GESB Super Review (2026) — WA Government Employees Super Fund

GESB (Government Employees Superannuation Board) is the superannuation fund for Western Australian public sector employees. GESB operates multiple products — including both accumulation and legacy defined benefit schemes.

Key Facts

Important: GESB is regulated by WA State legislation, not the Commonwealth’s APRA framework. This means some Commonwealth super regulations (e.g., certain SIS Act provisions) may not apply in the same way.

GESB Products

West State Super (WSS)

A defined benefit scheme closed to new members. Features an untaxed element (contributions have not been taxed in the fund — unlike most super). This has significant withdrawal tax implications for members approaching retirement.

Gold State Super (GSS)

Another closed defined benefit scheme. Very old scheme — most members are now in accumulation.

GESB Super (Accumulation)

An accumulation fund open to new WA public sector employees. Features:

• Competitive fees
• Range of investment options
• Normal 15% tax treatment

West State Super — The Untaxed Element Issue

For West State Super members, the untaxed element means:

• Contributions to the fund were NOT taxed at 15% (unlike normal super)
• At withdrawal, the untaxed component is taxed at marginal rate (up to 47%) not 0%
• Even for those over 60, there is a 15% tax on the untaxed element (with a 10% offset), or marginal rate minus 10% offset for larger amounts

This is a significant consideration for West State Super members planning their retirement — the tax on withdrawal is materially different from most Australian super.

Investment Options (GESB Super)

GESB Super offers multiple investment options including:

• Growth
• Balanced
• Stable
• Cash
• Socially Responsible

Who GESB Applies To

GESB is only open to eligible WA public sector employees. It is not a fund available to the general public. Private sector employees in WA use standard APRA-regulated industry and retail funds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is GESB available to people outside the WA public sector? No — GESB is only open to eligible WA State Government employees and certain WA public sector entities. Private sector employees in Western Australia use standard APRA-regulated industry and retail super funds. If you leave WA public sector employment, your GESB account remains but you generally cannot make new contributions to West State Super or Gold State Super (closed schemes), though you may be able to continue contributions to GESB Super (accumulation).

What is the untaxed element in West State Super and why does it matter? West State Super contributions were not taxed at 15% inside the fund (unlike standard super). This creates an “untaxed element” — the entire balance has never been taxed. At withdrawal: if you are under 60, the untaxed component is taxed at your marginal rate minus a 15% offset. If you are over 60, it is still taxed at 15% (not tax-free like normal super). This can result in a substantial tax bill at retirement, unlike normal accumulation super where withdrawals over 60 are generally tax-free. Specialist advice before drawing on West State Super is strongly recommended.

Can I roll my GESB account to a different fund? For GESB Super (accumulation), yes — you can generally roll your balance to another APRA-regulated fund. However, for West State Super and Gold State Super (defined benefit legacy schemes), rollovers may have very different implications — you may be commuting defined benefit entitlements, which have complex tax and benefit calculations. Never roll out of a defined benefit scheme without specialist financial advice, as the action may be irreversible and financially costly.

Is GESB regulated by APRA? No — GESB is regulated under WA State legislation (the Government Employees Superannuation Act 1987), not the Commonwealth’s APRA framework. This means some Commonwealth super regulations (such as the APRA annual performance test and some SIS Act provisions) do not apply to GESB in the same way. This makes direct comparison with APRA-regulated funds on the ATO’s YourSuper tool difficult or impossible.

If I retire in WA, should I keep my GESB account or roll it to a pension product? This is one of the most complex questions for WA public sector retirees — particularly for West State Super members with large untaxed element balances. The interaction of the untaxed element, age-based tax offsets, pension income streams, and Centrelink means testing creates a very complex planning environment. Specialist financial advice from an adviser experienced in WA public sector super is essential. Never make irreversible decisions (such as commuting to a lump sum) without understanding the full tax consequences.

Does GESB offer investment choice? Yes — for GESB Super (the accumulation product), members can choose from several investment options including Growth, Balanced, Stable, Cash, and Socially Responsible. West State Super members have limited or no investment choice within the defined benefit structure. Check the GESB website (gesb.com.au) or contact GESB member services for current details.

For GESB-specific retirement advice — particularly for West State Super members with untaxed element calculations — speak with a specialist financial adviser familiar with WA public sector super. Find an adviser via MoneySmart. For more: Super Fund Reviews, Defined Benefit Funds, Super Tax Components.