Cbus Self Managed is a Cbus Super investment option that lets you take a more active role in managing your super investments. It allows you to directly invest all or part of your retirement savings in a wider range of assets than the standard Cbus Super investment options.
These include Australian Shares on the ASX 300, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), term deposits, and exclusive managed investments in property and infrastructure. Cbus Self Managed is more aligned to a Self Managed Super Fund, but we take care of the complex account keeping and taxation reporting, saving you time and expense.
The savings that you choose to invest in Cbus Self Managed will be placed in a transaction account (earning interest at a current rate of 5.25% p.a. as of 18 February 2025). From there you can then build a diversified portfolio from the following investment options:
Australian shares
Direct investment into the largest 300 Australian shares (on the ASX:300)
Exchange traded funds
A range of exchange traded funds (ETF’s) that cover Australian and international equities
ETFs are professionally-managed investment pools that are listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).
Cbus Self-Managed offers a wide selection of ETFs across various asset classes, including: Cash/Fixed Interest, Commodity, Regional Equities, Global Equities, Australian Equities and many more.
| Ticker | Name | Index |
|---|---|---|
| AAA | BetaShare Australian High Interest Cash ETF# | 30 Day Bank Bill Swap Rate |
| QAU | BetaShares Gold Bullion ETF – Currency Hedged* | Gold |
| ETPMPM | Global X Physical Precious Metals Basket^ | Precious metals, Prices |
| IZZ | iShares China Large-Cap ETF* | FTSE China 50 Index |
| IOZ | iShares Core S&P/ASX 200 ETF# | S&P/ASX 200 Index |
| IEU | iShares Europe ETF# | S&P Europe 350TM Index |
| IVE | iShares MSCI EAFE ETF* | MSCI EAFE Index |
| IEM | iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF* | MSCI Emerging Markets Index |
| IJP | iShares MSCI Japan ETF* | MSCI Japan Index |
| IVV | iShares Core S&P 500 ETF# | S&P 500 Index (USD) |
| IOO | iShares S&P Global 100 ETF# | S&P Global 100 Index |
| ILC | iShares S&P/ASX 20 ETF# | S&P/ASX 20 Accumulation Index |
| ISO | iShares S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries ETF* | S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries |
| IGB | iShares Treasury ETF# | Bloomberg AusBond Treasury Index |
| IAF | iShares Core Composite Bond ETF# | Bloomberg AusBond Composite 0+ Yr Index |
| RCB | Russell Investments Australian Select Corporate Bond ETF# | DBIQ 0-4 year Investment Grade Australian Corporate Bond Index |
| RSM | Russell Investments Australian Semi-Government Bond ETF# | DBIQ 0-5 year Australian Semi-Government Bond Index |
| SYI | SPDR MSCI Australia Select High Dividend Yield Fund# | MSCI Australia Select High Dividend Yield Index |
| WXHG | SPDR S&P World ex Australia Carbon Control (Hedged) Fund# | S&P Developed Ex-Australia LargeMidCap Carbon Control AUD Hedged Index |
| WXOZ | SPDR S&P World ex Australia Carbon Control Fund# | S&P Developed Ex-Australia LargeMidCap Carbon Control Index (AUD) |
| GOVT | SPDR S&P/ASX Australian Bond Fund# | S&P/ASX Government Bond Index |
| BOND | SPDR S&P/ASX Australian Government Bond Fund# | S&P/ASX Australian Fixed Interest Index |
| SSO | SPDR S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries Fund ETF# | S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries Index |
| VEU | Vanguard All-World Ex US Shares Index ETF# | FTSE All-World ex US Index |
| VAF | Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF# | Bloomberg AusBond Composite 0+ Yr Index |
| VGB | Vanguard Australian Government Bond Index ETF# | Bloomberg AusBond Govt 0+ Yr Index |
| VAP | Vanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF# | S&P/ASX 300 A-REIT Index |
| VHY | Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF# | FTSE Australia High Dividend Yield Index |
| VAS | Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF# | S&P/ASX 300 Index |
| VSO | Vanguard MSCI Australian Small Companies Index ETF* | MSCI Australian Shares Small Cap Index |
^ 10% of total Cbus account balance may be held in this ETF
* 25% of total Cbus account balance may be held in this ETF
# 50% of total Cbus account balance may be held in this ETF
The information on this page is for information purposes and should not be relied upon to make investment decisions.
To learn more about the above ETFs you will need to access the individual ETF provider’s website where you will find more information on these products to help you make a decision that is right for you.
Term deposits
A range of term deposits with varying rates and periods
Earn guaranteed interest on your investment for a fixed term of your choosing (From 30 days to 365 days).
Current term deposit rates are listed below (as of 21 February 2025) for ME and NAB banks. These interest rates are indicative only. The current term deposits available can be viewed by registered users of Cbus Self Managed via the online platform.
| Length of term | ME (%)* | NAB (%)^ |
|---|---|---|
| 30 days | 3.75 | 2.30 |
| 60 days | 4.30 | 4.30 |
| 90 days | 4.70 | 4.75 |
| 180 days | 4.70 | 4.75 |
| 365 days | 4.60 | 4.75 |
*ME Bank rates are effective 21 February 2025
^NAB rates are effective 24 February 2025
The interest rates quoted for term deposits are annualised rates. The interest rate will apply for the term selected. The interest earned will be less than the annualised rate where the selected term is for a period of less than 12 months.
Managed investments
Managed investments that include property and infrastructure
With managed investments your money is pooled with other Cbus members, then managed by specialist investment managers at Cbus.
There are two types of managed investments available via Cbus Self Managed:
For a two-week period each quarter, you will be able to buy or sell units in managed investments. The current scheduled dates as at 28 January 2025 are shown below. These dates are subject to change.
| March 2025 | June 2025 | September 2025 | December 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trading window opens | 9 April | 7 July |
7 October | 8 January 2026 |
| Trading window closes |
23 April |
21 July | 21 October | 22 January 2026 |
| Trade settlement date |
29 April |
24 July | 24 October |
28 January 2026 |
Make informed investment choices by accessing a wealth of educational resources and market insights directly within the Cbus Self Managed platform:
^ Investment returns can go up and down. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Understand some of the key differences between Cbus Self Managed and an independent Self Managed Super Fund:
| Cbus Self Managed | Self Managed Super Fund | |
|---|---|---|
| Administration | All legal and admin requirements are managed by Cbus Super. | Complex legal and administrative requirements can take a lot of time and effort. |
| Time | Less time consuming given that tax, auditing, and administration is managed by Cbus Super. | SMSF trustees spend on average more than eight hours a month managing an SMSF. That’s more than 100 hours a year. |
| Costs | May be cheaper than an external SMSF as tax, auditing and administration is managed by Cbus Super. |
Can be high. Consider the following costs:
|
| Fraud protection | Full access to special compensation schemes and AFCA. | No access to compensation schemes or Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). |
You might consider Cbus Self Managed if you:
Note: Cbus Self Managed is not available for income stream accounts if you have selected the Transition to Retirement option.
Step 1
To check your eligibility and for more information on how to get started read the Cbus Self Managed investment guide (PDF).
Step 2
Log in to your online account and select the Cbus Self Managed tab at the top of the page.
Useful fact sheets and guides to help with your Cbus Self Managed investment options.
