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Whether you're curious about our services, our process, or how SMSF loans work, you’ll find the information you need right here.
A Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) is a superannuation fund trust structure that provides benefits to its members upon retirement. Self-Managed Super Funds are overseen by ASIC (Australian Securities Investment Commission) and must comply under the SIS Act (Superannuation Industry Supervisions Act 1993). The main difference between SMSF and industry funds is that SMSF members are also the trustees of the fund. Typically, most people get into a SMSF so that they can control their superannuation investments and, at times, they will purchase property through their SMSF. A SMSF is set up in conjunction with their accountant and/or financial planner, provided it is deemed appropriate for them to do so.
A SMSF Trust is the legal structure under which an SMSF operates. Every SMSF is technically a trust, which means it has trustees, beneficiaries (members), and trust assets (superannuation savings). The trust deed sets out the rules of how the fund is run, including how contributions, investments, and benefits are managed.
A Bare Trust (also called a Holding Trust or Custodian Trust) is a special type of trust used when an SMSF borrows to purchase property under a Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement (LRBA). The Bare Trustee holds the legal title of the property on behalf of the SMSF, which retains the beneficial ownership. The Bare Trust cannot hold any other assets besides the single property related to that LRBA.
A LRBA is a special type of loan that allows an SMSF to borrow money to buy a single investment asset, usually property. The lender’s recourse is limited to the specific asset purchased (held in the Bare Trust). This means if the SMSF defaults on the loan, the lender can only claim against that property, not other SMSF assets. The arrangement must comply with strict ATO and Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act (SIS Act) rules.
No, you cannot use your personal or business property as security for an SMSF loan. The only security the lender can use under an LRBA is the property purchased by the SMSF (held in the Bare Trust)
No, SMSF loans can only be used to purchase an asset. Renovations or improvements cannot be financed through the loan. The SMSF would need to use its own funds to pay for renovations.
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