Compare super funds for a super retirement

When comparing super funds look for strong 10-year performance, low fees and an investment strategy that suits your stage of life.

Compare these super funds & more

1 - 17 of 426
Name 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.)
Australian Ethical Super Australian Shares
Australian Ethical Super logo
Green Company
EthicalHigher risk
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+25.91%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+2.41%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+7.99%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+10.04%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$778
Go to siteMore Info
UniSuper - High Growth
UniSuper logo
Best Rated Brand
Industry fundHigher risk
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+21.95%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+5.88%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+9.29%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+9.93%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$451
Go to siteMore Info
Vanguard Super SaveSmart - High Growth
Vanguard logo
Higher risk
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+22.68%
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
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Hostplus Australian Shares
Hostplus logo
Industry fundHigher risk
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+23.07%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+7.66%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+8.9%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+9.32%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$350
Go to siteMore Info
Aware Super Future Saver - MySuper Lifecycle High Growth
Aware Super logo
Industry fundLifestageHigher risk
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+17.97%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+5.6%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+8.39%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+8.9%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$457
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Australian Retirement Trust - High Growth
Australian Retirement Trust logo
Industry fundHigher risk
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+17.49%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+7.8%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+9.15%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+9.44%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$517
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Virgin Money Super - LifeStage Tracker
Virgin Money Super logo
Lifestage
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+22.42%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+6.92%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+8.01%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
N/A
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$363
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HESTA High Growth
HESTA logo
Industry fundHigher risk
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+18.53%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+7.22%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+9.28%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+9.21%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$537
Go to siteMore Info
Spaceship - GrowthX
Spaceship logo
Higher risk
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+29.35%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+7.11%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+11.39%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
N/A
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$482
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Superhero Super - High Growth
Superhero Super logo
Higher risk
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+25%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+7.53%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+8.63%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
N/A
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$397
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Hostplus Indexed Balanced
Hostplus logo
Industry fund
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+20.61%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+6.56%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+7.57%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+7.82%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$135
Go to siteMore Info
CFS FC MySuper - Lifestage 1985-89
Colonial First State logo
LifestageHigher risk
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+22.63%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+7.1%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+7.57%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+7.89%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$375
Go to siteMore Info
UniSuper - Sustainable High Growth
UniSuper logo
Finder Award
Best Rated Brand
Industry fundEthicalHigher risk
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+26.59%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+4.81%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+9%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+9.89%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$326
Go to siteMore Info
CFS FC MySuper - Lifestage 1975-79
Colonial First State logo
Lifestage
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+21.82%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+6.77%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+7.31%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+7.76%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$380
Go to siteMore Info
Australian Ethical Super International Shares
Australian Ethical Super logo
Green Company
EthicalHigher risk
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+26.03%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+8.32%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+10.61%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+10.53%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$648
Go to siteMore Info
Virgin Money Super Indexed Overseas Shares
Virgin Money Super logo
Indexed investmentHigher risk
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+27.49%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+10.98%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+12.55%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
N/A
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$385
Go to siteMore Info
CFS FC MySuper - Lifestage 2005-09
Colonial First State logo
Higher risk
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+23.04%
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.)
$365
Go to siteMore Info
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Showing 17 of 58 results

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 October 2024

What do super funds do?

Super funds take the superannuation money that you're paid by your employer (or your own contributions) and invest it on your behalf into things like shares. The money is your money, it's just managed by the super fund until you're old enough to legally access it (usually 65).

Just like there are lots of different banks to choose from, there are lots of super funds too. You can choose which super fund you'd like to look ater your superannuation money, and switch super funds at any time.

How to compare super funds

If you're looking for the best super fund, here are 6 key features to look for.

Public

Low fees

The lower the fees the better, as higher superannuation fees will eat into your investment returns. A general rule of thumb is to make sure the fees are less than 1% of the value of your super balance per year (so for a $50,000 balance, aim for annual fees around $500 or less). One exception to this is if you've chosen a specialty fund, for example a fund that invests ethically. In this case, you may justify the higher fee as these funds can be more expensive to manage - but this is a personal choice.

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High long-term performance

Look at the 5- and 10-year performance returns instead of only looking at the past year's performance. Super is a long-term investment, so you want a fund that has consistent, strong performance over the long term rather than a one-off good year. So for a standard balanced MySuper product, 10-year performance of around 7-8% p.a. or better is quite good. If it's a high growth option, you can expect 10-year performance even higher than this.

Public

An investment strategy that suits your age

Generally, you should invest in more high-risk growth assets (like shares) while you're young because you have plenty of time to ride out any short-term market falls. If you're young and want to take on more risk, compare high-growth investment options.

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An investment strategy for your risk appetite

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. Others will offer pre-mixed options based on certain risk levels and regardless of age, e.g. balanced, conservative or high growth. Think about which option works best for you before comparing.

