Australian Retirement Trust, UniSuper and HESTA are all 2026 award-winning industry super funds, but they suit different members: ART is a broad, large-scale all-rounder with newly cut fees, UniSuper is prized for long-term performance, and HESTA carries a health and community services heritage with a strong ethical investment focus.
From 1 July 2026, Australian Retirement Trust's admin fee dropped to $96 + 0.08% of your balance (capped at $1,250/year), down from 0.16% — effectively halving the percentage-based component for many members and narrowing the fee gap with lower-cost competitors.
2026 Award Context
All three funds enter 2026 with recent industry recognition. Australian Retirement Trust (ART) — formed from the 2022 merger of QSuper and Sunsuper and now one of the largest super funds in the country by membership and assets — was named MySuper Fund of the Year 2026. UniSuper was named Super Fund of the Year 2026, recognised for its consistent long-term returns and value for members. HESTA, the fund built around health and community services workers, continues to be recognised for strong performance and its distinct ethical investment options.
These awards reflect a snapshot of performance, fees, and member value at a point in time — they're a useful starting signal, not a guarantee of what any fund will deliver going forward.
Fee Comparison
Fees matter enormously over a multi-decade investment horizon because they compound against your balance every single year. Here's what's confirmed for 2026:
Australian Retirement Trust: from 1 July 2026, the admin fee is $96 per year plus 0.08% of your account balance, capped at a maximum of $1,250 per year. This is a meaningful cut from the previous 0.16% rate and puts ART's percentage-based fee closer to the lower end of the large-fund market.
HESTA: has historically positioned itself with competitive, comparatively low fees relative to ART, though the gap has narrowed since ART's July 2026 fee cut. HESTA remains among the lower-fee options in the industry fund category, without a large flat percentage fee structure.
UniSuper: also sits among the lower-fee funds in its category and is well known for a relatively low-cost structure, particularly in its flagship Balanced option, which has contributed to its strong net-of-fees long-term performance.
Because exact current fee percentages for HESTA and UniSuper vary by product and change periodically, always check each fund's current Product Disclosure Statement or the ATO's YourSuper comparison tool for the precise number that applies to your account and balance before deciding.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Fund | Best For | 2026 Recognition | Fee Structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Retirement Trust | Large, well-resourced all-rounder | MySuper Fund of the Year 2026 | $96 + 0.08% p.a. (capped at $1,250) |
| UniSuper | Long-term performance | Super Fund of the Year 2026 | Among the lowest-fee options in its category |
| HESTA | Health/community services members; ethical investing | Strong ongoing performance recognition | Among the lowest-fee options in its category |
Who Each Fund Suits
Australian Retirement Trust
ART is one of Australia's largest super funds, formed from the merger of QSuper and Sunsuper, giving it significant scale and resourcing. It suits members who want a broad, well-established, well-resourced fund with a wide range of investment options and strong administrative infrastructure — a solid generalist choice for members without a strong industry affiliation.
UniSuper
UniSuper has its roots in the higher education and research sector and historically served university staff, but it has been open to all Australians for years. It's particularly known for strong long-term performance in its Balanced investment option, making it a strong pick for members focused on track record over sector affiliation.
HESTA
HESTA grew out of the health and community services sector and retains a strong following among nurses, aged care workers, and community services staff, alongside distinct ethical and responsible investment options. It suits members who value the fund's specific member base, sector heritage, and ethical investment focus, though like the others it's open to any Australian.
A Note on Performance and Awards
Past performance and industry awards are useful signals but are not guarantees of future performance — a fund's return in any given year, or even over 5–10 years, doesn't guarantee it will keep outperforming. Fees, investment option choice (Balanced vs Growth vs Conservative, for example), and insurance arrangements all matter alongside headline performance numbers. Before switching funds, compare using the ATO's YourSuper comparison tool, which standardises fee and return data across all MySuper products for your specific balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Australian Retirement Trust's fees in 2026?
From 1 July 2026, ART charges $96 per year plus 0.08% of your balance, capped at $1,250/year — down from a 0.16% percentage fee previously.
Which fund won Super Fund of the Year in 2026?
UniSuper was named Super Fund of the Year 2026; Australian Retirement Trust was named MySuper Fund of the Year 2026.
Is HESTA only for health workers?
No — HESTA has a health and community services heritage but is open to all Australians as a full-service industry fund.
Is UniSuper only for university staff?
No — UniSuper originated in higher education but has been open to everyone for years, known for strong long-term Balanced option performance.
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