Founded in 1987, HESTA Super is an Industry super fund and is linked to employees of the health and community service sectors.
As of September 30th 2024 they had approximately 1.08 million members and $88.36 billion in assets under management.
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.
HESTA Super’s performance across their main investment options generally compares favorably to the median performance of their risk categories.
Select an investment option from the menu below to see performance Vs the relevant median.
Check out our more in depth analysis of HESTA Super Performance
See HESTA Super vs AustralianSuper to see how HESTA Super compares with Australia’s biggest super fund and for a comparison against all funds see compare super funds.
Fees for the MySuper – Balanced Growth investment option is close to the median of investment options of the same risk category listed 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| HESTA MySuper - Balanced Growth | 9.71% | 9.51% | 7.44% |
| Median | 9.8% | 9.7% | 7% |
| HESTA MySuper - Balanced Growth VS Median | -0.09% | -0.19% | 0.44% |
| Investment Option | Flat Fee | Percentage Based Fee | Fee Based on 50k |
|---|---|---|---|
| HESTA MySuper - Balanced Growth | 52 | 0.78% | $442 |
| Rank | Asset | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australian Shares | 22% | |
| 2 | International Shares | 28% | |
| 3 | Fixed Interest | 19% | |
| 4 | Alternative | 18% | |
| 5 | Property | 7% | |
| 6 | Cash | 6% |
| Investment Option | 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| HESTA Pers - Cash and Term Deposits | 3.63% | 3.88% | 2.81% |
| Median | - | - | - |
| HESTA Pers - Cash and Term Deposits VS Median | 3.63% | 3.88% | 2.81% |
| Investment Option | Flat Fee | Percentage Based Fee | Fee Based on 50k |
|---|---|---|---|
| HESTA Pers - Cash and Term Deposits | 52 | 0.23% | $167 |
| Rank | Asset | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Other | 50% | |
| 2 | Cash | 50% |
| Investment Option | 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| HESTA Pers - Indexed Balanced Growth | 11.28% | 11.67% | 8.15% |
| Median | 9.8% | 9.7% | 7% |
| HESTA Pers - Indexed Balanced Growth VS Median | 1.48% | 1.97% | 1.15% |
| Investment Option | Flat Fee | Percentage Based Fee | Fee Based on 50k |
|---|---|---|---|
| HESTA Pers - Indexed Balanced Growth | 52 | 0.28% | $192 |
| Rank | Asset | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australian Shares | 33% | |
| 2 | International Shares | 42% | |
| 3 | Fixed Interest | 20% | |
| 4 | Cash | 5% |
| Investment Option | 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| HESTA Pers - Balanced Growth | 9.71% | 9.51% | 7.44% |
| Median | 9.8% | 9.7% | 7% |
| HESTA Pers - Balanced Growth VS Median | -0.09% | -0.19% | 0.44% |
| Investment Option | Flat Fee | Percentage Based Fee | Fee Based on 50k |
|---|---|---|---|
| HESTA Pers - Balanced Growth | 52 | 0.78% | $442 |
| Rank | Asset | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australian Shares | 22% | |
| 2 | International Shares | 28% | |
| 3 | Fixed Interest | 19% | |
| 4 | Alternative | 18% | |
| 5 | Property | 7% | |
| 6 | Cash | 6% |
| Investment Option | 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| HESTA Pers - High Growth | 11.47% | 11.77% | 9.3% |
| Median | 10.8% | 11.2% | 8% |
| HESTA Pers - High Growth VS Median | 0.67% | 0.57% | 1.3% |
| Investment Option | Flat Fee | Percentage Based Fee | Fee Based on 50k |
|---|---|---|---|
| HESTA Pers - High Growth | 52 | 0.92% | $512 |
| Rank | Asset | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australian Shares | 32% | |
| 2 | International Shares | 31.5% | |
| 3 | Fixed Interest | 4.5% | |
| 4 | Alternative | 20% | |
| 5 | Property | 7% | |
| 6 | Cash | 5% |
| Investment Option | 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| HESTA Pers - Australian Shares | 4.9% | 9.57% | 7.88% |
| Median | 10.8% | 11.2% | 8% |
| HESTA Pers - Australian Shares VS Median | -5.9% | -1.63% | -0.12% |
| Investment Option | Flat Fee | Percentage Based Fee | Fee Based on 50k |
|---|---|---|---|
| HESTA Pers - Australian Shares | 52 | 0.43% | $267 |