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An investment approach that aligns with your values

According to Finder data, 43% of Australians are interested in their super being invested ethically. If you're passionate about investing ethically and want to exclude certain industries such as fossil fuels or tobacco, choose a fund that offers a sustainable or ethical investment option.

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Insurance cover for your needs

Most funds will offer a default level of cover for death and TPD insurance automatically when you join. If you need more cover, for example, income protection, check if the fund offers it before joining. Take a look at the fund's PDS to understand the default level of cover offered and the cost.

You might decide that you don't need insurance cover at all. According to our analysis, you can save $22 per year and over $10,000 by the time you retire on average by switching to a fund without insurance cover.

Pascale Helyar-Moray OAM's headshot
Expert insight

"Your superannuation account is an investment; you want to add as much as you can while reducing the costs associated with your superannuation account. Maximise incomings while minimise outgoings – simple.

To maximise the inputs into your super – other than through contributions – take a look at fund performance. If your fund is consistently underperforming its competitors over the long term, this means you will likely have significantly less money when you get to retirement.

To reduce your outgoings of your super, run a fee comparison between your fund and others. A general rule is that your super fund's fees should be around 1 per cent. "

Founder of Grow My Money and author of Rich Woman, Poor Woman.

How to choose the right super fund for you

Public

If you're under 35

Because you have so much time on your hands, it's generally recommended you invest via a high-growth investment option. Shares can be volatile in the short term but continue to perform exceptionally well over the long term.

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If you're 35–55

You still have 10–30 years before retirement, which is still plenty of time to stay invested in a high-growth option. As you get closer to 50 you may have a lower risk tolerance and could consider gradually reducing your exposure to shares by switching to a balanced investment option (or splitting your money between high growth and balanced).

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If you're over 55

As you get closer to retirement it's generally advised to have a more balanced mix of investments. Your super will stay invested for many years even after you turn 55 so it's important to have some exposure to shares so your balance continues to grow, but you might not want all your balance invested in shares.

Remember, there's no set rule for how you should invest based on your age alone, these are just some general ideas to get you started.

Richard Whitten's headshot

"I ignored my super balance for years. I even kept an old fund open with a few thousand dollars in it. Bad idea. Then I consolidated funds and switched from my default balanced option to a higher growth, higher risk option. This suits me because I am decades from retirement, so I can handle some volatility. And growth is my main objective. I only wish I'd done it earlier in life!"

What's happening with super funds in January 2025?

New data from Super Ratings published in January 2025 reveled super funds performed well over the past 12 months. According to the research, the median Balanced super fund returned 11.1% for the full 2024 calendar year, and the median Growth super fund returned 13.4% p.a.

The Super Ratings data revealed investment companies Raiz and Vanguard's super products were among the top performing super funds in 2024.

Plus, to kick-off the new year the Liberal party has said, if elected, it will re-introduce a policy to allow some Australians to access $50,000 from their super fund to use towards a house deposit.

Market update from Finder's superannuation editor, Alison Banney.

Thousands of people compare super funds with Finder every month

4.69 average rating from 805 reviews

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Comparing different super fund investment options

Once you decide on a super fund to join you can also decide how you want your super to be invested by that fund.

When you join a super fund you'll usually initially be placed in its default product option which is called the MySuper product (usually this is the balanced option). This is the standard super investment option that is designed to suit most members and it's where the majority of Australians have their super invested.

Other super investment options are usually based on risk level and asset class, for example:

  • Conservative: This option will invest in more defensive, low-risk assets like cash and bonds. It's designed to protect your balance, rather than achieve high returns.
  • Balanced or growth: A balanced or growth option offers a more even mix between defensive and growth assets, but it'll still skew more towards growth assets (like shares).
  • High growth: These options invest heavily in shares and are more high-risk in the short term, but usually achieve better returns over the long term.
  • Single sector options: Unlike the previous 3 options which are diversified funds, single sector investment options will invest entirely into one asset class such as shares.

Some funds offer an ethical investment option, too.

How different super investment options perform

Typically you can expect a high growth option to achieve better returns over the long term compared to a balanced or conservative option. However, they can also experience more volatility in the short term as having increased exposure to shares makes them more vulnerable when there's a market fall.

Investment optionAverage 1-year returnAverage 5-year returnAverage 10-year return
Balanced9.21%6.72%7.21%
High growth13.35%8.49%8.80%
Conservative5.85%3.16%3.72%
Single Sector (High growth)10.13%5.99%6.48%

Data is supplied by Super Rating and relates to the performance period ending May 2024.

Alison Banney's headshot
Our expert says

"You don't need to choose an investment option when you join a new fund if you don't want to. The default options are designed to suit most people, and many are among the top-performing funds each year. If you do want to change your super investment option later, you can do this easily by logging in to your account online or via the fund's mobile app. Also, keep in mind you can split your account balance between various options. This could be a good solution if you can't decide between two different investment options."

Editor

Why should you compare super funds?

