New to investing or not sure where to start?
That’s okay, we have you covered.
Read our Investment guide (PDF) or contact a friendly member of our Advice Services Team.
Member Advice Services
Learning the basics of investing
The investment decisions you make today can make a big difference to the amount of super you retire with. Learning the basics of investing will help you make better decisions now and in the future.
How investments work
We offer a range of different investment options to suit different investment goals. Generally, higher-risk investments can offer higher long-term returns, but they also come with bigger ups and downs. Generally, lower-risk investments tend to have steadier returns, but usually lower long-term growth.
Understanding your goals
Retirement may seem like a long way off
Planning for retirement now can help you change how you’ll live then. Before you make your investment choice, think about what you really need from your super. How much income do you earn? How many years until you retire? What other investments or assets do you have? Can you afford to make extra contributions into your super account?
We have a range of tools that can help
You can use our Retirement income calculator to help you work out how much you may need, and check if the Age Pension plus your super will give you enough income in retirement. Use our Retirement spending planner to work out how long you’ll be able to sustain your current way of life, while still enjoying those little extras in retirement. View our range of calculator tools.
Understanding risks and expected investment returns
All investments come with risk. Different investment options come with different levels of risk.
That risk depends on the assets that make up each investment option. How each of these risks will impact you will depend on what investment option(s) you're invested in and how long you stay invested.
Generally, higher-risk investments can offer higher long-term returns, but they also come with bigger ups and downs. Generally, lower-risk investments tend to have steadier returns, but usually lower long-term growth
Understanding your investment timeframe
Think about how long you have to invest
It’s worth thinking about how long you have to invest and how this could influence your investment choices. Even in retirement, you may need to consider taking some risk to help your savings continue to grow over time and keep up with rising living costs.
Understanding the building blocks of your super
Asset classes – your investment building blocks
Asset classes are the building blocks of our investment options. How much we invest in each asset class depends on the option’s investment objective. Every option has a mix of asset classes, with different amounts invested in each one. This also shapes its level of risk and potential returns.
Your investment portfolio
Most members in our accumulation products are invested in the default Growth (MySuper) option. But if you'd like to make your own investment choice, you can. We offer a range of options that you can mix and match, depending on how hands-on you want to be with your super.
Before making any changes, read the relevant PDS and Investment Guide. Our Advice team can also help you work through your options at no extra cost.
Diversification: spreading the load
One way we help manage risk during market ups and downs is through diversification. That means spreading investments across different asset classes, so you’re not relying on just one area of the market.
For instance, not all asset types perform in the same way at the same time. When one investment is performing poorly another may be performing well. Basically, diversification helps to smooth overall performance.
The power of compounding investment returns
The longer your super stays invested, the more opportunity it has to grow and help you retire well.
Our Pre-mixed options are invested in a range of assets like shares, property, toll roads, airports and fixed interest, with the aim of helping your super grow over time.
These assets generate investment returns, and this is what helps grow your account balance over time, in addition to any contributions you make.
Positive investment returns can then generate returns of their own. This is called compounding.
Making informed investment choices
Your super could be invested in a range of investments such as shopping centres, airports, wind farms, and shares. CBUS also has a history of investing back into our community, supporting industries that are important to our members.
Investing in our members' industries
Cbus Property is a wholly owned entity of CBUS and is responsible for the development and management of a portfolio of CBUS’s direct property investments.
Their investments in residential and commercial construction has delivered strong long-term returns whilst also adding value to the economy and creating employment opportunities for our members across a range of industries.
Investing across Australia
Our strong contribution to the Australian economy includes investments in high quality commercial and residential property developments, neighbourhood and regional shopping centres.
As well as high quality long-term infrastructure assets such as toll roads and airports.
Social and affordable housing
We provide investment funding to support social and affordable housing including the construction of new dwellings.
This funding not only supports new home developments for vulnerable Australians but also supports the economy through job creation.
Responsible Investing
At CBUS, responsible investment means considering Material* environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks and opportunities as one input in the investment decision making process (integration), using active stewardship (voting and engagement) to protect and preserve value for our members, and playing a role in shaping the systems we operate and invest in, through policy and regulatory advocacy.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
*Material ESG risks and opportunities are those that are likely to affect business or investment performance.
FAQs about Investments
Get answers to some of our frequently asked questions.
If you have a question not answered, request a callback and our Advice team will be in touch.
How are investment returns calculated?
We use crediting rates to calculate earnings generated by investments in our Pre-mixed and DIY investment options after investment fees and costs, transaction costs and investment-related taxes are deducted. Crediting rates will go up and down depending on investment market performance and changes in asset values.
To learn more about crediting rates, read our crediting rates factsheet (PDF).
What does market volatility mean to my super balance?
Investment market ups and downs can be unsettling, but timing these movements is difficult. Switching to a more conservative option during a downturn may mean missing part of the recovery, which can affect long-term outcomes. It helps to keep in mind that super is a long-term investment and our portfolios are well diversified and designed to manage these ups and downs.
CBUS Super CIO Leigh Gavin shares a simple 3-step approach to help you think clearly.
Before making a big investment decision, take a moment to reset. Watch the video or you can visit Market ups and downs page to learn more.
Can I change my investment options?
You can switch your super between Pre-mixed and DIY options at any time. However, you may want to consider chatting to our Advice team before you change your investment options to make sure you’re aware of how it could affect your super.
Once you’re comfortable with your decision you can log into your online account to change your investment options. If you haven't logged in before, it's easy to register now.
Alternatively, complete the Investment choice form (PDF).
What are the impacts of switching investments in my super?
While monitoring your investment performance is important, frequent switching between options may not benefit you in the long run.
You should consider your personal circumstances, along with likely investment returns, the risk you're willing to take on and the investment time frame. Even in retirement, you may need to consider taking some risk to help your savings continue to grow over time and keep up with rising living costs.
Watch our short video that talks about the impacts of switching when markets are volatile.
More information
Check your investment choices
Did you know that you can log into your account to check or change how your account is currently invested online?
Register for a webinar
Our webinars can help you get the most out of your super and understand your options at retirement.
Get advice
Our Advice team is here to help you work through your options and answer your questions about investments.