Your investment choice should balance the amount of risk you're comfortable taking with the return prospects of your chosen HESTA option. HESTA's Investment Risk Profiler Calculator can help you explore your current level of comfort with risk and return. The profiler is not a substitute for financial planning, so consider seeking financial advice before you make a decision about your investment choice.

Simple steps to consider when choosing an investment strategy

Each person has their own level of comfort with investment risk and should choose their strategy accordingly. This is one of a number of factors, along with your specific circumstances and needs, that you should take into account when deciding on an investment strategy.

Step 1: Fill in the questionnaire to learn about your indicated risk tolerance level

The key to choosing an investment strategy is deciding the level of return you want relative to how comfortable you are with investment risk. 'Risk' simply means the chance that the actual investment return will be different from the expected investment return. This can be a positive or negative outcome.

Step 2: View your score and check it against the risk profile descriptions

This may help you to clarify whether you are currently likely to be more comfortable with low, moderate or high-risk investment strategies.

Lower-risk options will generally be expected to provide relatively consistent but lower returns over time. Pursuing high long-term returns may mean investing in more volatile options at a greater risk of negative returns in some years.

What if you need financial advice?

HESTA is able to provide general advice about HESTA and its features. However, we encourage you to contact a person or organisation licensed to provide personal advice (as an Australian Financial Services Licensee or representative) that takes into account your specific financial needs and objectives. Your employer must not give advice about HESTA or recommend any other financial product unless licensed to do so.

Continue to the Investment Risk Profiler here!