High growth super funds Australia

What is a high growth super fund?

A high growth super fund has more money invested in growth assets such as shares and property, and less invested in lower risk assets like cash and bonds.

A high growth fund aims to achieve higher investment returns for members over the long term. However, with higher returns can also come increased risk and volatility in the short term.

There's no exact industry standard around what is classed as a high growth super fund. Typically, high growth funds have at least 80% of their asset allocation in growth assets like shares.

What are the best high growth super funds?

Here are the 10 Growth super funds with the highest 10-year performance returns, as of March 2025. Note these are pre-mixed fund options, this doesn't include single asset class options.

Types of high growth super fund options

Most super funds offer multiple investment options targeting different risk levels and growth rates. Here are 2 different ways you could choose a high growth super option.

1. Choose a diversified high growth investment option. Most super funds offer a balanced option, but give you the option of switching to a diversified high growth option. A diversified high growth fund invests mainly in growth options, but spreads the investments across a mix of asset classes and industries.
2. Choose a high growth single sector investment option. Unlike diversified investment options, single sector investment options only invest in the one asset class. Because they're not diversified, some single sector investment options are very high growth options (diversification works to reduce your investment risk by not keeping all your eggs in the one basket).

What if I have a MySuper fund?

Many Australians have their super invested in a MySuper or lifestage fund. These are the default products that you'll be placed in when you join a fund if you don't choose a specific option.

A lot of MySuper products are Balanced, however some are High Growth. You can check the asset allocation (the percentage of your money invested in growth or defensive assets) on the fund's website.

If you're interested in switching to your fund's High Growth option instead, you can usually do this easily within your super fund's app.

High growth vs balanced performance super fund performance

Looking at some of the biggest super funds, this table shows the average annual returns over the past 10 years for both the fund's balanced and high growth options.

Data is from October 2024.

Who is a high growth super fund most suitable for?

High growth super fund options are higher risk. They are designed primarily for people with longer term plans (7 years or more).

A high growth super find might work for you if:

You have a higher risk appetite

Because high growth funds have more exposure to shares, they can be more volatile in the short term (1–3 years). This is because the price of shares fluctuates a lot from day to day and the share market is very sensitive and quick to react to global news (as we saw during COVID-19 when the stock market crashed more than 30%). However, while there may be more volatility in the short term, shares continue to be one of the best investments over the long term (5–10 years).

You're young

It's generally recommended that you invest in a high growth fund in your 20s, 30s, 40s and even intor your 50s. When you're in your 50s, or closer to retirement, you can start to switch into a more Balanced option.

This is because when you're young, you have plenty of time to ride out any short-term market volatility. If you're only a couple of years away from retirement you have much less time for your super to recover if there was a market crash.

You're seeking better returns

If you're not happy with how your super fund is performing, or believe you need higher growth to build your retirement savings, then a high growth super fund might be a good way to achieve better returns. Just remember there may be a bit more volatility along the way.

Our expert says

"With high growth comes high risk. If you have time on your side, enough to weather market volatility, then this choice could be right for you. However, if you want to boost your super balance in a shorter time frame, you could be better off growing your super balance through making more contributions - rather than risking your super balance."

Pascale Helyar

Superannuation and wealth expert

Pros and cons of high growth super funds

Pros

• High growth super funds often achieve better returns over the long term.
• High growth super funds are readily available and most major super funds already offer a high growth option.
• The fees are often quite similar between high growth super funds and balanced super funds.

Cons

• High growth super funds usually aren't the default investment option, so you'll need to proactively opt for this option when joining your fund.
• High growth super funds can come with more investment risk and increased volatility, especially in the short term.

If you're looking for a super fund that performs strongly but are unsure of whether you should be selecting a high growth super fund, have a look at the criteria behind choosing a super fund. Alternatively, you might want to review Finder's best super funds.

How to switch to a high growth super fund

If you want to switch to the high growth investment option offered by your current super fund, you can easily do this via the fund's mobile app or the online member portal.

You can switch investment options at any time and you may even have the choice to split your super up between different options if you don't want it all in the high growth fund.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the best performing high growth super fund?

  The best performing high growth super funds are those that invest heavily into shares - such as single asset class shares options. This is because global share markets are performing well. They have achieved exceptional returns in recent years, however, they come with much higher risk of volatility.

• Is a high growth super fund a good idea?

  Yes, switching to a high growth super fund is generally recommended while you're in your 20s, 30s and 40s. These funds typically earn higher returns over the long term.

• What is the best high growth super fund?

  According to the Finder Awards 2025, the best high growth super fund was Aware Super's International Shares option. This is a single asset class option which has delivered really high returns with low fees.

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

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 659 Finder guides across topics including:

• Superannuation
• Savings accounts, bank accounts and term deposits
• Budgeting and money-saving hacks
• Managing the cost of living