Fire and Emergency Services Superannuation Fund

What Fire and Emergency Services Superannuation Fund does

The Fire and Emergency Services Superannuation Fund (FES Super) is a Western Australian superannuation fund established under the Fire and Emergency Services Superannuation Act 1985, with regulations enacted in 1986. Its membership is legislatively restricted to employees of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) of Western Australia and three associated employers: the Superannuation Board itself, the United Professional Firefighter's Union of Western Australia, and the Western Australian Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services Association. Firefighters are required to join as Defined Benefit members, while non-firefighter permanent staff default to Defined Benefit or may elect Accumulation; temporary and casual employees may join the Accumulation option. The fund is administered by the Fire and Emergency Services Superannuation Board (ABN 55 476 454 384, AFS Licence 259671), which holds six seats split evenly between employer-appointed and member-elected representatives, and operates from a single headquarters at 242 Rokeby Road, Subiaco.

FES Super offers a portfolio of account types and investment options. The Defined Benefit Account pays a benefit equal to a membership multiple (18% per year, upgradable to 21.5%) times final average salary, with employer contributions of 11.75% of salary and a minimum 6.25% member contribution. Supplementary products include the Accumulation Account, Retained Benefit Account (with no entry/exit/withdrawal fees for former employees), Account Based Pension, and Spouse Account (offering up to a $540/year tax offset for low-income spouses). Investment options include the Balanced option (default, 75%/25% growth/defensive, formerly Smoothed and renamed in February 2026), a Moderate option (~60%/40%), a Cash option, and single-asset-class options in Australian Shares, International Shares, and Fixed Interest.

The fund's revenue model is built on recurring contributions and investment earnings rather than disclosed fees. Members interact through a secure online portal (secure.fessuper.com.au), phone service at (08) 9382 8444, email, and in-person at the Subiaco office. Communications are delivered via quarterly and monthly segmented newsletters, an annual general meeting (2025 AGM held 20 November 2025), annual reports from 2017 through 2025, and actuarial report summaries from 2019 through 2025. The core technology footprint is a member portal plus a Squarespace-hosted public website; no public APIs, mobile app, or AI/ML capabilities are evident from the source material.

Name

Fire and Emergency Services Superannuation Fund

Legal name

Fire and Emergency Services Superannuation Fund

Website

https://fessuper.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

FES Super is a Western Australian superannuation fund established under legislation in 1985 to provide retirement benefits for employees of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and three associated employers. It offers Defined Benefit, Accumulation, Retained Benefit, Pension, and Spouse accounts with multiple investment options.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Superannuation Fund

NAICS

Pension Funds (525110)

akta.pro primary industry

Pension Master Trusts, Superannuation & Provident Funds (FSAAAGAB)

Keywords

• Defined benefit superannuation
• Superannuation fund management
• Retirement income products
• Accumulation account services
• Account based pensions

Headquarters

HQ city

Subiaco

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Superannuation contributions: The fund receives employer contributions (11.75% of salary for Defined Benefit members) and member contributions (minimum 6.25% of after-tax salary for Defined Benefit members). Accumulation account members and voluntary contributions form additional contribution streams. The fund also earns investment returns on its asset portfolio.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

FES Super is a statutory superannuation fund that provides retirement savings, defined benefit pensions, and post-employment income products to employees of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) of Western Australia and a small set of associated employers. The fund collects employer and member contributions, invests pooled assets across multiple investment options, and pays retirement benefits through a range of account types including Defined Benefit, Accumulation, Retained Benefit, Account Based Pension, and Spouse Accounts.

