Super to suit the way you work

Embracing new ways of working?
Make sure your super keeps up.

More Australians are running their own businesses, freelancing or contracting. If you're part of this change, it's important to remember that super will still play a big part in your retirement. There are small steps you can take now that could make a big difference to your future.

Calculate how much you may need to contribute

Use our Super Projection Calculator to see how much you’ll need to save for retirement, and how long that money might last. It can also help you figure out how much you may need to start contributing now to reach your retirement goals.

Consider combining your super

Do you have multiple super accounts from other jobs prior to working for yourself? You might even have some super accounts you don't know about. Paying more than one set of admin fees can chip away at your balance. Search for any lost super and consider consolidating your accounts¹. You may save on fees and costs.

Start contributing to your account

You can easily make after-tax contributions to your super through the AustralianSuper app or by logging into your account². And don’t forget, for any after-tax payments you make to your super, you may be able to claim a tax deduction (conditions and limits apply). You'll need to submit a Notice of intent to claim a tax deduction form and wait to receive confirmation from us that we've processed it before you lodge your tax return.

A little now could be a lot in the future

Even if retirement feels far away, saving for your future now can pay off. By adding to your super now², you could enjoy a more comfortable lifestyle when you finish working. And with power of compound returns, the earlier you invest, the longer your super has to grow.

Neelima is aged 37 and earns $97,000 a year before tax. Her current super balance is $85,000. Without extra contributions, her balance at age 67 would be $175,000. If she starts paying 12% of her after-tax earnings annually, her balance at age 67 would increase to $594,000. If she added an extra lump sum of $5,000 a year, together with her 12% after-tax earnings annually, her balance at age 67 would increase to $827,000.

‡ This example is for illustration purposes only, rounded to the nearest $1k. The actual benefits you receive will depend on a range of factors including future economic conditions, investment performance and legislative change. Investment performance is not guaranteed. Source: AustralianSuper calculations June 2026.

Super tips for the self-employed

Working for yourself means being responsible for paying your own super – but when you're flying solo or starting a business that can be the last thing on your mind. You’ll also be responsible for paying super to any employees you take on as your business grows. Learn about your obligations, the tax effectiveness of paying yourself super and the different ways you can contribute to your account.

A fund that works as hard as you do

With over 3.6 million members³, we're Australia’s largest super fund⁴ and have a history of strong long-term performance⁵. We've also been voted Australia's most trusted super fund⁶. We're a profit-for-member fund. We don't pay profits or dividends to shareholders, so the money we make is for members.

How your fund performs over the long term will make a big difference to your savings for the future. At AustralianSuper, we focus on what that performance means for the net benefit of your super. That is, what your overall financial position could be after taking away admin and investment fees – it’s one of the best ways to see how funds stack up.

The graph below shows how the net benefit of AustralianSuper’s Balanced option compares to others.

Balance after 15 years

Bar chart showing superannuation outcomes after 15 years: AustralianSuper Balanced option $318,870. All super funds average balanced $296,223. Retail super funds average balanced $277,429.

The graph above shows what a member with a $50,000 starting balance would have as their ending balance, over 15 years to 30 June 2026, assuming they had a starting annual salary of $50,000 and were receiving superannuation guarantee contributions for the full time period⁷, compared to the average for all super funds and retail funds.

How to compare super funds

Compare super funds using the free Super AppleCheck comparison tool from super research firm Chant West. You can see how our investments, fees, insurance and member services weigh up against other funds on an ‘apples-to-apples’ basis.

Get started

Access to advice

Feel confident about the future, with access to advice⁸ along the way.

YOUR ADVICE OPTIONS

Disclaimers
1. Before making a decision to combine your super, consider any fees or charges that may apply, and the effect a transfer may have on benefits in your other fund such as insurance cover. We recommend you consider seeking financial advice. If you wish to claim a tax deduction for personal super contributions, you must lodge a notice of intent to claim a tax deduction with your other fund before you combine your super.
2. Before adding to your super, consider your financial circumstances, eligibility, contribution caps that may apply, tax issues and when your super can be accessed. We recommend you consider seeking financial advice.
3. As at 30 June 2026
4. APRA Quarterly Superannuation Fund Level Statistics March 2026, Released June 2026.
5. AustralianSuper Balanced investment option compared to the SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey – SR Balanced (60–76) Index to 30 June 2026. Investment returns aren’t guaranteed. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Returns from equivalent investment options of the ARF and STA super funds are used for periods before 1 July 2006.
6. Reader's Digest Most Trusted Brands – Superannuation category winner for 14 years running 2013–2026, according to research conducted by research agency Catalyst Research. Awards and ratings are only one factor to be taken into account when choosing a super fund. Read the full methodology.
7. Comparisons modelled by SuperRatings, commissioned by AustralianSuper. The outcome shows the average difference in ‘net benefit’, a measure of past investment returns after administration and investment fees and costs, transaction costs and taxes have been taken out. The results compare the AustralianSuper Balanced investment option and comparable balanced options, for historical periods to 30 June 2026. Insurance costs and other fees and costs may also apply. Outcomes vary between individual funds. See Assumptions for more details. Investment returns are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.
8. Personal advice is given by a separate legal entity, not by AustralianSuper Pty Ltd. Some personal advice may incur a fee, which will be disclosed before any work is completed. Subject to meeting eligibility criteria, fees for advice about your AustralianSuper account may be deducted from your account with your consent.