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
BUSSQ focuses on the building and construction industries. Its insurance is designed to accommodate high-risk jobs, including eligible casuals and contractors.
The fund also provides cover for white-collar workers. Check the product's joining rules and the insurance eligibility rules for the job you actually do.
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 | MySuper |
|---|---|---|
| Return basis | Choose an option | MySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative member |
| 3-year return, per year | Choose an option | 7.41% |
| 5-year return, per year | Choose an option | 5.02% |
| 7-year return, per year | Choose an option | 6.24% |
| 10-year return, per year | Choose an option | 6.66% |
| APRA strategic growth allocation | Choose an option | 69.77% |
| Reported total fees, net of tax, at $50,000 | Choose an option | $470 a year (0.94%) |
| Administration and advice costs, net of tax (included in total) | Choose an option | $95 a year |
| 2026 performance test | Choose an option | Fail |
| 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 | BUSSQ |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | Check current availability for the specific product and option. Certain failed investment options are closed to new members. Sources123 | The fund also provides cover for white-collar workers. Check the product's joining rules and the insurance eligibility rules for the job you actually do. Sources1234 |
| Accounts and products | Bendigo SmartStart Super and SmartStart Pension. Sources123 | BUSSQ Super and Income accounts, with existing term allocated pensions. 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 | The fund offers a diversified Balanced Growth portfolio and other investment choices under its Foundation + Flex approach. The menu changed in 2026, including a new Bonds option. Sources1234 |
| Insurance | Insurance is available under the SmartStart policy and guide. Sources123 | Death, TPD and income protection cover are available. BUSSQ says casuals and contractors can access its insurance options when they meet minimum-hours conditions. Sources1234 |
| Retirement income | SmartStart Pension has its own product documentation. Sources123 | Income accounts and transition-to-retirement arrangements have separate investment and fee information. Existing term allocated pensions should be compared under their own rules. Sources1234 |
| Advice and support | Use the current support and advice documents to establish services and charges. Sources123 | Personal advice about BUSSQ insurance, investment choice, contributions and retirement is included in administration fees. The scope is limited to BUSSQ products. Sources1234 |
| Fee details to check | Use the current PDS and updates; ownership change alone does not establish a fee reduction. Sources123 | The current page lists a balance-based administration fee, capped annually, plus investment and transaction costs that depend on the option. Include any insurance charge separately. 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 | BUSSQ's published long-run headline uses Balanced Growth and includes specified administration deductions. Match those deductions before comparing it with another fund's investment-only return. Sources1234 |
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
A relevant fund to examine for construction workers who need to check whether another insurer excludes or limits their occupation.
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 BUSSQ 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.