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Australian Ethical Super | Performance, features and fees
Green Company
Australian Ethical Super has 7 different investment options are focused on sustainability, clean energy, waste management and recycling, health and responsible banking, while avoiding investments in coal seam gas, weapons and tobacco.
Members will automatically be invested in the Balanced option initially, and will be able to switch investment options at any time after joining the fund.
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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 Jan 2024
What are the key features of Australian Ethical Super?
Ethical investments. All investments by Australian Ethical Super are focused on sustainability, clean energy, waste management and recycling, health and responsible banking. The fund avoids investments in coal seam gas, weapons and tobacco.
Choose from seven pre-mixed funds. Members can choose from seven ready-made diversified investment options with different levels of risk.
MySuper product available. The default, low-fee MySuper option is the Balanced fund.
Automatic insurance cover. You'll receive the default Death and TPD cover when you join the fund, and you can choose increase your cover or opt out at any time.
Consolidate your super online. You can easily consolidate your existing super balance into your Australian Ethical Super account by completing an online form.
Finder survey: Which sectors would Australians like to see their money invested in?
Response
Renewable energy
48.23%
Healthcare and education
33.33%
Innovative technology and sustainable products
29.79%
Environmental conservation
26.95%
Socially responsible businesses
21.28%
Recycling and waste management
17.73%
Fair trade and responsible supply chains
15.6%
Clean efficient transport
14.18%
None of the above
13.48%
Green real estate
8.51%
Cultural and creative industries
4.96%
Other
0.71%
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1016 Australians, December 2023
What investment options are available with Australian Ethical Super?
Australian Ethical Super offers members a choice between seven pre-mixed diversified investment funds. Which one you choose will depend on how you want your money invested and also the level of risk you want to take. Although each option invests differently, each option has a focus on ethical investments.
If you don't make a choice, or don't want to choose, you'll be placed in the Balanced option which is Australian Ethical Super's default MySuper product.
Investment option
Risk level
Target asset allocation
Australian Ethical Super Defensive
This is the lowest-risk investment option, and may best suit members wanting a low risk of capital loss and low volatility. It's designed for members with a short investment timeframe (i.e. close to, or during, retirement).
Very low
Defensive: 100%
Australian Ethical Super Conservative
This is the second lowest-risk investment option, designed for members wanting to protect their balance with a little bit of growth. Around three quarters of your balance is invested in defensive assets.
Low to Medium
Growth: 25%
Defensive: 75%
Australian Ethical Super Balanced
This is the default investment option and is a MySuper-authorised product. It aims for a balance between growth and defensive assets, with around three quarters of your balance invested in growth assets including shares.
Medium to High
Growth: 70%
Defensive: 30%
Australian Ethical Super Growth
This option aims to achieve higher returns than the default Balanced option over the long term, however with a bit more risk and volatility in the short term. It has a higher allocation towards shares, and is designed for members with a longer investment timeframe.
High
Growth: 85%
Defensive: 15%
Australian Ethical Super Australian Shares
This is a high-risk option that invests almost completely in Australian and New Zealand shares (with no more than 20% allocation in New Zealand shares). It doesn't invest in international shares, or any other asset classes other than a very small cash allocation.
Very High
Growth: 95%
Defensive: 5%
Australian Ethical Super International shares
This is a high-risk option that invests almost completely in international shares. It doesn't invest in Australian or New Zealand shares, or any other asset classes (it does have a very small cash allocation).
High
Growth: 95%
Defensive: 5%
Australian Ethical Super High Growth
This is a high-risk option that invests in Australian shares, international shares, property and alternatives to provide long term growth.
High
Growth: 95%
Defensive: 5%
What insurance cover is available with Australian Ethical Super?
You will automatically receive Default Cover which is made up of Death and TPD Cover as a member of Australian Ethical Super when you join the fund and you meet certain eligibility conditions.
Death Cover: This provides a lump sum payment if you die or are diagnosed with a terminal illness.
TPD cover: This cover provides a lump sum payment if you become disabled and are unable to work.
You won't be required to complete medical forms or to have medical examinations to receive Default Cover, however you will be subject to new events cover limitations.
To be eligible for Default Cover, you will need to meet all of the following eligibility conditions:
you are a member of Australian Ethical Super; and
you are receiving cover for the first time with us and you have not previously cancelled cover in your Australian Ethical Super account; and
you are aged 25 or over and under 65; and
you have had an account balance of at least $6,000; and
your account is not inactive, where inactive means that you have not received any contributions or rollovers into your account for at least 16 months or more whilst you are a member.
If you're aged between 15 and 24, or you are aged under 65 with an account balance of less than $6,000, you can opt-in to receive Default Cover.
Insurance premiums are deducted from your super account monthly and will vary based on the amount of cover you have under the Default Cover scale, your age, sex at birth, and occupation category. You can choose to increase or decrease your level of Default Cover or you can also cancel insurance all together at any time.
How do I join Australian Ethical Super?
You can become a member of Australian Ethical Super by filling out the online application form on its site. The process will only take about 15-20 minutes to complete if you have a few things on hand before you begin.
You'll need to provide:
Your full name, date of birth and gender
Your Australian residential address
Your phone number and email address
Your tax file number (TFN)
Your chosen investment option and insurance cover
Details of your current super fund (if you have one that you want to roll over into your new fund)
Once this is done and Australian Ethical Super has successfully verified your identity online, you'll be sent the details of your new account. If you'd like your employer to make your compulsory super payments into this fund, make sure to give your employer your Australian Ethical Super account details.
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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The fees will depend on which investment option you are in. There is an annual admin fee of $68 + 0.25% of your account balance, plus investment fees that range from 0.20% p.a. – 1.15% p.a. depending on your investment option. As an example, the standard Balanced option has investment fees of 0.74% p.a.
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What are the annual fees on a portfolio of $1,200,000.00?
Hi Cate,
The fees will depend on which investment option you are in. There is an annual admin fee of $68 + 0.25% of your account balance, plus investment fees that range from 0.20% p.a. – 1.15% p.a. depending on your investment option. As an example, the standard Balanced option has investment fees of 0.74% p.a.
Thanks,
Alison