Quick Verdict
Cbus is cheaper at $50k ($393/yr vs $428/yr). Cbus leads on 10-year returns (8.40% vs 7.50%).
Fund Overview
Cbus
| Type | Industry |
| Established | 1984 |
| Trustee | United Super Pty Ltd |
| HQ State | VIC |
| Members | 900K |
| Assets (AUM) | $85B |
Spirit Super
| Type | Industry |
| Established | 2021 |
| Trustee | Spirit Super Pty Ltd |
| HQ State | TAS |
| Members | 340K |
| Assets (AUM) | $28B |
Fee Comparison
| Fee Component | Cbus | Spirit Super |
|---|
| Admin Fee (flat) | $78 | $78 |
| Admin Fee (%) | 0.00% | 0.14% |
| Investment Fee | 0.58% | 0.50% |
| Indirect Cost Ratio | 0.05% | 0.06% |
| Buy/Sell Spread | 0.10% | 0.10% |
Total Annual Fee by Balance
| Balance | Cbus | Spirit Super |
|---|
| $10,000 | $141 | $148 |
| $25,000 | $236 | $253 |
| $50,000 | $393 | $428 |
| $100,000 | $708 | $778 |
| $250,000 | $1,653 | $1,828 |
| $500,000 | $3,228 | $3,578 |
Performance Comparison
| Period | Cbus | Spirit Super |
|---|
| 1-Year | 11.50% | 10.80% |
| 3-Year | 8.20% | 7.50% |
| 5-Year | 8.40% | 7.50% |
| 7-Year | 8.50% | 7.80% |
| 10-Year | 8.40% | 7.50% |
| FY2024 | 8.80% | 8.20% |
| FY2023 | 10.20% | 9.50% |
| FY2022 | -2.20% | -2.80% |
| FY2021 | 20.50% | 18.50% |
| FY2020 | 0.20% | -0.50% |
| FY2019 | 8.20% | 7.50% |
| FY2018 | 10.20% | 9.50% |
| FY2017 | 12.80% | 11.50% |
| FY2016 | 4.50% | 3.50% |
| FY2015 | 10.20% | 9.50% |
Insurance Comparison
Cbus
| Insurer | MetLife Insurance |
| Death Cover | Yes — unitised, opt-out |
| TPD Cover | Yes — unitised, opt-out |
| IP Cover | Yes — opt-in |
Spirit Super
| Insurer | TAL Life Limited |
| Death Cover | Yes — opt-out |
| TPD Cover | Yes — opt-out |
| IP Cover | Yes — opt-in |
Annual Premium Comparison by Age
| Age | Cbus | Spirit Super |
|---|
| 25 | $160 | N/A |
| 30 | $270 | N/A |
| 35 | $450 | N/A |
| 40 | $690 | N/A |
| 45 | $1,080 | N/A |
| 50 | $1,650 | N/A |
| 55 | $2,450 | N/A |
| 60 | $3,500 | N/A |
APRA Heatmap Ratings
Cbus
| Fee Rating | Around median |
| Return Rating | Above median |
| Sustainability | Performing |
Spirit Super
| Fee Rating | Around median |
| Return Rating | Around median |
| Sustainability | Performing |
Investment Options
Cbus
| Total Options | 8 |
| Ethical/ESG Option | No |
| Indexed Option | No |
| Direct Investing | No |
Spirit Super
| Total Options | 8 |
| Ethical/ESG Option | No |
| Indexed Option | No |
| Direct Investing | No |
Member Services
Cbus
| App Ratings | iOS 4.4 / Android 4.2 |
| Advice | Limited personal advice included; Cbus coordinators on building sites |
| AFCA Complaints | 3.9 per 10k members |
| Call Centre | 8am-8pm AEST Mon-Fri |
Spirit Super
| App Ratings | iOS 4.2 / Android 4.0 |
| Advice | Not specified |
| AFCA Complaints | 3.5 per 10k members |
| Call Centre | Not specified |
Verdict
On fees, Cbus is the more affordable option. At a $50,000 balance, Cbus costs $393 per year compared to $428 for Spirit Super — a difference of $35 annually. Over a 30-year career, that difference compounds meaningfully.
Looking at long-term performance, Cbus holds the edge with a 10-year return of 8.40% versus 7.50% for Spirit Super — a gap of 0.90% per annum. While not enormous, that gap adds up over the compounding horizon of a superannuation balance.
On insurance, Cbus uses MetLife Insurance while Spirit Super is backed by TAL Life Limited. Cbus charges around $690/year for a 40-year-old's default cover. On member satisfaction, Spirit Super has fewer AFCA complaints at 3.5 per 10,000 members compared to 3.9 for the other.
Cbus is best suited for construction workers, fifo workers, while Spirit Super targets construction workers, public sector workers. The two funds also serve different industries: Cbus focuses on construction, building, while Spirit Super targets transport, construction. If your employer defaults to one of these funds, that alone may tip the decision.
Important information
The information on SuperFind is general in nature and does not take into account your personal financial situation, needs, or objectives. It is not personal financial advice. Before making any financial decisions about your superannuation, consider whether the information is appropriate for your circumstances and consider seeking advice from a licensed financial adviser. Super fund data including fees and performance returns shown on this site were current as of April 2026 — always verify figures on the fund's website. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Data sourced from APRA, ATO, and individual fund disclosures. SuperFind is a
DecisionLab publication.