Unlock your superannuation's potential by investing in residential or commercial property. Access specialist SMSF lenders with rates from 6.99% and LVRs up to 90%.
Most SMSF trustees face these exact frustrations when trying to invest in property
Your SMSF cash is sitting in a bank account earning 4% while property markets grow 7-10% per year. Every year you wait, you're falling behind on building real retirement wealth.
You've been told SMSF loans are too complicated and costly — so you've put it in the too-hard basket. Meanwhile, years of compound property growth are passing you by.
Major banks have exited SMSF lending entirely. The ones still offering it don't understand the structure and keep asking for the wrong documents or declining your application.
Your current SMSF lender knows you have few options, so they're charging premium rates. Without comparing specialist lenders, you could be overpaying by thousands per year.
LRBA, bare trust, corporate trustee, single acquirable asset — the jargon is overwhelming. You need someone who speaks plain English and guides you through every step.
You're paying rent on your business premises to a landlord — when your SMSF could own the property and lease it back to you. That's your retirement money going to someone else.
Consider this...
A $600K property growing at 7% p.a. could add approximately $42,000 to your retirement fund each year — while being taxed at just 15%.
Understanding the LRBA structure — explained in plain English
A Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement (LRBA) is the legal structure that allows your SMSF to borrow money to purchase an investment property. "Limited recourse" means the lender's security is limited to the property itself — your other SMSF assets are protected if something goes wrong.
Most SMSF lenders require your fund to have a corporate trustee — a company that acts as the trustee of your SMSF. This provides better legal protection and is generally recommended for any SMSF that borrows. If you have individual trustees, it can be converted.
When your SMSF borrows, the property is held in a separate bare trust (also called a holding trust). A bare trustee holds legal title on behalf of your SMSF. Once the loan is fully repaid, legal title transfers directly to your SMSF.
Each LRBA must be for a single acquirable asset — meaning one property per loan. You can't combine multiple properties into one borrowing arrangement. However, your SMSF can have multiple LRBAs for different properties.
Rental income inside your SMSF is taxed at just 15% — compared to your personal marginal rate of up to 47%. In pension phase, rental income and capital gains are taxed at 0%. This is one of the biggest advantages of SMSF property.
Properties held in your SMSF for more than 12 months receive a one-third CGT discount, bringing the effective capital gains tax rate to just 10% (vs up to 23.5% outside super). In pension phase, CGT is 0%.
When the loan is fully repaid, legal title transfers from the Bare Trust directly to your SMSF.
Check your eligibility across multiple specialist SMSF lenders in 60 seconds
This calculator provides estimates only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. SMSF lending involves complex regulations under the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (SIS Act). Results are based on general lender criteria and may not reflect your specific circumstances. Actual eligibility, interest rates, fees, and loan terms are subject to full credit assessment by the lender. You should obtain independent financial, legal, and tax advice before making any decisions about borrowing through your SMSF. Finance Hub acts as a mortgage broker and does not provide financial planning or tax advice.
