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Is Australian Retirement Trust an industry super fund?

  • Yes, we're an Australian industry super fund.

We work for our members, not shareholders. And we look after workers and business owners from all industries.

No matter what you do for a job, you can join us.

We're recognised as an industry super fund by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).
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What is an industry super fund?

Industry superannuation funds have a long history of looking after their members.
They usually have these key features and services:

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Profit-for-member

Profits go to member benefits, instead of going to shareholders as dividends.

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Long-term performance

There’s a focus on strong long-term returns to grow members’ savings.

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Lower fees

Fees for products and services will generally range from low to medium cost.

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No commissions

The fund doesn’t pay commissions or incentives to staff or financial advisers to recommend their products.

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Governed by a board

A board of trustees oversees the fund and it usually includes both employer and employee representatives.


Why doesn't Australian Retirement Trust use the Industry SuperFunds logo?

Like a number of other industry funds, we don't use the Industry SuperFunds logo. And we're not part of Industry Super Australia. It's a choice we've made with the best interests of our members at heart.

But we're just like the other industry super funds when it comes to what really matters.

  • We're registered with APRA.
  • We run our fund to benefit members.
  • We help you reach your goals for retirement.
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Industry vs retail super funds

Retail superannuation funds are owned and run by organisations that aim to make profits. Examples are banks or investment companies.

Many industry funds were created by unions and employer associations. The idea was to set aside money to pay a pension to retired workers.

We're a profit-for-members super fund

The biggest difference between us and a retail super fund is we don't pay shareholders.

Our profits go back into things like lower fees and better services. And finding more ways to help members have their dream retirement.

Compare industry super funds

Ready to rate us against your list of other industry funds? Use the comparison tool to make it easier. Check out what we offer.

Strong performance

Good returns give your super more chance to grow. Our Super Savings Balanced option delivered 10% in 2022–23. And 8.4% p.a. over 10 years to 30 June 2023.1

Simple fees

Are high fees eating into your savings? Our admin fee is $1.20 per week + 0.10% p.a. + 0.07% p.a. from general reserves.

Award-winning

Feel confident that our products and services come highly rated. We've held Canstar's 5-star rating for outstanding value super since 2011.2


FAQs about industry superannuation funds

Have a question? The answer might be waiting for you here.

Yes, back when we were Sunsuper, we were an industry fund. That didn't change when Sunsuper and QSuper merged in 2022 to become Australian Retirement Trust.

Our Super Savings members still have the same benefits. But they’re boosted by the size, strength, and scale of being one of Australia’s largest superannuation funds.

We're a public offer fund, which means our Super Savings products are open to everyone.

And if you have a QSuper account, you still enjoy the same account features you’re used to. Plus you’re now part of an industry super fund.

Yes, they are. With our QSuper accounts, employees of the Queensland Government can enjoy being with an industry fund, as part of Australian Retirement Trust.

We're registered with APRA. And we're a registrable superannuation entity (RSE).

So, you can have peace of mind knowing your super's safe with us.

We're not a self-managed super fund (SMSF). Instead, we're regulated by APRA.

Learn more about how ART super and an SMSF are different.

If you like what industry funds offer, you'll still need to make sure you're choosing the best fund for you.

Industry fund services aren't all the same. There can be big differences in things like member support, financial advice options, performance, and fees.

Check out what to look for when picking the best fund for you.

Industry super funds in Australia are one of a few types of superannuation funds. The most common types are:

  • Retail funds that are run for-profit
  • Public sector funds for government employees
  • Corporate funds that are only for people working for a certain employer
  • Self-managed super funds (SMSFs)

Read more about how superannuation works.

It depends. Anyone can join Australian Retirement Trust, and the bigger industry funds.

But some of the smaller funds focus on certain industries. So if you’re not working in those industries, they might not let you join them.

Join the fund that's for every industry

Together with more than 2.3 million Australians, you can enjoy belonging with a fund that puts members first. No matter what you do or where you work.

1. In 2022–23, our Super Savings Balanced option returned 10% for Accumulation accounts, 9.9% for the Lifecycle option's Balanced Pool, and 11.1% for Income accounts. Over 10 years, it returned 8.4% p.a. (Accumulation) and 9.3% (Income). The Australian Retirement Trust Super Savings Balanced option has adopted the pre-merger investment strategy of the Sunsuper Balanced option. The industry median return for the SR50 Balanced (60-76) Index comprises the 50 largest investment options with a similar asset allocation to growth style assets between 60-76%. Source: SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey - SR50 Balanced (60-76) Index, 30 June 2023. The Super Savings Balanced option has identical investments to the Balanced Pool in the Lifecycle Investment Strategy. Members invested in the Lifecycle Investment Strategy are invested 100% in the Balanced Pool until age 55. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Investment returns are net of investment fees and costs and taxes (where applicable). Super Savings products issued by Australian Retirement Trust Pty Ltd (ABN 88 010 720 840, AFSL No. 228975) as trustee for Australian Retirement Trust (ABN 60 905 115 063). Consider the Super Savings product disclosure statements and TMDs before deciding.

2. Ratings are only one factor to take into account. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Our Super Savings account has proudly held Canstar's highest 5-star Outstanding Value rating for superannuation since 2011. Australian Retirement Trust's Super Savings has adopted the same products, services and investments as Sunsuper.