Cruelty Free Super

I lived in Australia for almost nine years and had two super funds during that time. The last one was Cruelty Free Super, and I can't recommend them highly enough! They consistently provided prompt, friendly, and genuinely helpful customer service. Every interaction felt personal, with a clear commitment to making sure I understood everything as… Read more ·  1

a customer.

It's rare to find a super fund that not only aligns with your values but also delivers such outstanding support. I truly appreciated their approach over the years and would wholeheartedly recommend Cruelty Free Super to anyone looking for a compassionate and professional superannuation option.

Thank you for the fantastic service!

Appalled Vegan – I was with the fund around 5 weeks and lost more than few thousand dollars. No explanation. I am just glad I got out when I could, as I can honestly say that this product and service is second to none in failablity and deficit online transparency. Lack of personal communication, mostly email and call back where they advise email. The complaint… Read more

response was instigated by them and farcical, and I can no longer concern myself with trying to highlight their shortcomings in the industry. I only wish there was a review like this to have warned me. Oh, and I found out their administrator is Diversa Trustees Ltd, who-ever they are. I imagine it is their policies and procedures that Cruelty Free Super is governed by.

The vegan super – I felt compelled to write after reading one critical review pointing out the inconsistency of calling this a vegan fund. As a vegan I am very aware that calling yourself vegan is open to challenge, commonly from those ethical folks who ‘love their cheese’ or ‘avoid veal’, or ‘try to choose free range’. Sensible vegans know that their is no such… Read more

thing as perfection in a world where meat, dairy and egg industries that slaughter billions each year and make many billions in dollars. Vegan means their is an honest intent to avoid exploitation and cruelty to animals. While there will always be grey areas, unless you are vegan (or at least vegetarian) you are not yet at first base. Thanks Cruelty free for offering a life vegan, a fund that makes sense.

Make a difference with your employer super payments – I've been with cruelty free super since 2014. I am very proud to be a member of this fund and to know that my employer super contributions are being invested ethically. I feel this is an easy way to make a difference. Easy to deal with and the online options are really convenient.

Cruelty free fairy tale – For people who support the vegan ethos and want to find a 'cruelty free' way to invest their earnings, you're not going to find one on planet earth. A glowing earlier review here said, "Cruelty Free in All Aspects." That's the sort of language that should be reserved for fairy tales. The term 'cruelty free' doesn't bear any relation to reality,… Read more

even for vegan foods (ie those that don't come from animals), due to harm in harvesting, crop protection and so on.

The name of the fund, then, is already a red flag.

CFS claim to be Australia's "only vegan superannuation fund."

How can they be vegan when most, if not all, of the companies they invest in aren't vegan themselves? It defies basic logic.

Just because you 'screen' to avoid the most obvious instances of animal use doesn't mean the other uses also all vanish along with it.

Take JB Hi-Fi for example. They don't avoid leather because CFS invests in them. (A quick search reveals they carry many leather products.) Do the staff avoid animal foods, clothes and so on because CFS invests in them?

The “Cruelty free healthcare” they invest in includes serving animal foods to clients. Healthscope runs hospitals throughout Australia. Do they serve exclusively vegan meals to their clients and use only products that don't require animal use? Answer: no (which you can verify by either searching on the net or visiting one).

They steer clear of “regional banks” because of their involvement with “live animal export, intensive farming and activities cruel to animals,” yet put some of their funds into BOQ (for example), who don't shy away from investments in animal farming, as you can see on this Facebook post celebrating beef week: https://www.facebook.com/179533188770736/posts/902720599785321

You can find more examples like this if you look just beneath the surface.

You might say, "But that's common in investing, most companies are involved in animal use."

Just because it's common doesn't mean you fall in line. If it did, why bother being vegan?

While the idea of veganism gains momentum and food companies develop new forms of vegan food, rather than following suit - for example, by investing in companies that don't use animals, or looking at alternative investment methods - CFS continues to work within a model of minimal or 'improved' animal use, rather than veganism.

But why be more open about the problems when you can paper over them, spin out a marketing angle, and call yourself the country's only vegan fund?

Aligns with all my values – Moving onto Cruelty Free Super was just another important step to take to live as close to cruelty free as possible. I couldn't continue staying with a fund when I knew the money was being made through investments in abhorrent industries. Performance isn't everything to me, but I haven't had any concerns with what the performance has been, and… Read more

it's on the up and up the larger they grow. Once you know, you can't look back. I recommend everyone joins CFS if they care about the planet and her inhabitants.

Cruelty free and ethical super fund – I have been with Cruelty Free Superannuation for a couple of years and their fees and returns are equitable AND they don't invest in the abuse of animals or people.

Cruelty Free in All Aspects of Life – I have been with Cruelty Free Super for three years and have nothing but praise for them so far. I try to live a life causing the least harm to others as possible, so it made sense to me to include my superannuation fund in that philosophy.  Show reply

Such an easy choice for an ethical future – As most I've tried plenty of supers out there. But when I came across cruelty free super it was a no brainer to let my money grow for my retirement, while supporting ethical and morally just companies that support a clean future.  Show reply

A super supporting ethics as well as profits – I have been with this find for the best part of a year and I am happy with the process so far.  Show reply

Extremely satisfied and grateful – I have been with this super since it started in Australia. I have always been extremely happy with them. They are amazing. I'm so grateful they exist. I can't stand thinking my hard earned money would be supporting extreme animal abuse and exploitation. Thank you so much for existing. You're not only morally superior you are also highly reliable… Read more ·  1

and trustworthy. I couldn't ask for anything better, you are an amazing company that is making a massive difference. I absolutely love having them as my super company.

The only super fund I’d use – I’m very big on voting with my wallet, and it’s important that my super doesn’t contribute towards animal cruelty. That’s why I’ve been with Cruelty Free Super for the past 8 years. It’s a great fund and has performed much better than I expected.  Show reply

Superannuation with heart and conscience – I advocate to improve animal welfare laws and open people’s eyes to the wonder and beauty of all life. I sign petitions, write letters to politicians and educate people on the truth of systematic animal suffering in Australian factory farms, abbatoirs, on live export vessels, in saleyards, shearing and dairy sheds, and so on. I donate monthly to a… Read more ·  1

range of animal welfare organisations and volunteer my time to make a small difference.

These actions are intrinsically linked to my very essence - my values and purpose. It would be the very definition of hypocrisy to work so hard for change, yet mindlessly allow my earnings to be paid into a super fund that invests in industries that perpetuate animal suffering!

This is why I made the change. It may seem like an effort, but it’s not. Changing to Cruelty Free Super was quick and easy, and another way for me to indirectly advocate for animals whilst securing my future