| Rank | Asset | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australian Shares | 100% |
| Investment Option | 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| HESTA Pers - Diversified Bonds | 2.36% | 3.07% | 0.37% |
| Median | - | - | - |
| HESTA Pers - Diversified Bonds VS Median | 2.36% | 3.07% | 0.37% |
| Investment Option | Flat Fee | Percentage Based Fee | Fee Based on 50k |
|---|---|---|---|
| HESTA Pers - Diversified Bonds | 52 | 0.52% | $312 |
| Rank | Asset | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fixed Interest | 100% |
| Investment Option | 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| HESTA Pers - Conservative | 6.35% | 6.08% | 4.72% |
| Median | 6% | 6.1% | 4.2% |
| HESTA Pers - Conservative VS Median | 0.35% | -0.02% | 0.52% |
| Investment Option | Flat Fee | Percentage Based Fee | Fee Based on 50k |
|---|---|---|---|
| HESTA Pers - Conservative | 52 | 0.6% | $352 |
| Rank | Asset | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australian Shares | 9.5% | |
| 2 | International Shares | 12.5% | |
| 3 | Fixed Interest | 35% | |
| 4 | Alternative | 13.5% | |
| 5 | Property | 8.5% | |
| 6 | Cash | 21% |
| Investment Option | 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| HESTA Pers - International Shares | 16.02% | 16.84% | 10.2% |
| Median | 10.8% | 11.2% | 8% |
| HESTA Pers - International Shares VS Median | 5.22% | 5.64% | 2.2% |
| Investment Option | Flat Fee | Percentage Based Fee | Fee Based on 50k |
|---|---|---|---|
| HESTA Pers - International Shares | 52 | 0.49% | $297 |
| Rank | Asset | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | International Shares | 100% |
| Investment Option | 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| HESTA Pers - Property and Infrastructure | 7.22% | 3.71% | 6.1% |
| Median | 7.8% | 7.8% | 5.6% |
| HESTA Pers - Property and Infrastructure VS Median | -0.58% | -4.09% | 0.5% |
| Investment Option | Flat Fee | Percentage Based Fee | Fee Based on 50k |
|---|---|---|---|
| HESTA Pers - Property and Infrastructure | 52 | 1.14% | $622 |
| Rank | Asset | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alternative | 45% | |
| 2 | Property | 45% | |
| 3 | Cash | 10% |
| Investment Option | 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| HESTA Pers - Sustainable Growth | 2.75% | 6.56% | 4.5% |
| Median | 9.8% | 9.7% | 7% |
| HESTA Pers - Sustainable Growth VS Median | -7.05% | -3.14% | -2.5% |
| Investment Option | Flat Fee | Percentage Based Fee | Fee Based on 50k |
|---|---|---|---|
| HESTA Pers - Sustainable Growth | 52 | 0.95% | $527 |
| Rank | Asset | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australian Shares | 27% | |
| 2 | International Shares | 31% | |
| 3 | Fixed Interest | 19% | |
| 4 | Alternative | 9% | |
| 5 | Property | 7% | |
| 6 | Cash | 7% |
Members are offered life, TPD and income protection Insurance to their members.
You can apply to increase your cover above the default rates, with the following limits:
Death – $3 million.
TPD – $2 million.
Income protection – $25,000 per month, capped at the lesser of the monthly benefit equal to the units of cover
last accepted for that Insured member and 85% of the insured member’s Pre-Disability Income.
Insurance is provided by AIA Australia Ltd.
Insurance rating by Omnilife.
Please note: This is the overall rating before individual circumstances are taken into account. Individual circumstances will vary the rating significantly.
See the HESTA Super ABN and USI page for all the information required to contribute to this fund.
Read their PDS and TMD for further details.
Performance has been generally favourable vs the median option of the same risk profiles across it’s main investment options. Fees for these options are close to the median compared to options of the same risk category listed on Review My Super.
Based on this evidence, it may be a good option depending on the individuals risk profile and other individual preferences.
However, 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’s an industry super fund predominantly for the health care industry. However, membership is open to anyone.
