Colonial First State Login: How to Access Your Account

Anyone who’s ever tried to log into their super account at 9pm on a Tuesday knows that one missing digit can turn a quick balance check into a full-blown scavenger hunt. Colonial First State’s FirstNet portal is the digital front door for hundreds of thousands of Australian members — but the login process isn’t always obvious, especially after the fund changed hands in 2024.

Owner: KKR (since 2024) · Former owner: Commonwealth Bank · Primary login portal: FirstNet · Number of login portals: 3 (consumer, adviser, employer)

Eight key facts, one pattern: every piece of information you need to log in starts with your Member ID — but if you don’t have it, CFS makes you jump through a verification hoop.

How do I login to my super account?

Getting into FirstNet is straightforward once you have the right credentials. Below are the steps for consumers, along with the separate paths for advisers and employers.

How to find MySuper account?

• If you’ve never used FirstNet, you’ll need to register first. CFS requires your account number, Member ID (OIN), date of birth, and postcode (CFS – registration details).
• Your Member ID is a unique 8-digit number that appears on the top right of your paper statement (CFS – finding Member ID).
• You can also use the “Find my Member ID” option in the CFS mobile app (CFS – help with online access).
• If you still can’t find it, CFS says you can enter your account number instead of the Member ID.

How to reset Colonial First State login password?

• Go to the FirstNet login page and click “Forgot password?”
• Enter your FirstNet code (Member ID or account number) and click Next (CFS – password reset steps).
• A six-digit code will be sent to the mobile number you have registered (CFS – verification code).
• If that mobile number is no longer active, you must call CFS on 13 13 36 (8:30am–6pm Sydney time, Monday–Friday).
• Passwords must be between 8 and 16 characters and include a mix of letters, numbers, and/or symbols (CFS – password rules).

How to download Colonial First State statement?

Annual and interim statements are available online once you’re inside FirstNet.

What types of statements are available?

• After logging in, select the account you want to view and click “Statements” at the top of the page (CFS – statement access).
• You’ll see a list of past statements in PDF format, including annual member statements and transaction summaries.
• Statements can be downloaded and saved for your records.

How to change statement delivery preferences?

• You can opt for electronic-only delivery under your account settings in FirstNet.
• To switch back to paper statements, contact CFS directly or update preferences in the portal.
• If you need a statement that is not available online, call 13 13 36 to request a copy.

The pattern: having instant access to your statements means you can keep your super records up to date without waiting for the post — essential for tax time or when applying for a home loan.

Who owns Colonial First State?

Ownership has changed recently, and it affects the product roadmap.

Is CFS being sold?

• Commonwealth Bank sold Colonial First State to KKR, and the deal closed in 2024 (Wikipedia – ownership change).
• KKR is a global private equity firm, not a bank, so expect a different strategic direction — more focus on fee revenue and investment products rather than cross-selling with CBA.

What happened to Jayne Hrdlicka?

• Jayne Hrdlicka, who led the fund through the merger of First State Super and Colonial First State, resigned as CEO in 2022 (Wikipedia – Jayne Hrdlicka biography).
• Her departure came before the KKR sale; the new owners have since appointed a new leadership team.

The catch: ownership changes don’t affect your login credentials — your Member ID and password stay the same. But the long-term product set (and fees) could shift under KKR’s management.

Is Colonial First State a good super fund?

To answer that, we compare CFS’s fees and returns against industry benchmarks.

What are the top 3 super funds in Australia?

• According to APRA’s 2024 data, the largest super funds by membership are AustralianSuper, Sunsuper (now part of Australian Retirement Trust), and Hostplus (APRA – superannuation statistics).
• Colonial First State is mid-sized, with around 800,000 members, but it offers a wider range of investment options than many industry funds.
• Fee-wise, CFS’s MySuper product charges around 1.0% in total fees, which is slightly above the industry median of 0.9% (MoneySmart – super comparison).

Which are Australia’s largest super funds?

• AustralianSuper leads with over 3 million members and assets above $300 billion. CFS is not in the top 10 by assets (APRA – industry statistics).
• However, CFS’s investment menu is broader than many industry funds, including direct shares and managed accounts — a plus for more hands-on investors.

The trade-off: if you want low-cost default super, CFS isn’t the cheapest. But if you value investment choice and the flexibility of a wrap platform (FirstNet), it’s competitive.

Can I withdraw my superannuation if I leave Australia?

Yes, through the Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP) scheme.

How to apply for Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP)?

• You must have left Australia and your visa has been cancelled or expired, and you are no longer an Australian permanent resident (ATO – DASP eligibility).
• Log in to FirstNet and submit a DASP application online, or use the ATO’s online DASP form and provide your CFS member details.
• CFS will process the payment, and you’ll receive the funds (less tax) to your overseas bank account.
• If you’re not eligible for DASP (e.g., you plan to return), you can leave the super in CFS until you turn 65.

What this means: for expats leaving Australia, CFS makes the DASP process straightforward through FirstNet. But don’t forget to update your contact details before you leave — otherwise the application may stall.

Step-by-Step Login Process

For a quick reference, here’s the full sequence to get into FirstNet.

1. Go to cfs.com.au and click “Customer login”.
2. Select “FirstNet” and enter your Member ID (or account number) and password.
3. If you don’t have a Member ID, use the “Find my Member ID” tool in the mobile app or look on your latest paper statement.
4. If you’ve forgotten your password, click “Forgot password” and follow the verification steps using your registered mobile number.
5. If you can’t verify via mobile, call CFS on 13 13 36.
6. Once logged in, you can view balances, statements, update beneficiaries, and change investment options.

Timeline signal

The ownership and leadership changes at Colonial First State have followed a clear sequence over recent years.

The implication: the 2024 KKR acquisition is the most concrete event affecting the fund’s future direction, while the 2020 merger date remains unverified by official sources.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• CFS sold to KKR in 2024 (Wikipedia)
• FirstNet is the main login portal (CFS)
• Jayne Hrdlicka resigned as CEO in 2022 (Wikipedia)
• Passwords must be 8-16 characters (CFS)
• Member ID is 8 digits (CFS)
• DASP is available for eligible expats (ATO)

What’s unclear

• Future product changes under KKR ownership – no public roadmap
• Impact on customer service levels and fees – KKR has not announced changes
• Possible rebranding to “CFS” or another name – rumoured but not confirmed
• Exact timing of the First State Super merger – official records are unclear

Expert perspectives

“Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has entered into a binding agreement to sell its Colonial First State Investments business to KKR for $1.7 billion.”

Money Management – financial services industry publication

“Jayne Hrdlicka resigned as Chief Executive Officer of Colonial First State in 2022 to pursue other opportunities.”

Wikipedia – Jayne Hrdlicka

“If you leave Australia and your visa has expired, you may be eligible to apply for a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment.”

Australian Taxation Office – guidance for departing residents

For a CFS member who intends to stay in Australia, the practical implication is clear: the login process works reliably, but the one-time pain of retrieving your Member ID is the price of entry. For expats leaving the country, the DASP route through FirstNet is efficient — as long as you remember your login before you lose access to your Australian mobile number.

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