Super Fund Reviews and Comparisons Australia (2026)

Choosing the right super fund is one of the most financially significant decisions you’ll make. The difference between a top-performing, low-fee fund and a poor one can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars by retirement — compounded over a 30–40 year working life.

This section covers detailed reviews of Australia’s major super funds, a full comparison table, and a step-by-step guide to switching.

Peakifi may receive a commission if you click links and apply for products featured on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence. See our disclosure for details. This is general information only — not a personal recommendation.

How to Use This Section

Step 1: Check what fund you’re currently in. Log in to myGov → ATO online services → Super, or check a recent payslip.

Step 2: Look up your fund’s performance test result on the ATO YourSuper comparison tool. Funds that have failed the APRA annual performance test are flagged in red.

Step 3: Compare fees. The total cost ratio at a $50,000 balance is the best apples-to-apples comparison. Large industry funds typically cost 0.5%–0.8% p.a. Retail products often cost 1.0%–2.5%+.

Step 4: Read the relevant fund review below, then check the full comparison table.

Top-Ranked Industry Funds (Detailed Reviews)

These funds have consistently passed the APRA performance test and are among the most reviewed and compared options in Australia.

• AustralianSuper Review 2026 — Australia’s largest fund (~$340 billion FUM); Balanced option is a consistent top-10 performer; broad investment menu including indexed, ethical, and sector options
• Hostplus Review 2026 — Home of Australia’s lowest-cost indexed option (Indexed Balanced ~0.02% p.a. investment fee); consistently top-performing Balanced option; primarily hospitality and tourism workers but open to all
• Australian Retirement Trust Review 2026 — Australia’s second-largest fund (~$300+ billion), formed from the QSuper–Sunsuper merger; strong Queensland roots; competitive fees and lifecycle default
• Aware Super Review 2026 — Large NSW public sector and community sector fund; strong ESG options; absorbed Catholic Super (2022) and StatePlus members; lifecycle default
• Vanguard Super Review 2026 — Ultra-low-cost index-only super from the global pioneer of passive investing; no active management; all options are passive index funds; very low fee structure

Other Industry and Sector Funds

• Cbus Super Review 2026 — Construction and building industry fund; strong long-term performance; own-occupation TPD for construction workers; unlisted infrastructure exposure
• HESTA Review 2026 — Health and community sector fund; ~1 million members; indexed balanced option available; focus on gender equity and female membership base
• REST Super Review 2026 — Retail and hospitality sector fund; ~1.8 million members; lifecycle default (Core Strategy); solid performance and competitive fees
• UniSuper Review 2026 — Higher education and research sector; one of Australia’s top-performing large funds; own-occupation TPD; very broad investment menu including strong ESG options; Defined Benefit Division available for eligible staff
• CareSuper Review 2026 — Open industry fund for professionals; direct investment option (ASX 300 and ETFs) available; default income protection included
• TelstraSuper Review 2026 — Corporate-origin industry fund, now open to all; consistently strong performer; competitive fees
• Vision Super Review 2026 — Victorian local government and community sector; open to all Australians; defined benefit legacy section for older members
• Mercer Super Review 2026 — Global HR firm’s industry-style Australian super fund; strong corporate employer focus
• Catholic Super Review 2026 — Merged into Aware Super (September 2022); former Catholic education and health sector members are now with Aware Super

Retail Super Funds and Platforms

Retail funds are for-profit and generally higher-fee than industry funds. They may suit members who want broad investment choice or who use a financial adviser on the platform.

• Colonial First State (CFS) Review 2026 — Formerly CBA-owned, now KKR-backed; FirstChoice platform with hundreds of managed fund options; primarily adviser-sold
• AMP Super Review 2026 — Large retail provider; multiple products including North platform; some MySuper products have failed APRA performance test in prior years; post-Royal Commission restructuring
• MLC Super Review 2026 — Former NAB super brand, now owned by Insignia; MLC Wrap platform; some products subject to APRA performance test concerns
• Insignia (IOOF) Super Review 2026 — Parent company of MLC and OnePath products; substantial post-Royal Commission restructuring; members should verify current fees and performance
• OnePath Review 2026 — Former ANZ super brand, now administered by Insignia; check current product status and fees
• North Super Review 2026 — AMP’s investment wrap platform; primarily adviser-accessed; suits high-balance members wanting investment flexibility
• Macquarie Super Review 2026 — Sophisticated wrap platform; broad investment menu including direct shares and ETFs; suited to high-balance self-directed investors
• Netwealth Super Review 2026 — ASX-listed independent wrap platform; one of Australia’s leading adviser platforms; very broad investment menu
• Plum Super Review 2026 — NAB workplace super product for employer plans; retail fee structure; super choice allows switching
• Bendigo Bank Super Review 2026 — Regional bank’s retail super product; Sandhurst Trustees; suits existing Bendigo Bank customers
• Suncorp Super Review 2026 — Former insurer’s super product; substantially wound down post-Royal Commission; check current status if you have an old account

Fintech and Digital Super Funds

• Spaceship Super Review 2026 — Tech-heavy and ESG-focused super; Universe option concentrated in global tech stocks; app-first experience; suits young, risk-tolerant investors
• Superhero Super Review 2026 — Low-fee ETF-based super; $5/month cap for balances under $50,000; suits cost-conscious younger members

Government and Public Sector Funds

• ADF Super Review 2026 — Default accumulation fund for ADF members recruited from 1 July 2016; 16.4% government contribution rate; CSC-administered
• Military Super Guide 2026 — Covers ADF Super (accumulation) and the legacy MSBS (hybrid defined benefit); untaxed element tax implications for MSBS members
• PSSap Review 2026 — Current accumulation scheme for Australian Government employees; 15.4% employer contribution; CSC-administered
• Public Sector Super Guide 2026 — Covers all three Commonwealth civilian schemes: CSS (defined benefit, closed 1990), PSS (defined benefit, closed 2005), and PSSap (open accumulation); untaxed element explained
• GESB Super Review 2026 — Western Australian public sector fund; state-regulated (not APRA); West State Super has significant untaxed element tax implications

Comparison and Strategy Guides

• Best Super Funds Australia 2026 — Full comparison table across Australia’s top funds: fees, returns, insurance, and who each fund suits
• Super Fund Comparison Table 2026 — Head-to-head data table covering fees, performance, insurance, and investment options for major funds
• Industry Super vs Retail Super — How the two fund types differ on fees, ownership, performance, and investment options
• How to Switch Super Funds — Step-by-step guide: open a new account, check insurance, initiate the rollover, notify your employer

Which Fund Type Is Right for You?

For advice tailored to your situation, speak with a licensed financial adviser. You can find one through the ASIC financial advisers register or MoneySmart.