HESTA added around $10 billion[i] in savings and investment returns collectively to members' accounts over the 2025/26 financial year, with the Fund's MySuper investment option delivering strong returns through a period of heightened market volatility.
The $105 billion Fund's MySuper Balanced Growth option, where most HESTA members are invested, delivered 9.46% for the financial year to 30 June 2026. The next largest investment option by funds managed, High Growth, returned 11.09%.
For members, this result has translated into real growth in their retirement savings. A HESTA member invested in MySuper Balanced Growth with an average starting balance of $80,000 will have likely received investment returns of around $7,568 in their account by the end of the financial year.[ii]
This year's result represents the fourth straight year of annual returns above 9% for Balanced Growth. Over 10 years to 30 June 2026, the investment option has averaged an annual return of 8.29%, ranking in the top quartile over five and 10 years to 31 May 2026.[iii]
Demonstrating the power of compounding net investment returns over the long term, a HESTA MySuper Balanced Growth member starting with $40,000 10 years ago would have likely received around $48,719 in investment returns by 30 June 2026.[iv]
The strong 2025-26 financial year performance is also helping members in retirement preserve their savings as they draw an income stream, with HESTA's Retirement Income Stream Balanced Growth achieving a return of 10.81% and Retirement Income Stream Conservative yielding 7.04%.
HESTA Chief Investment Officer Sonya Sawtell-Rickson said resilient global sharemarkets were a key driver of strong performance this year, with the portfolio well-positioned to navigate a volatile year in markets.
"Our considered, diversified approach helped us deliver a strong financial year result for our more than one million members amid a challenging geopolitical environment," Ms Sawtell-Rickson said.
"We were able to manage risks in a volatile environment while also acting quickly on new opportunities that emerged as markets moved.
"With persistent inflation and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty likely in the year ahead, we're staying focused on investments in areas where we see compelling long-term value, including healthcare, housing, climate solutions and artificial intelligence."
The returns come as HESTA continues to focus on keeping costs competitive for members. In 2025 the Fund announced reduced investment fees across most of its Ready-Made options in the previous financial year. From 1 July 2026, HESTA reduced insurance fees by an average of 12% across all cover types as part of a broader suite of changes designed to provide more accessible and affordable insurance cover.
HESTA CEO Debby Blakey said the investment returns and fee reductions were great news for members, who continue to bear the brunt of high cost-of-living pressures.
"It's fantastic HESTA has been able to continue to deliver strong long-term investment performance at a time of ongoing uncertainty in financial markets and as many of our members feel the squeeze from cost-of-living pressures," Ms Blakey said.
"Delivering strong, long-term returns is fundamental to supporting our members into retirement, and outcomes like these can make a real difference to our members' hard-earned savings for their financial future."
