QSuper review | Performance, features and fees

QSuper (which was previously a stand-alone super fund) merged with Sunsuper on 28 February 2022 to become Australian Retirement Trust, one of Australia’s largest super funds. Eligibility criteria apply to open a QSuper account.

QSuper

QSuper Accumulation account investment options

When you open a QSuper Accumulation account (eligibility criteria below) you'll automatically be placed in the QSuper Lifetime option which is the default MySuper option. You can change investment options at any time.

1 - 8 of 8
Name Last 1 year performance (p.a.) Last 3 year performance (p.a.) Last 5 year performance (p.a.) Last 10 year performance (p.a.) Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
QSuper Lifetime - Aspire 1
QSuper logo
Industry fundLifestageEligibility criteria
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+8.64%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+3.22%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+4.97%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+7.24%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$412
More Info
QSuper Lifetime - Aspire 2
QSuper logo
Industry fundLifestageEligibility criteria
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+7.86%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+1.86%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+3.8%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+6.31%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$377
More Info
QSuper Lifetime - Focus 1
QSuper logo
Industry fundLifestageEligibility criteria
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+7.96%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+2.56%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+4.31%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+6.36%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$372
More Info
QSuper Lifetime - Focus 2
QSuper logo
Industry fundLifestageEligibility criteria
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+7.52%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+2.11%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+3.8%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+5.79%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$357
More Info
QSuper Lifetime - Focus 3
QSuper logo
Industry fundLifestageEligibility criteria
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+7.1%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+1.6%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+3.19%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+5.17%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$332
More Info
QSuper Lifetime - Outlook
QSuper logo
Industry fundLifestageEligibility criteria
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+8.65%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+3.14%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+4.79%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+7.08%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$417
More Info
QSuper Lifetime - Sustain 1
QSuper logo
Industry fundEthicalLifestageEligibility criteria
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+7.04%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+2.71%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+3.46%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+4.53%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$312
More Info
QSuper Lifetime - Sustain 2
QSuper logo
Industry fundEthicalLifestageEligibility criteria
Last 1 year performance (p.a.)
+6.58%
Last 3 year performance (p.a.)
+2.48%
Last 5 year performance (p.a.)
+2.7%
Last 10 year performance (p.a.)
+3.31%
Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
$287
More Info
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The information in this table is based on data provided by SuperRatings Pty Limited ABN 95 100 192 283, a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No.1309956) of Lonsec Research Pty Ltd ABN 11 151 658 561, Australian Financial Services Licence No. 421445. In limited instances, where data is not available from SuperRatings for a product, the data is provided directly by the superannuation fund.

*Past performance data and fee data is for the period ending August 2024

What are the key features of a QSuper account?

  • Automatic death and TPD insurance. If eligible, the cover you receive will depend on your employment arrangements and your age. You can also opt out of insurance if you don't need it.
  • Automatically adjusts to meet your stage in life. The default MySuper option (QSuper Lifetime) is managed for you, with the investments changing over time in line with your age.
  • Pre‑mixed investment options. If you don't opt for the QSuper Lifetime investment option, you can choose between a range or pre-mixed options including a socially responsible option.
  • Manage your super online or via the app. Keep track of your super, receive push notifications, make contributions and change your investment options online 24/7 using the member portal online or via the QSuper mobile app.
  • Consolidate your super. The QSuper online tool lets you transfer money you have with other super funds to QSuper.
  • Online Advice available to members. Members can easily receive online advice anywhere, anytime, in just 15 minutes online.
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Our expert says

"I went with QSuper because they charge fewer fees than my previous provider. I also like their track record over the past 10 years. I don't like that it is unclear how much you've put in versus how much has been charged in fees or gained/lost in performance, but many super funds are opaque in this way to keep people from switching. When I click "performance" in the app, I'd like to see the performance of my fund and not the generic review of the funds I can choose from. Overall the experience has been good, but I'd like more transparency."

Money expert

Who can open a QSuper account?

