ESSSuper was formed from a merger of the Government Superannuation Office (GSO) and ESSS in 2005. A single fund was formed by the merger of the State Superannuation Fund and the ESSS.
As of September 30th 2024 they had over 130,000 members and $36 billion in assets under management across accumulation, pension and defined benefits.
Please Note: Any advice on this page is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether this is right for you. See full disclaimer.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
ESSSuper’s Growth, balanced and Conservative investment options have all outperformed the median option of their relevant risk profiles over 3 and 5 years but under performed over 1 year.
Check out ESSSuper vs AustralianSuper to see how it compares with Australia’s biggest super fund and for a comparison against all funds see compare super funds.
Select an investment option from the menu below to see performance Vs the relevant median.
Fees for ESSSuper’s main investment options are below the median of other options of the same risk category on Review My Super.
Select an investment option from the menu below to see flat fees, percentage based fees and total fees on a balance of $50,000.
| Investment Option | 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESSSuper Accum - Balanced | 7.93% | 6.94% | 5.96% |
| Median | 8.1% | 7.1% | 5.5% |
| ESSSuper Accum - Balanced VS Median | -0.17% | -0.16% | 0.46% |
| Investment Option | Flat Fee | Percentage Based Fee | Fee Based on 50k |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESSSuper Accum - Balanced | 52 | 0.62% | $362 |
| Rank | Asset | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australian Shares | 21% | |
| 2 | International Shares | 22.5% | |
| 3 | Fixed Interest | 10% | |
| 4 | Alternative | 13.5% | |
| 5 | Property | 7.5% | |
| 6 | Other | 12.5% | |
| 7 | Cash | 13% |
| Investment Option | 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESSSuper Accum - Growth | 9.03% | 8.16% | 7.12% |
| Median | 11.6% | 10.1% | 7.8% |
| ESSSuper Accum - Growth VS Median | -2.57% | -1.94% | -0.68% |
| Investment Option | Flat Fee | Percentage Based Fee | Fee Based on 50k |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESSSuper Accum - Growth | 52 | 0.64% | $372 |
| Rank | Asset | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australian Shares | 30.5% | |
| 2 | International Shares | 41% | |
| 3 | Fixed Interest | 2.5% | |
| 4 | Alternative | 13.5% | |
| 5 | Property | 6% | |
| 6 | Other | 4% | |
| 7 | Cash | 2.5% |
| Investment Option | 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESSSuper Accum - Conservative | 6.1% | 5.6% | 4.77% |
| Median | 5.8% | 5.6% | 4.1% |
| ESSSuper Accum - Conservative VS Median | 0.3% | - | 0.67% |
| Investment Option | Flat Fee | Percentage Based Fee | Fee Based on 50k |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESSSuper Accum - Conservative | 52 | 0.57% | $337 |
| Rank | Asset | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australian Shares | 11.5% | |
| 2 | International Shares | 15.5% | |
| 3 | Fixed Interest | 23% | |
| 4 | Alternative | 11% | |
| 5 | Property | 6% | |
| 6 | Other | 11% | |
| 7 | Cash | 22% |
| Investment Option | 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESSSuper Accum - Capital Stable | 5.46% | 5.25% | 4.08% |
| Median | 5.8% | 5.6% | 4.1% |
| ESSSuper Accum - Capital Stable VS Median | -0.34% | -0.35% | -0.02% |
| Investment Option | Flat Fee | Percentage Based Fee | Fee Based on 50k |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESSSuper Accum - Capital Stable | 52 | 0.53% | $317 |
| Rank | Asset | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australian Shares | 6% | |
| 2 | International Shares | 8.5% | |
| 3 | Fixed Interest | 17% | |
| 4 | Alternative | 7.5% | |
| 5 | Property | 5% | |
| 6 | Other | 11% | |