HESTA Super Reviews: 1.8 out of 5 stars from 46 customer reviews on Australia’s best superannuation review site Review My Super.
See more Super Fund Reviews to compare ratings and reviews across funds.
While l am reasonably happy with the performance of MY money, l think that hesta should take a cut in fees when the fund underperforms.
Also l recently tried to withdraw some of MY money and was refused due to some technical doublespeak about 2 letters in my name being different. Despite sending all relevant paperwork and information as instructed.
Hesta seem to think MY money is THEIR money.
Like all these institutions, they are very good at taking money, but very inefficient when it comes to paying out.
POORLY MANAGED!!
Contacting HESTA by phone is definitely problematic due no call back service or phone information letting you know where you are in the line. I have tried calling them on 6 occasions and after waiting 20 minutes l gave up in feeling totally frustrated. I can’t believe how bad HESTA’S phone service is. They definitely didn’t win an award for their phone service. HESTA’S general manager needs to sort this problem out as a matter of priority.
I’ve been trying to open the line on my Hesta account to open a streaming account so I can access my superannuation. Their response to date has been woeful. I’m more than disappointed. Having been with them for 30 years I thought this process would be easy. Nope….not with Hesta so far after 6 weeks of waiting for help.
Pathetic. Online withdrawal system including acceptance of identification and forms do not work, ever! You’re forced to call and then the operator can’t advise anything but the withdrawal is ‘under review.’ It’s supposed to be a quick withdrawal when at the correct age as I am but it never has been. This time around, still waiting for a response after 2 weeks. No different any other time.
2021 – 2022 just lost $12000 in 12 months off my $400000 super
They have very poor client services and very faulty procedures.
I am since 28th of July requesting my name update in the system, because THEY made a mistake of not adding my full name there. Till now nothing was done, I have to contact them every time and they always come with another request.
I am completely dissatisfied with their service.
Refused to process official signed documents for a rollover and were in breach of the CIS act 1992 and the Corporations act 1993 and risked us failing to meet a financial clause in a contract which would have resulted in a massive law suit brought against HESTA for losses of at least $500,000 minimum.
difficulty in finding a contact phone number
HESTA have failed to act on verbal authorities (they suggested we provide the verbal authority).
HESTA keep saying it’s not their department and can’t help.
HESTA are unable to provide details of their process to be followed (Catch Up payments can’t even be searched for on their website).
When you advise that you want to make a complaint, they terminate calls.
Good returns if you just want to pay your salary and very basic stuff, but totally inept if you care about your super and want to maximise the benefits.
The performance of Hesta superannuation fund has been dropping significantly for some time now and I would suggest if you are looking for a superannuation fund you look elsewhere where, on just $18,000 they have taken approximately $878 of me this financial period. They are full of excuses and its so easy to blame global markets.
I cannot fault the team I dealt with. They were caring, compassionate and genuinely wanted to help me and I am thankful for that. I would not be with any other super fund.
The worst company i have had to deal with in history. Will be glad to never deal with them again. Communication is poor because they want to keep your money in their account longer. Stay away from this company
I fully regret moving my super to this “Industry Super” fund.
It’s done nothing but take my money and lose it month over month.
2022-2021 was taken by fees and loss of $4k not happy at all so for year I lost whole year income and lost $4k of capital
Withdrawing money after retirement is incredibly difficult – they are obstructive, ask for more information every time, even though the information has been provided. They are incredibly slow to process payments.
Really screw around when you make an application for payment of benefit. To the point of being ridiculous.
Poor service
It would seem I am starting experience very similar frustrations as other members who have provided a review here. Might be time to transfer my funds to another fund like these fellow dissatisfied members. For the following reasons
Lack of transparency
Claims payment response times
Frustration in responses given
Feeling helpless and disillusioned
Time to start looking around.
Hesta is the worst peer fund I have ever dealt with. They incorrectly entered my details and then I was unable to access anything. I had to lodge a complaint with afca to get it sorted, even then it took weeks to fix it. They are beyond useless
Excellent at taking money including your income protection payments via their insurance just expect to have to jump through major hoops to get anything back not worth the stress honestly
Hesta is the worsted super fund, trying to get money out of my super five weeks now haven’t received it. Every time telling me they are work on it.
