Australian Retirement Trust (ART) was formed in February 2022 through the merger of QSuper (Queensland government employees’ fund) and Sunsuper (a large open-membership industry fund). The combined entity manages more than $300 billion on behalf of over 2.4 million members, making it Australia’s second-largest super fund by assets.
ART brings together QSuper’s heritage of defined benefit management and retirement income products with Sunsuper’s track record in investment returns and member services. The merged fund is now open to all Australians.
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Australian Retirement Trust at a Glance
| Fund type | Industry (not-for-profit) |
| Members | 2.4 million+ |
| Assets under management | $300 billion+ |
| Default option | Balanced (lifecycle MySuper) |
| APRA Performance Test | Passed |
| Open to all Australians? | Yes (former QSuper defined benefit scheme is closed) |
| Website | australianretirementtrust.com.au |
Investment Options
ART offers a broad range of pre-mixed and single-sector investment options, including passive (index) options.
Pre-Mixed Options
| Option | Approx. Growth/Defensive Split | Character |
|---|---|---|
| High Growth | ~90–95% / 5–10% | Maximum growth |
| Balanced | ~75–80% / 20–25% | Default MySuper option |
| Moderate | ~55–60% / 40–45% | Medium risk |
| Conservative | ~30–35% / 65–70% | Lower risk |
| Cash | 0% / 100% | Capital preservation |
Index Options
ART offers passive (index) options for members who prefer lower-cost, benchmark-tracking investing:
| Option | Approx. Total Fee ($50k) |
|---|---|
| Index Balanced | ~$135–$160/year (~0.27–0.32%) |
| Index Australian Shares | ~$120–$145/year (~0.24–0.29%) |
| Index International Shares | ~$125–$150/year (~0.25–0.30%) |
QSuper Products (For Former QSuper Members)
Members who were in QSuper prior to the merger may retain access to QSuper-specific products, including the defined benefit accumulation scheme (now closed to new members) and specific QSuper insurance arrangements. Former QSuper members should check their account for which product they are in.
Fees
Default Balanced Option (Super Savings Account)
| Fee Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Administration fee | ~$1.50/week (~$78/year) + 0.05% of balance |
| Investment fee | ~0.50% |
| Indirect cost ratio | ~0.07% |
| Total (approx., $50k balance) | ~$383/year (~0.77%) |
| Total (approx., $100k balance) | ~$655/year (~0.66%) |
Fees are indicative — refer to ART’s current PDS for exact figures.
Performance
Balanced Option
ART’s Balanced option (incorporating the Sunsuper Balanced option’s track record, which continued post-merger) has delivered strong long-run returns:
- 10-year net return (Balanced): approximately 8.0–8.5% p.a. (based on published returns through FY2024–25, incorporating pre-merger Sunsuper history)
- APRA Performance Test: Passed
- APRA Heatmap: Green rated
The fund benefits from its scale — $300B+ in assets provides access to large unlisted infrastructure and private equity deals — and from Sunsuper’s established investment team, which has been retained post-merger.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Insurance
Death Cover
- Automatic cover for eligible members under 70
- Default cover varies by age group — see ART’s Insurance Guide
- Additional cover available on application
TPD Cover
- Automatic cover — “any occupation” definition for most members
- “Own occupation” cover available on application for eligible members
Income Protection
- Automatic cover for eligible members: up to 75% of income for up to 2 years (waiting period applies)
- Extended benefit periods available on application
Former QSuper Members — Insurance Note
Former QSuper members may have different insurance terms based on their pre-merger QSuper product. Check your ART account or contact ART member services to confirm your current insurance details.
ART vs QSuper vs Sunsuper — What Changed?
For members who were in one of the predecessor funds:
| Previous | Now | |
|---|---|---|
| QSuper members | QSuper defined benefit scheme (closed to new members), QSuper accumulation | ART Super Savings Account (accumulation); defined benefit members retain their defined benefit entitlement |
| Sunsuper members | Sunsuper accumulation accounts | ART Super Savings Account — branding changed, investment options rationalised post-merger |
The merger resulted in rationalisation of investment options — some Sunsuper and QSuper options were consolidated or renamed. If you were in either predecessor fund, review your current investment option to confirm it still aligns with your preferences.
Who Australian Retirement Trust Suits
Strong fit for:
- Members who want a large, scale-backed fund with a strong investment team
- Former QSuper or Sunsuper members — continuity of management and investment approach
- Members who want broad investment option choice including low-cost index options
- Members in Queensland who want a fund with deep local employer relationships
May not be ideal for:
- Members who want the absolute lowest fee in Australia — Hostplus Index Balanced remains slightly cheaper on the index option at most balance sizes
- Members who want “own occupation” TPD as an automatic default (ART defaults to “any occupation”)
How to Join Australian Retirement Trust
- Visit australianretirementtrust.com.au and apply online
- Complete identity verification with your TFN
- Notify your employer of your ART membership details
- Roll over existing super via myGov or ART’s rollover facility
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to my QSuper account? If you were a QSuper member, your accumulation account has been transferred to an Australian Retirement Trust Super Savings Account. Your balance, investment option (where equivalent options exist), and insurance were transferred as part of the merger. Defined benefit members retain their entitlements separately — contact ART for your specific situation.
What happened to my Sunsuper account? Former Sunsuper members’ accounts were transferred into equivalent ART Super Savings Accounts. Some investment option names changed. If you’re unsure which option you are currently in, log in to your ART online account at australianretirementtrust.com.au.
Is ART’s performance track record the same as Sunsuper’s? ART’s pre-merger return history uses the Sunsuper Balanced option’s track record (as the continuing legal entity for MySuper performance measurement purposes). This means ART’s published 10-year returns reflect Sunsuper’s investment performance.
See also: Super Fund Reviews. For advice tailored to your situation, speak with a licensed financial adviser. You can find one through the ASIC financial advisers register or MoneySmart.