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
NESS is a smaller industry fund with an electrical-trades focus and a relatively short investment menu.
The fund accepts applications from individuals; occupation and employment circumstances matter when checking insurance eligibility.
Choose the actual investment pathway for each account. For lifecycle products, select the named stage relevant to you. No stage is selected automatically.
| Measure | Choose an investment option | MySuper |
|---|---|---|
| Return basis | Choose an option | MySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative member |
| 3-year return, per year | Choose an option | 9.22% |
| 5-year return, per year | Choose an option | 6.44% |
| 7-year return, per year | Choose an option | 6.90% |
| 10-year return, per year | Choose an option | 7.31% |
| APRA strategic growth allocation | Choose an option | 78.13% |
| Reported total fees, net of tax, at $50,000 | Choose an option | $425 a year (0.85%) |
| Administration and advice costs, net of tax (included in total) | Choose an option | $135 a year |
| 2026 performance test | Choose an option | Pass |
| New-member status at reporting date | Check the current product eligibility rules | Check 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.
| What to compare | Child Care Super | NESS Super |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | Check the current joining rules and transfer documents. Existing members remain Child Care Super members after the move. Sources12 | The fund accepts applications from individuals; occupation and employment circumstances matter when checking insurance eligibility. Sources1234 |
| Accounts and products | Child Care Super accumulation and pension products. Sources12 | Accumulation super, transition-to-retirement and account-based pension. 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 | Seven choices are available for super and transition-to-retirement accounts. Pension members have an eighth, My Income. The menu spans MySuper/MyPension, High Growth, Stable, shares, property and cash. Sources1234 |
| Insurance | Existing cover and policy terms stay the same under the notice. The insurance administration fee rises, increasing the total insurance cost. Sources12 | Death or terminal illness, total and permanent disability, and income protection cover are available. Read the insurance guide for occupation terms, waiting periods and payment limits. 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 | My Income is available within the account-based pension menu, alongside the other pension investment choices. Sources1234 |
| Advice and support | Use the current member support and disclosure documents to confirm advice availability, scope and charges. Sources12 | Use the fund's tools and advice service to establish what support is included and when a separate advice fee applies. 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 fees and costs guide effective 31 March 2026. Compare administration charges, the chosen option's investment costs and your insurance premium. 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 | Compare MySuper with options that have a similar growth allocation. Property or shares options are components of a portfolio, so their returns are not direct substitutes for diversified-fund returns. 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
Worth investigating for an electrician or other tradesperson who wants to check insurance alongside investment costs.
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 NESS 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.