Compare ethical super funds Australia | 2025
The information in this table is based on data provided by SuperRatings Pty Limited ABN 95 100 192 283, a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No.1309956) of Lonsec Research Pty Ltd ABN 11 151 658 561, Australian Financial Services Licence No. 421445. In limited instances, where data is not available from SuperRatings for a product, the data is provided directly by the superannuation fund.
*Past performance data and fee data is for the period ending June 2025
- ‘Ethical’ means different things to different people, so there is no one way that ethical super funds invest.
- Some super funds exclusively offer ethical investment options, while others might offer just one dedicted ethical investment option.
- Ethical funds have performed well over the long term, but make sure you’re not overpaying in fees.
What is an ethical super fund?
An ethical super fund is one that aims to invest its members’ money in an ethical or socially responsible way.
Generally, it involves supporting companies and industries that are making a positive impact on our communities and on our environment, while actively excluding those that are making a negative impact.
Ethical investing has become more popular in recent years, and now accounts for around 36% of the investment market in Australia.1
How ethical super funds invest your money
An ethical super fund is one that chooses investment options based on a set of social, environmental and ethical criteria. There is no set approach or rule to how ethical funds invest, but here’s a list of the investments ethical funds tend to include and exclude from their portfolios.
Note that not all ethical super funds will include or exclude all these things. While some funds might completely exclude something like coal mining companies, other funds might put a limit in place around how much of their fund can be invested in a particular industry.
What do ethical super funds invest in?
- Renewable, clean energy projects like wind farms
- Recycling and waste management
- Companies that do not test on animals
- Clean, efficient transport (like electric cars)
- Healthcare and education
- Innovative technology and sustainable products and manufacturing
- Companies with gender-diverse boards
What don’t ethical super funds invest in?
- Fossil fuel production
- Coal mining
- Tobacco and gambling
- Pornography
- Forest logging
- Companies that test products on animals
- Live animal exports
- Amunition manufacturing
Some ethical investment funds also conduct a “best of sector” approach. This involves looking at a particular sector, for example banking, and selecting the companies that best meet its ethical criteria.
For example looking at all the banks, and instead of deciding that none meet the ethical criteria, investing in the one that is the closest fit. This way, you’re still benefiting from the investment diversification and performance of that sector.
“A lot of people forget their superannuation represents the ability to influence outcomes. When considering which super fund to invest in, it’s really important to be aware of performance and fees – but also to ensure your values are aligned.
For example, if you’re environmentally conscious, then you don’t want your super to be invested in mining stocks. Superannuation is an endurance race; you’ll have better success if your values are aligned with your investment decisions. “
What’s the best ethical super fund?
Australian Ethical Super has been named the best ethical super fund in the Finder Green Awards multiple years in a row (2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 when the program was last run). It was also named as the Sustainable Fund of the Year for 2025 by SuperRatings.
High growth ethical super fund
Australian Ethical Super International Shares
+16.11%
1 year performance
+16.6%
3 year performance
+9.72%
10 year performance
Australian Ethical seeks to invest in companies that have a positive impact on the planet, people and animals, such as renewable energy and healthcare while avoiding investments in coal, oil, tobacco and gambling.
We looked at each fund’s current environmental performance, environmental targets and reporting and accreditation, analysing the fund’s sustainable investment approach and the environmental performance of its portfolio.
| Superfund |
Australian Ethical Super International Shares |
|---|---|
| Fees on $5k balance (p.a.) |
$126 |
| Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) |
$648 |
| Fees on $100k balance (p.a.) |
$1,228 |
What we like about Australian Ethical Super:
- Certified sustainable. Australian Ethical Super is one of just a handful of super funds to be certified by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia for its commitment to responsible and sustainable investments.
- Investment transparency. Australian Ethical Super provides a readily available list of all the companies it invests in on its website, so you can see exactly where your money is going.
- Climate change awareness. Australian Ethical Super excludes all fossil fuel investments and most mining companies, while actively investing in renewable energy.
- Strong performance. Australian Ethical Super has achieved strong performance returns over the short and long term.
UniSuper Balanced was named the best balanced fund in the 2024 Finder Awards, and Uni Super Sustainable High Growth was named the best high growth fund.