We compare multiple specialist SMSF lenders to find the best fit for your situation
| Feature | Lender A | Lender B | Lender C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max LVR — Residential | 80% | 90% | 90% |
| Max LVR — Commercial | 80% | 80% | ❌ Not available |
| Max Loan — Residential | $2M (≤70% LVR) / $1.5M (>70%) | $3M | $1M |
| Max Loan — Commercial | $2M (≤70%) / $1.5M (>70%) | $5M | ❌ N/A |
| Interest Rate (indicative) | ~7.84%+ (variable) | From 7.79% (standard variable) | From 6.99% (comparison 7.36%) |
| Rate Type | Variable only | Variable or Fixed (1-3yr) | Variable only |
| Repayment Options | P&I (IO available ≤70% LVR for 3yrs) | P&I or IO (up to 5 years at ≤80%) | P&I or IO (up to 5 years) |
| Max Loan Term | 30 years | 30 years | 30 years |
| Trustee Type | Corporate or Individual ✅ | Corporate only | Corporate only |
| Min SMSF Net Assets | Liquid assets ≥ 5% of total debts | $150,000 | $150,000 net tangible assets |
| Max SMSF Members | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| Alt Doc Available | ❌ Full doc only | ✅ Yes — self-employed | ❌ Full doc only |
| Credit Impairment | ❌ Clean only | ✅ Near Prime available | ❌ Clean only |
| Commercial Property | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ Residential only |
| Property Types Excluded | Vacant land, specialist | Boarding houses, serviced apts, rooming houses | Vacant land, rural, specialist |
| Establishment Fee | Up to $1,500 | ~$600 | $0 (nil application fee) |
| Ongoing/Annual Fee | $10/month ($120/yr) | $15/month ($180/yr) | $0 |
| Valuation | Provided by lender | Full valuation required | Up to 2 free upfront |
| Best For | Individual trustees, clean credit, lower LVR | Higher LVR, commercial, alt doc, near prime | Low-cost entry, residential, competitive rate |
* Rates and policies are indicative and subject to change. Contact us for current rates and full eligibility assessment.
See how different SMSF situations are matched with the right lender
A couple with a well-established SMSF looking to buy their first investment property
LVR: 70% ✅ (Max 80%)
Est. Rate: ~7.84% variable
Est. Repayment: ~$3,540/month (P&I)
IO Available: Yes (≤70% LVR, up to 3 years)
LVR: 70% ✅ (Max 90%)
Est. Rate: ~7.79% variable
Est. Repayment: ~$3,510/month (P&I)
IO Available: Yes (up to 5 years at ≤80%)
LVR: 70% ✅ (Max 90%)
Est. Rate: ~6.99% variable
Est. Repayment: ~$3,260/month (P&I)
Note: Most competitive rate + $0 fees
💡 Recommendation: All 3 lenders are suitable. Lender C offers the most competitive rate with zero fees, saving approximately $3,360/year in repayments compared to Lender A.
A business owner wanting to buy their business premises through their SMSF and lease it back
LVR: 70% ✅ (Max 80% commercial)
Est. Rate: ~7.84%+ variable
Est. Repayment: ~$6,070/month (P&I)
Note: Loan ≤$2M at ≤70% LVR ✅
LVR: 70% ✅ (Max 80% commercial)
Est. Rate: ~7.79%+ variable
Est. Repayment: ~$6,030/month (P&I)
Note: Max $5M commercial — plenty of headroom
Reason: Does not offer commercial SMSF loans
Lender C only finances residential investment property.
💡 Recommendation: Lender B offers the highest commercial loan limit ($5M) and competitive rates. Ideal for business owners wanting to buy their premises through SMSF.
A self-employed business owner with alternative income documentation and a small past default
Reason 1: No alt doc option
Reason 2: Clean credit required
LVR: 80% ✅ (Max 90%)
Est. Rate: ~8.3-8.8% (near prime pricing)
Est. Repayment: ~$4,780/month (P&I)
Note: Accepts alt doc + minor credit impairment
Reason 1: No alt doc option
Reason 2: Clean credit required
💡 Recommendation: Only Lender B caters to this scenario — offering both alt doc verification and near prime credit tiers. This is exactly why using a specialist broker matters. Without broker access, this borrower would have ZERO options.
See how much tax you could save by investing in property through your SMSF
Compare the tax on rental income across different structures
Personal marginal rate (top bracket)
$26,000 × 47% tax rate
Plus Medicare levy = even more
Concessional super tax rate
$26,000 × 15% tax rate
Save $8,320 per year!
Zero tax on earnings
$26,000 × 0% tax rate
Save $12,220 per year!
Rental income inside your SMSF is taxed at a flat 15% in accumulation phase. Compare this to personal marginal rates of 32.5%-47% outside super. On $26,000 rental income, that's a saving of up to $8,320 per year.
