CommBank Essential Super: Performance, features and fees

CommBank's Lifestage investment option is a MySuper product that invests your super in line with your age.

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CommBank

CommBank Essential Super options

20 of 21 results
Finder Score 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.)
CommBank logo
9.4 Excellent
Commonwealth Essential Super - 1965-69 Lifestage
LifestageHigher risk
9.4 Excellent
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+10.98%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+11.59%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+7.32%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
N/A
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$390
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CommBank logo
9.7 Excellent
Commonwealth Essential Super - Lifestage 2005-09
NewLifestageHigher risk
9.7 Excellent
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+14.09%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+14.52%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
N/A
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
N/A
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$380
View details
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CommBank logo
9.9 Excellent
Commonwealth Essential Super - 1995-99 Lifestage
LifestageHigher risk
9.9 Excellent
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+13.87%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+14.18%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+9.22%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
N/A
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$390
View details
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CommBank logo
9.9 Excellent
Commonwealth Essential Super - 2000-04 Lifestage
LifestageHigher risk
9.9 Excellent
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+14.01%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+14.28%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+9.31%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
N/A
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$385
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CommBank logo
9.2 Excellent
Commonwealth Essential Super - Australian Shares Index
Higher risk
9.2 Excellent
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+6.47%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+10.33%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+7.83%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+9.27%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$150
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CommBank logo
8.2 Great
Commonwealth Essential Super - 1960-64 Lifestage
LifestageHigher risk
8.2 Great
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+9.4%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+9.6%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+5.57%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+6.12%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$380
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CommBank logo
9.5 Excellent
Commonwealth Essential Super - High Growth Index
NewHigher risk
9.5 Excellent
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+13.29%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+12.96%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
N/A
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
N/A
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$160
View details
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CommBank logo
9.8 Excellent
Commonwealth Essential Super - 1975-79 Lifestage
LifestageHigher risk
9.8 Excellent
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+13.01%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+13.49%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+8.71%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
N/A
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$390
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CommBank logo
9.3 Excellent
Commonwealth Essential Super - Balanced Index
NewHigher risk
9.3 Excellent
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+9.92%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+10.23%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
N/A
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
N/A
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$155
View details
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CommBank logo
7.9 Great
Commonwealth Essential Super - 1945-49 Lifestage
Lifestage
7.9 Great
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+8.44%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+9.02%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+5.39%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+5.23%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$375
View details
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CommBank logo
9.9 Excellent
Commonwealth Essential Super - 1985-89 Lifestage
LifestageHigher risk
9.9 Excellent
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+13.88%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+14.17%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+9.18%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
N/A
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$395
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CommBank logo
8.1 Great
Commonwealth Essential Super - 1955-59 Lifestage
Lifestage
8.1 Great
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+8.51%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+9.07%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+5.41%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
N/A
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$375
View details
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CommBank logo
9.9 Excellent
Commonwealth Essential Super MySuper - Lifestage 2005-09
NewLifestageHigher risk
9.9 Excellent
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+14.09%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+14.52%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
N/A
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
N/A
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$380
View details
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CommBank logo
7.5 Great
Commonwealth Essential Super - Thrive+ Sustainable Growth
NewEthicalHigher risk
7.5 Great
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+6.7%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+8.56%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
N/A
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
N/A
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$460
View details
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CommBank logo
7.9 Great
Commonwealth Essential Super - 1950-54 Lifestage
Lifestage
7.9 Great
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+8.5%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+9.06%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+5.41%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+5.21%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$375
View details
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CommBank logo
9.7 Excellent
Commonwealth Essential Super - Global Shares Index
NewHigher risk
9.7 Excellent
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+15.36%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+16.24%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
N/A
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
N/A
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$160
View details
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CommBank logo
9 Excellent
Commonwealth Essential Super - Global Property Securities Index
NewHigher risk
9 Excellent
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+13.37%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+8.14%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
N/A
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
N/A
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$155
View details
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CommBank logo
8.1 Great
Commonwealth Essential Super - Cash Deposit
8.1 Great
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+3.88%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+4.1%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+3.13%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+2.01%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$80
View details
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CommBank logo
9.8 Excellent
Commonwealth Essential Super - 1980-84 Lifestage
LifestageHigher risk
9.8 Excellent
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+13.55%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+13.92%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+9.01%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+9.05%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$395
View details
Compare product selection
CommBank logo
9.8 Excellent
Commonwealth Essential Super - 1990-94 Lifestage
LifestageHigher risk
9.8 Excellent
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+13.86%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+14.14%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+9.19%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+9.17%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$395
View details
Compare product selection
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Showing 20 of 21 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 June 2026

Finder Score for super funds

Finder Score makes comparing superannuation products easier by scoring products out of 10 after assessing their performance, fees and features.

We assess products from over 40 providers based on their risk profile.

Read the full methodology

Key things to know about CommBank Essential Super

  • MySuper product. The default Lifestage option is a registered MySuper product.
  • Lifestage investment option. The Lifestage investment option does all the work for you, investing your balance in a mix of assets appropriate for your age.
  • Flexible investment choices. Choose a Lifestage option or build your own mix from the index and sustainable options.
  • Partnership with Colonial First State. Commbank has partnered with Colonial First State to offer Essential Super products.

CommBank Essential Super investment options

If you didn't make a choice when joining the fund, you would have been placed in the Lifestage option, which is the default MySuper product. This option invests your super in a diversified portfolio that's appropriate for your age and stage of life.

The fund managers will adjust your asset allocations each four to five years, so your portfolio moves from higher risk when you're young to more conservative as you approach retirement.

Here's an example:

Investment option Risk level Target asset allocation

Lifestage 1975-79

(This is what you'd be invested in if you were born between 1975 to 1979)

High
  • Cash: 2%
  • Fixed interest: 6%
  • Property, infrastructure and multi-asset: 20%
  • Australian shares: 36%
  • Global shares: 36%

The asset allocation will change slightly depending on what year you were born.

Other investment options

Once you've signed up you have the option to invest your super in different ways based on your goals and appetite for risk.

What default insurance cover does Essential Super offer?

All members will receive default Death and Total and Permanent Disablement (TPD) cover when joining. You can choose to opt out of insurance when joining or any time after joining.

Compare other products from Commonwealth Bank

Sources

Alison Banney's headshot
Written by

Editorial Manager, Money
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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

Alison's expertise
Alison has written 648 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Superannuation
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  • Budgeting and money-saving hacks
  • Managing the cost of living
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4 Responses

    CK's avatar
    CKAugust 10, 2023

    Hi !
    I am not aware of the troubles with the poor performaning & miserable Combank Essential Super, my I know how to switch over to another super such as Hostplus ?
    Thank You
    TEE

    Navneet's avatar
    NavneetNovember 1, 2017

    Hi there. Actually I wanna claim my essential super and I just wanna know my essential super fund number. Can u please help me to find out? Thanks.

      Jhezelyn's avatarFinder
      JhezelynNovember 1, 2017Finder

      Hi Navneet,

      Thank you for your comment.

      To claim, please contact Commonwealth Bank of Australia for Essential Super or visit the nearest branch.

      Regards,
      Jhezelyn

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