If you’ve been watching your superannuation balance lately, you might have noticed a pleasant surprise—your nest egg could look a little plumper than usual!

That’s because Australian super funds have just posted a 'tremendous' result for the financial year, with many Aussies enjoying double-digit returns despite a rollercoaster ride in the markets.

So, what’s behind this super surge, and which funds are leading the pack? Let’s dive in and see how your super stacks up!


A Year of Surprises: Super Funds Defy the Odds

Despite a bumpy second half of the year—think trade tensions, global conflicts, and the usual market jitters—super funds have delivered some of the best results we’ve seen in years.

According to research from Chant West, the median growth fund returned a whopping 10.5 per cent for the year.

That’s up from 9.1 per cent in 2024 and 9.2 per cent in 2023. Not too shabby, especially when you consider the economic headwinds we’ve all been hearing about.


If you’re with Legal Super, you might want to do a little happy dance—this niche fund topped the charts with a return of 12.9 per cent.

Vanguard wasn’t far behind, delivering 11.8 per cent, while Colonial First State, Australian Retirement Trust, and NGS all tied for third place with 11.2 per cent.

Here’s the full top 10, according to Chant West:

1. Legal Super MySuper Balance – 12.9 per cent
2. Vanguard Super SaveSmart Growth – 11.8 per cent
3. CFS FirstChoice Growth – 11.2 per cent
4. Australian Retirement Trust Balanced – 11.2 per cent
5. NGS Super Diversified (MySuper) – 11.2 per cent
6. smartMonday Balanced Growth – 11.1 per cent
7. AMP Future Directions Balanced – 11 per cent
8. UniSuper Growth – 11 per cent
9. Award Super Balanced – 10.9 per cent
10. Brighter Super MySuper – 10.9 per cent

What’s Driving These Returns?

So, how did super funds pull off such a strong year? According to Chant West’s senior investment research manager, Mano Mohankumar, it’s all about 'resilient share markets' and positive returns across all major asset classes.

International shares and Aussie shares both returned 13.7 per cent, and thanks to a weaker Aussie dollar, international shares delivered an even bigger boost for unhedged investors (a whopping 18.6 per cent).

Unlisted property also contributed positive results (2–5 per cent), while bonds had their best year since 2019, returning 6.8 per cent (Aussie) and 5.4 per cent (international).

Even cash, often the wallflower of the investment world, managed a respectable 4.4 per cent.


A Tale of Two Halves: Stability, Then Volatility

SuperRatings, another research house, noted that the first half of the year brought 'much-needed stability' to fund returns.

But the second half? Well, it was a bit of a wild ride, with global events causing 'extreme ups and downs.'

Still, the long-term focus of superannuation means that short-term volatility shouldn’t send you into a panic.

As SuperRatings director Kirby Rappell puts it: 'Superannuation is designed to build and maintain wealth for retirement.

Since most of us will have plenty of time until we retire and begin accessing our superannuation, it is important to block out as much of the noise as possible and focus on our long-term performance.

Looking Back: The Best Funds Over 10 Years

While a single year of double-digit returns is great, it’s the long-term performance that really matters for your retirement.

Here are the top 10 growth funds over the past decade (to June 30, 2025):

1. Hostplus Balanced – 8.3 per cent
2. Australian Retirement Trust Balanced – 8.2 per cent
3. AustralianSuper Balanced – 8 per cent
4. UniSuper Balanced – 7.9 per cent
5. Cbus Growth (MySuper) – 7.7 per cent
6. Vision Super Balanced Growth – 7.7 per cent
7. HESTA Balanced Growth – 7.6 per cent
8. Legal Super MySuper Balanced – 7.6 per cent
9. Aware Super Balanced – 7.6 per cent
10. CareSuper Balanced – 7.4 per cent
    
    

What Does This Mean for You?

If you’re approaching retirement, these results are a timely reminder to check in on your super fund’s performance.

Are you with one of the top performers? If not, it might be worth reviewing your options—after all, even a small difference in annual returns can add up to tens of thousands of dollars over time.

But remember, past performance isn’t everything. Fees, insurance, investment options, and customer service all matter too.

And as always, it’s a good idea to seek professional advice before making any big changes.
Are you celebrating a bumper year for your super, or are you thinking about making a switch? Have you had any surprises—good or bad—when checking your balance? We’d love to hear your experiences and tips for making the most of your retirement savings. Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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