Quick Verdict
UniSuper is cheaper at $50k ($280/yr vs $465/yr). UniSuper leads on 10-year returns (8.50% vs 7.20%).
Fund Overview
First Super
| Type | Industry |
| Established | 1984 |
| Trustee | First Super Pty Ltd |
| HQ State | VIC |
| Members | 50K |
| Assets (AUM) | $6B |
UniSuper
| Type | Industry |
| Established | 2000 |
| Trustee | UniSuper Limited |
| HQ State | VIC |
| Members | 650K |
| Assets (AUM) | $130B |
Fee Comparison
| Fee Component | First Super | UniSuper |
|---|
| Admin Fee (flat) | $85 | $60 |
| Admin Fee (%) | 0.20% | 0.04% |
| Investment Fee | 0.48% | 0.36% |
| Indirect Cost Ratio | 0.08% | 0.04% |
| Buy/Sell Spread | 0.10% | 0.09% |
Total Annual Fee by Balance
| Balance | First Super | UniSuper |
|---|
| $10,000 | $161 | $104 |
| $25,000 | $275 | $170 |
| $50,000 | $465 | $280 |
| $100,000 | $845 | $500 |
| $250,000 | $1,985 | $1,160 |
| $500,000 | $3,885 | $2,260 |
Performance Comparison
| Period | First Super | UniSuper |
|---|
| 1-Year | 10.20% | 12.00% |
| 3-Year | 7.00% | 8.30% |
| 5-Year | 7.20% | 8.50% |
| 7-Year | 7.50% | 8.60% |
| 10-Year | 7.20% | 8.50% |
| FY2024 | 8.00% | 9.20% |
| FY2023 | 9.00% | 10.80% |
| FY2022 | -3.20% | -3.00% |
| FY2021 | 18.00% | 21.20% |
| FY2020 | -0.50% | -0.80% |
| FY2019 | 7.50% | 8.80% |
| FY2018 | 9.20% | 10.80% |
| FY2017 | 11.50% | 12.90% |
| FY2016 | 3.00% | 4.50% |
| FY2015 | 9.20% | 10.80% |
Insurance Comparison
First Super
| Insurer | MetLife Insurance |
| Death Cover | Yes — opt-out |
| TPD Cover | Yes — opt-out |
| IP Cover | Yes — opt-in |
UniSuper
| Insurer | AIA Australia |
| Death Cover | Yes — unitised, opt-out |
| TPD Cover | Yes — unitised, opt-out |
| IP Cover | Yes — opt-in, 75% of salary |
Annual Premium Comparison by Age
| Age | First Super | UniSuper |
|---|
| 25 | N/A | $120 |
| 30 | N/A | $205 |
| 35 | N/A | $350 |
| 40 | N/A | $540 |
| 45 | N/A | $850 |
| 50 | N/A | $1,320 |
| 55 | N/A | $1,950 |
| 60 | N/A | $2,800 |
APRA Heatmap Ratings
First Super
| Fee Rating | Above median |
| Return Rating | Below median |
| Sustainability | Attention |
UniSuper
| Fee Rating | Below median |
| Return Rating | Above median |
| Sustainability | Performing |
Investment Options
First Super
| Total Options | 6 |
| Ethical/ESG Option | No |
| Indexed Option | No |
| Direct Investing | No |
UniSuper
| Total Options | 16 |
| 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 |
UniSuper
| App Ratings | iOS 4.7 / Android 4.5 |
| Advice | Included personal advice; comprehensive fee-for-service; campus consultants |
| AFCA Complaints | 3.2 per 10k members |
| Call Centre | 8am-8pm AEST Mon-Fri |
Verdict
On fees, UniSuper is the more affordable option. At a $50,000 balance, UniSuper costs $280 per year compared to $465 for First Super — a difference of $185 annually. That is a substantial gap that will compound significantly over decades.
Looking at long-term performance, UniSuper holds the edge with a 10-year return of 8.50% versus 7.20% for First Super — a gap of 1.30% 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 UniSuper is backed by AIA Australia. UniSuper charges around $540/year for a 40-year-old's default cover. On member satisfaction, UniSuper has fewer AFCA complaints at 3.2 per 10,000 members compared to 4.4 for the other.
First Super is best suited for construction workers, while UniSuper targets it professionals, education workers. Scale is a factor here: UniSuper manages $130B with 650K members, significantly larger than First Super's $6B. That scale advantage means better bargaining power on fees and deal access.
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.