Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
Industry fund
Australian Food Super is the current name of AMIST Super. It has meat-industry roots and is now open to everyone.
Anyone can join, subject to product rules. People can remain members when they leave the meat industry.
Retail fund
Bendigo SmartStart Super continues under Betashares ownership. Existing product terms should be assessed separately from any proposed future Betashares super product.
Check current availability for the specific product and option. Certain failed investment options are closed to new members.
Choose the actual investment pathway for each account. For lifecycle products, select the named stage relevant to you. No stage is selected automatically.
| Measure | MySuper | Choose an investment option |
|---|---|---|
| Return basis | MySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative member | Choose an option |
| 3-year return, per year | 6.77% | Choose an option |
| 5-year return, per year | 6.02% | Choose an option |
| 7-year return, per year | 6.52% | Choose an option |
| 10-year return, per year | 7.14% | Choose an option |
| APRA strategic growth allocation | 68.25% | Choose an option |
| Reported total fees, net of tax, at $50,000 | $440 a year (0.88%) | Choose an option |
| Administration and advice costs, net of tax (included in total) | $125 a year | Choose an option |
| 2026 performance test | Pass | Choose an option |
| New-member status at reporting date | Check the current product eligibility rules | Check the current product eligibility rules |
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 | Australian Food Super | Bendigo SmartStart Super |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | Anyone can join, subject to product rules. People can remain members when they leave the meat industry. Sources123 | Check current availability for the specific product and option. Certain failed investment options are closed to new members. Sources123 |
| Accounts and products | Superannuation and pension products. Sources123 | Bendigo SmartStart Super and SmartStart Pension. Sources123 |
| Investment choices | The fund has MySuper and Choice investments. Pension members can access the Choice menu but not the MySuper option. Sources123 | MySuper is an age-based strategy using Growth Index, Balanced Index and Conservative Index at different ages, with a separate choice menu. Sources123 |
| Insurance | Members can opt in to life, TPD and income protection cover. Check eligibility and the current insurer documents, especially for manual work or changing employment. Sources123 | Insurance is available under the SmartStart policy and guide. Sources123 |
| Retirement income | Australian Food Super Pension provides an account-based income product. Compare its fee and investment documents separately from accumulation super. Sources123 | SmartStart Pension has its own product documentation. Sources123 |
| Advice and support | The fund has engaged Retire360 to provide advice. Confirm which assistance is included and what a more detailed personal plan costs. Sources123 | Use the current support and advice documents to establish services and charges. Sources123 |
| Fee details to check | Use the current product disclosure and member guide for the option and account type. Include insurance premiums in a personal comparison. Sources123 | Use the current PDS and updates; ownership change alone does not establish a fee reduction. Sources123 |
| Comparing investment performance | Compare the published MySuper or Choice option over identical dates and distinguish pension from accumulation results. Sources123 | The current site reports that Bendigo Balanced Wholesale and Bendigo High Growth Index did not pass the 2026 APRA performance test. This finding is option-specific, not a claim about every SmartStart option. Sources123 |
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
Worth comparing for food-industry workers who want to investigate occupation-specific insurance and a conventional super-and-pension offering.
Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
Most useful for an existing member reviewing their exact option and current alternatives.
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 Australian Food Super profile · Read the full Bendigo SmartStart Super 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.