could you please help me to find out any solution? If you need more detail, i can provide you.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks
Regard,
Elly
Hi Elly,
Thanks for your enquiry.
I’ve sent you an email to gain further clarification regarding this transfer.
Thanks,
Belinda