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.
Restricted public sector fund
ESSSuper's Accumulation Plan serves eligible Victorian emergency services and State Super members, including their spouses.
The March 2026 PDS identifies current or former Victorian emergency services employees, State Super members and eligible spouses or de facto partners.
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 | ESSSuper |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | Anyone can join, subject to product rules. People can remain members when they leave the meat industry. Sources123 | The March 2026 PDS identifies current or former Victorian emergency services employees, State Super members and eligible spouses or de facto partners. Sources1 |
| Accounts and products | Superannuation and pension products. Sources123 | This profile focuses on the ESSSuper Accumulation Plan; defined benefit memberships require separate calculations. Accumulation Plan Separate ESSSuper defined benefit schemes Sources1 |
| Investment choices | The fund has MySuper and Choice investments. Pension members can access the Choice menu but not the MySuper option. Sources123 | Balanced Growth Managed The PDS lists ten options: eight diversified portfolios plus Shares Only and Cash. The default has a ten-year suggested investment timeframe and a High risk rating. Sources1 |
| 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 | Eligible members can access death-only, death and TPD, or income protection insurance. Sources1 |
| Retirement income | Australian Food Super Pension provides an account-based income product. Compare its fee and investment documents separately from accumulation super. Sources123 | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. |
| 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 | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. |
| 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 | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. |
| Comparing investment performance | Compare the published MySuper or Choice option over identical dates and distinguish pension from accumulation results. Sources123 | Use the Accumulation Plan PDS when comparing market investment options. Sources1 |
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
The accumulation account can complement a defined benefit. Compare each part on its own terms: investment choices and costs for accumulation, benefit rules for the defined benefit.
Sources1
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 ESSSuper 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.