| 7 | Cash | 45% |
| Investment Option | 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESSSuper Accum - Shares Only | 11.09% | 9.7% | 7.87% |
| Median | 11.6% | 10.1% | 7.8% |
| ESSSuper Accum - Shares Only VS Median | -0.51% | -0.4% | 0.07% |
| Investment Option | Flat Fee | Percentage Based Fee | Fee Based on 50k |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESSSuper Accum - Shares Only | 52 | 0.57% | $337 |
| Rank | Asset | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australian Shares | 40% | |
| 2 | International Shares | 60% |
| Investment Option | 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESSSuper Accum - Ethical Diversified | 7.94% | 6.9% | 5.37% |
| Median | 10.5% | 8.8% | 6.8% |
| ESSSuper Accum - Ethical Diversified VS Median | -2.56% | -1.9% | -1.43% |
| Investment Option | Flat Fee | Percentage Based Fee | Fee Based on 50k |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESSSuper Accum - Ethical Diversified | 52 | 0.71% | $407 |
| Rank | Asset | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australian Shares | 30% | |
| 2 | International Shares | 34% | |
| 3 | Fixed Interest | 16% | |
| 4 | Alternative | 12% | |
| 5 | Property | 4% | |
| 6 | Cash | 4% |
| Investment Option | 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESSSuper Accum - Balanced Growth | 11.57% | 10.26% | 8.48% |
| Median | 10.5% | 8.8% | 6.8% |
| ESSSuper Accum - Balanced Growth VS Median | 1.07% | 1.46% | 1.68% |
| Investment Option | Flat Fee | Percentage Based Fee | Fee Based on 50k |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESSSuper Accum - Balanced Growth | 52 | 0.45% | $277 |
| Rank | Asset | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australian Shares | 27.5% | |
| 2 | International Shares | 33% | |
| 3 | Fixed Interest | 7% | |
| 4 | Alternative | 10% | |
| 5 | Property | 6% | |
| 6 | Other | 7.5% | |
| 7 | Cash | 9% |
| Investment Option | 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESSSuper Accum - Cash | 3.66% | 4% | 2.9% |
| Median | - | - | - |
| ESSSuper Accum - Cash VS Median | 3.66% | 4% | 2.9% |
| Investment Option | Flat Fee | Percentage Based Fee | Fee Based on 50k |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESSSuper Accum - Cash | 52 | 0.32% | $212 |
| Rank | Asset | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cash | 100% |
| Investment Option | 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESSSuper Accum - Defensive | 4.21% | 4.34% | 2.92% |
| Median | - | - | - |
| ESSSuper Accum - Defensive VS Median | 4.21% | 4.34% | 2.92% |
| Investment Option | Flat Fee | Percentage Based Fee | Fee Based on 50k |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESSSuper Accum - Defensive | 52 | 0.44% | $272 |
| Rank | Asset | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australian Shares | 3% | |
| 2 | International Shares | 4% | |
| 3 | Fixed Interest | 25% | |
| 4 | Alternative | 4.5% | |
| 5 | Property | 3% | |
| 6 | Other | 7% | |
| 7 | Cash | 53.5% |
| Investment Option | 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESSSuper Accum - Balanced Growth Managed | 8.63% | - | - |
| Median | 10.5% | - | - |
| ESSSuper Accum - Balanced Growth Managed VS Median | -1.87% | - | - |
| Investment Option | Flat Fee | Percentage Based Fee | Fee Based on 50k |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESSSuper Accum - Balanced Growth Managed | 52 | 0.63% | $367 |
| Rank | Asset | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australian Shares | 26% | |
| 2 | International Shares | 31.5% | |
| 3 | Fixed Interest | 6% | |
| 4 | Alternative | 13.5% | |
| 5 | Property | 6.5% | |
| 6 | Other | 8.5% | |
| 7 | Cash | 8% |
Members are offered death and TPD insurance cover.
They are also able to apply for additional Insurance Cover, which can include Death Cover, Death and TPD cover and Income Protection cover.
