Quick Verdict
LUCRF Super is cheaper at $50k ($406/yr vs $438/yr). LUCRF Super leads on 10-year returns (7.50% vs 7.20%).
Fund Overview
LUCRF Super
| Type | Industry |
| Established | 1978 |
| Trustee | AustralianSuper Pty Ltd |
| HQ State | VIC |
| Members | 140K |
| Assets (AUM) | $10B |
Media Super
| Type | Industry |
| Established | 2008 |
| Trustee | Media Super Limited |
| HQ State | VIC |
| Members | 60K |
| Assets (AUM) | $8B |
Fee Comparison
| Fee Component | LUCRF Super | Media Super |
|---|
| Admin Fee (flat) | $91 | $78 |
| Admin Fee (%) | 0.10% | 0.18% |
| Investment Fee | 0.48% | 0.48% |
| Indirect Cost Ratio | 0.05% | 0.06% |
| Buy/Sell Spread | 0.10% | 0.12% |
Total Annual Fee by Balance
| Balance | LUCRF Super | Media Super |
|---|
| $10,000 | $154 | $150 |
| $25,000 | $248 | $258 |
| $50,000 | $406 | $438 |
| $100,000 | $721 | $798 |
| $250,000 | $1,666 | $1,878 |
| $500,000 | $3,241 | $3,678 |
Performance Comparison
| Period | LUCRF Super | Media Super |
|---|
| 1-Year | 10.50% | 10.20% |
| 3-Year | 7.20% | 7.50% |
| 5-Year | 7.00% | 7.20% |
| 7-Year | 7.50% | 7.50% |
| 10-Year | 7.50% | 7.20% |
| FY2024 | 8.00% | 8.20% |
| FY2023 | 9.50% | 9.50% |
| FY2022 | -3.50% | -3.20% |
| FY2021 | 18.50% | 18.00% |
| FY2020 | -1.00% | -0.50% |
| FY2019 | 7.50% | 7.50% |
| FY2018 | 9.20% | 9.50% |
| FY2017 | 11.50% | 11.80% |
| FY2016 | 3.50% | 3.20% |
| FY2015 | 9.50% | 9.80% |
Insurance Comparison
LUCRF Super
| Insurer | TAL Life Limited |
| Death Cover | Yes — opt-out |
| TPD Cover | Yes — opt-out |
| IP Cover | Yes — opt-in |
Media 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 | LUCRF Super | Media Super |
|---|
| 25 | $145 | N/A |
| 30 | $245 | N/A |
| 35 | $400 | N/A |
| 40 | $615 | N/A |
| 45 | $960 | N/A |
| 50 | $1,480 | N/A |
| 55 | $2,200 | N/A |
| 60 | $3,100 | N/A |
APRA Heatmap Ratings
LUCRF Super
| Fee Rating | Around median |
| Return Rating | Around median |
| Sustainability | Performing |
Media Super
| Fee Rating | Above median |
| Return Rating | Around median |
| Sustainability | Performing |
Investment Options
LUCRF Super
| Total Options | 6 |
| Ethical/ESG Option | No |
| Indexed Option | No |
| Direct Investing | No |
Media Super
| Total Options | 8 |
| Ethical/ESG Option | No |
| Indexed Option | No |
| Direct Investing | No |
Member Services
LUCRF Super
| App Ratings | iOS 4.7 / Android 4.5 |
| Advice | Via AustralianSuper |
| AFCA Complaints | 3.6 per 10k members |
| Call Centre | Not specified |
Media Super
| App Ratings | iOS 4.2 / Android 4.0 |
| Advice | Not specified |
| AFCA Complaints | 5.0 per 10k members |
| Call Centre | Not specified |
Verdict
On fees, LUCRF Super is the more affordable option. At a $50,000 balance, LUCRF Super costs $406 per year compared to $438 for Media Super — a difference of $32 annually. Over a 30-year career, that difference compounds meaningfully.
Looking at long-term performance, LUCRF Super holds the edge with a 10-year return of 7.50% versus 7.20% for Media 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, LUCRF Super uses TAL Life Limited while Media Super is backed by TAL Life Limited. LUCRF Super charges around $615/year for a 40-year-old's default cover. On member satisfaction, LUCRF Super has fewer AFCA complaints at 3.6 per 10,000 members compared to 5.0 for the other.
LUCRF Super is best suited for retail workers, while Media Super targets media entertainment workers. The two funds also serve different industries: LUCRF Super focuses on retail, warehouse, while Media Super targets media, entertainment. 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.