Once your SMSF enters pension phase (typically after you retire), all rental income and capital gains are taxed at 0%. This means every dollar of rent goes directly toward your retirement income.
Capital gains on property held over 12 months receive a one-third discount inside super — resulting in an effective CGT rate of just 10%. Outside super, the rate is up to 23.5%. In pension phase, CGT is 0%.
If your SMSF property expenses (interest, insurance, management fees, repairs) exceed rental income, the loss reduces other taxable income within the fund. This can reduce tax on investment earnings from shares and cash.
Your SMSF can claim deductions on: loan interest payments, property management fees, landlord insurance, council and water rates, repairs and maintenance, depreciation, and strata fees — all at the concessional 15% rate.
If your SMSF buys commercial property for your business, the business pays market rent (tax-deductible), and the SMSF receives that rent taxed at just 15% (or 0% in pension). It's a powerful way to build retirement wealth while reducing business costs.
A checklist of requirements before applying for an SMSF property loan
Your SMSF must be set up and registered with the ATO (or in the process of being established with professional guidance).
Most lenders require a corporate trustee company. If you have individual trustees, this can be converted — your SMSF accountant can assist.
Most specialist lenders require your SMSF to have at least $150,000 in net assets, including the deposit, stamp duty, and costs.
A bare trust (holding trust) must be established to hold the property title. Your solicitor will set this up as part of the process.
You'll need a solicitor experienced in SMSF property transactions to prepare the bare trust deed and provide legal advice.
A financial adviser (or your SMSF accountant) must confirm the investment strategy aligns with your SMSF's investment strategy and SIS Act compliance.
Most lenders require clean credit. If you have minor issues, a specialist lender may still help — this is where a broker adds real value.
Recent SMSF statements showing member contributions, fund income, and current balances. Lenders will assess whether the fund can service the loan.
From initial chat to settlement — we handle the complexity so you don't have to
We assess your SMSF structure, net assets, investment goals, and borrowing capacity. This initial consultation is completely free with no obligation.
We compare 3+ specialist SMSF lenders to find the best rate, highest LVR, and most suitable product for your exact situation. You get options, not just one answer.
We coordinate with your accountant, financial adviser, solicitor, and the lender. We manage the entire process through to settlement — keeping you informed at every step.
SMSF lending is specialist territory — here's why expert guidance matters
Most major banks have exited SMSF lending entirely. You need access to specialist non-bank lenders — and most won't accept direct applications.
We compare specialist SMSF lenders side-by-side. Different lenders suit different scenarios — LVR, property type, credit history, documentation type.
SMSF loans involve your SMSF trust, bare trust, corporate trustee, personal guarantees, and multiple professionals. We coordinate all the moving parts.
Our service is completely free. The lender pays the broker commission — the same rate applies whether you come through a broker or not.
We collaborate with your SMSF accountant, financial adviser, and solicitor to ensure everything is compliant and aligned with your investment strategy.
We monitor SMSF lending products and review your loan every 6-12 months to ensure you're still on the most competitive rate as the market changes.
Tell us about your SMSF and property goals. Our specialist SMSF broker will review your situation and provide tailored options from our panel of specialist lenders — at absolutely no cost to you.
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Our SMSF specialist will review your details and contact you within 2 business hours.
Schedule a free 30-minute SMSF strategy call at a time that suits you
Every year you wait, your SMSF misses out on potential property growth.
Has your current super fund helped you buy an investment property? Probably not. While your cash sits in a bank account earning modest returns, property markets continue their long-term upward trend.
Consider this: if you'd purchased a $600K property through your SMSF 5 years ago at 7% annual growth, it could be worth approximately $841,000 today — that's $241,000 added to your retirement wealth.
We monitor SMSF lending products continuously and review your loan every 6-12 months to ensure you're always on the most competitive rate.
The consultation is free. The only cost is not calling.
Everything you need to know about SMSF property loans
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