Additional cover is available with the following limits:
Death – $2 million.
TPD – $2 million.
Income protection – the lesser of 85% of your income or $25,000 per month
Insurance is provided by AIA Australia Limited.
See the ESSSuper ABN and USI page for all the information required to contribute to this fund.
Read their PDS and TMD for further details.
ESSSuper’s Growth, Balanced and Conservative investment options have all outperformed the median over 3 and 5 years but under performed over 1 year. Fees for ESSSuper’s main investment options are below the median of other options of the same risk category on Review My Super. Based on this evidence, it would be reasonable to say it’s a good super fund.
Remember, past performance isn’t a reliable indicator of future performance and there are many factors which determine whether a super fund is good or bad and it can differ depending on personal requirements. It’s best to seek advice from a qualified adviser in order to work out which is the best super fund for you.
Yes, it is an APRA fund.
ESSSuper is not designated by Industry Super Australia as an Industry fund. However, they are a not for profit fund catering to specific industries.
ESSSuper stands for Emergency Services and State Super.
ESSSuper Reviews: 1.6 out of 5 stars from 17 customer reviews on Australia’s best superannuation review site Review My Super.
See more Super Fund Reviews to compare ratings and reviews across funds.
Was looking forward to retirement, but now its a nightmare I never envisaged having my income deprived from me which incorporates 38 years of contributions witheld and havent had any money coming in for over two months or any chance of any plans to travel or enjoy life owing to ESSsuper denying me my defined benefit and lump sum,My planner is waiting to organise an income stream and also centrelink entitlment and in general work out my financial future but now with no benefit forthcoming am in limbo and cannot be considered to be . retired and for the first time in 50years have no wages or salary and am losing money every day that this is not resolved I am sick of spending up to two hours at a time on the phone to be told lies, I was told to change my password to gain access to the website but am blocked out from it even though I did that, it just goes on and on, if I didnt contact the call centre no one would bother contacting me and I have heard absolutley nothing unless I ring and wait for two hours to be told untruths My partner is reduced to tears, and my nights are sleepless I really didnt think this is what my retierment would produce and how I would be treated by ESSSuper who are supposed to be on my side to secure my income. I heard the acting CEO telling Tom Elliott he was setting up a phone line for people who are suffering hardship, so when you ring its the same phone line that takes you nowhere, which is a little bit more torture for people who are in financial hardship because of this, My local member of parliament put me on to a board member he knew and everything he said in his reply email was just spin, I could go on about the discraceful service but being asked to rate esssuper is like being asked to rate the safety of the titanic
ESS superannuation have become extremely untruthful, unreliable and have withheld my funds for 4 months. The online email system is ignored when you request information, the telephone staff give unreliable and blatantly false information regarding requested payments. The Board should be sacked.
Members could not access their money for nearly 2 months due to an IT upgrade. Imagine if a bank did this. Appalling management of a super fund. I am a long term member of ESSSSuper, joined in the 1980s. But I have been locked out of my income stream for 7 weeks because my super fund was undergoing an IT upgrade. ESSSuper seems to have forgotten it is members money they hold. I will be seeking an embargo on administration fees while my account was locked.
ESSS was once a great fund, but now it is absolutely hopeless. ESSS shut down member access for six weeks from January to March 2022 in order to conduct system upgrades. Since the upgrades access is impossible. The on-line code re-sets do not work, members are being locked out and have to call up, but nobody answers the telephones. Consequently members cannot get any information regarding their specific performance, status of accounts or any service from ESSS. Members are considering ‘class action against ESSS and/or moving to other super funds. If there was an option for minus stars I would rate them in minus.
The way this new system implementation has been managed is an example of world’s worst practice. I am really concerned about the calibre and competency of the people in-charge. They’re only now communicating about whats’ happened because this debacle has started to feature in the media. People are suffering needlessly due to this poor implementation.
very poor terrible new database
At the moment I am not happy with them at all. Retired in April 2022 and am unable to access my money. Way too long wait times on the phone for enquiries. The backlog is huge for applications for your retirement income stream. You only have to go on Product Review to see all those poor customers who are in financial distress.
