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LenderHome LoanInterest Rate Comparison Rate* Monthly Repayment Repayment type Rate Type Offset Redraw Ongoing Fees Upfront Fees LVR Lump Sum Repayment Additional Repayments Split Loan Option TagsFeaturesLinkCompare
6.99% p.a.
7.00% p.a.
$2,659
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$230
70%
Featured
  • Available for Purchase and Refinance. No application fee and no settlement fee
  • No monthly, annual or ongoing fees
  • Access your SMSF loan via our easy-to-use online app Smart Money
7.09% p.a.
7.20% p.a.
$2,685
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$1,170
70%
7.24% p.a.
7.25% p.a.
$2,726
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$0
70%
7.25% p.a.
7.65% p.a.
$2,729
Principal & Interest
Variable
$30
$1,190
80%
7.39% p.a.
7.47% p.a.
$2,767
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$995
80%
7.55% p.a.
7.94% p.a.
$2,811
Principal & Interest
Variable
$395
$1,920
80%
7.49% p.a.
7.50% p.a.
$2,794
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$230
80%
Featured
  • Available for Purchase and Refinance
  • No application fee and no settlement fee
  • No monthly, annual or ongoing fees
Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

Base criteria of: a $400,000 loan amount, variable, fixed, principal and interest (P&I) home loans with an LVR (loan-to-value) ratio of at least 80%. However, the ‘Compare Home Loans’ table allows for calculations to be made on variables as selected and input by the user. Some products will be marked as promoted, featured or sponsored and may appear prominently in the tables regardless of their attributes. All products will list the LVR with the product and rate which are clearly published on the product provider’s website. Monthly repayments, once the base criteria are altered by the user, will be based on the selected products’ advertised rates and determined by the loan amount, repayment type, loan term and LVR as input by the user/you. *The Comparison rate is based on a $150,000 loan over 25 years. Warning: this comparison rate is true only for this example and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Rates correct as of . View disclaimer.

Hot March SMSF Loan Rates & Deals

More than 1.1 million Australians have a self-managed super fund (SMSF), with around 610,000 SMSFs currently in existence according to the latest data from the ATO. Around 10% of these funds have an SMSF loan via a limited recourse borrowing arrangement (LRBA), holding around $55 billion worth of assets - primarily residential and commercial property.

While the big four banks no longer offer SMSF loans, several other lenders do. Here are some of the top deals for SMSF loans on the market at the moment:

  • Reduce’s Home Loans Capitalizer SMSF Refinance (LVR<60%): 6.97% p.a. (6.97% p.a. comparison rate*)
  • loans.com.au’s SMSF (LVR<70%): 6.99% p.a. (7.00% p.a. comparison rate*)
  • Liberty Financial’s Residential SMSF (LVR<80%): 7.25% p.a. (7.65% p.a. comparison rate*)
  • WLTH Ocean SMSF (LVR<90%): 8.19% p.a (9.11% p.a comparison rate*)

For more information on how we’ve selected these products, the products we compare, how we make money, and other important information about our service, please click here. Rates correct as of March 4, 2024. View disclaimer

What is an SMSF loan?

A self-managed super fund (SMSF) loan finances investments to be made through self-managed super. SMSFs are designed to give members more control over their super, and SMSF loans provide leverage to buy larger-value assets.

SMSF loans are primarily designed for the purchase of commercial and residential property - one of the most popular asset classes held in SMSFs.

Which banks lend to SMSF?

SMSF loans are primarily designed for the purchase of commercial and residential property - one of the most popular asset classes held in SMSFs. As well as banks, there are non-bank lenders that provide lending for Self Managed Super Funds (SMSF). Some major banks no longer offer SMSF lending. Below are some of the lenders that do lend to SMSF’s:

  • loans.com.au
  • Firstmac
  • Yard
  • La Trobe
  • Liberty
  • WLTH
  • Reduce Home Loans

How to compare SMSF lenders

Like with a home loan, there are a few key things you need to compare with SMSF loans:

Interest rates

Interest rates are typically higher on SMSF loans than regular home loans, making them generally more expensive to service.

Fees

Common fees include establishment/settlement fees, monthly or annual fees, and so on. This is often reflected in the comparison rate.

Loan-to-value ratio

Many SMSF loans typically restrict the borrower to 80% LVR, i.e. a minimum 20% deposit, however some lenders may allow higher ratios.

One other major consideration is if your SMSF loan allows for residential or commercial property. Typically one loan might only allow for one type of property, however some loans facilitate both.

How does an SMSF loan work?

SMSF loans are (by default) what's called a limited-recourse borrowing arrangement or LRBA.

