Quick Verdict
Spirit Super is cheaper at $50k ($428/yr vs $438/yr). Spirit Super leads on 10-year returns (7.50% vs 7.20%).
Fund Overview
Media Super
| Type | Industry |
| Established | 2008 |
| Trustee | Media Super Limited |
| HQ State | VIC |
| Members | 60K |
| Assets (AUM) | $8B |
Spirit Super
| Type | Industry |
| Established | 2021 |
| Trustee | Spirit Super Pty Ltd |
| HQ State | TAS |
| Members | 340K |
| Assets (AUM) | $28B |
Fee Comparison
| Fee Component | Media Super | Spirit Super |
|---|
| Admin Fee (flat) | $78 | $78 |
| Admin Fee (%) | 0.18% | 0.14% |
| Investment Fee | 0.48% | 0.50% |
| Indirect Cost Ratio | 0.06% | 0.06% |
| Buy/Sell Spread | 0.12% | 0.10% |
Total Annual Fee by Balance
| Balance | Media Super | Spirit Super |
|---|
| $10,000 | $150 | $148 |
| $25,000 | $258 | $253 |
| $50,000 | $438 | $428 |
| $100,000 | $798 | $778 |
| $250,000 | $1,878 | $1,828 |
| $500,000 | $3,678 | $3,578 |
Performance Comparison
| Period | Media Super | Spirit Super |
|---|
| 1-Year | 10.20% | 10.80% |
| 3-Year | 7.50% | 7.50% |
| 5-Year | 7.20% | 7.50% |
| 7-Year | 7.50% | 7.80% |
| 10-Year | 7.20% | 7.50% |
| FY2024 | 8.20% | 8.20% |
| FY2023 | 9.50% | 9.50% |
| FY2022 | -3.20% | -2.80% |
| FY2021 | 18.00% | 18.50% |
| FY2020 | -0.50% | -0.50% |
| FY2019 | 7.50% | 7.50% |
| FY2018 | 9.50% | 9.50% |
| FY2017 | 11.80% | 11.50% |
| FY2016 | 3.20% | 3.50% |
| FY2015 | 9.80% | 9.50% |
Insurance Comparison
Media Super
| Insurer | TAL Life Limited |
| Death Cover | Yes — opt-out |
| TPD Cover | Yes — 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 |
APRA Heatmap Ratings
Media Super
| Fee Rating | Above median |
| Return Rating | Around median |
| Sustainability | Performing |
Spirit Super
| Fee Rating | Around median |
| Return Rating | Around median |
| Sustainability | Performing |
Investment Options
Media Super
| 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
Media Super
| App Ratings | iOS 4.2 / Android 4.0 |
| Advice | Not specified |
| AFCA Complaints | 5.0 per 10k members |
| Call Centre | Not specified |
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, Spirit Super is the more affordable option. At a $50,000 balance, Spirit Super costs $428 per year compared to $438 for Media Super — a difference of $10 annually. That gap is small enough that it should not be the deciding factor between these two funds.
Looking at long-term performance, Spirit 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, Media Super uses TAL Life Limited while Spirit Super is backed by TAL Life Limited. On member satisfaction, Spirit Super has fewer AFCA complaints at 3.5 per 10,000 members compared to 5.0 for the other.
Media Super is best suited for media entertainment workers, while Spirit Super targets construction workers, public sector workers. The two funds also serve different industries: Media Super focuses on media, entertainment, 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.