News & Media
Media Statements & Releases
Working families to lose if MPs win on plan to cut super
September 13th, 2019
Australian families will stand to lose nearly $250,000 in retirement savings if the push to cut the super increase by a group of backbench MPs is successful, new analysis reveals. Some Federal backbenchers want the Government to cut the promised increased in super contributions, breaking a key election promise and denying local families the retirement […]
First Super members benefit from strong long-term results
August 27th, 2019
First Super has again delivered strong long-term results for members, with an annual return for the 2018/19 financial year of 6.70% for its default option, and five and ten-year returns of 8.68% and 8.84% respectively. First Super is the industry super fund for workers in the timber, pulp and paper, and furniture and joinery industries. […]
Robyn Burns welcomed as new director at First Super, as board veteran Allan Stewart stands down
May 30th, 2019
First Super has appointed regional businesswoman Robyn Burns to its board, effective from 1 July 2019. Ms Burns has had a long and successful career as a senior executive at Borg Manufacturing. An accountant by trade, she has overseen the expansion of Borg as it has developed into one of the principal employers on the […]
First Super wins Money Magazine award
November 29th, 2018
First Super is celebrating after being named a Gold Winner in Money Magazine’s Best of the Best 2019 awards. The national industry super fund for the furniture and joinery, pulp and paper, and timber sectors won the Best Capital Stable Super Fund category for its Conservative Balanced option. In addition, the Fund scored second place in […]
Small is beautiful: First Super outperforms funds 50 times larger
August 30th, 2018
First Super has delivered another year of robust investment performance for its members, reporting annual returns of 10.68% in the Balanced (default) option, 11.90% in Growth, and 13.91% in Shares Plus*. First Super’s cash option also performed strongly, returning 2.31% over 2017/18. The Growth option return saw First Super outperform most other superannuation funds in […]
Message from the CEO – Royal Commission
August 6th, 2018
“You may have heard or read that the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry begins its superannuation-focused hearings in Melbourne on 6 August. First Super has not been called to give evidence at the hearings. “Ahead of the hearings, the Royal Commission asked First Super (along with other financial […]
Latest News
COVID-19 response: temporary early access to super
March 24th, 2020
As part of the Federal Government’s economic response to the COVID-19 crisis announced on Sunday 22 March, there is a key change regarding early access to superannuation savings for affected super fund members. While recognising that superannuation is designed to help workers save for retirement, the Federal Government is conscious that some people may be […]
Important update from the CEO
March 23rd, 2020
Following the terrible bushfires that impacted many First Super members and the communities where they live and work, we now find ourselves facing the challenge of the COVID-19 virus. With financial markets changing daily, we want to assure you that we are constantly monitoring the situation and making careful and well-considered decisions to protect your […]
Fees changes
February 26th, 2020
From 1 April 2020, two of the fees we charge for administering your super account are changing. The administration fee for accumulation members only will rise on 1 April from $1.50 to $2.25 per week. The asset fee is also increasing from 0.05% a year to 0.18% a year. This is the first rise in […]
Investment update: the year so far
February 26th, 2020
With share markets mainly buoyant in the first half of 2019/20, First Super’s investment options fared well, with our Balanced option – in which most members are invested – achieving 3.59% for the six–month period. The 2019/20 financial year got off to a positive start in July with interest rate cuts in major economies, including Australia and, for the first time in […]
Coming soon: your mid-year super update
February 26th, 2020
Now that our six-month investment returns have been confirmed, the 2019/20 mid-year statements have been produced and are scheduled to arrive in mailboxes by 1 March. This statement provides an overview of your super balance, contributions and investment returns as they stood at the halfway point of the financial year. In your statement pack, you’ll […]
How to stretch a dollar over summer
December 17th, 2019
Industry super fund-owned bank ME shares a few ideas on how to enjoy summer while keeping your finances in great shape. The sun is shining, the days are longer and opportunities for get-togethers are everywhere. Check out ME’s affordable ways to relish the fun so you can head into autumn without a burnt-out budget. 1. […]
ATO update: Super Downsizer errors
December 17th, 2019
The Super Downsizer Measure, which started on 1 July 2018, allows eligible over-65s to sell their homes and contribute up to $300,000 of the proceeds from the sale into their super account. Recent figures show that more than 5,000 people across Australia have made this type of contribution. However, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has […]
Coming to a town near you – retirement seminars
December 17th, 2019
The First Super team is well underway with its 2019/20 program of Planning for Retirement seminars. Starting in November, First Super has so far hosted seminars in Dandenong and Traralgon in Victoria, and Mount Gambier in South Australia. The attendees learned about building their super while working, how much super is enough, claiming the Government […]