What this means is that in the event of default, a lender cannot come for other assets within the SMSF - only the asset in which the loan is secured against. As a result of this, SMSF loans generally attract higher interest rates than regular home loans.  

More Information: How SMSF Loans Work

SMSF loan interest rates

When an SMSF is borrowing from a related party, such one of the members themselves, the ATO specifies what the interest rate on the SMSF loan must be. As at the 2022/2023 financial year the ATO sets these rates at 5.35% p.a. for loans used to purchase real property and 7.35% p.a. for listed shares - more background on this can be found on the ATO website. These have been bumped-up by 0.25% or 25 basis points from the previous financial year.

This 5.35% p.a. rate is what the ATO generally considers to be on par with what an unrelated party - such as a commercial lender - would charge on an SMSF home loan. However, many lenders offer SMSF home loan rates much lower than this. 

Since SMSF home loans are LRBAs, which are inherently more risky for the lender than standard 'full recourse' loans, it is not uncommon for SMSF home loans to attract interest rates a full percentage point (1.00% or 100 basis points) higher than standard investment home loans. 

SMSF minimum balance

There is no minimum legal balance an SMSF is legally required to have. However, given the relatively high costs of setting up and operating an SMSF, it’s generally recommended you have a considerably high balance for the SMSF to be worth it. 

According to the Australian Tax Office, 2018-2019 data shows the average SMSF had assets of more than $1.3 million.

What sort of fees does an SMSF loan have?

Like regular home loans, SMSF loans usually have a set of fees that are lender-specific. Common fees include an establishment fee, monthly or annual fees, settlement fees and more.

Read more: SMSF fees

SMSF loan pros

Borrowing through your SMSF can have a number of advantages, including:

The loan

The most obvious benefit of SMSF borrowing is you’re able to use money you might not have already had to purchase a property. Using an LRBA may allow an SMSF to diversify into property and increase the profits of the fund, further setting up members for retirement.

Repairs

In addition to buying a home, borrowed funds can be used to repair existing fixtures in a home owned by the SMSF. However, there are potential ATO-led penalties for making 'improvements' rather than 'repairs'.

SMSF loan cons

There is a lot to consider with SMSF loans, including some of these drawbacks:

Cash flow

Borrowing money to purchase a home means your SMSF will have less liquidity and cash flow. You may have to use cash from the fund to cover loan repayments, which could become harder if interest rates rise.

Higher costs

SMSF loans typically have higher fees and interest rates than regular home loans.

Difficult withdrawal

Should you, for whatever reason, no longer to wish to borrow money, it’s very difficult to rollback the loan and the lender may hold you to the contract.

Frequently Asked Questions

SMSFs are bound by the same contribution caps that apply to conventional super funds. Concessional (before tax) contributions are capped at $25,000 per year, while non-concessional (after-tax) contributions are generally capped at $100,000 per year. As the table below outlines, the non-concessional cap can be brought forward by up to $300,000, depending on your super balance:

Total superannuation balance Non-concessional contribution cap and bring forward period
Less than $1.4 million Access to $300,000 cap (3 years)
Greater than or equal to $1.4 million and less than $1.5 million Access to $200,000 cap (2 years)
Greater than or equal to $1.5 million and less than $1.6 million Access to $100,000 cap (no bring-forward period, general non-concessional contributions cap applies)
Greater than or equal to $1.6 million Nil

Source: ATO

Unless you are a qualified professional who uses their qualifications for the services provided, you cannot reimburse yourself. For example, if you are an accountant by trade, and prepare the SMSF’s tax return for which you are a trustee, you can pay yourself for this.

An accountant can greatly assist in the creation of an SMSF. They can help in the application of your ABN to the ATO, and provide advice when creating the trust deed. They can’t solely set up the SMSF though, as trustees will need to decide on things like the structure, trust deed, investment and exit strategy.

There is no law which prevents you from having an SMSF and an industry fund. Managing your own super means you can make contributions into either, and when you create the SMSF, you’re not required to roll over all the funds from your original fund into the SMSF.

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James Austin

James Austin

Chief Financial Officer,
Firstmac

Look for local expertise and systems managed in Australia.

Self-managed Super Fund home loans can have some complicated elements to them. There are strict legal obligations for running your SMSF and penalties can apply if you don’t meet these requirements - so it's important you choose a lender you can trust.

We’d suggest you look for a team that is local and experienced to manage your SMSF. Our support team can assist with a simple, low-fee SMSF loan with both variable and fixed-rate options. Whether you’re looking to refinance to a lower rate or purchase a new residential investment property within an SMSF, we’re here to help.

James Austin,Chief Financial Officer,
Firstmac