Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
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.
Industry fund
Brighter Super brings together Queensland local government and energy industry roots with the former Suncorp super business. It now serves a broader membership.
Open to a broad Australian membership. Employer and legacy product arrangements can differ, so use the disclosure documents for the account you would actually join.
Choose the actual investment pathway for each account. For lifecycle products, select the named stage relevant to you. No stage is selected automatically.
| Measure | Choose an investment option | Accumulation - MySuper |
|---|---|---|
| Return basis | Choose an option | MySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative member |
| 3-year return, per year | Choose an option | 9.73% |
| 5-year return, per year | Choose an option | 6.98% |
| 7-year return, per year | Choose an option | 7.02% |
| 10-year return, per year | Choose an option | 7.59% |
| APRA strategic growth allocation | Choose an option | 78.63% |
| Reported total fees, net of tax, at $50,000 | Choose an option | $365 a year (0.73%) |
| Administration and advice costs, net of tax (included in total) | Choose an option | $80 a year |
| 2026 performance test | Choose an option | Pass |
| 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 | Bendigo SmartStart Super | Brighter Super |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | Check current availability for the specific product and option. Certain failed investment options are closed to new members. Sources123 | Open to a broad Australian membership. Employer and legacy product arrangements can differ, so use the disclosure documents for the account you would actually join. Sources1234 |
| Accounts and products | Bendigo SmartStart Super and SmartStart Pension. Sources123 | Accumulation accounts, pension accounts and legacy or employer arrangements. Sources1234 |
| Investment choices | MySuper is an age-based strategy using Growth Index, Balanced Index and Conservative Index at different ages, with a separate choice menu. Sources123 | A MySuper default, ready-made multi-manager options and single-asset options. The comparison page states that MySuper is for accumulation accounts and is unavailable to pension and defined benefit members. Sources1234 |
| Insurance | Insurance is available under the SmartStart policy and guide. Sources123 | Insurance is available through super. Cover, eligibility and the insurance guide depend on the account or employer arrangement. Sources1234 |
| Retirement income | SmartStart Pension has its own product documentation. Sources123 | Pension and transition-to-retirement investment choices have their own return targets and fee documents. A pension return should not be compared directly with an accumulation return. Sources1234 |
| Advice and support | Use the current support and advice documents to establish services and charges. Sources123 | Member support and advice services are part of the fund's offering. Ask which questions the service covers and whether a separate advice fee applies. Sources1234 |
| Fee details to check | Use the current PDS and updates; ownership change alone does not establish a fee reduction. Sources123 | Use the current Investment and Fees Guide for the precise product and investment option. An old LGIAsuper, Energy Super or Suncorp fee figure is not a current Brighter Super quote. Sources1234 |
| Comparing investment performance | 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 | Match the investment option, account phase and reporting end date. For any history spanning the integration, read the explanation of the predecessor option. Sources1234 |
| Former names and account history | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | LGIAsuper: Brighter Super name launched in July 2022 following the Energy Super merger. Energy Super: Merged with LGIAsuper in July 2021; Brighter Super branding followed in July 2022. Suncorp Super: Business acquired in April 2022; successor fund transfer completed in June 2023. Sources5 |
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.
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
Worth comparing if you want an industry fund with Queensland connections and the choice to move beyond its default portfolio.
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 Bendigo SmartStart Super profile · Read the full Brighter 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.