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.
Industry fund
Hostplus has a broad menu spanning active diversified portfolios, indexed options, socially responsible options and Choiceplus direct investments.
Membership is generally available to people who meet Australian residence, tax residence or eligible-employment conditions. Product and insurance eligibility still apply.
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 | Hostplus MySuper |
|---|---|---|
| Return basis | Choose an option | MySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative member |
| 3-year return, per year | Choose an option | 9.48% |
| 5-year return, per year | Choose an option | 7.46% |
| 7-year return, per year | Choose an option | 7.89% |
| 10-year return, per year | Choose an option | 8.70% |
| APRA strategic growth allocation | Choose an option | 80.35% |
| Reported total fees, net of tax, at $50,000 | Choose an option | $655 a year (1.31%) |
| Administration and advice costs, net of tax (included in total) | Choose an option | $120 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 | Colonial First State | Hostplus |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Membership is generally available to people who meet Australian residence, tax residence or eligible-employment conditions. Product and insurance eligibility still apply. Sources6 |
| 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 | Hostplus super, Pension and Transition to Retirement products. Hostplus super Hostplus Pension Hostplus Transition to Retirement Choiceplus direct investment option CPIplus pension investment option Sources7 |
| 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 | Balanced The menu includes diversified active and indexed options, sector investments and socially responsible options. Choiceplus allows eligible members to buy selected ASX 300 shares, ETFs, listed investment companies and term deposits. The low investment cost of an indexed option should not be confused with the price of the default Balanced option. Sources12 |
| 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 | Eligible members can receive default death and TPD insurance. Hostplus tells members to check their current cover and cost in the account and review whether the amount meets their needs. Premiums reduce the balance left for retirement. Sources4 |
| 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 | Hostplus has Pension and Transition to Retirement accounts. Pension members can use Choiceplus and CPIplus, but those two options are not available in the TTR account. CPIplus aims for a predetermined return above inflation for a stated return period; its terms need separate reading. Sources25 |
| 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 | Hostplus offers access to financial planners and identifies separate advice costs and eligibility conditions for services such as SuperSmart. Ask what is covered in the membership fee and what requires an additional payment. Sources4 |
| 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 | Hostplus publishes a cost-of-product figure for each option. Use that full figure and its assumptions, then account for insurance and direct-investment costs. Its investment costs are estimates based on prior experience; a very low indexed investment fee is not the total account charge. Sources3 |
| 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 | Compare the exact portfolio and asset allocation. Hostplus's pension option pages publish returns net of investment fees and costs, with administration and other fees still applying. A pension return should not be placed next to a taxed accumulation return without explanation. Show Balanced and Indexed Balanced as separate options. Avoid ranking the whole fund using the cheapest investment option's fee. Sources2 |
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
Hostplus is particularly useful when the question is how much investment choice you want. Its indexed range gives cost-conscious members something concrete to compare, while Choiceplus serves a more involved investor. Check the default separately; the existence of a low-cost option does not mean you are invested in it.
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 Hostplus 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.