Aware Super High Growth: Accelerating Your Portfolio

Aware Super High Growth is designed for members seeking maximum capital appreciation by allocating 80% to growth assets and 20% to defensive assets. This option caters to investors with higher risk tolerance and longer investment horizons. In this article, we examine its structure, historical returns, fees, volatility profile, and suitability.

The High Growth option allocates approximately 80% to growth assets—equities across domestic, international markets, infrastructure, and real estate—and 20% to defensive assets, including bonds and cash. This allocation seeks to capitalize on market upswings, with a modest defensive buffer to soften drawdowns.

Over the past decade, Aware Super High Growth delivered an average annual return of around 8.0%, outperforming its balanced counterpart by over 1% annually. During robust markets, returns exceeded 12% per annum, while during downturns, drawdowns reached approximately 20%. Reviewing performance over multiple periods helps investors understand potential variability.

The net investment fee for High Growth is approximately 0.85% p.a., covering administration and investment management. Though slightly higher than the Balanced option, this fee aligns with the higher equity exposure and active management strategies employed. Investors should evaluate fee impact relative to expected return enhancement.

With significant equity exposure, volatility stands at about 12–14% per annum, with a negative-year probability near 45%. Members should be prepared for pronounced fluctuations and consider whether this level of risk matches their financial comfort and retirement timeline.

High Growth suits younger members (under 45) or those with more than 10 years until retirement, comfortable with market swings in pursuit of higher returns. It’s less suitable for retirees or those needing stable income.

Members can select High Growth via the Aware Super portal under ‘Investment options’. For SMSF or DIY investors, replicate the 80/20 split using suitable ETFs for equities and bond ETFs or cash.

Aware Super High Growth offers potential for superior returns through a high-growth asset mix. While volatility is elevated, disciplined investors with long horizons may find this option aligns with their wealth-accumulation goals. Always match investment choices to your personal risk tolerance and timeline.