Low-fee ethical super fund
UniSuper – Sustainable High Growth
+12.24%
1 year performance
+13.75%
3 year performance
+9.66%
10 year performance
UniSuper is an industry super fund with more than 640,000 members. Its Sustainable High Growth option limits exposure to fossil fuels, weapons, gambling, alcohol and tobacco and charges some of the lowest fees in the market.
We looked at the ethical super funds in our database and filtered for the fund with the lowest annual fees based on a $50,000 balance.
| Superfund |
UniSuper – Sustainable High Growth |
|---|---|
| Fees on $5k balance (p.a.) |
$119 |
| Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) |
$326 |
| Fees on $100k balance (p.a.) |
$556 |
What we like about UniSuper:
- Certified sustainable. UniSuper’s ethical options are all certified by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia for their commitment to responsible and sustainable investments.
- Low fees. UniSuper’s two ethical options (Sustainable Balanced and Sustainable High Growth) both charge the lowest fees of all ethical funds in our database.
- High returns. UniSuper is consistently one of the top-performing funds in the market.
How to compare ethical super funds
There are several factors you should consider before choosing an ethical super fund, including:
1. Accreditation
The Responsible Investment Association of Australasia (RIAA) offers a Responsible Investment Certification to certain funds that meet its criteria. Some fund that have received this accreditation are Australian Ethical, UniSuper, Aware Super, Future Super and Australian Retirement Trust. A fund doesn’t need to have this certification to be considered ‘ethical’, however it’s handy to know that those that do have been independently verified.
2. Performance
While past performance does not indicate future performance, it’s definitely worthwhile checking a super fund’s investment performance to see the returns it has generated over the long term (for example 10+ years).
3. The companies it invests in
Take a closer look at the individual companies the fund will invest your money in. You’ll find this information on the fund’s website, or by contacting the fund directly. Are there any there that do not align with your values and beliefs?
4. Screening process
How rigorously does the super fund screen companies it considers for investment? Does it use negative screening, positive screening and/or a best of sector approach?
5. The fees
Some ethical super funds can charge quite high fees, in comparison to regular MySuper funds. You may decide this it worth it for you personally, based on your investment values. However, it’s still worth comparing the fees among ethical funds themselves as these can vary greatly. A general rule of thumb is to aim for annual fees that are around 1% of your balance or less.
6. The risk level
Check how aggressively the ethical fund invests in growth assets like shares, and if this aligns with your desired risk level.
Want to compare more super funds?
Compare hundreds of super fund options to find the right one for you.
Pros and cons of joining an ethical super fund
Pros
- Invest your money in line with your values.
- Know your super isn’t supporting industries you don’t agree with.
- Some ethical super options have performed incredibly well.
- There are more ethical investments becoming available, giving you lots of choice.
Cons
- You’ll need to sacrifice some investment opportunities.
- Excluding certain industries means your investment portfolio could be less diversified.
- Less choice between super funds, as not all super funds offer an ethical investment option.
- The fees do tend to be higher with ethical super funds.
Look out for greenwashing
How do ethical super funds perform?
Ethical super funds have consistently performed as well as regular funds over the last few years. Here are the 5 top performing sustainable balanced super funds over the 2024/25 financial year, according to data from SuperRatings1.
| Ethical super fund | 1-year return |
| Vanguard Super – Ethically Conscious Growth | 12.60% |
| Aware Super – Balanced Socially Conscious | 12.30% |
| UniSuper – Sustainable Balanced | 11.10% |
| Raiz Super – Emerald | 11.10% |
| HESTA – Sustainable Balanced | 11.10% |
How to join an ethical super fund
1. Choose an ethical fund. The comparison table above can help you choose a new super fund.
2. Join the new fund. Complete the online application form on the fund’s website.
3. Move your super into your new fund. Enter the details of your previous fund when you submit the application form and the new fund will arrange for your balance to be transferred over.
4. Let your employer know. Let your employer know right away so they can pay your next super guarantee payment to the correct fund.
Take a look at our guide on how to change super funds in 4 steps for a more detailed explanation of each step.
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