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FES Super vs NGS Super

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

FES Super

Restricted occupational fund

FES Super serves eligible Western Australian fire and emergency services employees, with defined benefit and accumulation accounts.

Membership

Firefighters start in the Defined Benefit Account. Different rules apply to other permanent, temporary and casual employees of DFES and associated employers. Spouse and retained accounts are available under their own eligibility rules.

NGS Super

Industry fund

NGS Super combines a MySuper default with indexed, diversified and sector options. Its advice service starts with limited help about a member's NGS account.

Membership

Use the current joining criteria and insurance guide for the membership being considered; workplace arrangements can affect cover.

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.

APRA product data to 30 June 2026
MeasureChoose an investment optionNGS Diversified (MySuper)
Return basisChoose an optionMySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative member
3-year return, per yearChoose an option9.96%
5-year return, per yearChoose an option6.67%
7-year return, per yearChoose an option7.01%
10-year return, per yearChoose an option7.72%
APRA strategic growth allocationChoose an option78.94%
Reported total fees, net of tax, at $50,000Choose an option$515 a year (1.03%)
Administration and advice costs, net of tax (included in total)Choose an option$140 a year
2026 performance testChoose an optionPass
New-member status at reporting dateCheck the current product eligibility rulesCheck 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.

How the products differ

FES Super and NGS Super: product features and conditions
What to compareFES SuperNGS Super
Membership and access

Firefighters start in the Defined Benefit Account. Different rules apply to other permanent, temporary and casual employees of DFES and associated employers. Spouse and retained accounts are available under their own eligibility rules.

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Use the current joining criteria and insurance guide for the membership being considered; workplace arrangements can affect cover.

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Accounts and products

Fire and Emergency Services Superannuation Fund in Western Australia. Compare its accumulation accounts separately from defined benefits.

Defined Benefit Account

Accumulation Account

Retained Benefit Account

Spouse Account

Account Based Pension

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Accumulation, transition-to-retirement and Income accounts.

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Investment choices

Smoothed option for accumulation accounts

Accumulation members have six choices: Smoothed, Moderate, Cash, Fixed Interest, International Shares and Australian Shares. The Smoothed option can set aside some returns in stronger years and release reserves in weaker years, at the board's discretion.

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Diversified is the MySuper option. Other choices include High Growth, Balanced, Defensive, Indexed Growth and sector options such as Australian shares, international shares, infrastructure, property, bonds, cash and term deposits.

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Insurance

The defined benefit has employment-related death and disability provisions, with separate income protection arrangements. Accumulation insurance uses different terms. Check occupation, account type and employment status before comparing cover.

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Insurance is available under the current guide. Compare cover definitions, insured amounts and premiums rather than relying on a general service award.

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Retirement income

Members can retain eligible savings or use an account-based pension. Converting a defined benefit into accumulation can be irreversible under the scheme rules.

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Income and transition-to-retirement accounts have separate disclosure documents. NGS explains that investment earnings are treated differently in these account types.

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Comparing investment performance

Any investment comparison on this profile applies to the named accumulation option. Obtain a scheme benefit estimate before assessing a defined benefit transfer.

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Compare the same option, dates and account phase. The Indexed Growth and Diversified strategies should be assessed against their own asset mix and objectives.

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Advice and support

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

Single-issue advice limited to an NGS account and its insurance is available without a separate charge. Broader tailored advice is offered on an agreed fee-for-service basis.

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Fee details to check

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

The current page separates fixed administration, a balance-based component, reserve-paid administration costs and option-specific investment costs. Indexed Growth has a different investment cost from Diversified, so quote the actual chosen option.

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THE SUPERGURU VIEW

Our take on FES Super

Editorial assessment

For a firefighter, the starting point is the value of the employment-linked benefit and cover. A return chart cannot price those entitlements. For an accumulation member, the unusual Smoothed option deserves attention: smoothing changes when returns are credited, without removing investment risk.

Who might put it on their shortlist

  • Eligible DFES employees assessing their workplace scheme.
  • Existing members reviewing additional savings, retirement or a retained account.

What deserves a closer look

  • Joining is restricted by employment and family eligibility rules.
  • Defined benefits cannot be ranked against ordinary accumulation accounts using annual investment returns.
  • A smoother credited return does not make the Smoothed option a cash account or guarantee its future return.

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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 NGS Super

Editorial assessment

Worth comparing if you want a conventional industry fund but also want an indexed portfolio or help with a specific super question.

What deserves a closer look

  • The MySuper default is not the fund's cheapest investment option.
  • Insurance and personal advice charges sit outside a simple investment-fee comparison.

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

Before choosing between FES Super and NGS Super

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 FES Super profile · Read the full NGS Super profile · Choose another comparison

Sources for FES Super

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

  1. FES Super defined benefits
  2. FES Super accumulation account
  3. FES Super investment options
  4. How the Smoothed option works
  5. FES Super additional PDS information

Sources for NGS Super

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

  1. NGS investments
  2. Fees and costs
  3. FAQs and advice scope