Best Super Funds in Australia 2026

Choosing the best super fund is one of the most impactful financial decisions an Australian can make. The difference between a top-performing, low-fee fund and a mediocre one can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars by retirement. This guide ranks the strongest super funds in Australia for 2026 based on fees, long-term performance, and APRA heatmap ratings.

Top super funds at a glance

Fund	Type	Total fees (MySuper)	10-yr return p.a.
AustralianSuper	Industry	0.57%	8.9%
Hostplus	Industry	0.63%	9.0%
Aware Super	Industry	0.61%	8.1%
HESTA	Industry	0.66%	8.3%
REST	Industry	0.56%	7.8%
UniSuper	Industry	0.49%	8.5%
Australian Retirement Trust	Industry	0.55%	8.6%
Cbus	Industry	0.66%	8.4%

Data as of April 2026. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

How we assess super funds

Our ranking considers four key factors:

Long-term returns (10-year): We weight 10-year returns most heavily because short-term performance is volatile and unreliable. A fund that has delivered consistent 8%+ returns over a decade is far more meaningful than one that had a single great year.
Total fees: Every dollar paid in fees is a dollar that can't compound. We calculate total annual cost at a $50,000 balance including admin fees, investment fees, and indirect costs.
APRA heatmap rating: APRA's annual performance test compares each MySuper product against a benchmark. Funds that fail this test must notify members — and repeated failure can lead to the fund being closed to new members.
Insurance and features: Default insurance cover, investment options, app quality, and member services all matter for the overall experience.

Industry funds vs retail funds

Industry funds have consistently outperformed retail funds over the past decade. This isn't surprising — industry funds are run on a profit-to-member basis (no shareholder profits to pay), which generally translates to lower fees and higher net returns. That said, some retail funds (particularly those that have cut fees in recent years) are competitive.

Key stat: APRA data shows the median industry fund returned 8.2% p.a. over 10 years, compared to 7.1% p.a. for the median retail fund. On a $100,000 balance over 20 years, that 1.1% gap means roughly $50,000 more at retirement.

Best for different needs

Best overall: AustralianSuper — largest fund, consistently strong returns, competitive fees
Best for low fees: Hostplus — indexed option has some of the lowest fees in the market
Best for ethical investing: HESTA — strong ESG options and responsible investment track record
Best for university staff: UniSuper — includes a defined benefit option for eligible members
Best for flexible investment: Australian Retirement Trust — broad range of options including direct shares

How to switch

Switching super funds is straightforward. Compare your options using our comparison calculator, then either roll over via MyGov or contact your chosen fund directly for a transfer form. Remember to check your insurance situation before switching — see our insurance inside super guide.

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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.