Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
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.
Retail fund
Essential Super is an accumulation product that can be managed through the CommBank app. It offers an age-based default and a smaller investment menu than a full platform.
Members can apply through NetBank or the CommBank app after registration. Check the PDS and target market determination for eligibility and whether the product fits your intended use.
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 | 7.41% | Choose an option |
| 5-year return, per year | 5.02% | Choose an option |
| 7-year return, per year | 6.24% | Choose an option |
| 10-year return, per year | 6.66% | Choose an option |
| APRA strategic growth allocation | 69.77% | Choose an option |
| Reported total fees, net of tax, at $50,000 | $470 a year (0.94%) | Choose an option |
| Administration and advice costs, net of tax (included in total) | $95 a year | Choose an option |
| 2026 performance test | Fail | 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 | BUSSQ | Essential Super |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | 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 | Members can apply through NetBank or the CommBank app after registration. Check the PDS and target market determination for eligibility and whether the product fits your intended use. Sources14 |
| Accounts and products | BUSSQ Super and Income accounts, with existing term allocated pensions. Sources1234 | Essential Super distributed by CommBank and provided by CFS; distinct from FirstChoice. Essential Super accumulation Sources12345 |
| Investment choices | 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 | Lifestage The Lifestage option adjusts investments according to the member's birth cohort. Members can instead choose pre-mixed or DIY investment options, or combine them with Lifestage. The product does not offer a full direct-share trading menu. Sources3 |
| Insurance | 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 | Cover is provided through AIA Australia and is subject to eligibility and acceptance. The target-market information flags limitations on cover for an existing illness or injury in some circumstances, with different treatment for tailored cover. Confirm the actual policy before relying on it. Sources125 |
| Retirement income | 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 | The current product information says Essential Super is not designed for people who are retired and need a retirement income. Someone approaching drawdown should compare pension products separately rather than assume the banking-app account becomes a pension. Sources1 |
| Advice and support | Personal advice about BUSSQ insurance, investment choice, contributions and retirement is included in administration fees. The scope is limited to BUSSQ products. Sources1234 | CFS provides product support and disclosure documents. This research has not verified that personal financial advice is included for all Essential Super members; confirm the service available and any cost directly. Sources5 |
| Fee details to check | 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 | The cost includes administration, investment and net transaction charges. Buy/sell spreads can also apply to contributions, withdrawals and switches, with insurance additional. The current public comparison uses a particular Lifestage cohort and balance, so it should not be generalized to every member. Sources24 |
| Comparing investment performance | 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 | Use Essential Super's own Lifestage cohort or chosen investment results. FirstChoice's investment returns are a separate product comparison, even though both are provided by CFS. Match the same age, risk and period. Keep Essential Super separate from FirstChoice and CFS Edge. Include the planned move into a pension when comparing options for someone near retirement. Sources3 |
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.
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
The app integration may help someone pay attention to their super, and a limited menu can reduce unnecessary decisions. It still needs to earn its place on investment cost, risk and insurance. The absence of a retirement-income product is a practical issue for members nearing that stage.
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 BUSSQ profile · Read the full Essential 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.