Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
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.
Industry fund
First Super has a compact investment menu and offers super, transition-to-retirement and retirement income accounts. Members can get help with their investment choice without a separate advice charge.
The fund accepts new members through its public joining process. Read the relevant PDS and target market determination before opening an account.
Choose the actual investment pathway for each account. For lifecycle products, select the named stage relevant to you. No stage is selected automatically.
| Measure | Accumulation - MySuper | Balanced - accumulation |
|---|---|---|
| Return basis | MySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative member | MySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative member |
| 3-year return, per year | 9.73% | 8.35% |
| 5-year return, per year | 6.98% | 6.94% |
| 7-year return, per year | 7.02% | 6.62% |
| 10-year return, per year | 7.59% | 7.25% |
| APRA strategic growth allocation | 78.63% | 79.50% |
| Reported total fees, net of tax, at $50,000 | $365 a year (0.73%) | $560 a year (1.12%) |
| Administration and advice costs, net of tax (included in total) | $80 a year | $175 a year |
| 2026 performance test | Pass | Pass |
| New-member status at reporting date | Check the current product eligibility rules | Check the current product eligibility rules |
At $50,000, the reported annual total-cost difference is $195. Brighter Super's selected reporting pathway has the lower reported cost on this measure. The figures cover the year to June 2026; current prices, insurance and separately charged advice can change the comparison.
The growth allocations are 78.63% and 79.50%. A return gap can reflect different exposure to growth assets, and similar headline allocations can still contain different investments.
A performance-test pass is a benchmark result for the tested product or pathway. It is not an endorsement or a guarantee of future performance.
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 | Brighter Super | First Super |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | 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 | The fund accepts new members through its public joining process. Read the relevant PDS and target market determination before opening an account. Sources1234 |
| Accounts and products | Accumulation accounts, pension accounts and legacy or employer arrangements. Sources1234 | Accumulation super, transition-to-retirement account and Retirement Income account. Sources1234 |
| Investment choices | 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 | Balanced is the MySuper default. The other options are Conservative Balanced, Growth, Shares Plus and Cash. Members can split their balance across options. Sources1234 |
| Insurance | Insurance is available through super. Cover, eligibility and the insurance guide depend on the account or employer arrangement. Sources1234 | Insurance through super is available. Check the current insurance guide for the cover offered to your membership category and the cost at your age. Sources1234 |
| Retirement income | 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 | A Retirement Income account allows a choice of investment mix and payment frequency. Pension payments can be fortnightly, monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or yearly, subject to the required annual minimum. Sources1234 |
| Advice and support | 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 | The fund says advice about its investment options is available to members at no extra cost. A wider advice request needs a separate scope and cost check. Sources1234 |
| Fee details to check | 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 | The current fees page gives a $50,000 Balanced example of $465.80 a year, including administration, investment and transaction costs, before any additional applicable fees. This is an example for that option and balance, not a universal member bill. Sources1234 |
| Comparing investment performance | Match the investment option, account phase and reporting end date. For any history spanning the integration, read the explanation of the predecessor option. Sources1234 | Compare Balanced with portfolios carrying a similar growth allocation, over the same dates. Shares Plus and Cash have different risk profiles and should not be ranked as though they pursue the same outcome. Sources1234 |
| Former names and account history | 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 | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. |
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.
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
A useful shortlist candidate for someone who wants to choose among a small number of diversified strategies rather than manage individual securities.
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 Brighter Super profile · Read the full First 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.