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Hitting a high income bracket is a massive milestone, but it usually comes with a frustrating side effect: the taxman starts looking for ways to clip your wings. If you have crossed the threshold into earning a combined income and super contribution total of $250,000 or more, you have likely received—or are about to receive—a distinct letter from the ATO. Welcome to the world of Division 293 tax. It feels like a penalty for doing well. Just as you’re trying to accelerate your

It is a conversation that pops up around dinner tables and barbecues time and time again. You look at your growing superannuation balance, and then you look at your day-to-day life. Maybe you are eyeing a commercial vehicle to scale your operations, a vintage classic that is bound to appreciate, or an established local business that promises a steady stream of revenue. The thought naturally follows: “Can I pull funds from my super to buy these, or better yet, use my SMSF to m

The clock is ticking on the 45-day transition window before the federal government officially bans new limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBAs) for residential property. If you want to use your self-managed super fund (SMSF) to invest in a house or an apartment, you no longer have the luxury of time. You need to find a property, get your structures sorted, and exchange signed contracts before that gate slams shut. In a high-stakes sprint like this, who you choose to ha

If you’ve been keeping an eye on the news, you’ve likely seen the bombshell that just dropped on the Australian property and superannuation sectors. In a sudden twist to get its broader budget tax changes through the Senate, the federal government has struck a deal with the Greens. The headline? A complete ban on future limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBAs) for residential property by self-managed super funds (SMSFs). It’s a massive shakeup that has blindsided the i

The 2026 Federal Budget threw some massive curveballs at the wealth-creation landscape. Between the axing of the traditional 50% capital gains tax (CGT) discount for individuals and the strict new limits pulling the rug out from under negative gearing on established residential properties starting July 1, 2027, things are looking vastly different. But here is the plot twist nobody saw coming: Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs) have emerged as the absolute, undisputed winners of

There is a specific kind of weight that comes with being an SMSF trustee. It’s the realisation that you aren’t just managing money; you’re also securing the quality of life you and your members will have in retirement. When you add a property and a mortgage into that mix, the stakes naturally get higher. Lenders understand this weight better than anyone, which is why their insurance requirements are so specific. They aren’t trying to bury you in more paperwork; they are looki

You’ve likely heard it at a BBQ or read it on a gloomy forum: “Don’t bother with an SMSF investment unless you have $500,000 sitting there.” There is a persistent myth floating around the Australian property market that you need to be a multi-millionaire to even think about setting up a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) and buying property through this fund. As we move through 2026, it’s time to take that “advice” and throw it in the bin. While having a massive superannuation

If you had asked an investor in 2023 what the loan market would look like in 2026, they might have painted a picture of extreme caution. Fast forward to today, and while the landscape has certainly shifted, the resilience of SMSF property investment is the real story. We aren’t seeing a retreat; instead, we’re seeing a “flight to quality” as trustees navigate a more sophisticated environment. Today, let’s dig deeper into what is actually moving the needle in the world of SMSF

If you’ve ever applied for a standard residential mortgage, you probably remember a mountain of payslips and bank statements. When it comes to a self-managed super fund (SMSF), the process is a different beast entirely. Lenders aren’t just looking at you; they are also looking at your fund. To get that “yes,” here is exactly what you need to gather to ensure your property loan application for your SMSF moves through the system without a hitch. The SMSF Loan Documentation Chec

It’s been a decade since we first sat down to write about how to structure an SMSF for property success . Back in 2016, the landscape was a bit different—plenty of banks were playing in the space, and the paperwork felt a lot lighter. Fast forward to 2026, and while the bricks and mortar of property investment remain as attractive as ever, the “engine room”—your SMSF trustee structure —has become the single most important factor in whether a lender says “yes” or “no.” If you’

We know that as a proactive Australian looking to supercharge your retirement savings, you’re always searching for smart ways to leverage your Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF). And let’s be honest, few things sound more enticing than securing a brand-new asset using your super, especially one that you can purchase today at tomorrow’s price.We’re talking about off-the-plan property investment. It’s a strategy that can deliver incredible wealth-creation benefits, but—and this is