Fees are the single biggest controllable factor in your super outcome. Over a 30-year career, a 0.5% difference in annual fees can cost you more than $100,000 in lost retirement savings. Unlike returns, which vary year to year, fees are guaranteed — you pay them whether markets go up or down.
The cheapest super funds minimise the combination of admin fees (flat dollar + percentage) and investment fees. Some funds offer ultra-low-cost indexed options under 0.10% investment fee, while others charge higher fees but aim to deliver higher returns through active management. The table below ranks all 19 major funds by total annual cost at a $50,000 balance.
Top 5 Super Funds for Low Fees
Ranked at a typical balance of $50,000. Data current as of April 2026.
8.50% annualised return over 10 years. total fees of $280/year (0.56% of balance) at $50,000. 0.65M members. $130B in assets under management. sector alignment: low-fees.
- Among the lowest fees of any major fund — $245 on $50k balance
- Strong 10-year returns of 8.5% — excellent fee-adjusted performance
- 16 investment options including sustainable and ethical choices
7.80% annualised return over 10 years. total fees of $348/year (0.70% of balance) at $50,000. 2.0M members. $85B in assets under management.
- Low fees — $280 on $50k balance, competitive for young workers
- Extended call centre hours including Saturdays
- Lifecycle investment approach in Core Strategy (reduces risk as you age)
8.60% annualised return over 10 years. total fees of $363/year (0.73% of balance) at $50,000. 2.3M members. $300B in assets under management.
- Second-largest fund in Australia at $300 billion — massive scale advantage
- Strong 10-year returns of 8.6% across both legacy products
- Competitive fees at $275 on $50k balance
9.00% annualised return over 10 years. total fees of $388/year (0.78% of balance) at $50,000. 1.8M members. $115B in assets under management.
- Highest 10-year return among major funds at 9.0%
- 22 investment options — one of the widest ranges available
- Choiceplus platform for direct share investing
8.90% annualised return over 10 years. total fees of $392/year (0.78% of balance) at $50,000. 3.4M members. $365B in assets under management. sector alignment: low fees.
- Consistently strong long-term returns — top quartile over 10 years
- Low total fees relative to fund size ($285 p.a. on $50k)
- Largest fund in Australia with $365 billion in assets
Fee Comparison at $50,000
How the top 5 funds compare on total annual fees at a $50,000 balance:
| # | Fund | Admin Fee | Inv. Fee | Total $/yr | Total % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UniSuper | $60 | 0.36% | $280 | 0.56% |
| 2 | REST | $78 | 0.48% | $348 | 0.70% |
| 3 | Australian Retirement Trust | $78 | 0.42% | $363 | 0.73% |
| 4 | Hostplus | $78 | 0.52% | $388 | 0.78% |
| 5 | AustralianSuper | $137 | 0.46% | $392 | 0.78% |
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 low fees:
- Fees: Total annual cost (admin fee + investment fee + indirect costs) at a $50,000 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
- UniSuper Review
The super fund for Australia's higher education and research sector.
- REST Review
The super fund for retail and fast food workers — one of Australia's largest by membership.
- Australian Retirement Trust Review
Formed from the merger of QSuper and Sunsuper — one of Australia's largest funds.
- Hostplus Review
The super fund for hospitality, tourism, recreation, and sport.
- AustralianSuper Review
Australia's largest super fund by membership and assets under management.