Best Superannuation Funds in Australia 2025

Published: 18 November 2025 • Read time: 10–12 minutes

Small fee differences compound over decades. Pick the right fund and review yearly.

Super is likely your biggest financial asset after your home. In 2025 the employer Superannuation Guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, so even small fee or performance gaps compound into big-dollar differences by retirement. This guide shows what to check, how to compare funds, and how to consolidate safely using myGov.

1. How super works in 2025
2. What to compare
3. Building a 2025 shortlist
4. Side-by-side comparison (edit with your picks)
5. How to switch or consolidate
6. Common mistakes to avoid
7. FAQs

How super works in 2025

• Employer contributions: The Superannuation Guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2025.
• Voluntary contributions:
  • Concessional cap: $30,000 per year (before-tax), including SG + salary sacrifice + personal deductible contributions. Unused caps may be carried forward if eligible.
  • Non-concessional cap: $120,000 per year (after-tax). Bring-forward rule may allow up to $360,000 in one year if eligible.
• Default options: If you don’t choose, your employer pays into the default (usually a MySuper product).

Confirm current ATO rates and caps before acting.

What to compare

1. Net performance (5–10 years): Focus on net of fees outcomes versus peers in the same risk band.
2. Fees: Admin + investment fees + indirect costs. A 0.5% fee gap can erase tens of thousands over time.
3. Investment options: Default MySuper, Balanced/High Growth, Indexed, Sustainable, Lifecycle.
4. Insurance: Default death/TPD and optional income protection. Check premiums, definitions, exclusions.
5. Member tools: App UX, projections, advice access, contribution toggles, switching ease.
6. Regulatory signals: Avoid products that fail APRA’s annual performance test; check heatmaps and notices.

Compare by net outcomes, not marketing. Use official APRA dashboards plus independent research.

Building a 2025 shortlist

Start with funds that consistently rate well on independent research and have strong net returns after fees in your chosen risk band. Common names that appear in industry awards and research include Hostplus, AustralianSuper, UniSuper, Aware Super, and Rest. Treat awards as a pointer, then verify performance, fees, and insurance in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and on the regulator’s tools.

• Check APRA’s performance test and heatmaps: Identify products flagged as underperforming or above-fee peers.
• Check independent awards/ratings: Use them to cross-check consistency over years, not just one-off wins.

Awards and performance can change. Always confirm on the fund and regulator sites before switching.

Side-by-side comparison (template)

Edit with your chosen funds and current data. Keep the risk band (e.g., Balanced/MySuper) consistent across rows for fairness.

Fund	Default option	5–10 yr net returns*	Total fees on $50k	Insurance (default)	Notes
Hostplus	Balanced / MySuper	Insert latest	Insert latest	Default death/TPD; opt-in IP	Indexed and sustainable options available
AustralianSuper	Balanced / MySuper	Insert latest	Insert latest	Default death/TPD; IP add-on	Strong tooling; wide option set
UniSuper	Balanced / MySuper	Insert latest	Insert latest	Default death/TPD	Noted for responsible investment awards
Aware Super	Balanced / MySuper	Insert latest	Insert latest	Default death/TPD	Broad advice network
Rest	Core Strategy / MySuper	Insert latest	Insert latest	Default death/TPD	Large member base; strong app

*Net returns are after fees and taxes. Use regulator and fund reports to fill “Insert latest”.

How to switch or consolidate

1. Choose your target fund. Read the PDS and insurance details. Check fees and long-term net returns.
2. Open the new fund and get the member number.
3. Consolidate via myGov → ATO → Super → Manage → Transfer super. Select accounts to merge. Review insurance impacts before moving.
4. Tell your employer the new fund details so future SG contributions go to the right account.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Multiple accounts: You pay duplicate fees and may lose track of insurance.
• Chasing last year’s winner: Focus on multi-year net outcomes and consistency.
• Ignoring insurance: Check definitions, waiting periods, and premiums before switching.
• Overpaying fees for the same exposure: Indexed options can reduce costs if they fit your risk profile.
• Missing caps and tax: Keep concessional/non-concessional contributions within ATO caps.

Compare, choose, and consolidate

Shortlist 3–5 funds in the same risk band. Compare net returns and fees, then consolidate to cut duplicate costs.

Compare super funds · Consolidate online

Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you sign up through our links. This does not affect our comparisons.

Review once a year. Small improvements today scale into big balances tomorrow.

FAQs

What is the SG rate now?

12% from 1 July 2025.

What contribution caps apply?

Concessional $30,000 p.a.; Non-concessional $120,000 p.a. (bring-forward may allow up to $360,000 if eligible). Check ATO before contributing.

How do I know if a fund underperformed?

Check APRA’s annual performance test results and heatmaps. Funds that fail must notify members.

Can I have more than one super?

Yes, but duplicate fees and scattered insurance are common. Most people consolidate to one main fund.

How often should I review?

Annually or when life changes (job, income, family, insurance needs).

Next reads: End-of-Year Money Moves for Australians • Beginner’s Guide to Tax in Australia

General information only. Not financial advice. Confirm current ATO/APRA guidance, fees, insurance and performance before switching.