Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
Restricted public sector fund
ADF Super holds retirement savings for eligible current and former Australian Defence Force members.
Entry is tied to ADF service. Members who meet the continuous-service rules can keep contributing after leaving Defence.
Industry fund
AustralianSuper combines a conventional Balanced default with a choice of pooled investments and a Member Direct account for people who want to choose listed investments themselves.
Open to people working in Australia, subject to the product's eligibility rules. Employer arrangements can affect insurance, particularly AustralianSuper Select.
Choose the actual investment pathway for each account. For lifecycle products, select the named stage relevant to you. No stage is selected automatically.
| Measure | ADF MySuper | AustralianSuper MySuper |
|---|---|---|
| Return basis | MySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative member | MySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative member |
| 3-year return, per year | 9.65% | 9.06% |
| 5-year return, per year | 6.68% | 6.34% |
| 7-year return, per year | 6.99% | 7.31% |
| 10-year return, per year | Not reported | 8.27% |
| APRA strategic growth allocation | 69.06% | 73.42% |
| Reported total fees, net of tax, at $50,000 | $455 a year (0.91%) | $345 a year (0.69%) |
| Administration and advice costs, net of tax (included in total) | $75 a year | $85 a year |
| 2026 performance test | Pass | Pass |
| New-member status at reporting date | Check the current product eligibility rules | Check the current product eligibility rules |
At $50,000, the reported annual total-cost difference is $110. AustralianSuper's selected reporting pathway has the lower reported cost on this measure. The figures cover the year to June 2026; current prices, insurance and separately charged advice can change the comparison.
The growth allocations are 69.06% and 73.42%. A return gap can reflect different exposure to growth assets, and similar headline allocations can still contain different investments.
A performance-test pass is a benchmark result for the tested product or pathway. It is not an endorsement or a guarantee of future performance.
Source: APRA Comprehensive Product Performance Package 2026, published 28 August 2026. Fees reflect the reporting year to 30 June 2026, are net of tax, use standard arrangements and exclude member-activity fees. Dollar figures are rounded. They are not a current quote. Check the latest PDS for changes, insurance premiums and any separately charged advice.
Returns are annualised historical results. Different return bases, risk levels and periods cannot be treated as interchangeable. MySuper net returns use a $50,000 representative balance even when you change the fee balance. A lifecycle stage return does not track a person moving between stages. Missing figures mean not reported, not zero. Past returns do not predict future returns. Read our method and APRA's definitions.
| What to compare | ADF Super | AustralianSuper |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | Entry is tied to ADF service. Members who meet the continuous-service rules can keep contributing after leaving Defence. Sources123 | Open to people working in Australia, subject to the product's eligibility rules. Employer arrangements can affect insurance, particularly AustralianSuper Select. Sources1 |
| Accounts and products | Accumulation super for eligible Defence personnel; ADF Cover is a separate death and invalidity arrangement. ADF Super ADF Cover lifePLUS Protect after service Sources123 | Public accumulation accounts; Choice Income and TTR Income are separate products. AustralianSuper accumulation Choice Income account-based pension TTR Income Member Direct investment option Sources1234567 |
| Investment choices | MySuper Balanced The four options are MySuper Balanced, Cash, Income Focused and Aggressive. Sources123 | Balanced The menu has three distinct approaches. PreMixed options put different asset classes into a single portfolio. DIY Mix lets you choose the proportions allocated to the fund's asset-class options. Member Direct provides access to eligible listed investments and term deposits within AustralianSuper, with its own costs and restrictions. Sources23 |
| Insurance | Eligible serving personnel receive ADF Cover death and invalidity benefits at no extra cost. Eligible former members may obtain lifePLUS Protect, including automatic death and TPD cover or cover applied for separately. Sources123 | Insurance cover can include death, total and permanent disablement and income protection. Cover and pricing depend on eligibility and work rating. Insurance is not available inside Choice Income or TTR Income accounts. Sources47 |
| Comparing investment performance | Compare the selected investment option separately from ADF Cover and any civilian insurance premiums. Sources123 | Use the same investment option and end date on both sides of a comparison. AustralianSuper's crediting rates deduct investment fees, transaction costs and tax, but its treatment of the percentage administration fee changed historically. A Balanced return is not a return earned by every member. Compare Balanced with a portfolio of similar risk, not automatically with every option called Balanced. Separate the current fee schedule from the announced 31 October 2026 schedule. Sources2 |
| Retirement income | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Choice Income provides retirement income, while TTR Income is for eligible people accessing part of their super before full retirement. Read the pension PDS separately because its fees and available features are not identical to an accumulation account. Sources4 |
| Advice and support | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Most telephone advice about an AustralianSuper account is included in the administration fee. Telephone advice about starting a pension or a transition to retirement strategy can cost extra; broader personal advice has an agreed fee. Sources4 |
| Fee details to check | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Compare administration, investment and transaction costs for your chosen option, then add insurance and any advice or Member Direct costs. AustralianSuper has announced an accumulation administration fee change for 31 October 2026: the asset-based rate will rise from 0.10% to 0.12% a year, and its cap from $350 to $600. The $1 weekly flat fee stays unchanged. These announced terms are not yet effective on the research date. Sources45 |
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
A useful comparison for Defence members starts with service status. The retirement account, serving-member cover and insurance after discharge have different rules. Treating them as one ordinary retail insurance package can obscure what changes when you leave.
Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
AustralianSuper is a useful starting point for comparing a broad-service fund. The menu accommodates people who want the fund to manage their investments and people who want more control. Size alone does not settle the choice: the announced fee change is particularly relevant at larger balances, and service history deserves attention alongside investment results.
Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.
Use the membership rules to establish which accounts are available to you. Then compare the total price of the investment option and cover you need. A lower fee or higher historical return alone does not tell you which fund is suitable.
Ask both funds to confirm insurance acceptance, exclusions, waiting periods and whether cover would change when you leave your employer. Obtain advice before giving up a defined benefit or an insurance policy you may not be able to replace. ASIC Moneysmart explains the comparison checks.
Read the full ADF Super profile · Read the full AustralianSuper profile · Choose another comparison
Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.
Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.