In order to open a QSuper account, you must meet one of the following conditions:

• Be employed by the Queensland Government or QSuper default employer
• Be a spouse of an existing QSuper member
• Be a child (under the age of 25) of an existing QSuper member.
• Retired and aged from 60 up to your 80th birthday for a QSuper Lifetime Pension.

A spouse includes someone you are legally married to or in a de facto relationship with (including same sex partners). A child includes adopted children, step-children, and the children of your spouse.

If you do not meet the eligibility criteria above to open a QSuper account, you can still join Australian Retirement Trust (formerly Sunsuper), which is open to all Australians.

QSuper Accumulation account investment options

There are four ways to invest depending on how hands-on you want to be with your super.

Option 1: QSuper Lifetime (MySuper option)

When you open a QSuper Accumulation account, if you don't choose an investment option, you will automatically be placed in their MySuper option, QSuper Lifetime. With this product your balance is automatically adjusted in line with your age and account balance. When you're older, it'll shift towards a more conservative mix of assets such as fixed income and cash, and away from growth assets such as shares and property.

AgeInvestment optionRisk
Under 40Outlook

This option is for members under 40 years old. Because you're young and still have a long time before retirement, it invests more heavily in growth assets with around 25% asset allocation in defensive assets. In particular, it invests about half of your balance in equities.

High
40-49Aspire

This option is for members aged 40-49 and split into 2 options: Aspire 1 (for balances below $50,000) and Aspire 2 ($50,000 and above). Aspire 1 has a higher allocation towards growth assets including equities to help your balance grow with the potential for higher returns. Aspire 2 still has more exposure towards growth assets than defensive, however it's slightly less focused on growth compared to Aspire 1.

High
50-57Focus

This stage is split into 3 options: Focus 1 (less than $100,000); Focus 2 ($100,000 to less than $250,000); Focus 3 ($250,000+). Focus 1 has a much higher allocation towards growth assets, as it's designed to help your balance grow. Both Focus 2 and Focus 3 have less exposure to growth assets, as the strategy shifts to protecting the balance you've built up already.

Medium
58+Sustain

This stage is split into 2 options: Sustain 1 (less than $300,000) and Sustain 2 ($300,000+). If your balance is below $300,000 by the time you're 58 or older, you'll stay invested in more growth assets to help your balance continue to grow as your approach retirement.

Medium

    What insurance cover does the QSuper Accumulation account offer?

    With a QSuper Accumulation account, when eligible, you will receive automatic death and total and permanent disability cover, and some members will also receive default income protection cover. What cover you automatically get (and how much) is determined by your employment arrangements and your age.

    What you pay for insurance depends on your age, employment arrangements, and how much cover you have. For example you could pay between $0.42 and $1.55 a week for death cover, and between $0.06 and $6.06 a week for TPD cover. Insurance offered with a QSuper Accumulation account is provided by QInsure.

    Note

    There may be exclusions and/or restrictions which apply to your insurance cover. Check the "Accumulation Account Insurance Guide" available via the QSuper website.

    If I meet the criteria, how do I apply for a QSuper account?

    If you've decided to open a QSuper account you can open an accumulation account online. Make sure you have:

    1. A spare ten minutes
    2. Your personal details, including your name, address, date of birth and contact information
    3. Your Tax File Number (it's not compulsory to give your TFN, but without it they won't be able to accept certain types of contributions from you and your benefit payments may be taxed at a higher rate than would otherwise apply)
    4. Your employer's details

    Nominate your beneficiaries

    Once you sign up for an account you'll be asked to nominate your beneficiaries. The person/s nominated will receive your super and any insured death benefit if something happens to you. You can nominate one or more dependents.

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    Written by

    Editor

    Alison Banney is the money editorial manager at Finder. She covers all areas of personal finance, and her areas of expertise are superannuation, banking and saving. She has written about finance for 10 years, having previously worked at Westpac and written for several other major banks and super funds. See full bio

    Alison's expertise
    Alison has written 626 Finder guides across topics including:
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