AustralianSuper vs Rest Super
AustralianSuper and Rest have more than 5 million members combined - but is either fund the right choice for you? Let's find out.
Key takeaways
- AustralianSuper's default MySuper option has achieved higher performance returns than Rest's default MySuper option.
- Looking at both MySuper options, AustralianSuper charges lower fees.
- Both funds offer an ethical investment option and an indexed option, as well as a few single asset class options.
AustralianSuper vs Rest Super
| AustralianSuper | Rest Super | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of fund | Industry super fund and Australia's largest super fund | Industry super fund aligned to the retail sector |
| Number of members | 3.4 million members | 2 million members |
| Funds under management | $341 billion | $86 billion |
| Default investment option | AustralianSuper Balanced This is a pre-mixed, diversified fund that invests your super in a range of assets with a strong allocation towards Australian and international shares, direct property and infrastructure. Investment allocation is the same for all members in the Balanced fund, regardless of age. It's an authorised MySuper product. | Rest Super - Growth Similar to AustralianSuper Balanced, this is a ready-made investment portfolio with a strong focus on shares, bonds, private equity and infrastructure. Investment allocation is the same for all members, regardless of age. It's an authorised MySuper product. |
| Performance | Past performance of AustralianSuper Balanced:
| Past performance of Rest Super Growth:
|
| Fees | Here's how much you'd pay in fees for one year if you had the following amounts invested in AustralianSuper Balanced:
| Here's how much you'd pay in fees for one year if you had the following amounts invested in Rest Growth:
|
| Additional diversified investment options | If you don't want to invest in the default option (AustralianSuper Balanced), you can choose to invest your super in one of the following pre-made investment options instead:
| If you don't want to invest in the default option (Rest Growth), you can choose to invest your super in one of the following pre-made investment options instead:
|
| Single asset class investment options | If you want to design your own investment mix, you can invest your super in one or more of the following individual asset classes:
| If you want to design your own investment mix, you can invest your super in one or more of the following individual asset classes:
|
| Mobile app | The AustralianSuper app has a 3.1-star rating from users in Google Play and a 2.6 star rating in the Apple App Store. | The Rest mobile app has a 3.5 star rating from users in Google Play and a 4.5 star rating in the Apple App Store. |
| Read more | More Info | More Info |
Our expert says: Choosing a super fund
"Choosing super funds can feel overwhelming, but it gets easier once you've narrowed it down to a couple of options. If you can't decide between two similar funds, compare the fees and fund performance. Don't just look at the last year, but look at 5 and 10-year performance. And make sure you're comparing similar fund options. A high growth fund will have different performance to a balanced fund. "
How do the default MySuper products compare?
Both funds are popular industry super funds, though AustralianSuper has significantly more members and more funds under management than Rest.
The two default MySuper options are AustralianSuper Balanced and Rest Growth. These two products are very similar; both are MySuper products and both are pre-mixed, diversified funds.
Looking at their investment allocation, AustralianSuper Balanced has more exposure to international shares than Rest Growth and is slightly higher risk overall. Rest Growth has a greater allocation to lower-risk, defensive assets than AustralianSuper.
How do their fees and performance figures compare?
Looking at the default options, AustralianSuper has lower annual fees than Rest Growth. AustralianSuper Balanced has also delivered higher returns than Rest Growth over the long term.
How do the additional investment options compare?
AustralianSuper and Rest offer very similar additional, diversified investment options. Both offer a diversified, indexed balanced option which invests in index funds. Both funds also offer an ethical investment option.
If you want to design your own investment mix using the single asset class options, you have litle choice with with funds compared to others in the market. Rest offers 3 individual asset class options, while AustralianSuper only offers 4.
If you're unsure how these different options work with your super fund, here's a guide on superannuation investment options that will help you choose the best fund for yourself.
Expert insight
"Again, Australian Super and REST are another two of the giants in the superannuation industry. Noting that REST is the super fund for the retail sector, they typically have a younger member demographic which demands an excellent digital experience, and is reflected in the app star ratings accordingly."
Want to keep comparing?
If you're not yet convinced that either AustralianSuper or Rest is right for you, or you simply want to see how they compare to others in the market, you can compare super funds with our guide.
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Hello, I am currently with Essuper. I am not happy with my current return. Are you able to help me with choosing the right super fund for myself?
Hi Lucy, Finder is a comparison service and we aren’t licensed to offer any personal financial advice or product recommendations. We do have some guides on how to compare super funds which you might find helpful:
https://www.finder.com.au/super-funds
https://www.finder.com.au/super-funds/best-super-funds
Hope this helps,
Alison