We’re Australia’s largest super fund, trusted by over 3.4 million members. Members benefit from our 38-year history of strong, long-term performance combined with low admin fees helping to build retirement savings. Our size and scale provides unique access to large scale investment opportunities, plus our tools and guidance help you to make informed decisions about your super. Anyone is welcome to join.
With a low admin fee and strong long-term returns, Hostplus is a fund for all Australians. We work tirelessly for our members, to help them build the financial future they deserve. A future full of good stuff. A future full of positivity. That’s a plus.
HESTA invests in and for people who make our world better. We’re a specialist industry fund with deep connections to health and community services. Click below to be part of a top long term performing fund that’s working for real world impact.
With a history of strong long-term returns, we're proud to be the fund for those that build and maintain Australia. Everything we do is to benefit our members, so that their hard work pays off in retirement. Cbus manages the investments for:
Smart, proactive investing and competitive fees. That’s how we help members reach their financial goals. The result? Strong long-term returns for members – and a list of awards to match. Join CareSuper for exceptional service and a focus on real care.
The top specialist fund for transport, energy and mining workers. Since 1941 Team Super has been a trusted super partner in the industries we serve, championing Australian workers' retirement outcomes. We are committed to providing strong long-term returns and doing the fundamentals well.
We’re a trusted super fund with over 70,000 members and more than $5 billion in super savings. We're proud of our strong long-term investment returns and our customer service. Members have access to hands-on support and financial advice available across the country. We’re here to help you make the most of your super. We're the Industry SuperFund that accepts KiwiSaver transfers. Open to all, including New Zealanders working in Australia.
How to choose a superannuation fund
When selecting a superannuation fund, it’s important to ensure you choose one that meets your needs. Things to consider include:
- Whether the fund has a history of good net investment returns
- The administration and investment fees charged
- Whether the fund offers a range of investment options
- The cost of death, total and permanent disability and income protection insurance cover it offers
- The availability of affordable advice to help you make decisions about your supe
Joining the fund
Once you’ve decided which fund is for you, you’ll need to apply to become a member of the fund. Each fund has its own method of joining up. These days most superannuation funds make it easy for you to join by completing an online application form.
For some you’ll have to print out and complete the form and send it back to the fund. A few days after submitting your application, you should receive a letter from your fund giving you your account number and name, as well as details about your fund which will be required by your employer.
Choice of Super Fund form: Telling your employer
As soon as you receive your membership details, make sure you tell your employer so that they can pay your super into the right fund. All you need to do is:
- Fill out our Choice of Superannuation Fund form online if you have chosen an Industry SuperFund; OR
- Download and print out the Australian Taxation Office's (ATO) Standard Choice Form
Give the form to your employer. Do not send it to your super fund or the ATO.
The Choice of Superannuation Fund form will have all the fund details auto-populated if you choose an Industry SuperFund, so it’s very simple to complete. The ATO's Standard Choice Form requires you to complete additional details such as your superannuation fund’s ABN and product identification number (SPIN) which should be in the welcome pack your fund sends you, but these details can also usually be found on your fund’s website.
If you don’t fill out a choice of fund form your employer will look to see if you have a fund that previous employers have paid into. This is your stapled fund; if there isn’t one then they will pay into a default fund named in the award or workplace agreement.
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What is an industry super fund?
Industry superannuation funds, as the name suggests, were originally established to look after the super and retirement needs of people in specific industries such as construction, hospitality or healthcare, while protecting them from high fees and commissions. Nowadays however, all Australians are welcome to join them, no matter what industry they work in. And unlike retail funds, which are owned by banks and other large financial corporations, industry funds are in effect owned by their members. Currently, industry funds look after the superannuation of more than 11 million workers in Australia.
Only benefit members
An industry super fund is one that is run only to benefit its members, and not the interests of external shareholders. This means that profits are returned to the fund and its account-holders, instead of being paid out in dividends as is the case with retail (e.g. bank-owned) funds.
Low fees
A key benefit of industry super funds is their low fees, while still providing strong long-term performance, high quality, professional advice, a range of investment choices and insurance options.
Strong performance
On average Industry SuperFunds have out-performed retail super funds over the past five, ten and 15 years*. This means better returns and a more comfortable life in retirement for their members.
APRA-regulated
All industry super funds are regulated by APRA.
Industry Super Australia
Industry Super Australia manages collective programs on behalf of 7 Industry SuperFunds, with the objective of maximising the retirement savings of six million Australians. Their work includes the Industry SuperFunds marketing campaign, which provides information about superannuation and the benefits of membership of funds that carry the symbol.
**Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance and should never be the sole factor considered when selecting a fund. Comparisons modelled by SuperRatings, commissioned by ISA, and shows average differences in net benefit of the 'main Balanced option' of 7 Industry SuperFunds and retail funds tracked by SuperRatings, over a 5, 10 and 15 year period . A 'main Balanced option' being the fund's largest Balanced option where 60% to 76% of the fund's assets are invested in growth investments. This is generally the fund's default option. Where a fund does not have a Balanced option, the option closest to SuperRatings’ benchmark range of 60% to 76% growth investments is used. Outcomes vary between individual funds. Modelling performed on 14 October 2024 using data as at 30 June 2024. See www.industrysuper.com/assumptions for more details about modelling calculations and assumptions. Consider a fund's Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and your personal financial situation, needs or objectives, which are not accounted for in this information, before making an investment decision. ISA Pty Ltd ABN 72 158 563 270 Corporate Authorised Representative No. 426006 of Industry Fund Services Ltd ABN 54 007 016 195 AFSL 232514. Note: As of 21 March 2025 TWU Super (ABN 77 343 563 307), merged into Team Superannuation Fund (ABN 16 457 520 308). Assumes initial starting balance of $50,000 and initial salary of $50,000.
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Which funds have the lowest fees?
On the whole, industry super funds are set up to have low fees and usually have lower fees than retail funds.
Types of fees
There are different types of fees you can expect to pay, no matter what type of fund you are in. Administration fees for managing accounts in industry super funds usually comprise a small, set weekly fee, plus a percentage of the annual account balance up to a maximum each year. Investment fees are designed to cover the costs of managing investments in a member's super account and vary depending on the type of investment chosen. Fees can also be charged for insurance products, advice and certain transactions.
Where do I find them?
All fees are outlined on funds' websites, either on a dedicated fees page or on specific investment pages.
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Can I change super fund online?
You can join a super fund online via the fund's website. All 7 Industry SuperFunds have online join forms. Usually, you'll need to have your Tax File Number handy, as well as your employer's ABN if you are an employee. Once you've joined, your new fund will be able to help find any lost super and consolidate all of your super into your new account, which means you'll only have one set of fees to pay, and therefore have more super for your retirement.
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I am retiring now, are there extra things to consider?
Retirement should be one of the most enjoyable milestones in life, and there are a few things you can do in the lead up to retirement to give you more income from your super.
Speak to a financial planner
To make the most out of your move into retirement, make sure you're setting yourself up for the best possible retirement income, by chatting to a financial advisor who specialises in retirement planning such as the ones at your industry super fund.
Ask them about combining super with the age pension, the effect of deeming rates on a pension, and how to best use any end-of-employment payouts and windfalls.
Make some final contributions to your super
If you are under 67 of age, you can make up to three years' worth of voluntary after-tax (non-concessional) contributions to your super, to a maximum of $330,000, as long as no additional after-tax contributions are made in the two years after that.
This means you can make a final top-up to your super, and enjoy the tax benefits on the investment in retirement. You might also be eligible for a super co-contribution.
Plan to be active and connected
After a lifetime of working regularly, many retirees suddenly find all the free time, and loss of responsibility, quite daunting and deflating. Plan to live an active and fulfilling life in retirement by thinking about the things you want to do, the groups you want to join, new skills you want to learn and even old hobbies you'd like to pick up again.
Staying connected to the community, friends and family, and feeling valued as an experienced and capable senior in society is vital for the physical and emotional wellbeing of most retirees.
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How many super funds are there?
Currently there are over 100 superannuation funds on offer to the public. It’s a huge array, which is why it’s important to compare funds. Over the past 5, 10 and 15 years, most Industry SuperFunds have provided better returns than most retail funds*.
*Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance and should never be the sole factor considered when selecting a fund.
Comparisons modelled by SuperRatings, commissioned by ISA, and shows average differences in net benefit of the 'main Balanced option' of 7 Industry SuperFunds and retail funds tracked by SuperRatings, over a 5, 10 and 15 year period . A 'main Balanced option' being the fund's largest Balanced option where 60% to 76% of the fund's assets are invested in growth investments. This is generally the fund's default option. Where a fund does not have a Balanced option, the option closest to SuperRatings’ benchmark range of 60% to 76% growth investments is used. Outcomes vary between individual funds. Modelling performed on 14 October 2024 using data as at 30 June 2024.See www.industrysuper.com/assumptions for more details about modelling calculations and assumptions. Consider a fund's Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and your personal financial situation, needs or objectives, which are not accounted for in this information, before making an investment decision. ISA Pty Ltd ABN 72 158 563 270 Corporate Authorised Representative No. 426006 of Industry Fund Services Ltd ABN 54 007 016 195 AFSL 232514. Assumes initial starting balance of $50,000 and initial salary of $50,000.
Note: As of 21 March 2025 TWU Super (ABN 77 343 563 307), merged into Team Superannuation Fund (ABN 16 457 520 308). -
Can you choose any super fund in Australia?
You can't choose your super fund if:
- You are employed under the terms of an Enterprise Agreement made prior to 1 July 2020 that specifies which super fund your superannuation will be paid into
- You are a federal or state public sector employee excluded from choice by law or regulations
- You are in a particular type of defined benefit fund, or you have already reached a maximum benefit in that defined benefit scheme
If you are not sure what award or industrial agreement, if any, you are covered by, talk to your employer's human resources (HR) department, phone the workplace relations department in your state or territory or visit Fair Work Commission website.
References: APRA