Super Fund Fee Calculator

Updated March 2026 · 6 min read · Interactive tool

Superannuation fees are one of the few factors you can directly compare when evaluating your super fund. Even a small percentage difference in total fees can compound into a significant gap over 30 or 40 years. This guide explains the fee types to look for and provides a calculator to estimate the projected impact.

Why Fees Matter

Fees are deducted from your super balance or from investment returns before they are credited. Over decades of compounding, higher fees reduce both the base your returns grow on and the returns themselves. Unlike investment performance, which varies year to year, fees are charged consistently.

Types of Super Fund Fees

Super fund fees typically include several components. Understanding each helps you make a like-for-like comparison:

• Administration fee: A flat dollar amount or percentage charged for running your account. Some funds charge a combination of both.
• Investment fee: Charged as a percentage of your balance for managing your investments. This varies by investment option (e.g. growth vs conservative).
• Indirect cost ratio (ICR): Costs not directly charged to your account but deducted from the fund assets, such as performance fees paid to external managers.
• Buy-sell spread: A small cost applied when you buy or sell units in the fund, covering transaction costs. This is typically 0.05% to 0.20%.
• Insurance premiums: Deducted from your balance to cover default or elected Death, TPD, and Income Protection insurance within super.

How to Read Fees in a PDS

Every super fund publishes a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) that lists all fees and costs. Look for the "Fees and costs summary" table, which is standardised under ASIC requirements. Compare the total estimated cost per year for a $50,000 balance, as this figure lets you directly compare across funds.

What the Numbers Mean

The calculator projects two balances side by side using the same contribution and return assumptions, differing only in total fees. The gap between the two illustrates how fees compound. A lower-fee fund does not guarantee a higher balance, because investment returns vary between funds. However, fees are a known, controllable factor.

General information only, not personal financial advice. Projections are illustrative only and do not represent guaranteed returns. The calculator assumes a 7% p.a. gross return before fees, constant contributions at 11.5% SG rate, and does not adjust for inflation. Actual results will vary. Consider your own circumstances or consult a licensed financial adviser.