HESTA is Australia’s largest superannuation fund dedicated to the health and community services sector
About HESTA
HESTA is Australia’s largest superannuation fund dedicated to the health and community services sector. We have more than $52b of members’ funds under management and more than 860,000 members. We employ approximately 300 people.
HESTA was founded in 1987 and we are proud to be an industry fund: we exist to benefit our members, not to profit from them.
We have eight offices with member teams in every state and territory and dedicated member and employer-servicing employees who travel across Australia regularly. This strive to offer our members a consistent service regardless of their location.
HESTA acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of all Lands on which we come together. At HESTA, we know that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures enrich this nation and we pay our respects to Elders, past and present.
HESTA's Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan
Our vision is for a respectful, confident and equitable Australia. Through our commitment to reconciliation, HESTA can be part of supporting real and lasting change in our organisation, the superannuation industry and the health and community services sector.
We’re committed to building community partnerships grounded in respect.
We’re working to increase confidence and choice in retirement for all members including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We’ll advocate for equity outcomes between non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
HESTA supports the Uluru Statement From The Heart, an invitation to Australia and the Australian people. We recognise the Uluru Statement as a historic mandate for substantive constitutional change and structural reform.
We hear and support the call for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution and for a referendum to achieve this as a national priority.
We were the first industry super fund to implement a RAP, using the Reflect model to help us chart the best path to stronger partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
And now, we’re building on the work we’ve done so far with our Innovate RAP.
In early 2019 HESTA was granted a one year extension to our Innovate RAP. This means our current RAP will stay in place until September 2020.
Click HERE to download HESTA’s Innovate RAP.
Our vision is for a respectful, confident and equitable Australia. Through our commitment to reconciliation, HESTA can be part of supporting real and lasting change in our organisation, the superannuation industry and the health and community services sector.
We’re committed to building community partnerships grounded in respect.
We’re working to increase confidence and choice in retirement for all members including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We’ll advocate for equity outcomes between non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
HESTA supports the Uluru Statement From The Heart, an invitation to Australia and the Australian people. We recognise the Uluru Statement as a historic mandate for substantive constitutional change and structural reform.
We hear and support the call for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution and for a referendum to achieve this as a national priority.
We were the first industry super fund to implement a RAP, using the Reflect model to help us chart the best path to stronger partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
And now, we’re building on the work we’ve done so far with our Innovate RAP.
In early 2019 HESTA was granted a one year extension to our Innovate RAP. This means our current RAP will stay in place until September 2020.
Click HERE to download HESTA’s Innovate RAP.
AIST Indigenous Superannuation Working Group
HESTA has been a member of the Indigenous Superannuation Working Group (ISWG) that brings together stakeholders from across the industry since its inception in 2013. The ISWG is convened by the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustee and actively supports industry initiatives such as the Indigenous Super Summit.
The working group is focused on how to improve superannuation outcomes for Indigenous people across the industry. This includes striving to remove some of the barriers our first Australians face when engaging with super on issues ranging from identification, remoteness, financial literacy and insurance claims.
AIST Indigenous Superannuation Working Group
HESTA has been a member of the Indigenous Superannuation Working Group (ISWG) that brings together stakeholders from across the industry since its inception in 2013. The ISWG is convened by the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustee and actively supports industry initiatives such as the Indigenous Super Summit.
The working group is focused on how to improve superannuation outcomes for Indigenous people across the industry. This includes striving to remove some of the barriers our first Australians face when engaging with super on issues ranging from identification, remoteness, financial literacy and insurance claims.
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander phone line
HESTA launched an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander phone line option in 2019. This is resourced by trained staff who understand the needs of our First Australian members, especially in relation to identity verification, literacy and different cultural practices and relationships.
Call 1800 813 327 and follow the appropriate prompts to be put through to the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander contact centre.
Our Engagement and Advocacy
Our superannuation system was intended to benefit all Australians; however, the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are often overlooked by superannuation policy makers and the industry itself. HESTA actively develops and implements strategies to try and address a range of issues that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples face in relation to their super.
HESTA uses its advocacy to help increase confidence and choice in retirement for all members including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. HESTA has supported broadening the legislative definition of dependency to be aware of First Australian kinship structures in relation to superannuation death benefits and continues to raise issues in its policy submissions.
HESTA has also implemented the AUSTRAC identification guidelines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members. This allows for more flexible forms of identification to be used where people may not have more traditional forms of ID such as a passport or drivers licence.
Our Engagement and Advocacy
Our superannuation system was intended to benefit all Australians; however, the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are often overlooked by superannuation policy makers and the industry itself. HESTA actively develops and implements strategies to try and address a range of issues that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples face in relation to their super.
HESTA uses its advocacy to help increase confidence and choice in retirement for all members including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. HESTA has supported broadening the legislative definition of dependency to be aware of First Australian kinship structures in relation to superannuation death benefits and continues to raise issues in its policy submissions.
HESTA has also implemented the AUSTRAC identification guidelines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members. This allows for more flexible forms of identification to be used where people may not have more traditional forms of ID such as a passport or drivers licence.
