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GESB vs Netwealth

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

GESB

Restricted public sector fund

GESB administers several Western Australian public sector schemes, so the account name is essential to a useful comparison.

Membership

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.

Netwealth

Retail platform

Netwealth Super Accelerator is a platform for building and administering a selected investment portfolio. Core and Plus have different investment menus.

Membership

Check the product's application requirements and whether a financial adviser will manage the account.

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

GESB and Netwealth: product features and conditions
What to compareGESBNetwealth
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

Check the product's application requirements and whether a financial adviser will manage the account.

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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

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Super Accelerator Core and Super Accelerator Plus, with pension account options.

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Investment choices

Choose and compare options within the relevant account. A common administrator does not make the schemes interchangeable.

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Core has a narrower menu of funds, models and income investments. Plus has broader managed-fund and listed-investment access.

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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.

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Performance belongs to the selected investments and the member's allocation, not the Netwealth brand.

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Insurance

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

Personal Super members can apply for group cover or eligible individual LifeWRAP policies, including death, TPD and income protection.

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Retirement income

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

Pension functionality is part of Super Accelerator; available investments and cash needs should be reviewed for the drawdown period.

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Advice and support

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

The platform supports a nominated financial adviser, with agreed advice fees separate from investment and platform costs.

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Fee details to check

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

Include fixed and balance-based administration charges, underlying fund or model costs, trading costs and advice. A quoted Core administration percentage excludes additional fixed or minimum fees.

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THE SUPERGURU VIEW

Our take on GESB

Editorial assessment

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.

Who might put it on their shortlist

  • Eligible WA public sector employees and existing GESB members.

What deserves a closer look

  • A closed West State or Gold State account cannot be reopened after closure.
  • Untaxed does not mean tax-free; tax timing can affect rollover outcomes.

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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 Netwealth

Editorial assessment

Best researched when an advised or self-selected portfolio needs the investments and reporting functions the platform provides.

What deserves a closer look

  • Do not assume a zero platform investment-fee line means the underlying investments are free.
  • An SMSF service is a different product and responsibility structure.

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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 GESB and Netwealth

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 Netwealth profile · Choose another comparison

Sources for GESB

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

  1. GESB accounts and features
  2. GESB consolidation and reopening restrictions
  3. ATO Super Fund Lookup GESB Super

Sources for Netwealth

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

  1. Compare super options
  2. Core investment range
  3. Super Accelerator PDS