Quick Verdict
Mine Super is cheaper at $50k ($459/yr vs $465/yr). Mine Super leads on 10-year returns (7.50% vs 7.20%).
Fund Overview
First Super
| Type | Industry |
| Established | 1984 |
| Trustee | First Super Pty Ltd |
| HQ State | VIC |
| Members | 50K |
| Assets (AUM) | $6B |
Mine Super
| Type | Industry |
| Established | 1992 |
| Trustee | AUSCOAL Superannuation Pty Ltd |
| HQ State | NSW |
| Members | 60K |
| Assets (AUM) | $13B |
Fee Comparison
| Fee Component | First Super | Mine Super |
|---|
| Admin Fee (flat) | $85 | $104 |
| Admin Fee (%) | 0.20% | 0.15% |
| Investment Fee | 0.48% | 0.50% |
| Indirect Cost Ratio | 0.08% | 0.06% |
| Buy/Sell Spread | 0.10% | 0.10% |
Total Annual Fee by Balance
| Balance | First Super | Mine Super |
|---|
| $10,000 | $161 | $175 |
| $25,000 | $275 | $282 |
| $50,000 | $465 | $459 |
| $100,000 | $845 | $814 |
| $250,000 | $1,985 | $1,879 |
| $500,000 | $3,885 | $3,654 |
Performance Comparison
| Period | First Super | Mine Super |
|---|
| 1-Year | 10.20% | 10.50% |
| 3-Year | 7.00% | 7.50% |
| 5-Year | 7.20% | 7.80% |
| 7-Year | 7.50% | 7.80% |
| 10-Year | 7.20% | 7.50% |
| FY2024 | 8.00% | 8.50% |
| FY2023 | 9.00% | 9.50% |
| FY2022 | -3.20% | -2.50% |
| FY2021 | 18.00% | 18.50% |
| FY2020 | -0.50% | -0.20% |
| FY2019 | 7.50% | 7.80% |
| FY2018 | 9.20% | 9.50% |
| FY2017 | 11.50% | 11.50% |
| FY2016 | 3.00% | 3.80% |
| FY2015 | 9.20% | 9.50% |
Insurance Comparison
First Super
| Insurer | MetLife Insurance |
| Death Cover | Yes — opt-out |
| TPD Cover | Yes — opt-out |
| IP Cover | Yes — opt-in |
Mine Super
| Insurer | MetLife Insurance |
| Death Cover | Yes — opt-out |
| TPD Cover | Yes — opt-out, any/own occupation |
| IP Cover | Yes — opt-in |
APRA Heatmap Ratings
First Super
| Fee Rating | Above median |
| Return Rating | Below median |
| Sustainability | Attention |
Mine Super
| Fee Rating | Above median |
| Return Rating | Around median |
| Sustainability | Performing |
Investment Options
First Super
| Total Options | 6 |
| Ethical/ESG Option | No |
| Indexed Option | No |
| Direct Investing | No |
Mine Super
| Total Options | 9 |
| Ethical/ESG Option | No |
| 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 |
Mine Super
| App Ratings | iOS 4.2 / Android 4.0 |
| Advice | Not specified |
| AFCA Complaints | 4.2 per 10k members |
| Call Centre | Not specified |
Verdict
On fees, Mine Super is the more affordable option. At a $50,000 balance, Mine Super costs $459 per year compared to $465 for First Super — a difference of $6 annually. That gap is small enough that it should not be the deciding factor between these two funds.
Looking at long-term performance, Mine Super holds the edge with a 10-year return of 7.50% versus 7.20% for First Super — a gap of 0.30% per annum. While not enormous, that gap adds up over the compounding horizon of a superannuation balance.
On insurance, First Super uses MetLife Insurance while Mine Super is backed by MetLife Insurance. On member satisfaction, Mine Super has fewer AFCA complaints at 4.2 per 10,000 members compared to 4.4 for the other.
First Super is best suited for construction workers, while Mine Super targets miners energy workers, fifo workers. The two funds also serve different industries: First Super focuses on timber, furniture, while Mine Super targets mining, energy. 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.