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HESTA superannuation fund logo - Australian super fund provider

HESTA Review: Fees, Performance & Key Features

Industry
Reviewed by CompareFair Research Team
ยท
Updated March 2026
ยทData verified March 2026
Visit WebsiteCompare Super Funds

Overview

The HESTA Story

  • ๐ŸŒฑ A Healthy Start HESTA was established in 1987 with a clear purpose: to provide superannuation for the dedicated individuals working in Australia's health and community services sector. The fund was created to support a workforce that is predominantly comprised of women.

  • ๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€โš•๏ธ For Members, Not Profit As an industry super fund, HESTA is run only to benefit its members. From its headquarters in Melbourne, the fund has grown to serve over one million members, more than 80% of whom are women, advocating for a fair financial future for its community.

  • ๐Ÿ† Investing with Impact HESTA is committed to achieving strong long-term investment performance for its members. The fund believes in responsible investing, aiming to generate competitive returns while making a positive and meaningful difference in the world.

Key Strengths & Considerations

Strengths

  • Strong five-year return of 9.02% on the default Balanced Growth option
  • Dedicated focus on health and community services workers with tailored member support
  • Responsible investing integrated across all investment options through its Super with Impact approach
  • Insurance fees paused for up to 12 months while members are on approved parental leave
  • Access to financial advice at no extra cost through in-house super advisers

Considerations

  • Originated as a sector-specific fund, which may feel less relevant for members outside health and community services
  • Fewer investment options compared to some larger funds with broader menus
  • Default option may experience higher short-term volatility due to its growth-asset weighting
๐Ÿ’ฐ

Assets Under Management

$95 Billion

๐Ÿ‘ฅ

Total Members

1,000,000 Members

๐ŸŒฑ

ESG Options

Ethical Options

๐Ÿ’ธ

Est. Annual Fee

$437 on $50k

Investment Approach

HESTA's default Balanced Growth option targets a growth-oriented asset allocation, investing mainly in shares, private equity, property, and infrastructure, with a smaller allocation to debt and cash. The fund integrates responsible investment considerations across all options. With a suggested minimum investment timeframe of five to seven years, the Balanced Growth option aims to deliver medium to long-term growth while accepting some short-term volatility.

Fees in Context

At an estimated $437 per year on a $50,000 balance, HESTA sits below the industry median of $467. The fund's administration fee comprises a $52 annual fee plus 0.15% of the account balance, with the percentage-based component capped at balances of $500,000. This structure means members with smaller balances pay proportionally less in dollar terms.

Who Should Consider HESTA

HESTA suits workers in health and community services seeking a fund that understands their sector, but membership is open to all Australians. It is particularly well-suited for members who value responsible investing, want a competitive default option without actively managing their portfolio, and appreciate member-focused benefits such as parental leave insurance support.

Performance Chart

Default Option as at 30 June 2025

1 Year+10.18%
3 Year+9.62%
5 Year+9.02%
10 Year+7.64%

Fees Breakdown

  • Admin Fee: 0.19% + $52 per year
  • Investment Fee: 0.58%

Fee Calculator

$
Est. Total Annual Fee: $437

Option Performance - Returns as at 31 March 2026

Option Name โ†‘1 Year โ†•๏ธ3 Year โ†•๏ธ5 Year โ†•๏ธ10 Year โ†•๏ธ
Australian Shares+8.07%+8.20%+8.22%+9.05%
Balanced Growth+7.77%+8.12%+7.15%+7.89%
Cash and Term Deposits+3.58%+3.82%+2.68%+2.05%
Conservative+5.16%+5.31%+4.49%+5.22%
Diversified Bonds+1.89%+2.40%+0.23%+1.75%
High Growth+9.64%+10.24%+8.98%+9.72%
Indexed Balanced Growth+9.40%+9.78%+7.65%N/A
International Shares+9.63%+14.79%+9.16%+11.18%
Property and Infrastructure+5.74%+3.31%+6.03%+5.75%
Sustainable Growth+2.74%+5.38%+4.49%+7.69%

Frequently Asked Questions About HESTA

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HESTA in our analysis

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All performance and fee data shown is based on the fund's MySuper default option, unless stated otherwise. Data may be incorrect - please refer to the fund directly to ensure accuracy.