Summary
Choose how your super is invested
As you get closer to retirement, the more involved you are with your super the more informed the decisions you can make - including on how your super is invested. AustralianSuper manages over $410 billion on behalf of over 3.6 million members1.
Most AustralianSuper members are invested in our default Balanced option, where investment decisions are made by AustralianSuper experts.
But if you’re interested in having more control over your super investments, there are different ways you can be involved. How much or how little you want to be involved is up to you.
As a member, you can access:
Investment options, including:
- PreMixed
- DIY Mix
- Member Direct
Our investments explained
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Show transcript
Hi, I’m Emma, and I’m part of the investments team at AustralianSuper. Welcome to the second video in our Super and Investment Explained series, exploring our investment options designed to help benefit members.
In this video, I’ll take you through three types of investments we can make with your super – and how they could help to grow your balance. Then, I’ll discuss the three investment options on offer and how they can give you control of your super.
Finally, I’ll discuss three important factors to help you decide how to invest. The investments we make can be put into three categories – growth, defensive and mid risk.
Growth investments offer a higher potential return than other types. But they also come with a higher level of risk. The value of growth investments can fluctuate – and they can be volatile over the short term. Examples of growth investments include listed Australian and international shares as well as private equity – investing in companies not listed on the stock exchange.
Next are defensive investments. These are lower risk compared to growth investments. They’re designed to protect your super while providing returns that could grow your balance. Just remember, returns will generally be lower than with growth investments.
Examples of defensive investments include cash products like savings accounts and term deposits as well as Fixed Interest assets like government and corporate bonds.
The third type is mid-risk. Mid-risk investments offer moderate protection compared to defensive investments, while still offering the potential for growth. They could still provide returns during fluctuating market cycles and could retain value even when markets are down.
Examples of mid-risk investments include direct property, private credit and unlisted infrastructure – such as investing in a new toll road.
Now, let’s take a look at AustralianSuper’s investment options – PreMixed, DIY Mix and Member Direct – designed to suit different types of investors.
The PreMixed option is for those who are happy to leave investment decisions in the hands of financial experts.
This option contains a mixture of growth, defensive and mid-risk investments. All you need to do is choose a combination that suits your needs and leave the rest to us. PreMixed combinations include High Growth, Balanced, Conservative Balanced, Stable, Indexed Diversified and Socially Aware.
Over 90% of AustralianSuper members choose the Balanced option. It’s invested in a diverse mix of assets, designed for medium to long term growth.
The next category is DIY Mix. You choose the assets you’d like to invest in, and how much you’d like to invest in each.
Our experts have put together a range of single asset classes you can use to make your own mixture, hence the name. Classes include Australian Shares, International Shares, Diversified Fixed Interest and Cash.
The third category is Member Direct. This is designed for active investors who want to be in the driver’s seat – and offers the greatest control and choice.
Investment types available through the Member Direct options include Australian Shares, Exchange Traded Funds, Listed Investment Companies, Term Deposits and Cash.
How your super is invested can make a big difference to your savings. There’s three things to consider before you make a decision that suits your situation. The first is your age, because this impacts how long you could be investing for before or during your retirement. Some people prefer investment options that come with lower risk as they get closer to retirement. Others prefer growth options that give their balance the best chance to grow.
The second is knowing when you’ll need to access your super. Needing to use your money in the short term will shorten the time you’ll be invested, and this could mean considering more conservative investment options.
The third is your tolerance to risk. Options that offer higher possibility of growth tend to come with higher levels of risk and volatility in the short term. It can help to ask yourself how comfortable you are with the possibility your investments lose value at some point.
And remember, AustralianSuper’s investment options are designed to offer you the best possible retirement. If you’re new to investing or need help making a choice, we can work through the different options with you to help you decide what’s best for you and your circumstances.To learn more about our investment options, head to the investments section of our website or call us on 1300 300 273.
Keep an eye out for the next video in our series.See you then.
End transcript
Your investment options
Getting closer to retirement might mean getting more involved with your super investments. You can decide to either leave your investment choice to us or make your own choice.
We have an option for many types of investors – whether you’re a hands-on investor or someone who’s happy to leave investment decisions to experts.
Read more about your options below.-
PreMixed
Hands-on level: low. These options are made up of more than one asset class and have different investment objectives, with varying levels of risk, investment timeframes and expected returns. Simply choose an option and leave the rest to us.
DIY Mix
Hands-on level: medium. These options are designed for members that want to be more hands-on in constructing their portfolio. They provide investment exposure to specific asset classes and have different investment objectives, with varying levels of risk, investment timeframes and expected returns.
Member Direct
Hands-on level: high. This option gives you the greatest control. You can invest your super in a range of listed securities, including shares in the S&P/ASX 300 Index, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), Listed Investment Companies (LICs), cash and term deposits.
Navigating super during bull and bear markets
As you get closer to retirement, you might be looking to stay involved with your investments. The finance industry and investment markets can seem complicated – and terms like bull markets and bear markets can add another layer of complexity. Here’s what those terms mean – and what may happen to your super during bull and bear markets.
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What is a bear market?
When share market values are falling over a prolonged period of time, it’s known as a bear market. They are often associated with major economic downturns, like the Great Depression in the 1930s and the Global Financial Crisis in 2008/09. The technical definition of a bear market is when asset prices have fallen by more than 20% from their recent highs.
What may happen to your super in a bear market?
If share prices are falling, your super may experience a fall in value too. In that scenario, some members might think that moving from a diversified investment option such as AustralianSuper’s Balanced option to a cash option would avoid further falls. If you’re thinking of switching, it's important to understand the risks and check before you switch, and also to consider your financial advice options2.
What is a bull market?
A bull market is when investor confidence is strong, and prices are rising faster than average over a consistent period. Bull Markets typically (although don’t always) coincide with periods of strong economic growth, and investors are attracted to the potential of higher returns.
What may happen to your super in a bull market?
During a bull market, the share market value is rising, and your super may grow too. During a rising share market, you may be considering if what you’re invested in is right for you. To find out more about the right investment option for your specific needs, visit Choosing the right super option. With changing conditions, it’s worth understanding the risks of switching over the short term. It’s good to understand that super is a long-term investment to help you reach your best retirement outcome.
Our Balanced investment option is designed to have medium to long-term growth with possible short-term fluctuations. It is recommended that this option has a minimum investment timeframe of at least 10 years3.
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Disclaimers
- As at 31 December 2025
- Personal financial product advice is provided under the Australian Financial Services Licence held by a third party and not by AustralianSuper Pty Ltd. Fees may apply.
- AustralianSuper investment returns are based on crediting rates, which are returns less investment fees and costs, transaction costs, the percentage-based administration fee deducted from returns from 1 April 2020 to 2 September 2022 and taxes. Returns don’t include all administration, insurance and other fees and costs that are deducted from account balances. Returns from equivalent investment options of the ARF and STA super funds are used for periods before 1 July 2006. Investment returns aren’t guaranteed. Past performance isn’t a reliable indicator of future returns.