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ESSSuper vs Perpetual Super Wrap

Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.

By SuperGuru Group · Research checked 11 September 2026 · Historical APRA figures to 30 June 2026

ESSSuper

Restricted public sector fund

ESSSuper's Accumulation Plan serves eligible Victorian emergency services and State Super members, including their spouses.

Membership

The March 2026 PDS identifies current or former Victorian emergency services employees, State Super members and eligible spouses or de facto partners.

Perpetual Super Wrap

Retail investment platform

Perpetual Super Wrap provides investment choice and consolidated reporting for super and pension portfolios.

Membership

Confirm access, advice requirements and minimum balance in the current Super Wrap PDS before applying.

Compare fees and investment returns

Choose the actual investment pathway for each account. For lifecycle products, select the named stage relevant to you. No stage is selected automatically.

Choose an investment option to see the figures

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.

How the products differ

ESSSuper and Perpetual Super Wrap: product features and conditions
What to compareESSSuperPerpetual Super Wrap
Membership and access

The March 2026 PDS identifies current or former Victorian emergency services employees, State Super members and eligible spouses or de facto partners.

Sources1

Confirm access, advice requirements and minimum balance in the current Super Wrap PDS before applying.

Sources123
Accounts and products

This profile focuses on the ESSSuper Accumulation Plan; defined benefit memberships require separate calculations.

Accumulation Plan

Separate ESSSuper defined benefit schemes

Sources1

Perpetual Super Wrap superannuation and pension.

Sources123
Investment choices

Balanced Growth Managed

The PDS lists ten options: eight diversified portfolios plus Shares Only and Cash. The default has a ten-year suggested investment timeframe and a High risk rating.

Sources1

The wrap offers a broad range of underlying investments. The current menu and each investment's disclosure govern availability, risk and any restrictions.

Sources123
Insurance

Eligible members can access death-only, death and TPD, or income protection insurance.

Sources1

Check Super Wrap's own current terms for any available insurance. Insurance offered through another Perpetual super product should not be assumed to apply.

Sources123
Comparing investment performance

Use the Accumulation Plan PDS when comparing market investment options.

Sources1

Use the selected portfolio and actual costs. A return from WealthFocus or Select does not describe a Super Wrap member's investments.

Sources123
Retirement income

This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents.

The service supports accumulation, transition to retirement and retirement income arrangements.

Sources123
Advice and support

This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents.

The value of a wrap usually rests on the portfolio and advice services a member actually uses. Request a clear account of those services.

Sources123
Fee details to check

This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents.

Calculate platform charges together with underlying investments, transactions, cash-account effects and any adviser remuneration.

Sources123

THE SUPERGURU VIEW

Our take on ESSSuper

Editorial assessment

The accumulation account can complement a defined benefit. Compare each part on its own terms: investment choices and costs for accumulation, benefit rules for the defined benefit.

Who might put it on their shortlist

  • Eligible emergency services and State Super members wanting an accumulation account, and eligible partners.

What deserves a closer look

  • Membership is restricted.
  • The default's name does not make it low risk.
  • An accumulation account's return does not measure a member's defined benefit.

Sources1

Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.

THE SUPERGURU VIEW

Our take on Perpetual Super Wrap

Editorial assessment

May suit someone who needs a broader portfolio service and wants the trustee to handle super compliance.

What deserves a closer look

  • A wrap is an account structure, so investment outcomes depend on what is held in it.
  • Do not confuse Super Wrap with Perpetual's SMSF or small APRA fund administration services.

Sources123

Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.

Before choosing between ESSSuper and Perpetual Super Wrap

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 ESSSuper profile · Read the full Perpetual Super Wrap profile · Choose another comparison

Sources for ESSSuper

Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.

  1. ESSSuper Accumulation Plan PDS, 1 March 2026

Sources for Perpetual Super Wrap

Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.

  1. Super Wrap and related retirement services
  2. Wrap offer documents
  3. Super Wrap holdings