Don’t recommend
Good returns but when I tried to withdraw funds for a family emergency I was fobbed off over the phone for more than 2 weeks, in fact I am still waiting………
Easily the worst experience I have ever had dealing with any kind of organisation- it has taken 2 years SO FAR to pay out my late mothers superannuation to my family. We just want closure.
Case managers ignore 99% of attempts to contact them, and on the rare occasion that you are able to elicit a response, they refuse or are unable to answer any questions. We have been absolutely calm and amenable the whole way through, despite being frustrated to our wits end.
I escalated the case to the complaints team, who also ignored our attempts to contact them.
Recently we were finally forced to contact the superannuation ombudsman, whereupon HESTA took just enough action to appease them (i.e. progressed the claim), but have now gone back to their old habits… and we’re stuck again.
Hesta has the WORST website I have EVER used . You can never log in. The laptop never matches with what you use on your phone. If you ever change your password it never works. You get locked out of your online account , its a complete disaster in my experience. I would not recommend them to anyone because of the trouble I have trying to get into my account
Hesta has performed terribly over the past three years. Their poor financial management has cost me thousands of dollars and will see me with not enough super to survive in retirement. I’m at least $40,000 down on where my super total should be. The compound interest that I will now miss out on will be massive. Hesta have no idea what they are doing!
Hesta have been provided more than 150pts of ID on my hardship claim and have electronically identified me though refuse to release my money. I’ve offered to come to there Sydney offices to ID myself though I’m told I can be anyone though have my NSW Driver lic Medicare card, bank card, birth certificate which has all been provided to Hesta. They were happy for me to open the account and take my money, though wont release my hardship claim. You cannot talk to anyone except the India based call centre as they refuse to transfer you to anyone. Hesta is a company with no face or Morals. If I would have checked reviews I would never have gone to Hesta and suggest other do their due diligence also.
every time i ph get the run around,
awful
The performance of Hesta superannuation fund has been dropping significantly for some time now and I would suggest if you are looking for a superannuation fund you look elsewhere where, on just $18,000 they have taken approximately $878 of me this financial period. They are full of excuses and its so easy to blame global markets.
nuetral
Brilliant. Lovely girl answered all my questions and was really helpful. Not too much wait time ( 10 mins ) and it was a relief to talk to an actual person !! Slight dip in investment during covid but is now picking up nicely. I’ve been with HESTA for 30 years and would not change them.
They are grubs
I mistakenly paid the employer contribution on 26 Jun 2024 and requested a refund on 1st Jul. Hesta emailed me for some information and the bank statement. I replied with all the details and the bank statement on 1st July. I followed up two emails but no reply. I also made two phone calls and was confirmed the refund was processed. On the 26th I received an email again requesting the bank statement, which made me very angry. I called Hesta again around 4:30 pm and the lady confirmed the refund was released. On Monday 29th I followed up another phone call around 4:45 pm and the lady requested more information. This is ridiculous. I wasted so much time on this bloody refund.
Hesta is so slow in processing to give back my retirement money. They hang on to it as if it is their money they worked for. They are heartless and money grabbing institution making up all the excuses possible not give back my money back in 28 days period as they advertise. I am waiting since June 17,2024 ànd haven’t seen a cent from it.
Don’t trust HESTA. I regret having recommended it to my first employer to deposit my Super. Don’t do it, especially if you have a Temporary Visa. I’ve been trying to withdraw an amount deposited as soon as I left Australia for 4 months. I already did the DASP process 3 months ago. Dozens of emails. I sent the documentation required by my bank, the declaration with the IBAN and SWIFT CODE in English, in PDF, authenticated, I also sent by mail the physical document, with a copy of my passport, authenticated, a document that they have filed for 5 years, and they send a series of automatic emails and don’t even open my emails to read them. What I have to receive is only a minimum amount, which HESTA IS YOUR TEAM keeps postponing and stalling me. Now I decided to ask my lawyer to enter the process through FAIR TRADE. The amount I have to receive will be equivalent to the lawyer’s fees practically, but I am tired of HESTA and this lack of responsibility towards the client.
Utterly underwhelming. Deliberate obstruction, institutional delays, poor Customer service response (aka none) in the face of false claims of ‘3-day’ processing, and unfulfilled follow-up.
