The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) today released the September 2005 edition of Quarterly Superannuation Performance which revealed that total superannuation assets now stand at $791.5 billion. This represents an increase of 6.7 per cent over the September 2005 quarter.

Industry funds showed the strongest growth during the quarter, with assets increasing by 8.8 per cent ($9.9 billion) to $122.8 billion. Retail fund assets grew by 6.4 per cent ($15.9 billion) to $263.8 billion. Public sector fund assets grew by 5.9 per cent ($7.5 billion) to stand at $135.9 billion. Corporate fund assets grew by 4.9 per cent ($3.2 billion) to $68.6 billion during the September quarter.

Contributions to funds with at least $50 million in assets over the quarter were $13.7 billion, with employers contributing $9.1 billion and members contributing $4.4 billion. Other contributions, including spouse contributions and government co-contributions, totalled $116 million. Retail funds received 43.9 per cent ($6.0 billion) of total contributions over the quarter. Public sector funds received 24.8 per cent ($3.4 billion), industry funds received 24.2 per cent ($3.3 billion) and corporate funds 7.1 per cent ($1.0 billon).

At the end of September 2005, 29.4 per cent of superannuation assets ($168.3 billion) was invested in wholesale trusts and 24.2 per cent ($139.0 billion) was invested in life insurance companies. Individually managed mandates comprised 21.3 per cent of superannuation assets ($122.2 billion).

The return on assets was 5.3 per cent for the September quarter. The return for corporate funds was 5.9 per cent, public sector funds 5.7 per cent, industry funds 5.3 per cent and retail funds 5.0 per cent.

Copies of Quarterly Superannuation Performance are available on APRA's web site at www.apra.gov.au

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) is the prudential regulator of the financial services industry. It oversees banks, credit unions, building societies, general insurance and reinsurance companies, life insurance, friendly societies, and most members of the superannuation industry.
APRA is funded largely by the industries that it supervises. It was established on 1 July 1998. APRA currently supervises institutions holding approximately $2.2 trillion in assets for 20 million Australian depositors, policyholders and superannuation fund members.

Media and industry inquiries only:
Pauline Hayes, Public Affairs Manager
Australian Prudential Regulation Authority
Telephone: 02 9210 3143
Mobile: 0417 528 660

All other inquiries:
APRA Contact Centre
1300 131 060