Ethical super funds in Australia

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

What is an ethical super fund?

An ethical super fund is one that aims to invest its members' money in an ethical or socially responsible way.

Generally, it involves supporting companies and industries that are making a positive impact on our communities and on our environment, while actively excluding those that are making a negative impact.

Ethical investing has become more popular in recent years, and responsible investment accounted for 41% of Australia's total managed funds as at 2023, according to RIAA.¹

How ethical super funds invest your money

An ethical super fund is one that chooses investment options based on a set of social, environmental and ethical criteria. There is no set approach or rule to how ethical funds invest, but here's a list of the investments ethical funds tend to include and exclude from their portfolios.

Note that not all ethical super funds will include or exclude all these things. While some funds might completely exclude something like coal mining companies, other funds might put a limit in place around how much of their fund can be invested in a particular industry.

What do ethical super funds invest in?

• Renewable, clean energy projects like wind farms
• Recycling and waste management
• Companies that do not test on animals
• Clean, efficient transport (like electric cars)
• Healthcare and education
• Innovative technology and sustainable products and manufacturing
• Companies with gender-diverse boards

What don't ethical super funds invest in?

• Fossil fuel production
• Coal mining
• Tobacco and gambling
• Pornography
• Forest logging
• Companies that test products on animals
• Live animal exports
• Amunition manufacturing

Some ethical investment funds also conduct a "best of sector" approach. This involves looking at a particular sector, for example banking, and selecting the companies that best meet its ethical criteria.

For example looking at all the banks, and instead of deciding that none meet the ethical criteria, investing in the one that is the closest fit. This way, you're still benefiting from the investment diversification and performance of that sector.

Expert insight

"A lot of people forget their superannuation represents the ability to influence outcomes. When considering which super fund to invest in, it's really important to be aware of performance and fees - but also to ensure your values are aligned.

For example, if you're environmentally conscious, then you don't want your super to be invested in mining stocks. Superannuation is an endurance race; you'll have better success if your values are aligned with your investment decisions."

Pascale Helyar

Superannuation and wealth expert

What's the best ethical super fund?

• Best high growth ethical super fund: Australian Ethical Super International Shares
• Best low-fee ethical super fund: Vanguard Super SaveSmart - Ethically Conscious Growth

Best high growth ethical super fund

9.5 Excellent Australian Ethical Super International Shares Most LovedEthicalHigher risk

9.5 Excellent

Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +13.75%

Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +15.41%

Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +10.78%

Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +11.76%

Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $658

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Why we like it Australian Ethical Super has achieved strong performance returns over the short and long term. Australian Ethical seeks to invest in companies that have a positive impact on the planet, people and animals, such as renewable energy and healthcare while avoiding investments in coal, oil, tobacco and gambling. Australian Ethical Super is one of just a handful of super funds to be certified by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia for its commitment to responsible and sustainable investments. Australian Ethical Super provides a readily available list of all the companies it invests in on its website, so you can see exactly where your money is going. Pros & cons Pros Certified sustainable Investment transparency Strong performance

Best low-fee ethical super fund

9.1 Excellent Vanguard Super SaveSmart - Ethically Conscious Growth NewEthicalHigher risk

9.1 Excellent

Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +8%

Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +10.92%

Last 5 year performance (p.a.) N/A

Last 10 year performance (p.a.) N/A

Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $280

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Why we like it Vanguard Super SaveSmart - Ethically Conscious Growth charge among the lowest fees of all ethical funds in our database. Pros & cons Pros Low Fees Ethical Screening Growth Focus

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• Ethical Super Funds Australia

  Other Ethical Super Funds in Australia in 2026

  Here are some of the major super funds in Australia offering ethical or socially responsible investment options:

  • Australian Ethical: All investment options are managed according to their Ethical Charter.
  • Australian Retirement Trust: Offers a Socially Conscious Balanced investment option.
  • AustralianSuper: Provides a Socially Aware investment option.
  • Aware Super: Features a Diversified Socially Responsible Investment option.
  • Care Super: Provides a Sustainable Balanced option.
  • HESTA: Offers a Sustainable Growth option with specific ethical screens.
  • Hostplus: Provides a Socially Responsible Investment - Balanced option.
  • UniSuper: Includes Sustainable Balanced and Sustainable High Growth options.
  • Verve Super: An ethical fund specifically tailored for women.