Hopeless, put your money elsewhere.
I am not a Hesta customer. However I do not recommend you entrust Hesta with your information. For ten years we have received statements from a Hesta account holder who does not live here. Each time we have returned to sender with a note that this person is not known to us and without fail the following year we receive another statement. Hesa does not care about client security
Poor phone and customer service. Very hard to get information and a competent response. Have changed superfund now because of their poor service.
Worst Super Fund in the world!
Website will be down for a month (May 2025) and customer service is extremely poor. They won’t give me my balance.
Hesta’s CEO MUST resign immediately.
ALL employees require customer service training.
Hesta’s investment specialists are useless.
HESTA have been taking months to simply just update my proper full legal name on my account even though I feel reasonably confident I provided that to them on the Application Form on entering the fund. I think they do this on purpose when you set up an account with them to then have an excuse to try to delve deeper into your private information (which rings scammer alarm bells to me). After providing 2 different forms of Identity Proof Evidence, firstly Electronically, then Photocopies of my Photo ID Certified, they have still not updated my full legal name. They don’t mind receiving Super Fund money for you from your Employer even though it appears they did not verify your legal name to begin with (how have they been receiving Super Funds for me so far if they do not know if it is really me or not?). Anyway the debacle continues and it now appears they are holding my Super to ransom as I have had enough of them and am currently trying to roll my Super out of their Fund through the MyGov system, and it appears they are block roading this and have not taken any action on it for months now. Someone needs to inform the ‘halfwits’ that once the ATO locks your Super into a Transfer in MyGov that they will no longer receive any financial interest benefit out of the Super Account by holding onto it unnecessarily. Another Super Fund told me they are having Admin issues due to outsourcing their Customer Service to Offshore Call Centres which I think is a possible ‘Red Flag’ that they are in Financial Trouble and possibly going under, that they now appear to be seeking cheap foreign labour which may also be an attempt to try to make it harder to regulate their activities which are mostly offshore now. Thankfully the ATO has locked the rollover transaction into the MyGov system so the only way they can move now on the ‘chess board’ is forward and rolling my Super Funds out of there. Check Mate! I think the ATO should Question them and Audit them when they unnecessarily hold onto their Members Funds for too long. The ATO expects this rollover transaction should only take around 1 week (they should have to provide an explanation if it takes months about what is taking them so long?). The ATO should certainly stop giving HESTA any kind of recommendation reference on their websites listing of approved Super Funds. I think the only reason HESTA performs so well with their investments is because they inappropriately hold onto their Members Funds for longer than necessary attempting to earn Foreign Investment Interest (they could earn more if they just do the right thing and earn a better reputation).
I have been on hold for 1 hr 20 minutes thus far.
WTF!
Been with this company for decades yet they fail me this time. They had false advertisement for early release of supper that benefit is paid between 3-5 working days . It’s been 2 weeks yet they’re withholding the funds which is not even their own money but mine. For sure they invest our money elsewhere and can’t pay up this time during their shutdown period. Conplaints process also not doing anything and just saying they need 45 days for resolution? Abused for a compassionate ground for early release because this is under medical condition so they want to wait until person dies or what because of missing medical appointments 🤷🏼♀️ I’m surely cHangeing supper once my funds are release
Have been very unhappy with HESTA in the last 6 months.
I told them in January that I have changed my legal name and completed their requested paperwork with a copy of the legal change of name certificate. They said I needed a JP certified copy.
I sent them this in April. No reply and no changes to my name.
I resent it in May. No reply and no changes to my name.
I emailed again with all the paperwork in June. No reply and no changes to my name on my super.
I couldn’t access my super for 6 weeks in May, due to changes on their end – of which I was not informed.
Will be leaving this incredibly unprofessional company as soon as possible.
Recently I set up Retirement Atreaming Account online. No responce, then I called and waited for three hours. The operator said it didn’t work online input instead had to download a form, filled up and emailed to the office. I emailed the application and things was done on the second day. Now I receive letters from Hesta regularly updating my account.
Appalling. You can’t get them on the phone. I am unwell and need an early release of my super. I have provided everything they require and they have finally advised me I will be waiting 3 months. That is unacceptable.
Overall hesta is doing quite well as a super fund but constantly does out perform them .