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BUSSQ vs legalsuper

Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.

By SuperGuru Group · Research checked 11 September 2026 · Historical APRA figures to 30 June 2026

BUSSQ

Industry fund

BUSSQ focuses on the building and construction industries. Its insurance is designed to accommodate high-risk jobs, including eligible casuals and contractors.

Membership

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.

legalsuper

Industry fund

legalsuper is aimed at the legal profession and gives members both managed investment options and a direct investment facility.

Membership

Check current employer-sponsored and personal membership terms. The account category matters when comparing fees and insurance.

Compare fees and investment returns

Choose the actual investment pathway for each account. For lifecycle products, select the named stage relevant to you. No stage is selected automatically.

APRA product data to 30 June 2026
MeasureMySuperMySuper
Return basisMySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative memberMySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative member
3-year return, per year7.41%10.11%
5-year return, per year5.02%7.32%
7-year return, per year6.24%7.53%
10-year return, per year6.66%7.90%
APRA strategic growth allocation69.77%77.72%
Reported total fees, net of tax, at $50,000$470 a year (0.94%)$470 a year (0.94%)
Administration and advice costs, net of tax (included in total)$95 a year$190 a year
2026 performance testFailPass
New-member status at reporting dateCheck the current product eligibility rulesCheck the current product eligibility rules

Reading these two options

At $50,000, the reported annual total-cost difference is $0. Both selected pathways report the same 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 69.77% and 77.72%. 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.

How the products differ

BUSSQ and legalsuper: product features and conditions
What to compareBUSSQlegalsuper
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.

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Check current employer-sponsored and personal membership terms. The account category matters when comparing fees and insurance.

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Accounts and products

BUSSQ Super and Income accounts, with existing term allocated pensions.

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Superannuation, pension and transition-to-retirement pension.

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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.

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Members can choose managed options. Eligible accounts can also use the Direct Investment Option for ASX300 shares, selected ETFs, listed investment companies and term deposits.

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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.

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The fund has insurance options for its membership. Compare the actual policy and occupation category, rather than treating a legal-industry label or award as proof of value.

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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.

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Pension members have a managed menu and can access direct investment subject to its rules. Transition-to-retirement pension members cannot use the Direct Investment Option.

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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.

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The fund provides member information and support. Personal financial advice should have a clear scope and agreed fee; only eligible super-related advice fees may be paid from the account.

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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.

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Direct investing adds its own administration and other costs to the ordinary product schedule. Include these when comparing it with a pooled option or another direct-share facility.

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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.

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A member who holds direct securities has a personal portfolio return. It is not meaningful to assign the MySuper return to that portfolio.

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THE SUPERGURU VIEW

Our take on BUSSQ

Editorial assessment

A relevant fund to examine for construction workers who need to check whether another insurer excludes or limits their occupation.

What deserves a closer look

  • Minimum hours and policy definitions still apply; industry branding does not guarantee a claim.
  • A return since 1985 is not comparable with a competing fund's five-year number.

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Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.

THE SUPERGURU VIEW

Our take on legalsuper

Editorial assessment

Worth examining for legal professionals or eligible members who want more investment control and will use the direct menu.

What deserves a closer look

  • The direct facility is unavailable in transition-to-retirement pensions.
  • A broad investment menu does not remove the need to manage concentration, cash and trading costs.

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Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.

Before choosing between BUSSQ and legalsuper

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 legalsuper profile · Choose another comparison

Sources for BUSSQ

Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.

  1. BUSSQ insurance
  2. Investment options
  3. Fees and costs
  4. Investment performance basis

Sources for legalsuper

Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.

  1. Investment options
  2. Fees and direct-investment restrictions
  3. Member outcomes and direct investments
  4. legalsuper