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.
Restricted occupational fund
FES Super serves eligible Western Australian fire and emergency services employees, with defined benefit and accumulation accounts.
Firefighters start in the Defined Benefit Account. Different rules apply to other permanent, temporary and casual employees of DFES and associated employers. Spouse and retained accounts are available under their own eligibility rules.
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 | FES 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 | Firefighters start in the Defined Benefit Account. Different rules apply to other permanent, temporary and casual employees of DFES and associated employers. Spouse and retained accounts are available under their own eligibility rules. Sources12345 |
| Accounts and products | BUSSQ Super and Income accounts, with existing term allocated pensions. Sources1234 | Fire and Emergency Services Superannuation Fund in Western Australia. Compare its accumulation accounts separately from defined benefits. Defined Benefit Account Accumulation Account Retained Benefit Account Spouse Account Account Based Pension 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 | Smoothed option for accumulation accounts Accumulation members have six choices: Smoothed, Moderate, Cash, Fixed Interest, International Shares and Australian Shares. The Smoothed option can set aside some returns in stronger years and release reserves in weaker years, at the board's discretion. Sources12345 |
| 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 | The defined benefit has employment-related death and disability provisions, with separate income protection arrangements. Accumulation insurance uses different terms. Check occupation, account type and employment status before comparing cover. Sources12345 |
| 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 | Members can retain eligible savings or use an account-based pension. Converting a defined benefit into accumulation can be irreversible under the scheme rules. Sources12345 |
| 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 | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. |
| 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 | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. |
| 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 | Any investment comparison on this profile applies to the named accumulation option. Obtain a scheme benefit estimate before assessing a defined benefit transfer. Sources12345 |
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
For a firefighter, the starting point is the value of the employment-linked benefit and cover. A return chart cannot price those entitlements. For an accumulation member, the unusual Smoothed option deserves attention: smoothing changes when returns are credited, without removing investment risk.
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 FES 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.