Quick Verdict
HESTA is cheaper at $50k ($408/yr vs $465/yr). HESTA leads on 10-year returns (8.30% vs 7.20%).
Fund Overview
First Super
| Type | Industry |
| Established | 1984 |
| Trustee | First Super Pty Ltd |
| HQ State | VIC |
| Members | 50K |
| Assets (AUM) | $6B |
HESTA
| Type | Industry |
| Established | 1987 |
| Trustee | H.E.S.T. Australia Ltd |
| HQ State | VIC |
| Members | 1.0M |
| Assets (AUM) | $75B |
Fee Comparison
| Fee Component | First Super | HESTA |
|---|
| Admin Fee (flat) | $85 | $78 |
| Admin Fee (%) | 0.20% | 0.08% |
| Investment Fee | 0.48% | 0.48% |
| Indirect Cost Ratio | 0.08% | 0.10% |
| Buy/Sell Spread | 0.10% | 0.12% |
Total Annual Fee by Balance
| Balance | First Super | HESTA |
|---|
| $10,000 | $161 | $144 |
| $25,000 | $275 | $243 |
| $50,000 | $465 | $408 |
| $100,000 | $845 | $738 |
| $250,000 | $1,985 | $1,728 |
| $500,000 | $3,885 | $3,378 |
Performance Comparison
| Period | First Super | HESTA |
|---|
| 1-Year | 10.20% | 11.80% |
| 3-Year | 7.00% | 8.10% |
| 5-Year | 7.20% | 8.30% |
| 7-Year | 7.50% | 8.40% |
| 10-Year | 7.20% | 8.30% |
| FY2024 | 8.00% | 9.00% |
| FY2023 | 9.00% | 10.50% |
| FY2022 | -3.20% | -2.90% |
| FY2021 | 18.00% | 19.50% |
| FY2020 | -0.50% | -0.10% |
| FY2019 | 7.50% | 8.50% |
| FY2018 | 9.20% | 10.50% |
| FY2017 | 11.50% | 12.80% |
| FY2016 | 3.00% | 4.00% |
| FY2015 | 9.20% | 10.50% |
Insurance Comparison
First Super
| Insurer | MetLife Insurance |
| Death Cover | Yes — opt-out |
| TPD Cover | Yes — opt-out |
| IP Cover | Yes — opt-in |
HESTA
| Insurer | TAL Life Limited |
| Death Cover | Yes — unitised, opt-out |
| TPD Cover | Yes — unitised, opt-out |
| IP Cover | Yes — opt-in |
Annual Premium Comparison by Age
| Age | First Super | HESTA |
|---|
| 25 | N/A | $140 |
| 30 | N/A | $235 |
| 35 | N/A | $395 |
| 40 | N/A | $600 |
| 45 | N/A | $920 |
| 50 | N/A | $1,420 |
| 55 | N/A | $2,100 |
| 60 | N/A | $3,000 |
APRA Heatmap Ratings
First Super
| Fee Rating | Above median |
| Return Rating | Below median |
| Sustainability | Attention |
HESTA
| Fee Rating | Around median |
| Return Rating | Above median |
| Sustainability | Performing |
Investment Options
First Super
| Total Options | 6 |
| Ethical/ESG Option | No |
| Indexed Option | No |
| Direct Investing | No |
HESTA
| Total Options | 8 |
| Ethical/ESG Option | Yes |
| Indexed Option | No |
| Direct Investing | No |
Member Services
First Super
| App Ratings | iOS 3.8 / Android 3.5 |
| Advice | Not specified |
| AFCA Complaints | 4.4 per 10k members |
| Call Centre | Not specified |
HESTA
| App Ratings | iOS 4.5 / Android 4.2 |
| Advice | Limited personal advice included |
| AFCA Complaints | 3.8 per 10k members |
| Call Centre | 8am-8pm AEST Mon-Fri |
Verdict
On fees, HESTA is the more affordable option. At a $50,000 balance, HESTA costs $408 per year compared to $465 for First Super — a difference of $57 annually. Over a 30-year career, that difference compounds meaningfully.
Looking at long-term performance, HESTA holds the edge with a 10-year return of 8.30% versus 7.20% for First Super — a gap of 1.10% per annum. That performance spread is significant and would result in tens of thousands of dollars difference over a working life.
On insurance, First Super uses MetLife Insurance while HESTA is backed by TAL Life Limited. HESTA charges around $600/year for a 40-year-old's default cover. On member satisfaction, HESTA has fewer AFCA complaints at 3.8 per 10,000 members compared to 4.4 for the other.
First Super is best suited for construction workers, while HESTA targets nurses healthcare workers, aged care workers. The two funds also serve different industries: First Super focuses on timber, furniture, while HESTA targets healthcare, aged care. 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.