Fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workers earn some of the highest wages in Australia, which means super contributions are substantial and the right fund choice can make a significant financial difference. FIFO workers in mining, oil & gas, and construction typically accumulate large balances quickly, making percentage-based fees a critical consideration.
The best super fund for FIFO workers should offer competitive fees on larger balances ($100k-$500k+), strong TPD and income protection insurance that covers remote and hazardous work, and excellent long-term performance. Mine Super and Cbus are two funds with strong track records in serving FIFO workers, though larger general funds may offer lower total fees.
Top 5 Super Funds for FIFO Workers
Ranked at a typical balance of $140,000. Data current as of May 2026.
8.40% annualised return over 10 years. total fees of $960/year (0.69% of balance) at $140,000. 0.9M members. $85B in assets under management. sector alignment: fifo-workers, construction-workers.
- Strong 8.4% 10-year return with notably low COVID volatility (+0.2% in FY2020)
- Heavy property and infrastructure allocation benefits from construction industry expertise
- High default insurance cover ideal for manual workers
7.80% annualised return over 10 years. total fees of $1,086/year (0.78% of balance) at $140,000. 0.1M members. $35B in assets under management. sector alignment: miners-energy-workers, energy.
- Long heritage — established 1931, one of Australia's oldest funds
- Strong in infrastructure and property allocation
- Defined benefit products still available for eligible members
7.50% annualised return over 10 years. total fees of $1,086/year (0.78% of balance) at $140,000. 0.12M members. $18B in assets under management. sector alignment: miners-energy-workers, energy.
- Strong Queensland presence with local offices
- Heritage in local government and energy sectors
- Face-to-face advice available
7.20% annualised return over 10 years. total fees of $1,149/year (0.82% of balance) at $140,000. 0.05M members. $6B in assets under management. sector alignment: construction-workers.
- Tailored for timber, pulp, and building products workers
- Long heritage since 1984
- Insurance designed for manual work occupations
8.50% annualised return over 10 years. total fees of $676/year (0.48% of balance) at $140,000. 0.65M members. $130B in assets under management.
- Among the lowest fees of any major fund — $280 on $50k balance
- Strong 10-year returns of 8.5% — excellent fee-adjusted performance
- 16 investment options including sustainable and ethical choices
Fee Comparison at $140,000
How the top 5 funds compare on total annual fees at a $140,000 balance:
| # | Fund | Admin Fee | Inv. Fee | Total $/yr | Total % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cbus | $78 | 0.58% | $960 | 0.69% |
| 2 | Equip Super | $78 | 0.50% | $1,086 | 0.78% |
| 3 | Brighter Super | $78 | 0.48% | $1,086 | 0.78% |
| 4 | First Super | $85 | 0.48% | $1,149 | 0.82% |
| 5 | UniSuper | $60 | 0.36% | $676 | 0.48% |
Use our comparison calculator to see how these funds stack up at your actual balance and contribution level over 10, 20 or 30 years.
How We Ranked These Funds
Our ranking considers multiple factors relevant to fifo workers:
- Fees: Total annual cost (admin fee + investment fee + indirect costs) at a $140,000 balance
- Performance: 10-year and 5-year annualised returns on the default MySuper option
- Sector alignment: Whether the fund has specific expertise or tailoring for this segment
- APRA heatmap: The fund's fee and return ratings on APRA's MySuper Product Heatmap
- Fund size and stability: Total assets under management and member numbers
No fund pays for placement. Rankings are based on publicly available data from APRA, ATO, and individual fund disclosures.
Read Full Reviews
- Cbus Review
The super fund for construction, building, and allied industries.
- Equip Super Review
Industry fund serving members across a range of industries including energy, rail, and government.
- Brighter Super Review
Queensland-based industry fund formed from the merger of LGIAsuper and Energy Super.
- First Super Review
Industry fund for timber, pulp, paper, furniture, and building products workers.
- UniSuper Review
The super fund for Australia's higher education and research sector.