29 June 2026
AustralianSuper recognises the diversity of lived experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Building cultural awareness within the Fund will lead to greater understanding of the challenges that some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members may have when engaging with their super.
First Nations people and super
On average, First Nations people have lower super balances when they retire than the general population. The number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with super is about 68% for men and 71% for women. That’s compared with rates of 87% for men and 86% for women for the population more generally1.
Estimated average balances are also lower compared to the Australian population as a whole. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men (who had not yet retired) had a mean balance of $84,524 in 2022. The figure for non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men was $178,416. For women, the respective figures are $59,839 and $119,3421.
Our activities
The Fund is listening to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members, partners, suppliers and communities to develop, implement and refine initiatives that make a positive difference.
All our activities are in direct response to priorities defined by First Nations peoples. They fall into three main areas:
- Enhanced cultural awareness
- Culturally-informed service and outreach
- Education and advocacy.
This page gives an overview of what the Fund is doing for First Nations members, including specific resources available.
Enhanced cultural awareness
We work with First Nations specialists to deliver cultural learning. This builds awareness, understanding and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, and communities.
Cultural awareness training within the Fund is delivered in many ways, including formal opportunities such as online training modules and live training. Informal opportunities are also offered, such as support for Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week activities, access to relevant articles, videos and information.
Increased cultural awareness helps embed First Nations considerations into Fund decision-making.
Culturally-informed service and outreach
Supported by the Fund’s First Nations Cultural Learning Framework, we have a focus on delivering a culturally-informed service for First Nations members. Cultural awareness training is provided to colleagues at the Fund’s Contact Centre.
In addition, our service for First Nations members includes:
- an option to speak to a culturally-trained colleague
- an interpreter service
- simplification and standardisation of specific forms, and
- a dedicated Remote Community Outreach program.
Remote Community Outreach program
This key initiative, implemented in 2023 and undertaken with community partners, is focused on remote and outer regional areas identified as high need. Working with community partners, Fund representatives travel to these areas to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members better understand, access and manage their super.
Education and advocacy
The Fund has worked with First Nations partners to create education materials specifically designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members, focused on financial literacy and understanding of superannuation.
Initiatives include the Super made easy video series, the CAAMA Radio series and culturally-informed financial literacy education delivered with community partners in community. Resources for First Nations members and financial counsellors can be found on the Fund’s First Nations resources page.
Advocacy
We advocate for a super system that equitable and straightforward, regardless of income, cultural background and/or traditions. We advocate for system-wide improvements that:
- make it straightforward for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to nominate beneficiaries for their super, consistent with their cultural practices, without a tax penalty, and
- help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples identify where a deceased person’s super is held.
We support expanding the definition of ‘dependent’ in superannuation law to recognise kinship structures, and allowing the Australian Taxation Office to provide details of a deceased person’s fund to beneficiaries.
Our advocacy extends to participation in external policy groups, including the Indigenous Super Working Group, ASIC forums, and the First Nations Super Summit.
References:
- The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia Limited (ASFA), Superannuation balances of First Nations individuals, July 2024. Data extracted for ASFA from the HILDA data base.
This may include general financial advice which doesn’t take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision consider if the information is right for you and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement, available at australiansuper.com/PDS or by calling 1300 300 273. A Target Market Determination (TMD) is a document that outlines the target market a product has been designed for. Find the TMDs at australiansuper.com/TMD.
AustralianSuper Pty Ltd ABN 94 006 457 987, AFSL 233788, Trustee of AustralianSuper ABN 65 714 394 898.