🌱 A Pioneering Vision Founded in 1986, Australian Ethical was established to offer Australians an investment option that aligned with their values. It was created with the firm belief that money could be a force for good, providing a way to invest for a prosperous future without contributing to harmful industries.
📜 Guided by an Ethical Charter At its core, Australian Ethical operates under a detailed Ethical Charter that scrutinises every investment decision. This foundational document ensures capital is directed towards companies making a positive impact and steers clear of sectors like fossil fuels, tobacco, and weapons manufacturing.
🌏 Investing for a Better Future Operating from its headquarters in Sydney, Australian Ethical has grown to manage billions of dollars for tens of thousands of members. As a pioneer of ethical investing in Australia, the fund continues to demonstrate that strong financial returns and positive social and environmental outcomes can be achieved together.
Assets Under Management
$14 Billion
Total Members
130,000 Members
ESG Options
All options
Est. Annual Fee
$618 on $50k
Australian Ethical's default Balanced (accumulation) option targets a 75/25 growth-to-defensive asset allocation, meaning roughly three-quarters of the portfolio is invested in higher-growth assets like Australian and international shares. All holdings are actively screened against the fund's Ethical Charter, which restricts sectors such as fossil fuels and tobacco while favouring areas like renewable energy, healthcare, IT, and education. This approach aims to deliver long-term growth while aligning investments with members' values.
At an estimated $618 per year on a $50,000 balance, Australian Ethical sits well above the industry median of $467. The higher fee reflects the cost of maintaining an in-house ethics research team and actively screening every investment against the fund's 23-point Ethical Charter. Members are paying a premium for a fund where ethical assessment is embedded across all options, not offered as a single add-on.
Australian Ethical suits members who want their entire super balance invested in line with strong environmental and social values. It is particularly well-suited for people who prioritise avoiding fossil fuels, tobacco, and weapons in their portfolio and are willing to pay higher fees for a fund with a dedicated, long-standing ethical investment process rather than a bolt-on responsible option.
Default Option as at 30 June 2025
| Option Name ↑ | 1 Year ↕️ | 3 Year ↕️ | 5 Year ↕️ | 10 Year ↕️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Shares | -1.90% | +5.80% | +2.90% | +8.00% |
| Balanced (Accumulation) | +4.50% | +7.70% | +5.80% | +7.10% |
| Balanced (accumulation) | +4.40% | +6.50% | +4.90% | +6.70% |
| Conservative | +3.70% | +3.60% | +1.90% | +3.00% |
| Defensive | +3.40% | +3.70% | +2.40% | +1.60% |
| Growth | +5.00% | +7.30% | +5.90% | +7.50% |
| High Growth | +5.00% | +8.50% | +6.70% | +8.30% |
| International Shares | +4.30% | +12.60% | +9.50% | +10.10% |
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