Revealed: The 10 best-performing super funds over the past 10 years

Super funds had a terrible year, but a great decade. Here are the 10 funds that have performed best over the long term.

Yes, super funds had a bad year in 2022.

Most of the default growth funds (these are funds with 60–80% allocation to growth assets) ended the year with a negative return, due to the falls in global share markets as a result of rising inflation.

In fact even the best-performing growth fund for 2022, CareSuper Balanced, returned -2.0% for members according to super research firm Chant West.

Big name industry funds Hostplus and AustralianSuper also delivered negative returns, with -2.5% and -2.7%, respectively.

However, superannuation is a long-term investment, perhaps the longest investment you'll ever make.

So when comparing super funds, look at the long-term performance figures, as these show a much more accurate picture of how the fund has performed on average over many years.

Top 10 Best-performing super funds over 10 years

Super fund10 year % p.a.*50k fees
Hostplus – Balanced8.39%$625.26
AustralianSuper – Balanced8.04%$387
Australian Retirement Trust – Balanced8.22%$472.40
UniSuper – Balanced7.89%$406
Cbus – Growth7.74%$412
CareSuper – Balanced7.59%$458
HESTA – Balanced Growth7.66%$457
Legal Super MySuper Balanced7.22%$607.60
Vision Super Balanced Growth7.72%$373
Aware Super – Growth

*Performance returns for period ending December 2022 according to Chant West.

Even though all 10 funds above returned a negative result for 2022, over the past decade they've managed to return over 8.0% p.a. on average for members.

This is actually ahead of target, according to Chant West senior investment research manager, Mano Mohankumar. "Over the 30½ years since the introduction of compulsory super in July 1992, the median growth fund has delivered an annualised return of 7.8%, which is 1.7% p.a. ahead of the typical return objective of CPI +3.5% p.a."

Seeing your super fund deliver a negative return one year isn't fun for any of us, but luckily, it's not actually all that common.

"This was the first negative calendar year since 2011 and only the fifth in the full 30 years of compulsory super," Mohankumar said.

"It also comes on the back of a particularly strong 2021, so perhaps we were due for a return to earth given the challenging investment backdrop. Most importantly, members should take comfort in the fact that funds are continuing to meet their long-term return objectives."

If you haven't checked how your fund is preforming for a while, it could be time to compare super funds and make the switch.

1 - 17 of 529
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.)
Hostplus Balanced
Hostplus logo
Industry fund
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+13.07%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+5.1%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+7.32%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+8.39%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$625
Go to siteMore Info
Aware Super Future Saver - MySuper Lifecycle Manage Age 56
Aware Super logo
Industry fundLifestage
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+17.56%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+5.48%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+8.1%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+8.64%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$452
Go to siteMore Info
Hostplus Diversified Fixed Interest
Hostplus logo
Industry fund
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+6.87%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
-0.63%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
-0.27%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+2.43%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$265
Go to siteMore Info
Superhero Super - Australian Shares
Superhero Super logo
Higher risk
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+25.58%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+7.88%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+8.2%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+7.74%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$387
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
Go to siteMore Info
This fund aims for higher growth over the long term. It invests heavily in Australian and international shares, including a small amount of exposure to emerging markets shares.
Hostplus Conservative Balanced
Hostplus logo
Industry fund
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+11.39%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+4.42%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+5.3%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+6.29%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$510
Go to siteMore Info
Superhero Super - International Shares
Superhero Super logo
Higher risk
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+25.8%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+9.82%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+11.98%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+11.56%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$381
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
Go to siteMore Info
A lifecycle super fund weighted heavily towards high growth assets, targeted to people 55 and under.
Hostplus Capital Stable
Hostplus logo
Industry fund
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+8.15%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+3.52%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+3.43%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+4.46%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$460
Go to siteMore Info
Virgin Money Super Indexed Australian Shares
Virgin Money Super logo
Indexed investmentHigher risk
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+22.96%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+8.28%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+8.28%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
N/A
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$385
Go to siteMore Info
Aware Super - Balanced Socially Conscious
Aware Super logo
Finder Award
Industry fundEthical
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+17.59%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+6.26%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+7.68%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+7.81%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$322
Go to siteMore Info
Australian Ethical Super - High Growth
Australian Ethical Super logo
Green Company
EthicalHigher risk
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+20.72%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+4.85%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+7.96%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+8.68%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$728
Go to siteMore Info
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
HESTA Balanced Growth
HESTA logo
Industry fund
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+14.94%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+5.59%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+7.09%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+7.66%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$457
Go to siteMore Info
Superhero Super - Moderate
Superhero Super logo
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+16.01%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+3.51%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+4.7%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+5.84%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$397
Go to siteMore Info
Australian Retirement Trust - Conservative Balanced
Australian Retirement Trust logo
Industry fund
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+11.9%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+5.1%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+5.63%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+6.35%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$482
Go to siteMore Info
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
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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 October 2024

Image: Getty Images
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Written by

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

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2 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    KirkFebruary 9, 2023

    Looking for a good super that invests in property on top of a decent return

      AvatarFinder
      AlisonFebruary 22, 2023Finder

      Hi Kirk, you can compare super funds here: https://www.finder.com.au/super-funds

      Using the filters on the left side, if you and select ‘High growth’ and untick the box that says “Only show products with direct links & enquiry options” you’ll see heaps of options for high-growth funds, including many that are focused on property.

      Thanks,
      Alison

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