Cbus super: Performance, features and fees
Cbus is an industry super fund aligned to the building and construction industries and open to all Australians to join.
Key takeaways
- Cbus is an industry fund with high customer satisfaction and trust ratings.
- The Cbus High Growth option returned +$9.51 over 10 years, with fees of $467 on a $50k balance.
- Members can choose from various pre-mixed investment portfolios to align with their risk appetite.
Cbus super options
You'll initially be invested in the Growth option which is the default MySuper product, however you can change investment options at any time after joining.
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How we picked these
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 September 2026
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Features of Cbus super
- Industry super fund. Cbus is an industry super fund, which means it's run to benefit members rather than shareholders. It began as a fund for the building and construction sector; however, anyone is now free to join.
- Choose from a range of ready-made investment options. Cbus offers a choice of pre-mixed investment portfolios to suit different risk appetites.
- MySuper investment option. The Cbus Growth option is the default low-fee, no-frills MySuper option for members who don't wish to choose their own investment option. It's designed to suit most members.
- Invest in the building industry. Cbus investments include investment in infrastructure which in turn supports the industry that many of its members work in.
- Default insurance cover. Eligible members receive automatic death and total permanent disablement (TPD) cover.
- Consolidate your super online. You can opt to consolidate your existing super into your new Cbus account when joining or any time after you've joined by logging into your online portal.
Cbus investment options
Pre-mixed investment portfolios
You can choose between a range of ready-made diversified investment portfolios, or stick with you default MySuper option. Each portfolio offers a different mix of high-risk growth assets and low-risk defensive assets. As such, each portfolio carries a different risk level. You can see what assets are classed as growth and defensive below:
- Growth assets: Australian and international shares, private equity, infrastructure and property, alternatives.
- Defensive assets: Infrastructure, property, fixed income and cash (such as term deposits).
If you don't want to make a choice, you'll be placed in the Growth option, which is the authorised MySuper option.
| Portfolio | Risk level | Benchmark asset allocation |
|---|---|---|
| Growth (MySuper) This is the default option, and is designed to suit most members. It invests in more growth assets and aims to deliver consistent, high returns over the long term. | Medium to High | Growth assets: 72% Defensive assets: 28% |
| Conservative This is the lowest risk portfolio option, offering more reliable returns and less possibility of negative returns in the short term. However this option doesn't aim for as high of returns as the other options over the long term. It has about two thirds of your balance invested in defensive assets. | Low to medium | Growth assets: 31% Defensive assets: 69% |
| Conservative Growth This portfolio invests in growth and defensive assets equally, offering some growth plus the stable returns of fixed interest and cash. | Medium | Growth assets: 52% Defensive assets: 48% |
| High Growth This option has the highest allocation to growth assets, and aims for higher returns over the long term. | High | Growth assets: 92% Defensive assets: 8% |
| Growth Plus This option aims for higher returns than the default Growth option over the long term, with a larger allocation to growth assets. | High | Growth assets: 82% Defensive assets: 18% |
| Indexed Diversified This lower-cost option invests passively, tracking a mix of market indices across growth and defensive assets. | High | Growth assets: 75% Defensive assets: 25% |
What insurance options are available with Cbus?
You can choose a level of cover that suits you based on how manual our job is. All members will receive the following insurance automatically when you join the fund, provided you have no pre-existing conditions:
- Death. This is paid to your beneficiary (usually your spouse or a member of your immediate family) in the event of your unexpected death.
- Total and permanent disability (TPD). This is paid to you in the event you become disabled and can no longer work.
If you're under 25 with a low balance (less than $6000) you won't have any insurance cover applied automatically. You can increase, reduce or cancel your cover altogether at any time after joining. You also have the option of adding income protection insurance and life insurance cover at any point.
How to join Cbus super?
You can join online at any time. The application process is simple and should take you less than 20 minutes to complete.
As well as your full name and date of birth, make sure you have the following details handy before you start the application:
- 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 existing super fund if you'd like to consolidate your funds during the application process
Once your application has been completed successfully, you'll receive your membership details by email.
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I have unclaimed super in the ATO and need to roll it over into a super fund. Can someone please help me out with this
Hi Caroline,
You can transfer your unclaimed super via your MyGov account. You can learn more about the process here on the ATO website.
Best of luck!
Hi I had a phone call from a financial advisor/ super fund asking me to roll my existing super fund over to them. Telling me they could earn me a lot more money better insurance ect. I was caught of guard a bit and expected there offer gave them my details singed there forms sent them a copy of my drivers license. (2 days ago ) I am now regretting my actions of signing my super over to them is there any way I can stop this before it is rolled over or put a block on my existing super fund form this happening
Hi Dean, We recommend you call your existing super fund directly and explain the situation and ask what your options are. If they are not able to assist, contact the new super fund and ask to halt the transcation. There is often a cooling off period, though the rules on cooling-off periods vary between states and territories. If you believe you’ve been pressured into taking action you didn’t want to take, you may be able to lodge a complaint with AFCA: https://www.afca.org.au/make-a-complaint/superannuation
Hope this helps!
Is AustralianSuper high growth better performing fund than Cbus high growth over the the long term?
Hi Clay,
AustralianSuper High Growth has reported a return of 9.74% p.a. over the 10 years to Dec 2022. Over the same time period, Cbus High Growth reported a return of 9.83% p.a., so the funds have had very similar returns over the past decade.
Thanks,
Alison
Can you manage your own super, as to what percentage goes into investments and direct cash etc.
Hi Andrew, Cbus isn’t an SMSF so you don’t have 100% control over where each dollar is invested. However, you can split your balance up between a range of different investment options available using their single asset class investment options.
Does CBus have Binding Nominated Beneficiaries – for Death benefit nominations?
Hi Michelle,
Yes, if you make a valid binding benefit nomination for your Cbus account, they will pay your funds to people you nominate, in the percentages you choose.
Without a binding nomination, Cbus will determine who the money goes to and in what percentages, based on who your dependants are and who would expect to receive your ongoing financial support at the date of your death.
Hope this helps!