Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
Restricted public sector fund
GESB administers several Western Australian public sector schemes, so the account name is essential to a useful comparison.
GESB Super is available to current WA public sector employees and qualifying continuing members after moving into private employment. West State and Gold State are closed to new members.
Industry fund brand
Media Super remains the super brand for print, media, entertainment, arts and other creative industries within Cbus.
The brand serves its creative-industry community and eligible members under its current products.
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 | GESB | Media Super |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | GESB Super is available to current WA public sector employees and qualifying continuing members after moving into private employment. West State and Gold State are closed to new members. Sources123 | The brand serves its creative-industry community and eligible members under its current products. Sources1234 |
| Accounts and products | GESB Super accumulation. West State Super, Gold State Super and retirement accounts have different structures and identifiers. GESB Super West State Super Gold State Super Retirement Income Pension Sources123 | Media Super branded super and retirement products issued within Cbus. Sources1234 |
| Investment choices | Choose and compare options within the relevant account. A common administrator does not make the schemes interchangeable. Sources123 | Use the current Media Super investment menu. Historic Media Super options are not independent portfolios that remain available alongside Cbus after the merger. Sources1234 |
| Comparing investment performance | GESB is a state government scheme outside the APRA RSE fund register; absence from that register does not mean it is not a legitimate fund. Sources123 | Read the pre- and post-merger history note before comparing a long-run Media Super return. Show when an investment strategy changed. Sources1234 |
| Insurance | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Insurance terms are product-specific. Creative workers with contract, freelance or irregular work should read the income and employment definitions in their own guide. Sources1234 |
| Retirement income | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Check the current Media Super retirement product documents and default strategy. Compare retirement returns with retirement returns. Sources1234 |
| Advice and support | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | The current site provides advice resources and member assistance. A personal plan needs an explicit scope and fee check. Sources1234 |
| Fee details to check | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Use the post-merger Media Super schedule. Its published merger explanation describes investment fee savings but does not mean every historical fee applies today. Sources1234 |
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
Identify the scheme before doing any fee or return comparison. For someone holding West State or Gold State, the first issue is the value and tax treatment of existing rights, not the convenience of combining accounts.
Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
A useful comparison for people in creative industries who value that industry connection and want to check the actual insurance and investment terms.
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 GESB profile · Read the full Media 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.