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Self-managed super fund (SMSF)

Understand if an SMSF is right for you

Page reading time: 5 minutes

A self-managed super fund (SMSF) is a private super fund that you manage yourself. SMSFs are different to industry and retail super funds.

When you manage your own super, you put the money you would normally put in a retail or industry super fund into your own SMSF. You choose the investments and the insurance.

Your SMSF can have no more than six members. As a member, you are a trustee of the fund — or you can get a corporate trustee. In either case, you are responsible for the fund.

While having control over your own super can be appealing, it's a lot of work and comes with risks. 

Only set up your own super fund if you're 100% committed and understand what's involved.

The risks and responsibilities of SMSFs

All members of an SMSF are responsible for the fund's decisions and for complying with the law.

These responsibilities come with risks:

The ATO has more information on the key responsibilities for SMSF trustees. 

What's involved with an SMSF

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) explains your responsibilities.

SMSFs take time and money

Managing an SMSF is a lot of work. Even if you get professional help, it's time-consuming.

You need enough time to set up the fund, and time to manage ongoing activities, such as:

SMSF trustees spend on average more than eight hours a month managing an SMSF. That's more than 100 hours a year. (Source: SMSF Investor Report, April 2021, Investment Trends)

Set-up costs

The set-up and running costs of an SMSF can be high. Ongoing costs can include:

Some costs may be tax deductible, but most will be out-of-pocket expenses for the SMSF.

You don't have to set up an SMSF to choose your own investments. See super investment options.

 

You need financial and legal knowledge

You need the financial and legal knowledge and skills to:

Be wary of anyone who offers to set up an SMSF to withdraw your super to pay off debts. It's illegal. See superannuation scams.

 

SMSF starting balance

When making the decision to set up an SMSF, it's important to focus on the overall suitability rather than just the starting balance of the fund. 

An SMSF with a lower starting balance may be suitable for you if, for example:

There may also be circumstances when an SMSF with a higher starting balance is not suitable for you because it does not meet your objectives, financial situation or needs. 

For example, you may not have the skills, time or experience to be an SMSF trustee. 

ASIC has prepared case studies to help you work out if an SMSF is suitable for you based on your superannuation balance. 

When a SMSF might be suitable for you

Some indicators that an SMSF might be suitable are:

The ATO has information about SMSF expenses by fund size.

If you want to set up an SMSF

If you are 100% sure about managing your own super fund, start researching investment options. Also consider getting advice from a licensed financial adviser.

Research your investment options

Part of the appeal of an SMSF is controlling and having access to a broader range of investments.

However, there are some very strict rules about what you can invest your super in. Check restrictions on investments on the ATO website.

Get professional advice

Professionals like SMSF auditors, accountants and lawyers can help you with an SMSF. However, these professionals may be limited to the kind of advice they can give you.

A licensed financial adviser with specialist SMSF knowledge can help you:

Financial advice about setting up an SMSF should always include information about:

Set up your SMSF

All SMSFs are regulated by the ATO. The self-managed super funds section of the ATO website explains what you need to do to set up your fund. 

How you structure your SMSF is also important as this can impact your compliance obligations.

There are two types of structures you can choose for your SMSF: individual trustees or a corporate trustee. The ATO has more information about the obligations for each structure.