Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
Retail fund
Colonial First State's FirstChoice range lets members choose an age-based option or build a portfolio from a broad managed-fund menu. Employer and personal products have different terms.
FirstChoice Wholesale Personal Super is open to the public. FirstChoice Employer Super is available through a participating employer; eligible spouses can also join and members can remain after changing jobs.
Retail fund brand
Cruelty Free Super gives animal-welfare concerns a central role in its ethical approach. It replaced its single Growth option with three choices in 2024.
Public membership is available under the current product documents.
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 | Colonial First State | Cruelty Free Super |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | FirstChoice Wholesale Personal Super is open to the public. FirstChoice Employer Super is available through a participating employer; eligible spouses can also join and members can remain after changing jobs. Sources13 | Public membership is available under the current product documents. Sources123 |
| Accounts and products | FirstChoice products. Essential Super and CFS Edge are distinct product propositions. FirstChoice Wholesale Personal Super FirstChoice Employer Super FirstChoice pension products CFS Lifestage Sources16 | Cruelty Free Super accumulation. Sources123 |
| Investment choices | CFS Lifestage in FirstChoice Employer Super; identify the chosen option in Personal Super. FirstChoice offers ready-made diversified portfolios and a broad selection of asset-class and manager options. CFS Lifestage adjusts the mix with a member's birth cohort. Sustainable choices include Thrive+ Sustainable Growth. Access to managed accounts can require a financial adviser. Sources12 | The current choices are Cruelty Free Australian Shares, Cruelty Free International Shares and Cash. Members select their own mix; these are not three diversified balanced portfolios. Sources123 |
| Insurance | FirstChoice Employer Super can provide automatic insurance for eligible employee members. Insurance depends on the plan, so ask about cover, premiums and any employer subsidy. A Personal Super account should be checked under its own insurance terms. Sources3 | AIA provides insurance. The FAQ says a transfer of existing insurance generally needs to be completed within 30 days of leaving the other fund. Sources123 |
| Retirement income | CFS has pension products and services for starting and managing a retirement income stream. Compare the particular pension product and investment menu rather than carrying across fees from FirstChoice Employer Super. Sources45 | The reviewed FAQ explains retirement withdrawals but does not establish a dedicated pension product. Check the income-stream pathway before retirement. Sources123 |
| Advice and support | CFS offers personal advice on FirstChoice super and access to broader financial advice. Comprehensive advisers charge a fee that may be one-off or ongoing; include this cost when comparing an advised portfolio. Sources45 | Member services provide product support; personal advice needs a qualified adviser. Sources123 |
| Fee details to check | Calculate fees for the actual FirstChoice product and selected managers. A low administration fee does not include all underlying investment costs or any advice fee. Employer-plan insurance and discounts can also alter the member's total. Sources5 | Use the current PDS and reference guide for the chosen option, including administration, investment and insurance costs. Sources123 |
| Comparing investment performance | CFS Lifestage needs an age-cohort comparison. A chosen managed fund's return is specific to that investment; it should not be presented as the return of Colonial First State overall. Different FirstChoice products can hold a similarly named option with different charges. Specify Employer Super versus Wholesale Personal Super. Do not treat Essential Super's Lifestage product as interchangeable with FirstChoice Lifestage. Sources2 | Read option inception and change dates; the pre-2024 single-option record is not the same record as every current option. Sources123 |
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
FirstChoice is most interesting when you have a reason to use investment choice. Its range accommodates a simple age-based holding as well as a more tailored portfolio. If you only want one diversified option, compare its complete cost and service with other simple accounts before paying for features you may not use.
Sources6
Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
A candidate for people whose animal-welfare requirements are not met by a mainstream fund's screening policy.
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 Colonial First State profile · Read the full Cruelty Free 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.