Superannuation · Australia
Australian Ethical Super
Ethical super fund with negative screening on harmful industries. Not Shariah-certified. Listed here as a mainstream ethical comparison.
Key Facts
Overview
Australian Ethical Super is an APRA-regulated mainstream super fund with a long history of applying negative ethical screens to its investments. It is listed in this category as a reference point for Australian Muslims exploring their options, but it is not Shariah-certified and does not apply Islamic finance principles. Its exclusions overlap with some Islamic finance screens (gambling, alcohol, tobacco), but it does not exclude interest-based financial services, does not have a Shariah supervisory board, and does not claim halal compliance.
Services Provided
Australian Ethical provides a range of super options using a negative screening framework. It excludes alcohol, gambling, fossil fuels, weapons, and tobacco from its investment universe. It offers full super management including insurance, member accounts, and retirement income options. It does not screen for riba (interest), does not apply Islamic financial principles, and does not hold any Shariah certification.
Australian Ethical appears strongest as a mainstream ethical fund for investors who want to avoid the most obviously harmful industries. It is not an appropriate substitute for a Shariah-certified super fund for users who require genuine halal compliance. It may be useful as a comparison benchmark for users evaluating fees and returns against dedicated Islamic options. We have listed it here for comparative purposes, not as an endorsement of its halal credentials — it has none.
Who They Suit
May suit users who are weighing up ethical super options more broadly, or users who cannot yet access a Shariah-certified super product and want an interim ethical-screening option while they research further. Not recommended for users who require formal Shariah compliance.
Things to Verify
Before proceeding with this provider, confirm the following directly:
- That this fund is not Shariah-certified and does not have a Shariah supervisory board
- Exact investment screens and what they do and do not exclude
- Whether interest-based financial services are excluded (they are not in the standard ethical framework)
- Full fee structure and whether it is competitive with dedicated Islamic super options
- Insurance terms and any conditions on switching
Information on this page is general in nature and based on publicly available material and provider-supplied information. Always verify fees, eligibility, product structure, licensing status, and Shariah governance directly with the provider before making a decision.