Published: Jan 30, 2025

NCS Australia supports Hostplus to win Gold in the 2025 World Design Awards for redesigned app that delivers intuitive member experience

NCS Australia and Hostplus have been recognised for accelerating digital customer experience, winning Gold in the 2025 World Design Awards in the Digital – Finance category.  Projects from Australia, Asia, Europe and the United States – in addition to from the GOV Design Awards global program – competed in these awards, which focus on celebrating courage in design excellence internationally. 

This global recognition caps off a winning run with the Hostplus redesigned mobile app having previously won the Australian and Melbourne Design Awards as well.  

Hosted by BETTER FUTURE, the World Design Awards provide industry recognition to celebrate where technology and innovation are nurturing extraordinary design. 

The Digital – Finance category considers apps and sites disrupting sectors such as mobile payments, money transfers, loans, fundraising and financial management, reflecting how fintech is radically changing how we live as a society and how we do business professionally.
 

Award-winning success 

Hostplus partnered with NCS Australia in redeveloping its mobile app to provide a new era of digital experience for its 1.8 million members. The redesign has leveraged modern and scalable technology, integrating principles of accessible design, high-performance and first-class security to future-proof this channel for Hostplus’ members to access their super information quickly and intuitively. 

Seamless integration, faster load times and enhanced security have delivered exceptional growth in app access year-on-year, and the user-friendliness of the app is supported by a high star rating in the App Store. The team has also seen engagements rise, with the median number of logins per member increasing by 30% when comparing the three months pre- and post-launch. 

Jules Barnes, Specialist Practices Lead, NCS Australia said, “NCS Australia is thrilled to have supported Hostplus in achieving this recognition. Coupling Hostplus’ industry expertise with NCS Australia’s depth of knowledge in security architecture and mobile development has led to an award-winning redesigned app.

“NCS and Hostplus have formed a true partnership – with both companies including team members who are passionate about superannuation and technology, with a common goal of achieving great results.

“The relationship has been formed on trust, honesty and a desire to achieve member-focused outcomes, with a safe environment to question what is assumed, and a commitment to deliver once decisions have been made.

“Delivery for this app was achieved within six months and on budget, creating a strong foundation for the addition of expanded features long term. The mobile app development was informed by member research and design principles, ensuring a digital experience that sets the app apart.”

The Hostplus redesigned mobile app has been custom-built to cater to the diverse needs of its members. One objective was optimising accessibility to support all members – from young people, new to the workforce, to retirees and those with a disability. An intuitive interface, with a focus on education, allows for easy account management for users at any life stage – resonating with a wide user demographic.

Legacy technology posed a challenge to Hostplus innovating at speed, with this risk successfully overcome through close alignment and collaboration with NCS Australia’s project team.

Dr Jo Dutton, Chief Technology Officer at Hostplus said, “We are delighted that the Hostplus app has been recognised as a Gold winner in the Digital – Finance category.

“Through the app redesign process, we kept our members’ needs and user experience at the core of our decision making. This has culminated in a more interactive, fully accessible and high-performing mobile application.”
 

An award-winning track record in mobile app development 

NCS Australia, including through acquired businesses such as Arq Group (ARQ), brings a strong and proven track record providing  quality mobile app development services, with project teams previously recognised for working on the UniSuper Mobile App, First State Super Mobile App, and Newcastle Permanent Building Society Mobile Banking App.

This article was originally published in 2024 and has been updated in 2025 following Hostplus being recognised as a Gold winner in the 2024 Melbourne Design Awards, 2025 Australian Design Awards and 2025 World Design Awards for this mobile app redesign project, drawing on knowledge and technical experience from both NCS Australia and Hostplus.