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NESS Super vs Professional 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

NESS Super

Industry fund

NESS is a smaller industry fund with an electrical-trades focus and a relatively short investment menu.

Membership

The fund accepts applications from individuals; occupation and employment circumstances matter when checking insurance eligibility.

Professional Super

Retail fund brand

Professional Super is aimed at students and young professionals, with a short investment menu and a conditional fee-rebate structure.

Membership

Current eligibility is set by the PDS and target market determination.

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
MeasureMySuperChoose an investment option
Return basisMySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative memberChoose an option
3-year return, per year9.22%Choose an option
5-year return, per year6.44%Choose an option
7-year return, per year6.90%Choose an option
10-year return, per year7.31%Choose an option
APRA strategic growth allocation78.13%Choose an option
Reported total fees, net of tax, at $50,000$425 a year (0.85%)Choose an option
Administration and advice costs, net of tax (included in total)$135 a yearChoose an option
2026 performance testPassChoose an option
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

NESS Super and Professional Super: product features and conditions
What to compareNESS SuperProfessional Super
Membership and access

The fund accepts applications from individuals; occupation and employment circumstances matter when checking insurance eligibility.

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Current eligibility is set by the PDS and target market determination.

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Accounts and products

Accumulation super, transition-to-retirement and account-based pension.

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Professional Super accumulation.

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Investment choices

Seven choices are available for super and transition-to-retirement accounts. Pension members have an eighth, My Income. The menu spans MySuper/MyPension, High Growth, Stable, shares, property and cash.

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Balanced, Growth and High Growth.

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Insurance

Death or terminal illness, total and permanent disability, and income protection cover are available. Read the insurance guide for occupation terms, waiting periods and payment limits.

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Insurance terms are in the product guides. Check whether the chosen cover is suitable for hours worked, occupation and income.

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Retirement income

My Income is available within the account-based pension menu, alongside the other pension investment choices.

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The reviewed sources do not establish a dedicated pension product. It is mainly an accumulation comparison.

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Advice and support

Use the fund's tools and advice service to establish what support is included and when a separate advice fee applies.

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Member services provide support; a personal recommendation requires the appropriate advice service.

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Fee details to check

Use the fees and costs guide effective 31 March 2026. Compare administration charges, the chosen option's investment costs and your insurance premium.

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The fee rebate depends on receiving a contribution into the account at least every 12 months. Compare both the discounted cost and the cost if eligibility ends.

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Comparing investment performance

Compare MySuper with options that have a similar growth allocation. Property or shares options are components of a portfolio, so their returns are not direct substitutes for diversified-fund returns.

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Compare the selected risk option rather than assuming a product designed for younger people always means the highest-growth portfolio.

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THE SUPERGURU VIEW

Our take on NESS Super

Editorial assessment

Worth investigating for an electrician or other tradesperson who wants to check insurance alongside investment costs.

What deserves a closer look

  • Industry relevance does not guarantee that a particular claim will qualify.
  • My Income is not available in accumulation or transition-to-retirement accounts.

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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 Professional Super

Editorial assessment

Worth reviewing for a student or early-career worker if the rebate and product terms fit their actual contribution pattern.

What deserves a closer look

  • A fee rebate can lapse if contribution conditions are not met.
  • Three choices may not meet a preference for specific index or direct investments.

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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 NESS Super and Professional 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 NESS Super profile · Read the full Professional Super profile · Choose another comparison

Sources for NESS Super

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

  1. Current investment choices
  2. Insurance for electrical trades
  3. Fees and costs guide
  4. Disclosure documents

Sources for Professional Super

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

  1. Product
  2. Fees and rebate
  3. Investment menu explanation
  4. Disclosure