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.
Industry fund brand
Media Super remains the super brand for print, media, entertainment, arts and other creative industries within Cbus.
The brand serves its creative-industry community and eligible members under its current products.
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 | Media Super |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | Check the current joining rules and transfer documents. Existing members remain Child Care Super members after the move. Sources12 | The brand serves its creative-industry community and eligible members under its current products. Sources1234 |
| Accounts and products | Child Care Super accumulation and pension products. Sources12 | Media Super branded super and retirement products issued within Cbus. Sources1234 |
| 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 | Use the current Media Super investment menu. Historic Media Super options are not independent portfolios that remain available alongside Cbus after the merger. Sources1234 |
| Insurance | Existing cover and policy terms stay the same under the notice. The insurance administration fee rises, increasing the total insurance cost. Sources12 | Insurance terms are product-specific. Creative workers with contract, freelance or irregular work should read the income and employment definitions in their own guide. Sources1234 |
| Retirement income | Pension payments continue under the transition arrangements. Some September payments are brought forward and some member-initiated transactions are temporarily unavailable. Sources12 | Check the current Media Super retirement product documents and default strategy. Compare retirement returns with retirement returns. Sources1234 |
| Advice and support | Use the current member support and disclosure documents to confirm advice availability, scope and charges. Sources12 | The current site provides advice resources and member assistance. A personal plan needs an explicit scope and fee check. Sources1234 |
| 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 | Use the post-merger Media Super schedule. Its published merger explanation describes investment fee savings but does not mean every historical fee applies today. Sources1234 |
| Comparing investment performance | Compare the post-transfer investment strategy with a genuinely similar alternative. Historical returns require an explanation of the predecessor option. Sources12 | Read the pre- and post-merger history note before comparing a long-run Media Super return. Show when an investment strategy changed. Sources1234 |
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
A useful comparison for people in creative industries who value that industry connection and want to check the actual insurance and investment terms.
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 Media 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.