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AustralianSuper vs Freedom of Choice Super

Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.

By SuperGuru Group · Research checked 11 September 2026 · Historical APRA figures to 30 June 2026

AustralianSuper

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.

Membership

Open to people working in Australia, subject to the product's eligibility rules. Employer arrangements can affect insurance, particularly AustralianSuper Select.

Freedom of Choice Super

Retail fund brand

Freedom of Choice is an Acclaim-administered super and pension product with managed funds, listed investments and term deposits.

Membership

The current disclosure library provides separate application forms for personal super and pension.

Compare fees and investment returns

Choose the actual investment pathway for each account. For lifecycle products, select the named stage relevant to you. No stage is selected automatically.

APRA product data to 30 June 2026
MeasureAustralianSuper MySuperChoose an investment option
Return basisMySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative memberChoose an option
3-year return, per year9.06%Choose an option
5-year return, per year6.34%Choose an option
7-year return, per year7.31%Choose an option
10-year return, per year8.27%Choose an option
APRA strategic growth allocation73.42%Choose an option
Reported total fees, net of tax, at $50,000$345 a year (0.69%)Choose an option
Administration and advice costs, net of tax (included in total)$85 a yearChoose an option
2026 performance testPassChoose an option
New-member status at reporting dateCheck the current product eligibility rulesCheck 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.

How the products differ

AustralianSuper and Freedom of Choice Super: product features and conditions
What to compareAustralianSuperFreedom of Choice Super
Membership and access

Open to people working in Australia, subject to the product's eligibility rules. Employer arrangements can affect insurance, particularly AustralianSuper Select.

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The current disclosure library provides separate application forms for personal super and pension.

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Accounts and products

Public accumulation accounts; Choice Income and TTR Income are separate products.

AustralianSuper accumulation

Choice Income account-based pension

TTR Income

Member Direct investment option

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Freedom of Choice Personal Super and Pension.

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Investment choices

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.

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The menu includes more than 150 managed funds, approved ASX300 shares and ETFs, term deposits and a cash account.

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Insurance

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.

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An insurance guide and occupation-rating forms set out the available cover. Do not assume the terms match Acclaim Core or an employer arrangement.

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Retirement income

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.

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A personal pension account is available with separate application and product terms.

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Advice and support

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.

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Adviser nomination and advice-fee consent forms are part of the service. Confirm who will make investment decisions and what they will charge.

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Fee details to check

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.

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Use Freedom of Choice's own reference guide and July 2026 updates. Platform, investments, transactions, cash and advice can all contribute to the cost.

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Comparing investment performance

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.

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Evaluate the selected managed funds or the member's complete portfolio; another AMG Super product's return is not a substitute.

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THE SUPERGURU VIEW

Our take on AustralianSuper

Editorial assessment

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.

Who might put it on their shortlist

  • People who want a broad investment menu and a pension pathway with the same provider.
  • Members considering direct shares or ETFs within a large super fund and prepared to compare the extra costs.

What deserves a closer look

  • Member Direct needs active investment decisions and has eligibility, investment and trading limits.
  • The coming administration fee increase means an older comparison can understate the cost after October 2026.
  • In February 2025, the Federal Court imposed a $27 million penalty for failures to merge duplicate member accounts. ASIC said affected members had been remediated. The finding makes administration and member service part of a fair assessment alongside investment returns.

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Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.

THE SUPERGURU VIEW

Our take on Freedom of Choice Super

Editorial assessment

May suit a member working with an adviser who needs this menu and has compared its total cost with alternatives.

What deserves a closer look

  • The legal fund is shared with other brands, which does not make their fees interchangeable.
  • A long investment list requires deliberate diversification.

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Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.

Before choosing between AustralianSuper and Freedom of Choice Super

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 AustralianSuper profile · Read the full Freedom of Choice Super profile · Choose another comparison