Hostplus built its name in hospitality and tourism and is now one of Australia’s largest funds, known for a Balanced option with a heavy weighting to unlisted and alternative assets. AustralianSuper is the country’s largest fund. Here’s the factual comparison.
At a glance
| Hostplus | AustralianSuper | |
|---|---|---|
| Members | ~1.7 million | ~3.4 million |
| Type | Industry, profit-to-member | Industry, profit-to-member |
| Default (MySuper) option | Balanced — high weighting to unlisted/alternative assets | Balanced — diversified |
| Indicative fees on $50k* | ~$650 / year (higher — investment costs on alternatives) | ~$385 / year |
| Indicative 10-yr return* | Balanced ~8.9% p.a. (top-ranked by SuperRatings over rolling 10/15/20yr) | Balanced ~8.9% p.a. |
| Passed 2026 APRA test | Yes | Yes |
*Indicative only, to ~30 June 2026 — verify against each fund’s PDS and the ATO YourSuper comparison tool.
The fee-vs-return trade-off
This match-up is the classic active-vs-lower-cost debate. Hostplus’ Balanced option leans into unlisted assets (infrastructure, property, private equity), which has driven strong long-term returns but comes with higher investment fees and a different risk/liquidity profile. AustralianSuper’s Balanced is cheaper on a $50k balance. Over the long run, what matters is the return you keep after fees — and past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
Which tends to suit whom
- Hostplus — members comfortable with a higher-fee, alternatives-heavy strategy that has a strong long-term record.
- AustralianSuper — members who prefer a lower-cost diversified Balanced option at the largest fund.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hostplus better than AustralianSuper?
They take different approaches: Hostplus has a higher-fee, alternatives-heavy Balanced option with a strong long-term record, while AustralianSuper's Balanced is lower-cost and diversified. 'Better' depends on your preferences and what you net after fees.
Why are Hostplus fees higher?
Hostplus' default holds more unlisted and alternative assets (infrastructure, property, private equity), which cost more to manage. The question is whether the net-of-fee return justifies the extra cost.
Does a higher fee mean a worse fund?
Not necessarily. What matters is the return you keep after all fees, for the level of risk taken. A low fee with weak returns can be worse than a higher fee with strong net returns.
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