Help & support
Superannuation can be considered as a long-term investment. It’s important to consider how your super is invested as this can have an impact on how it performs over time. With Essential Super, you can be as 'hands on' as you want to be. Let Colonial First State manage your investments with the Lifestage option or choose from a range of investment options.
New to superannuation? Learn more about investing in super
When you open your Essential Super account, your money is automatically invested in a Lifestage option based on your age. Your investment mix automatically adjusts as you age. This is also referred to as a MySuper Lifecycle option.
At a younger age, more of your super is invested in growth assets, such as property and shares. These assets can be more volatile but have greater potential for higher returns over the long term.
As retirement nears, more of your super is invested in defensive assets, such as cash and fixed interest.
For example, Sam was born in 1986. Sam will be invested in the Lifestage 1985-89 option. Sam’s investments will gradually move to a lower risk investment strategy as Sam moves closer to retirement. This change will happen automatically, so Sam won’t need to move from one option to another.
Colonial First State’s Essential Super growth (MySuper Lifestage 1975-79) option was named the top performing MySuper Lifecycle option by SuperRatings for FY23-241, delivering a 14.4% return for members compared with a median growth fund return of 11.1%2. This is the second year of double-digit returns for members invested in Essential Super Lifestage options between 1965 and 20043.
Essential Super Lifestage options are provided by Colonial First State through collaboration with BlackRock, one of the largest asset managers in the world.
Essential Super provides a number of other ways to invest. Make sure to read the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination (TMD) for Essential Super.
This option focuses on companies with a sustainable business and strong environmental, social and governance characteristics. It seeks to avoid investments in certain companies or activities that have an adverse effect on the environment or society. This option is governed by the Thrive+ Sustainable Investment Charter.
This option invests in a mix of growth assets such as shares, property and infrastructure securities to provide potential for capital growth. Part of the portfolio is allocated to defensive assets such as fixed interest and cash.
This option invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of shares, property and infrastructure securities to provide potential for long-term capital growth.
This option is generally invested in shares in companies which are listed on different overseas stock exchanges.
This option invests in securities which represent part-ownership in property (e.g., an office building, or shopping centre) or infrastructure (e.g., transport, communication or utilities). These securities are generally listed on a stock exchange and bought and sold like shares.
This option invests in a diversified portfolio of assets expected to generate long-term capital growth such as shares, property and infrastructure, as well as defensive assets such as fixed interest and cash to provide the portfolio with relatively stable returns.
This option is generally invested in bank bills or similar securities.
This option is generally invested in shares in companies which are listed on Australian Stock Exchange.
Open an account in around 3 minutes
Find out how to register for NetBank. Once you have registered for NetBank, you can apply for Essential Super online via the website, NetBank or the CommBank app.
Send a message in the CommBank app or call 13 2221, 8am – 8pm (Syd/Melb time). Need to reset your login? Search FAQs.
Call CFS on 13 4074, 8:30am - 6pm (Syd/Melb time), Mon-Fri or +61 2 9197 3000 from overseas. Email CFS at contactessentialsuper@cfs.com.au.
1 MySuper Lifestage 1975-79 option was ranked the top performing MySuper Lifecycle options over 12 months to 30 June 2024. For more information visit www.superratings.com.au.
Past performance is not an indicator of future performance.
2 This comparison has been prepared by CFS using data sourced from Super Ratings Fund Crediting Rate (FCRS) Survey 30 June 2024 and CFS Performance data. Whilst care has been taken to ensure that the data provided by SuperRatings is correct, CFS neither warrants, represents nor guarantees the contents of the information, nor does it accept any responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions or any inconsistencies herein. The SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey is based on information provided to SuperRatings by third parties, that is believed to be accurate at the time of publication. Returns will change in the future which may affect the outcome of the comparison. SuperRatings may make adjustments for comparison purposes and therefore data may vary from other published materials.
Net returns for CFS products are after deduction of investment fees, costs, tax and asset based (%) administration fee. Returns displayed may vary based on inclusion or exclusion of asset-based (%) administration fee.
3 Based on CFS Performance data of the MySuper Lifestage options between 1965 and 2004, the financial years ending 2023 and 2024 had double-digits returns.
Avanteos Investments Limited ABN 20 096 259 979, AFSL 245531 (referred to as Colonial First State, CFS, ‘we’, ‘us’ or ‘our’) is the Trustee of Essential Super ABN 56 601 925 435 and the issuer of interests in Essential Super. Essential Super is distributed by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (the Bank). The CFS Group consists of Superannuation and Investments HoldCo Pty Limited ABN 64 644 660 882 (HoldCo) and its subsidiaries, which includes CFS. The Bank holds an interest in the CFS Group through its significant minority interest in HoldCo.
This information is issued by CFS and may include general financial product advice but does not consider your individual objectives, financial situation, needs or tax circumstances, and so you should consider the appropriateness of the advice having regard to your circumstances before acting on it. The Target Market Determination (TMD) for Essential Super can be found at cfs.com.au/tmd and includes a description of who the financial product is appropriate for and any conditions on how the product can be distributed to customers. You should read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Reference Guides for Essential Super carefully and consider whether the information is appropriate for you before making any decision regarding this product. Download the PDS and Reference Guides at commbank.com.au/essentialsuper-documents or call us on 13 4074 for a copy.
None of the Bank, HoldCo, CFS, nor any of their respective subsidiaries guarantee the performance of Essential Super or the repayment of capital by Essential Super. An investment in this product is subject to risk, loss of income and capital invested. An investment in Essential Super is via a superannuation trust and is therefore not an investment in, deposit with or other liability of the Bank or its subsidiaries.
The insurance provider is AIA Australia Limited ABN 79 004 837 861, AFSL 230043 (AIA Australia). AIA Australia is not part of the Commonwealth Bank Group or CFS. Insurance cover is provided to eligible members of Essential Super under policies issued to CFS.
Please refer to the Group Privacy Statement and the CFS Privacy Policy for more information about how your personal information is collected, used and shared.