Product overview

FES Super is a superannuation fund for employees of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services of Western Australia, offering a portfolio of account types and investment options. Core products include Defined Benefit Accounts (default for firefighters with benefits linked to membership and salary) and Accumulation Accounts (member bears investment risk). Supplementary products include Retained Benefit Accounts (post-employment holding accounts), Account Based Pensions (retirement income streams), and Spouse Accounts (for spousal contributions with tax offsets). Investment options available include Balanced (default, formerly Smoothed), Moderate, and Cash options, with various allocation strategies to suit different risk profiles and time horizons.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Defined Benefit Account Defined benefit superannuation account where retirement benefits are calculated as a membership multiple (18% per year, upgradable to 21.5%) times final average salary. Employer contributes 11.75% of salary; member contributes a minimum of 6.25% of after-tax salary. The benefit is paid as a lump sum at retirement. Mandatory for DFES firefighters; default for non-firefighter permanent staff.
• Accumulation Account Accumulation superannuation account where the benefit equals total contributions plus investment earnings minus expenses and tax. Investment risk is borne by the member. Available to temporary and casual employees of DFES and associated employers, and as an alternative for non-firefighter permanent employees.
• Retained Benefit Account Accumulation account for members who have ceased employment with DFES or associated employers, allowing them to keep their superannuation within the fund. No direct entry, exit, or withdrawal fees; up to 8 lump sum withdrawals per financial year are free, with a $50 charge per withdrawal thereafter. Requires a minimum balance of $6,000.
• Account Based Pension Retirement income product that converts super savings into a regular income stream paid directly to the member's bank account. Investment earnings are tax-free, and pension payments are tax-free for members aged 60 or over. Provides members with a retirement income stream within the FES Super scheme.
• Spouse Account Separate superannuation account enabling non-concessional voluntary contributions on behalf of a member's spouse. The contributor may be eligible for an 18% tax offset (up to $540 per year) on contributions up to $3,000 for a low-income-earning spouse earning less than $40,000 per annum. Requires a minimum initial investment of $2,000 or a commitment of at least $40 per week for the first year.
• Balanced Investment Option Default investment option with a target allocation of 75% in shares/target return assets and 25% in cash/fixed interest. Investment objective: CPI plus 3% per annum over rolling 10-year period. As of 30 June 2025: 11.2% 3-year average return, 8.6% 5-year average return, 7.2% 10-year average return.
• Moderate Investment Option Conservative investment option with approximately 60% in shares/target assets and 40% in cash/fixed interest. Investment objective: earn at least CPI plus 2% per annum over rolling 10-year period with low risk of capital losses. As of 30 June 2025: 8.5% 3-year average return, 6.2% 5-year average return, 5.1% 10-year average return.
• Cash Investment Option Capital protection investment option investing 100% in cash or short-term investments. Investment objective: earn competitive returns with cash investments over a 1-year period. Suitable for short to medium investment timeframe of 0-3 years. As of 30 June 2025: 3.4% 3-year average return, 2.1% 5-year average return, 1.8% 10-year average return.

Quantifiable outcome

• Balanced Option (Super): 11.2% 3-year average return, 8.6% 5-year average return, 7.2% 10-year average return (as of 30 June 2025)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) of Western AustraliacoreOthersDFES is the primary employer of eligible members of FES Super. The fund is established under the Fire and Emergency Services Superannuation Act 1985 for employees of DFES and associated employers. Firefighters are required to join FES Super as Defined Benefit members, and DFES contributes 11.75% of firefighter salaries to the fund.
• United Professional Firefighter's Union of Western AustraliaminorOthersThe United Professional Firefighter's Union of Western Australia (UPFU of WA) is one of the associated employers permitted to contribute to FES Super. One Board seat is reserved for a member-elected representative from UPFU of WA (currently Mr Tom Nolan, Assistant Secretary and Industrial Officer).
• Western Australian Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services Association (Inc.)minorOthersThe Western Australian Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services Association (Inc.) is one of the associated employers permitted to contribute to FES Super under the Act, making its members eligible for FES Super membership.
• Fire and Emergency Services Superannuation BoardcoreOthersThe Fire and Emergency Services Superannuation Board is the Trustee of FES Super and is also listed as an eligible employer that can contribute to the fund. It administers the fund under the Fire and Emergency Services Superannuation Act 1985. ABN 55 476 454 384, AFS Licence 259671.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• GESB (Government Employees Superannuation Board): GESB administers superannuation for WA public sector employees under WA legislation, with both Defined Benefit and Accumulation products. Same jurisdictional regulatory regime as FES Super and a directly comparable public-sector pension fund operator.
• WA Super: WA Super is the whole-of-government super fund for former WASF members and broader WA public sector employees. Operates in the same regulatory environment, offers DB and accumulation options, and is the most likely consolidation partner for FES Super.
• NGS Super: NGS Super is an industry super fund serving public sector, education, and government employees across Australia. Comparable product mix (DB-style and accumulation) and target member profile to FES Super, with similar Defined Benefit heritage.
• Active Super (formerly Local Government Super): Active Super is an Australian public-sector super fund originally for NSW local government employees, offering Defined Benefit and accumulation products. Directly comparable as a sector-specific, public-sector super fund with a captive employer base.

Broad incumbents

• Aware Super: Aware Super is one of Australia's largest super funds formed via merger of NSW public-sector funds (including State Super). Comparable in providing DB and accumulation products to public-sector employees, but operates at much greater scale across multiple sectors.
• AustralianSuper: AustralianSuper is Australia's largest super fund, offering accumulation and pension products nationally. While not public-sector focused, it is the dominant competitor for retained and spouse balances flowing out of niche funds like FES Super at retirement.
• Hostplus: Hostplus is a major industry super fund with strong hospitality, transport, and public-sector exposure, offering accumulation and pension options. Comparable as a default-fund competitor for member balances and a potential rollover destination.
• REST Industry Super: REST is a large industry super fund serving retail, fast food, and broader employees with accumulation and pension options. Comparable as a large-scale competitor competing for FES Super members' spouse and rollover balances.
• Cbus Super: Cbus is one of Australia's largest industry super funds, primarily serving construction workers but open to the public. Comparable as a scaled, multi-product super fund offering accumulation and pension options competing for member balances.
• Vision Super: Vision Super is a Victorian-based public-sector/industry super fund offering Defined Benefit and accumulation products to local government and education employees. Comparable as a state-level public-sector super fund with similar DB heritage.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fire and Emergency Services Superannuation Fund