Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
Retail investment platform
Centric is an adviser-led super platform for members who want a portfolio built around selected investments.
Designed for members working with a financial adviser. Confirm the available service and minimum balance with the adviser.
Restricted public sector fund
ESSSuper's Accumulation Plan serves eligible Victorian emergency services and State Super members, including their spouses.
The March 2026 PDS identifies current or former Victorian emergency services employees, State Super members and eligible spouses or de facto partners.
Choose the actual investment pathway for each account. For lifecycle products, select the named stage relevant to you. No stage is selected automatically.
The costs and returns belong to the selected product, option or lifecycle stage.
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 | Centric Super | ESSSuper |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | Designed for members working with a financial adviser. Confirm the available service and minimum balance with the adviser. Sources123 | The March 2026 PDS identifies current or former Victorian emergency services employees, State Super members and eligible spouses or de facto partners. Sources1 |
| Accounts and products | Centric Super accumulation and retirement accounts. Sources123 | This profile focuses on the ESSSuper Accumulation Plan; defined benefit memberships require separate calculations. Accumulation Plan Separate ESSSuper defined benefit schemes Sources1 |
| Investment choices | Centric Choice provides a broad investment menu. Centric One centres on multi-asset model portfolios, with consolidated online reporting. Sources123 | Balanced Growth Managed The PDS lists ten options: eight diversified portfolios plus Shares Only and Cash. The default has a ten-year suggested investment timeframe and a High risk rating. Sources1 |
| Insurance | Insurance arrangements should be checked in the current super disclosure and the proposal supplied by your adviser; investment-platform access alone does not establish your cover. Sources123 | Eligible members can access death-only, death and TPD, or income protection insurance. Sources1 |
| Retirement income | The platform supports transition-to-retirement and pension accounts. Sources123 | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. |
| Advice and support | Portfolio selection is part of an advised service. Ask for the ongoing advice scope and fee in writing. Sources123 | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. |
| Fee details to check | Add the platform and account charges, cash-account margin, investment costs, transaction costs and any adviser remuneration. A monthly account fee alone does not describe the whole cost. Sources123 | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. |
| Comparing investment performance | There is no single Centric return. Compare the actual model or selected holdings after all relevant costs, using a consistent period and risk level. Sources123 | Use the Accumulation Plan PDS when comparing market investment options. Sources1 |
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
May suit someone who has a clear reason for using an adviser and wants that adviser to manage investments within super.
Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
The accumulation account can complement a defined benefit. Compare each part on its own terms: investment choices and costs for accumulation, benefit rules for the defined benefit.
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 Centric Super profile · Read the full ESSSuper 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.