Appalling customer service, continual apologies from call centre staff with limited knowledge, unable to speak to managers who should be able to provide accurate information as to why the delays in an income stream application being processed, changeover to new system fraught with problems and an inordinate amount of time functioning poorly preventing members access to funds, no one can tell me when I will be able to access my money, can’t wait to rollover to another fund as soon as ESS finally release my funds,
I have been an ESSS member for 40 years last week. 15 years ago they were fantastic until the Vic state gov’t aligned them with State Super. They are now USELESS. I was due to receive my age 65 ill-health retirement letter 3 months before 22 November 2022. I’m still waiting for it 3 weeks after the event. There are many things I could/would say about ESSS but the main thing would be – avoid it!
I have been a member since 1977 (State Super back then)
Retiring has been an absolute nightmare to access any of MY funds – so many hours on the ph & being told all is good… but it wasn’t !!! On one ph call I was told that I couldn’t access my funds because they have been invested – ??????
I had put a deposit on a house & didn’t require a loan as I knew I had sufficient funds in Esss – well… the more calls I made as settlement day drew closer… the more it seemed that I couldn’t access a cent. One call I made I asked to be put thru to the CEO – that was outright refused !!!!! I then drove to ESSS in Melbourne – i spoke to the person on the front desk. She was the ONLY person who actually helped me. I received MY money just days before settlement.
Like others have stayed – changing codes to access money didn’t do a thing – it just didn’t work at all. And as for the debacle last year – 2922 when they supposedly upgraded their computer system… that dragged on for so long.
I’m absolutely fed up & disgusted with the way ESSS is now being run… or more directly – NOT run. Where have all the good people gone from this organisation ????? The call centre people promise assistance, but for whatever reason it just doesn’t happen.
I could go on about the insurance etc… but really – with only ONE exception (the lady at the reception desk) – ESSS should have absolutely NO stars as the service is NO longer there – this being in the year 2023
Starting g to become somewhat concerned about fund management, accumulation fund balance option losing on much more days than gaining,
ESS Super refusing to make payment. Have been waiting on a death benefit that was approved on 3 February this year. It has now been over 3 months and despite dozens of calls no payment. The most reason answer was it is hard to work out the interest payable and has been returned from each section with the comment don’t know how to do it. They constantly tell me they are not answerable to any body and take them to VCAT. I know there is a possible class action case and would like to join this if I can find out which firm? I am now emailing the Assistant Treasurer of Victoria as it is under his portfolio. Something has to been done about ESS Super!!!.
ESSSuper is fine untill you retire. I retired in March 2022. It is August 2022 and I am still waiting for my funds to be rolled over to an SMSF. Have been living off savings and putting off any non-urgent purchases to get by. Multiple phone calls to ESSSuper have been them promising to sort this out by the end of the week. Still waiting. Running out of spare cash.
Despite having a Family Court Order to split my husbands super, it has taken nearly 8 months to do so, and that only because finally in desperation I sought the assistance of the Victorian Ombudsmans office who do have jurisdiction in this area.
The most dysfunctional,incompetent company I have ever had dealings with in 60yrs of business.
I was super glad to receive my first pension payment today. All my contributions has been calculated and paid to my bank account three days before Xmas Eve 2023. A BIG THANK YOU to Frank Sanchez for your help. I will always remember you bring the good news to my pensioner life. All the best to you and the team.
I have been with ESSS since it commenced on 1/1/1983, it was great until it merged with State Super and then got even worse when they did a system upgrade in 2022. Never been the same since. They even removed their AssistMe calculator because they couldn’t get it to work. I’m coming up to retirement and was going to stay with ESSS however their customer service, fees and performance have put me off. Going to a Private Wealth financial planner instead.