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Catholic Super vs First Super

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

Catholic Super

Industry fund brand

Catholic Super remains a separate brand within Equip Super. Its background in Catholic education and healthcare is useful context, but the name alone does not tell you the investment screens or product terms.

Membership

Check the current joining and employer criteria. The brand serves its established community as well as members whose circumstances fit the product.

First Super

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.

Membership

The fund accepts new members through its public joining process. Read the relevant PDS and target market determination before opening an account.

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
MeasureChoose an investment optionBalanced - accumulation
Return basisChoose an optionMySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative member
3-year return, per yearChoose an option8.35%
5-year return, per yearChoose an option6.94%
7-year return, per yearChoose an option6.62%
10-year return, per yearChoose an option7.25%
APRA strategic growth allocationChoose an option79.50%
Reported total fees, net of tax, at $50,000Choose an option$560 a year (1.12%)
Administration and advice costs, net of tax (included in total)Choose an option$175 a year
2026 performance testChoose an optionPass
New-member status at reporting dateCheck the current product eligibility rulesCheck 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.

How the products differ

Catholic Super and First Super: product features and conditions
What to compareCatholic SuperFirst Super
Membership and access

Check the current joining and employer criteria. The brand serves its established community as well as members whose circumstances fit the product.

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The fund accepts new members through its public joining process. Read the relevant PDS and target market determination before opening an account.

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Accounts and products

Superannuation, transition-to-retirement income and retirement income.

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Accumulation super, transition-to-retirement account and Retirement Income account.

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Investment choices

Diversified and sector-specific choices. The default is MySuper for super accounts, Capital Stable for transition-to-retirement accounts and MyPension for retirement income accounts.

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Balanced is the MySuper default. The other options are Conservative Balanced, Growth, Shares Plus and Cash. Members can split their balance across options.

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Insurance

Read the current Catholic Super insurance documents for the relevant employer or personal arrangement.

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Insurance through super is available. Check the current insurance guide for the cover offered to your membership category and the cost at your age.

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Retirement income

MyPension invests across Cash, Capital Stable and Growth. This is an investment allocation strategy, with market risk, rather than a promise to pay income for life.

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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.

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Advice and support

Financial planning is available through Togethr Financial Planning. Confirm the work covered and the agreed charge before requesting a personal plan.

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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.

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Fee details to check

Compare the current Catholic Super product disclosure with the same product phase elsewhere. Shared investment infrastructure with Equip does not justify guessing that every member fee and insurance term is identical.

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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.

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Comparing investment performance

Use the current aligned investment menu and its predecessor notes. Compare individual options with similar asset mixes.

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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.

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THE SUPERGURU VIEW

Our take on Catholic Super

Editorial assessment

A useful candidate for people who value its workplace relationships or want the retirement services offered through the brand.

What deserves a closer look

  • Do not confuse Catholic Super with Australian Catholic Super or assume a religious investment exclusion without reading the policy.
  • Comparing it with Equip is largely a comparison of brand and product arrangements within one legal fund.

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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 First Super

Editorial assessment

A useful shortlist candidate for someone who wants to choose among a small number of diversified strategies rather than manage individual securities.

What deserves a closer look

  • The fixed weekly administration charge matters proportionately more on small balances.
  • A limited menu may not meet a need for direct shares or a specific index exposure.

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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 Catholic Super and First Super

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 Catholic Super profile · Read the full First Super profile · Choose another comparison

Sources for Catholic Super

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

  1. Catholic Super investment options
  2. Equip history
  3. Retirement income PDS
  4. Catholic Super advice and fund disclosure

Sources for First Super

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

  1. Investment options
  2. Fees and costs
  3. Retirement Income account
  4. Why join First Super