Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
Retail fund brand
Child Care Super keeps its brand through the September 2026 move into Smart Future Trust. The transfer changes investments and fees while preserving existing insurance cover and policy terms.
Check the current joining rules and transfer documents. Existing members remain Child Care Super members after the move.
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.
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 | Child Care Super | Essential Super |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | Check the current joining rules and transfer documents. Existing members remain Child Care Super members after the move. Sources12 | 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 | Child Care Super accumulation and pension products. Sources12 | Essential Super distributed by CommBank and provided by CFS; distinct from FirstChoice. Essential Super accumulation Sources12345 |
| Investment choices | The new menu maps existing holdings to comparable investment options. Members should check the new option's allocation and risk description rather than relying on its predecessor's name. Sources12 | 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 | Existing cover and policy terms stay the same under the notice. The insurance administration fee rises, increasing the total insurance cost. Sources12 | 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 | Pension payments continue under the transition arrangements. Some September payments are brought forward and some member-initiated transactions are temporarily unavailable. Sources12 | 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 | Use the current member support and disclosure documents to confirm advice availability, scope and charges. Sources12 | 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 notice expects lower overall fees for most members, but the effect depends on balance and option. New contributions use Smart Future Trust ABN 68 964 712 340 and USI 68964712340022 from 5 September 2026. Sources12 | 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 | Compare the post-transfer investment strategy with a genuinely similar alternative. Historical returns require an explanation of the predecessor option. Sources12 | 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
Relevant to child care workers and existing members who want to understand the changes before comparing another fund.
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 Child Care Super 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.