Cbus (Construction and Building Unions Superannuation) is the industry super fund for Australia’s construction, building, and allied industries. It manages over $100 billion for approximately 900,000 members, and is particularly known for its strong long-term investment returns.
This review provides general information only and is based on publicly available data. It is not a personal recommendation.
Cbus at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Fund type | Industry fund (profit-to-members) |
| Target industry | Construction, building trades, allied industries |
| Members | ~900,000 |
| Funds under management | ~$100+ billion |
| Default option | Growth (Cbus MySuper) |
| Regulated by | APRA, ASIC |
Fees — Cbus Super
| Fee Type | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Administration fee | $1.75/week (~$91/year) flat |
| Investment fee | 0.38–0.55% of balance |
| Indirect cost ratio | 0.10–0.15% |
| Total fee (example: $50k Growth default) | ~$400–$520/year (~0.80–1.04%) |
Fees are mid-range among industry funds — somewhat higher than the lowest-cost providers (Hostplus index, Vanguard) but in line with most large industry funds.
Investment Performance — Growth (MySuper Default)
Cbus’s default Growth option has been consistently top-ranked by both APRA and independent researchers including Chant West.
| Period | Approximate Annual Return (Growth) |
|---|---|
| 1-year (FY2024–25) | ~9–11% (indicative) |
| 5-year average | ~7–9% per year |
| 10-year average | ~8–10% per year |
Cbus has historically been one of the top-5 performing growth/MySuper options over 10 years, largely driven by significant allocations to unlisted infrastructure and property — assets that have performed strongly while listed markets were volatile.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Investment Options
| Option | Approx. Growth Assets | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| High Growth | ~95% | Very High |
| Growth (default) | ~80% | High |
| Conservative Growth | ~65% | Medium |
| Conservative | ~40% | Low–Medium |
| Cash | ~0% | Very Low |
Cbus also offers indexed options at lower cost for members who prefer passive management.
Insurance — Cbus Super
Insurance is a core feature for construction industry workers, who face elevated risk of workplace injury:
| Cover Type | Default Cover |
|---|---|
| Life (death) cover | Yes — units of cover, age-based |
| Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) | Yes — “own occupation” definition for most members |
| Income Protection | Yes — 52-week benefit period, 30-day waiting period (for eligible members) |
Key distinction: Cbus offers “own occupation” TPD for many member categories — this is more generous than the “any occupation” definition used by many other funds. It means you may be eligible for a TPD claim if you can’t work in your specific trade, even if you could theoretically do other work.
Construction workers should carefully review whether their income protection cover suits their situation — particularly the benefit period and waiting period.
Who Is Cbus Best Suited To?
Cbus is a strong option for:
- Construction, building, and allied trade workers
- Members who value “own occupation” TPD cover relevant to physical trades
- Members who want top-tier historical investment performance in a large, well-managed fund
- Members comfortable with significant unlisted asset exposure in their default option
Members outside the construction sector can also join Cbus as a “choice” member — however, insurance cover and eligibility conditions may differ.
For further comparisons: Best Super Funds Australia, AustralianSuper Review, Aware Super Review. For advice tailored to your situation, speak with a licensed financial adviser through MoneySmart.