🔥 Trending Best Performing Australian Superannuation Growth Funds Revealed

Navigating the landscape of Australian superannuation can be complex, but focusing on growth funds is a common strategy for those seeking higher returns over the long term. Growth funds typically invest a significant portion of their assets (often 61% to 95%) in "growth assets" like shares and property, with a smaller allocation to "defensive assets" such as cash and fixed income ³⁴. This higher exposure to growth assets means they carry more risk but also offer greater potential for capital appreciation.

Understanding Growth Fund Categories

It's important to distinguish between different categories of growth funds, as their asset allocation and risk profiles can vary:

• High Growth Funds: These funds generally invest between 81% and 95% (or even 91-100% in some classifications) in growth assets ³⁶. They are designed for members with a high-risk tolerance and a long investment horizon.
• Growth Funds: These typically have a slightly lower allocation to growth assets, often ranging from 61% to 80% (or 77-90% in some classifications) ⁴⁷. They still aim for significant growth but with a slightly more balanced approach than High Growth funds.

When evaluating performance, it's crucial to look at both short-term (e.g., 1 year) and long-term (e.g., 10 years) returns, as superannuation is a long-term investment.

Top Performing High Growth Super Funds (as of December 2025)

For those seeking aggressive growth, several funds have demonstrated strong performance in the High Growth category (81-95% growth assets).

Top 10 High Growth Funds Over 10 Years (to 31 December 2025)

| Rank | Fund Name | 10-Year Return (% p.a.) |

| :--- | :---------------------------------------- | :---------------------- |

| 1 | Australian Ethical Super - High Growth | 11.81 |

| 2 | UniSuper - Global Companies in Asia | 11.75 |

| 3 | Hostplus - Balanced | 11.39 |

| 4 | UniSuper - Sustainable High Growth | 11.23 |

| 5 | Aware Super - High Growth | 11.10 |

| 6 | Cbus Super - Growth (MySuper) | 11.08 |

| 7 | UniSuper - Growth | 10.98 |

| 8 | ART - MySuper | 10.96 |

| 9 | Brighter Super - Accumulation High Growth | 10.74 |

| 10 | HESTA - High Growth | 10.66 |

Note: Data from SuperGuide, based on performance to 31 December 2025 ³. Finder also lists Australian Ethical Super - High Growth with an 11.81% return over the last decade ¹.

Top 10 High Growth Funds Over 1 Year (to 31 December 2025)

| Rank | Fund Name | 1-Year Return (% p.a.) |

| :--- | :---------------------------------------- | :--------------------- |

| 1 | UniSuper - Global Companies in Asia | 19.34 |

| 2 | UniSuper - Sustainable High Growth | 16.63 |

| 3 | Hostplus - Balanced | 16.58 |

| 4 | UniSuper - Growth | 16.55 |

| 5 | Aware Super - High Growth | 16.27 |

| 6 | Australian Ethical Super - High Growth | 16.14 |

| 7 | Cbus Super - Growth (MySuper) | 15.93 |

| 8 | ART - MySuper | 15.89 |

| 9 | Brighter Super - Accumulation High Growth | 15.70 |

| 10 | HESTA - High Growth | 15.35 |

Note: Data from SuperGuide, based on performance to 31 December 2025 ³.

Top Performing Growth Super Funds (as of December 2025)

For a slightly more balanced approach within the growth spectrum, the following funds fall into the Growth category (61-80% growth assets).

Top 10 Growth Funds Over 10 Years (to 31 December 2025)

| Rank | Fund Name | 10-Year Return (% p.a.) |

| :--- | :------------------------------------------ | :---------------------- |

| 1 | UniSuper - Australian Shares | 10.93 |

| 2 | Hostplus - Shares Plus | 10.61 |

| 3 | Aware Super - Growth | 10.42 |

| 4 | UniSuper - Balanced | 10.37 |

| 5 | Australian Ethical Super - Growth | 10.28 |

| 6 | Cbus Super - Growth Plus | 10.15 |

| 7 | ART - Balanced | 10.10 |

| 8 | Brighter Super - Accumulation Growth | 9.98 |

| 9 | HESTA - Growth | 9.95 |

| 10 | Australian Retirement Trust - Balanced (QSuper) | 9.87 |

Note: Data from SuperGuide, based on performance to 31 December 2025 ⁴.

Top 10 Growth Funds Over 1 Year (to 31 December 2025)

| Rank | Fund Name | 1-Year Return (% p.a.) |

| :--- | :------------------------------------------ | :--------------------- |

| 1 | UniSuper - Australian Shares | 17.89 |

| 2 | Hostplus - Shares Plus | 17.55 |

| 3 | Aware Super - Growth | 16.92 |

| 4 | UniSuper - Balanced | 16.88 |

| 5 | Australian Ethical Super - Growth | 16.51 |

| 6 | Cbus Super - Growth Plus | 16.39 |

| 7 | ART - Balanced | 16.27 |

| 8 | Brighter Super - Accumulation Growth | 16.10 |

| 9 | HESTA - Growth | 15.98 |

| 10 | Australian Retirement Trust - Balanced (QSuper) | 15.85 |

Note: Data from SuperGuide, based on performance to 31 December 2025 ⁴.

Factors Beyond Performance

While past performance is a key indicator, it's not the only factor to consider when choosing a super fund. Other crucial elements include:

• Fees: High fees can significantly erode returns over time. Compare administration fees, investment fees, and any other charges ⁵.
• Insurance: Most super funds offer default insurance (life, total and permanent disability, income protection). Review the coverage and costs to ensure it meets your needs ⁶⁷.
• Investment Options: Beyond the main growth options, does the fund offer diversified choices, ethical investment options, or specific sector funds that align with your preferences?
• Member Services: Consider the quality of customer service, online tools, and educational resources provided by the fund.
• Your Risk Tolerance and Investment Horizon: A High Growth fund might be suitable for a younger individual with many years until retirement, while someone closer to retirement might prefer a more conservative growth option or a balanced fund.

Conclusion

The best performing superannuation growth funds in Australia, as of late 2025, include several consistent performers like UniSuper, Hostplus, Australian Ethical Super, Aware Super, and Cbus Super across both High Growth and Growth categories ³⁴. However, selecting the "best" fund is a highly personal decision that should be based on a comprehensive evaluation of performance, fees, insurance, investment options, and your individual financial situation and goals. It is always advisable to seek professional financial advice before making significant decisions about your superannuation.