What exactly is an SMSF?


A self managed superannuation fund (SMSF) is a super fund where you’re in control. You’re not only a member but also a trustee. You choose the investment strategy and manage the investments.

An SMSF is flexible enough to allow you to invest in different assets like property, private companies, and international assets.

As of 1 July 2021, an SMSF can now have up to six members (read more about it here). Pooling your funds to build up the balance can give your SMSF more investment options.

Why choose an SMSF instead of traditional super?

SMSFs have a few key advantages over retail and industry super funds.

You choose the investments

You choose what your super is invested in, and you have more options, like investment property. A traditional super fund tends to invest in default investments which may not suit your personal investment goals. You’ll be responsible for keeping track of the investments and making the right investment decisions for your SMSF.

See what's happening

Monitoring and controlling your SMSF’s transactions is directly done by you, which provides greater visibility of your SMSF’s investments and their performance at any time.

Keeping it in the family

You can add family, friends, and partners as members of your SMSF (up to 6 members are allowed). A bigger balance could give your SMSF more investment options and might be more cost-effective.

Tax Advantages

While traditional super funds aims to act tax effectively for all their members, your SMSF portfolio could offer more options for reducing tax.

Controlling the costs

The costs will depend on the investments and are based on what you choose to do. Your SMSF only pays for what it uses. This means you could reduce your super costs, but that’s up to you. You’re the one in control.

Benefit your beneficiaries

An SMSF provides more certainty about who will receive benefits should you pass away. There is also the flexibility to direct how benefits are distributed to take into account the situation of the beneficiaries.

Help setting up

We’ll help you establish your SMSF, organise government registrations and set up investment providers. Our expert assistants are only a phone call or email away.

Stay up-to-date

You’ll have 24/7 access to your SMSF information to help you focus on the investment strategy and we will alert you when there are things you need to do.

Compliance reporting

We reconcile your accounts and investment transactions and take care of the paperwork, tax returns, and compliance reporting that is required for an SMSF.

Up Next: Making sure an SMSF is right for you

Ready to get started?

To establish your fund you will need:

✓ A name for your SMSF
✓ Personal details for each member including tax file numbers
✓ If you intend to use a corporate trustee, the name you would like to use for this company
✓ Identification documents for yourself and each fund member, eg. driver’s license, Medicare card, passport