How to compare ethical super funds

There are several factors you should consider before choosing an ethical super fund, including:

1. Accreditation

The Responsible Investment Association of Australasia (RIAA) offers a Responsible Investment Certification to certain funds that meet its criteria. Some fund that have received this accreditation are Australian Ethical, UniSuper, Aware Super, Future Super and Australian Retirement Trust. A fund doesn't need to have this certification to be considered 'ethical', however it's handy to know that those that do have been independently verified.

2. Performance

While past performance does not indicate future performance, it's definitely worthwhile checking a super fund's investment performance to see the returns it has generated over the long term (for example 10+ years).

3. The companies it invests in

Take a closer look at the individual companies the fund will invest your money in. You'll find this information on the fund's website, or by contacting the fund directly. Are there any there that do not align with your values and beliefs?

4. Screening process

How rigorously does the super fund screen companies it considers for investment? Does it use negative screening, positive screening and/or a best of sector approach?

5. The fees

Some ethical super funds can charge quite high fees, in comparison to regular MySuper funds. You may decide this it worth it for you personally, based on your investment values. However, it's still worth comparing the fees among ethical funds themselves as these can vary greatly. A general rule of thumb is to aim for annual fees that are around 1% of your balance or less.

6. The risk level

Check how aggressively the ethical fund invests in growth assets like shares, and if this aligns with your desired risk level.

Pros and cons of joining an ethical super fund

How do ethical super funds perform?

Ethical super funds have consistently performed as well as regular funds over the last few years. Here are the 5 top performing sustainable balanced super funds over the 2025/26 financial year, according to data from SuperRatings¹.

How to join an ethical super fund

1. Choose an ethical fund. The comparison table above can help you choose a new super fund.
2. Join the new fund. Complete the online application form on the fund's website.
3. Move your super into your new fund. Enter the details of your previous fund when you submit the application form and the new fund will arrange for your balance to be transferred over.
4. Let your employer know. Let your employer know right away so they can pay your next super guarantee payment to the correct fund.

Take a look at our guide on how to change super funds in 4 steps for a more detailed explanation of each step.

Frequently asked questions

• What are the different types of ethical super funds?

  There are two types of ethical super funds. The first option is a super fund which only offers ethical investment options to members, like Australian Ethical Super. These funds apply their ethical investment approach across all their products.

  The other option is a retail or industry super fund that offers one dedicated ethical investment option among several other investment options, for example AustralianSuper or Australian Retirement Trust. These funds will usually offer a MySuper balanced investment option as the default option to members, and a socially responsible or ethical option for members who want to select this instead. However, the ethical investment approach isn't applied across all the fund's products.

• What fees do ethical super funds charge?

  Fees vary between funds, but ethical super funds do tend to charge slightly higher fees than some default MySuper funds offered by retail and industry funds. This is because of the comprehensive research that goes into each investment chosen by a responsible or ethical fund. However, you may find that actively-managed retail funds charge higher fees than some ethical super funds.

  A relatively new ethical super fund may charge higher fees than one that has been established for a longer period of time. This is because an increase in the number of members may allow a fund to lower its investment fees.

• Should I invest in an ethical super fund?

  You don't have to invest in an ethical super fund - the decision is completely up to you as to how your super is invested. The basic premise behind ethical investing is that you put your money where your mouth is to support the causes and companies that match your values and beliefs. For example if you're passionate about climate change and want to see the end of coal mining, making sure your super isn't helping fund the coal mining sector is one way you can personally make an impact.

• Which is the most ethical super fund?

  Here are some of the ethical super funds that are certified by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia for commitment to responsible and sustainable investments:

  • AustralianEthical Super (all investment options)
  • HESTA Sustainable Growth
  • Rest Sustainable Growth
  • Future Super (all investment options)
  • Uni Super Sustainable Balanced
  • Aware Super Socially Conscious

• What's the best ethical super fund?

  AustralianEthical Super has been named the best ethical super fund multiple times in the Finder Green Awards, and has previously won SuperRatings' Sustainable Fund of the Year award.

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Sources

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Richard Whitten and reviewed by Pascale Helyar, a member of Finder's Editorial Review Board.

Written by

Alison Banney

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

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Alison has written 575 Finder guides across topics including:

• Superannuation
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