Super fund HESTA added more than $10 billion1 in savings and investment returns to members' accounts in 2025, with the super investment option where most of its members are invested delivering annual returns in the high single digits.
The $100 billion Fund's MySuper Balanced Growth option delivered 9.42%2 for the 2025 calendar year, above the super industry average of 9.1%.3 The next largest investment option by funds managed, High Growth, returned 11.39%.4
The result means a HESTA member invested in MySuper Balanced Growth with the average starting balance of $80,000 will have likely received investment returns in their account of around $7,536 by the end of the calendar year.5
This is the third straight calendar year with returns above 9% for the MySuper Balanced Growth option. Over 10 years to 31 December 2025, the Fund's default investment option has averaged an annual return of 8.02%.
Members in retirement also enjoyed strong performance in 2025, with HESTA's Retirement Income Stream Balanced Growth achieving a return of 11.25% and Retirement Income Stream Conservative yielding 7.53%.6
The result follows HESTA announcing in 2025 it had lowered investment fees across most of the fund's ready-made super investment options in the last financial year, as well as plans to reduce insurance fees.
HESTA Chief Investment Officer Sonya Sawtell-Rickson said the Fund had capitalised on strong international market performance after a volatile start to the calendar year, as well as robust gains in property and infrastructure.
"After a cautious start to 2025, our focused approach enabled us to buy long-term opportunities when markets stumbled in March and April, supporting strong calendar year performance for our more than one million members," Ms Sawtell-Rickson said.
"Bullish global equity market performance helped drive these strong outcomes, shaking off concerns about rising geopolitical tension and tariffs, and that AI integration and capital investment could impact profit margins.
"Looking ahead, with global uncertainties ongoing and subdued global economic growth likely in the year ahead, we're continuing to focus on high-quality investments across areas such as climate solutions, housing, healthcare, and transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence, where valuations are supportive."
HESTA CEO Debby Blakey said the financial results were great news for members, who rely on the delivery of strong long-term returns through the cycle.
"Delivering strong returns is fundamental to supporting our members into retirement. Our consistent long-term performance is helping increase the number of our members who are retirement ready, with a jump of 12% in 2025," Ms Blakey said.
"Solid annual performance from our income stream options is helping our retired members preserve their savings and maintain a regular income stream for a dignified retirement.
"As responsible stewards of our members' money, we strive to deliver strong investment returns while also keeping costs low. That's why we were proud to announce in 2025 lower investment fees and plans to reduce insurance fees, further supporting better retirement outcomes for our members."
For the latest information on the performance of HESTA's investment options, visit hesta.com.au/members/investments.
1 Total HESTA contributions and investment returns for the period 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025, net of investment fees and costs, transaction costs and taxes.
2, 4, 6 Annual return for the period 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.
3 SuperRatings 2025 calendar year super investment returns, median balanced option, as reported in the AFR 2 January 2026.
5 Figure assumes investment in MySuper Balanced Growth option for duration of the 2025 calendar year and does not factor in any contributions or deductions. Average balance of HESTA member as at 1 January 2025. Estimated investment returns based on 9.42% return for the calendar year.
