Colonial First State (CFS) vs AustralianSuper
Side-by-side comparison of the two funds on the numbers that actually matter: long-term net return, fees at your balance, asset mix, and insurance defaults.
| Metric | Colonial First State (CFS) | AustralianSuper | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-year net return (MySuper) | 6.90% | 7.90% | AustralianSuper |
| Annual fee at $50,000 | $635 | $337 | AustralianSuper |
| Annual fee at $250,000 | $2,835 | $1,477 | AustralianSuper |
| MySuper product | Lifestage | Balanced | |
| Asset mix (MySuper) | Lifestage — de-risks with age | Growth 70 / Defensive 30 | |
| Assets under management | $145B+ | $365B+ | |
| Members | 1M+ | 3.4M+ | |
| APRA assessment | Mixed | Performing | |
| Choice options | 50 | 11 |
Which is better for you?
Over 10 years, AustralianSuper has outperformed by roughly 1.00 percentage points per year. On a $250,000 balance held for 20 years at the average return, a 1 p.p. return gap compounds to roughly $90,000 — so even small return differences add up.
On fees, at a $50,000 balance AustralianSuper is cheaper ($298 difference per year). At a $250,000 balance the fee winner is AustralianSuper. The percentage component of fees matters more as balance grows.
Colonial First State (CFS) is better if
- Very wide Choice menu — over 50 investment options across FirstChoice and FirstWrap
- Popular with advised clients
AustralianSuper is better if
- Very large scale → competitive fees at mid/high balances
- Consistent top-quartile 10-year performance
- Direct Investment option gives control over ASX300 shares, ETFs and term deposits
Things neither fund fixes
- Performance test results change yearly — check the APRA heatmap before you decide
- Default insurance may not match your actual cover needs
- Switching funds cancels your existing insurance — check health status first
Full fund reviews
Read the complete reviews: Colonial First State (CFS) · AustralianSuper. Or use the compare-funds tool to add any pair and your own balance.
General information only — not financial advice. Super decisions are long-term; verify with a licensed adviser.