Vanguard Super: Performance, features and fees
Vanguard Super offers a large range of investment options to choose between, plus some of the lowest fees in the market.

Members will automatically be invested in the Lifecycle option when first joining the fund, which automatically adjusts your investments as you age. This means you'll invest in higher risk/higher reward options when you're younger, and move to lower risk, more stable investment classes as you get older. Alternatively, you can also choose from several other investment options if you wish, and mix and match to create your own strategy.
Vanguard Super is a relatively new fund which is why it doesn't have long-term performance returns to display yet. However, Vanguard has operated as an investment manager for more than 50 years.
We currently don't have that product, but here are others to consider:
How we picked these
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 December 2024
Vanguard Super allows you to choose investments across both diversified options and single sector options.
Single sector investments are investments into 1 area. For example, you only invest in Australian shares. You can mix and match among single sector options to create your own investment mix.
Diversified investments are pre-mixed solutions incorporating several of the single sectors.
If you don't choose your own investment options when you set up your account, you will automatically become a Vanguard MySuper member, which is invested in its Lifecycle option.
This is a diversified investment option, which automatically changes based on your age.
Investment option | Risk level | Target asset allocation |
---|---|---|
Lifecycle | High until age 64 Medium-high for 64+ | Varies based on age |
High Growth | High | Growth: 90% Defensive: 10% |
Ethically Conscious Growth | High | Growth: 70% Defensive: 30% |
Growth | High | Growth: 70% Defensive: 30% |
Balanced | Medium - High | Growth: 50% Defensive: 50% |
Conservative | Medium | Growth: 30% Defensive: 70% |
International shares | Very high | Growth: 100% |
Australian shares | Very high | Growth: 100% |
International shares (hedged) | High | Growth: 100% |
Australian fixed interest | High | Defensive: 100% |
Global fixed interest (hedged) | Medium - High | Defensive: 100% |
Cash | Low | Defensive: 100% |
"Vanguard is well-known for being a leader in index investments (also known as ETFs!), and all its super products take an indexing investment approach too. This is the main reason that it's able to offer such low fees.
As well as being low cost, index investing provides other benefits like easy exposure to entire markets, which aims to increase your investment diversification and reduce your risk. "
When you set up your account, and if you're eligible, you'll enrol in the default cover of Death and Total Permanent Disablement cover (at a cost).
You can apply to increase, decrease or even cancel your cover.
To be automatically eligible for Vanguard's default cover, you must:
Customers can choose to opt in to insurance cover before meeting the age, balance and SG contribution criteria though.
Other eligibility criteria for automatic cover or to opt in:
You can join Vanguard Super by completing an online application. The application process is meant to take less than 10 minutes.
You'll enter your personal details and create an account. You can then set up your super by choosing your investments.
Information you should have on hand includes:
Rest Super is a low fee, profit to member fund with a range of investment options. Find out the performance and fees in our full review.
Going on parental leave will impact your super. Here are the rules for super on parental leave and how to look after your super balance while you're off work.
Superannuation has many benefits. It’ll help fund your retirement, but it also offers tax discounts, investment benefits and discounted insurance cover, too.
We've compared the fees, investment options and performance for both Australian Retirement Trust and HESTA to help you choose between these two popular super funds.
Sunsuper is an industry super fund that meets your needs as you move through the workforce and transition into retirement.
Find out if you're eligible for the government's co-contribution scheme, potentially receiving up to $500 for making personal after-tax contributions.
Steps to choose a beneficiary for your superannuation fund proceeds in the event of your death.
Explore the intricacies of the early release of super, including eligibility criteria and application steps. This guide provides essential insights for accessing your superannuation funds prior to retirement.
Self-employed super contributions are a great way to boost your retirement savings, but there are some rules. See rules for contributions and compare super funds if you're self employed.