According to Finder data, 58% of Australians are with the super fund that their employer chose for them and almost half (48%) of us have stuck with the same super fund for our whole life so far.

But what if the fund your employer chose isn't great? If you're stuck in an underperforming fund, it could cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars by the time you retire.

Why compare Super Funds with Finder?

No spam calls

You won't receive any callbacks from Finder if you compare with us.

Fund-amentally obsessed

We track 60+ funds for returns, fees and features.

Super troopers

We constantly track performance so you can choose with confidence.

Steps to switch funds

1. Choose a new fund. The comparison table above can help you choose a new super fund.
2. Join the new fund. Complete the online application form available on the fund's website.
3. Move your super into your new fund. Just enter the details of your previous fund when you submit the application form and the new fund will arrange for your balance to be transferred over - you don't need to do this yourself.
4. Let your employer know. Let your employer know right away so they can pay your next super guarantee payment to the correct fund.

If you need a bit more help, see our guide on how to change super funds for a detailed process.

Frequently asked questions for super funds

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Richard Whitten's headshot
Ryan Watson's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Richard Whitten and reviewed by Ryan Watson, a member of Finder's Editorial Review Board.
Alison Banney's headshot
Written by

Editor

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. See full bio

Alison's expertise
Alison has written 626 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Superannuation
  • Savings accounts, bank accounts and term deposits
  • Budgeting and money-saving hacks
  • Managing the cost of living

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36 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    MaureenJanuary 24, 2025

    Fees on Pension Fund I withdraw $1500 every 2 weeks fees charged on this account $158.33 per month – Admin and Annual Fee for 2023 to 2024 was $1983.20 and for 2024 – 2025 Admin and Annual Review is $2,600.00.
    Personal Super small amount of approximately $59,000 is $58.33 per month
    These fees seem very high for small amount held

      AvatarFinder
      RichardJanuary 24, 2025Finder

      Hello Maureen,

      There are many factors that contribute to the fees you’re charged on your super and pension fund, such as the type of fund you’re with, the investment option you’ve selected and the insurance cover you have included. We suggest you review your annual statement to see a breakdown of the fees you’re being charged and also calling your fund and asking for a breakdown of the fees. If you’re concerned your fees are too high, we always recommend comparing your options (you can switch funds at any time).

    Default Gravatar
    pietraSeptember 25, 2024

    I live in the UK and cannot get onto the ATO site aas the app does not work everytime i try. I have lost super that i want to consolidate from over 20 years ago. Please can you tell me how to do this. I can provide email, address, tfn ?

      AvatarFinder
      AngusSeptember 26, 2024Finder

      Hi Pietra, If you can’t use the app or log on online via a web browser, you’ll need to contact the ATO directly to start the consolidation process. You can contact them on 13 28 61. You can read more about consolidation in our detailed guide. Hope this helps.

    Default Gravatar
    TaniaAugust 30, 2024

    Hello.
    For the super comparison, is performance per annum net of fees?
    Thanks so much,
    Tania

      AvatarFinder
      AngusSeptember 16, 2024Finder

      Hi Tania, The performance comparison doesn’t show the impact of fees directly, since these will vary depending on your balance and any insurance options you choose. We do show the annual fee on a $50,000 balance to help you compare more effectively.

    Default Gravatar
    BJanuary 11, 2024

    On your comparison sheet and for the Bendigo Smartstart Super – Growth Index fund it tells me the last 1 year performance has been 8.74%, however, Bendigo in their performance reports for the 30 Nov 2023 is showing 4.84% (being for the period 1/12/2022 – 30/11/2023). I acknowledge that at the bottom of each comparison page you state the past performance data is for the period ending June 2023 ( presumably meaning 1/7/22 – 30/6/2023). Can you please explain the difference when the same Bendigo report for three years shows only 4.58%. https://www.bendigosuperannuation.com.au/globalassets/documents/bendigo-superannuation/reports/bendigo-smartstart-investment-performance-report.pdf

      AvatarFinder
      SarahJanuary 15, 2024Finder

      Hi B, We reached out to Bendigo with your question. They stated that the difference in reported returns is due to market volatility and strong performance at different times, which reflects a different amount in the 1 year performance from Nov 2023. Hope this clarifies it for you.

    Default Gravatar
    GaryDecember 26, 2023

    Im looking at the fee difference between Super funds and ETF’s some etfs charge a (mer )of 0.03%where super funds charge 0.75 to1.25% ????why would i stay with a super fund ????

      AvatarFinder
      SarahJanuary 31, 2024Finder

      Hi Gary,

      Yes the fees and charges from different super funds can vary, along with the insurance products they offer, their performance and the types of investment funds they offer. Some people are happy to pay higher fees because it aligns with their values (eg. eco-funds), because they are happy with the fund’s performance and okay paying a higher fee, or sometimes people pay too much in fees because they don’t realise there’s better value available.

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