Australian Defence Force Superannuation Scheme — superannuation fund performance
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Australian Defence Force Superannuation Scheme reported A$2.9bn of total assets for 42,015 member accounts (average balance A$66k) in APRA's fund-level statistics for the year to 30 June 2025, with a one-year rate of return of 10.5%.
| Total assets | A$2.9bn |
| Member accounts | 42,015 |
| Average member balance | A$66k |
| 1-year rate of return | 10.5% |
| 5-year rate of return (annualised) | 8.1% |
| 10-year rate of return (annualised) | — |
| Investment options offered | — |
What running the fund costs
For its reporting year ended 30 June 2025, Australian Defence Force Superannuation Scheme ran on an operating expense ratio of 0.2% — the running cost per dollar of savings (0.5% is 50 cents per A$100 a year). Payments to related parties — companies connected to the fund's own trustee or owner group — came to A$755k, equal to roughly 17.4% of its administration bill (a related-party payment is disclosed, not improper — but it is worth knowing who the fund pays).
| Operating expense ratio | 0.2% |
| Investment expense ratio | 0.0% |
| Administration and operating expenses | A$4.3m |
| Executive remuneration (expensed to the fund) | A$89k |
| Director remuneration | A$11k |
| Payments to related parties | A$755k |
The annual performance test
Every year the regulator tests most super products against a benchmark portfolio — fail twice and the product must close to new members. As at 30 June 2025, 3 of this fund's products and options were tested, and every one of them passed:
| Product / option | Type | Test result | 10-yr return | Admin fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADF MySuper | MySuper | Pass | — | 0.1% |
| ADF Choice - Accumulation — ADF Super Aggressive | Choice | Pass | — | 0.1% |
| ADF Choice - Accumulation — ADF Super Income Focused | Choice | Pass | — | 0.1% |
Does the insurance pay out?
Most super accounts carry insurance, paid from your balance. The admittance rate is the share of finalised claims the insurer accepted in the year to 30 June 2025 — the single best number for "does this cover actually pay".
| Cover type | Claims accepted (1-yr) | Claims paid | Premiums collected | Insurer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life insurance (death cover) | — | — | A$203k | AIA |
| Total & permanent disability (TPD) | — | — | A$122k | AIA |
| Income protection | — | — | A$4k | AIA |
The gender gap in this fund
In Australian Defence Force Superannuation Scheme, women's average balance was 6.6% higher than men's — from the fund-level member demographics APRA last published for the year to 30 June 2022:
| Average balance — female members | A$38k |
| Average balance — male members | A$36k |
| Member accounts (female / male) | 7,539 / 22,471 |
Compare Australian Defence Force Superannuation Scheme with similar funds
The funds closest to Australian Defence Force Superannuation Scheme in size, side by side — each with its own page for the fees, insurance and performance-test detail:
| Fund | Assets | 1-yr return | 10-yr return | Why comparable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMG Super | A$2.8bn | 3.4% | 4.6% | Similar size |
| Fiducian Superannuation Fund | A$3.0bn | 9.0% | 5.7% | Similar size |
| Super Retirement Fund | A$2.6bn | 8.6% | 5.8% | Similar size |
| Rei Super | A$2.6bn | 10.3% | 6.3% | Similar size |
| Perpetual Super Wrap | A$3.2bn | 9.0% | 6.3% | Similar size |
| Oasis Superannuation Master Trust | A$2.5bn | 10.2% | 5.2% | Similar size |
Questions this page answers
How big is Australian Defence Force Superannuation Scheme?
Australian Defence Force Superannuation Scheme held A$2.9bn in total assets for 42,015 member accounts in the APRA fund-level statistics for the year to 30 June 2025.
What return has Australian Defence Force Superannuation Scheme delivered?
Australian Defence Force Superannuation Scheme reported a 10.5% one-year rate of return, at whole-of-fund level in the APRA fund-level statistics.
What does Australian Defence Force Superannuation Scheme charge in fees?
Australian Defence Force Superannuation Scheme reported an operating expense ratio of 0.2% and an investment expense ratio of 0.0% for its reporting year ended 30 June 2025 — the running cost per dollar of savings (APRA fund-level statistics).
Did Australian Defence Force Superannuation Scheme's products pass the performance test?
3 of Australian Defence Force Superannuation Scheme's products and options were tested against the regulator's annual performance test as at 30 June 2025, and every one passed.
See also: Australian super in numbers — marketing spend, expenses, the gender gap and two decades of consolidation across all APRA-regulated funds · all tracked plans.