Educational toolkit
Is an SMSF right for me?
Find out whether an SMSF could make sense for your balance, investment goals, costs, and level of involvement — using general information only, not personal advice.
This toolkit provides general information only and does not consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should seek professional advice before making a decision.
Guided flow
Step through balances, modelled return hurdles, a heuristic suitability score, trustee readiness, and a plain-language snapshot. You can still adjust any field later — nothing is saved on our servers.
Start with balances and the cost assumptions you want to stress-test. You can refine returns and fees as you learn more from product disclosure statements and professionals.
General information only
This tool provides general information only and does not consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should seek professional advice before making a decision.
All calculators and tools
Each module includes assumptions and a "how we calculated this" section. Numbers are illustrative.
SMSF alpha requirement
Educational estimate of the extra annual return (on combined balance) needed for SMSF fixed costs to match APRA percentage fees, before any investment views.
Administration and investment fee estimate as % of balance.
Extra annual cost (SMSF − APRA fee)
$700
SMSF net after fixed cost drag
6.80%
vs APRA net 8.00% → advantage -1.20%
Moderate hurdle
Moderate hurdle. Feasible for disciplined investors, but not automatic — costs and duties still matter.
Early / borderline SMSF zone
This can be an early borderline zone. An SMSF may be viable for engaged investors with low administration costs and a clear investment strategy — discipline and compliance readiness matter a great deal.
This is an early borderline zone. An SMSF may be viable for engaged investors using low-cost administration and a clear investment strategy — compliance readiness still matters.
General information only
This tool provides general information only and does not consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should seek professional advice before making a decision.
Assumptions
- Fees are modelled as a simple percentage of year-end balance for APRA funds.
- SMSF costs are treated as a fixed annual dollar amount.
- Returns are illustrative only and not forecasts.
›How we calculated this
Combined balance = your balance + optional partner balance. APRA annual fee estimate = combined balance × APRA fee %. Extra annual cost = SMSF annual cost − APRA annual fee estimate. Required alpha = (extra annual cost ÷ combined balance) × 100. SMSF net after fixed cost drag subtracts the fixed cost as a percentage of combined balance from your entered gross SMSF return.
Break-even balance
The balance at which your SMSF annual cost is approximately equal to your current fund’s percentage fee (same inputs as above).
Break-even balance
$240,000
At this balance, your SMSF annual cost is approximately equal to your current fund’s annual percentage fee (using the fee % you entered).
Check: $1,200 ÷ 0.50% fee rate.
General information only
This tool provides general information only and does not consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should seek professional advice before making a decision.
Assumptions
- Uses a single headline APRA percentage fee — real products differ.
- Does not include insurance, advice, or transaction costs.
›How we calculated this
Break-even balance = SMSF annual cost ÷ (APRA fee % ÷ 100). If APRA fee % is zero, the break-even is undefined.
Cost comparison (cumulative fees)
Illustrative sum of modelled fees over 10, 20, and 30 years — not a forecast of your account.
| Years | APRA total fees | SMSF total fees | Difference (SMSF − APRA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | $7,625 | $12,000 | $4,375 |
| 20 | $23,282 | $24,000 | $718 |
| 30 | $55,431 | $36,000 | -$19,431 |
Grey bars: APRA path fees. Blue bars: SMSF fixed fees summed. Same return assumption on both balances for comparability only.
General information only
This tool provides general information only and does not consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should seek professional advice before making a decision.
Assumptions
- Contributions added at the start of each year; return applied; fees deducted at year end.
- APRA fees modelled as a flat percentage of balance after return.
›How we calculated this
For each horizon we run a year-by-year simulation with your inputs. SMSF fees are the fixed annual amount each year. APRA fees are balance × fee % after growth.
Retirement projection simulator
Pooled balance model: APRA path uses your net return input; SMSF path uses gross return minus fixed annual cost.
Under these illustrative assumptions, the APRA-regulated path ends higher — fixed SMSF costs and/or return assumptions produce a lower ending balance in this simple model.
General information only
This tool provides general information only and does not consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should seek professional advice before making a decision.
Assumptions
- Single return each year; ignores tax, pension phase, contribution caps, and market sequencing.
- APRA “net return” should reflect your own view of after-fee outcomes.
›How we calculated this
Each year: add contributions, apply return factor, then subtract SMSF fixed cost on the SMSF path only. The chart plots ending balance after each year including year zero starting point.
Family pooling analyser
Educational look at how combining member balances changes the modelled return hurdle — not a recommendation to pool.
Separate numbers with commas or spaces.
Combined balance: $100,000
Modelled cost per member (equal split): $1,200 / yr
Required alpha (pooled): 0.70%
Required alpha (member 1 alone, same fixed SMSF cost): 0.70%
Suitability uplift (educational): pooling lowers the modelled hurdle by about 0.00% percentage points versus member 1 alone, before strategy and law.
General information only
This tool provides general information only and does not consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should seek professional advice before making a decision.
Assumptions
- Pooling must be permissible under super law and your own advice — this widget is arithmetic only.
›How we calculated this
Pooled required alpha uses combined balances in the same formula as the alpha calculator. The “member 1 alone” figure applies the full SMSF fixed cost to only the first member balance for contrast.
SMSF suitability scorecard
A heuristic 0–100 educational score — not an assessment of legality or personal advice.
Investment experience
Desired control
Investment interests (informational)
2 hours / month
A score of 59 suggests an SMSF could be a possible fit for some people with similar inputs, provided costs are controlled and compliance obligations are understood. Professional advice may help you test assumptions.
Suggested next step
Speak with an SMSF-savvy accountant or licensed adviser, stress-test costs, and map an investment strategy before any rollover.
General information only
This tool provides general information only and does not consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should seek professional advice before making a decision.
Assumptions
- Weights are internal heuristics for education — they are not calibrated to any regulatory standard.
›How we calculated this
The score blends balance, contributions, experience, desired control, alternative investment interests, time, compliance comfort, and outsourcing preference using fixed internal weights in code (see `smsfAssessmentRules.ts`).
Trustee readiness assessment
Educational self-check — not a compliance certificate.
Are you willing to keep clear, timely records of fund transactions and decisions?
Are you comfortable that trustees carry legal responsibilities under superannuation law?
Will you review your investment strategy at least annually (or when circumstances change)?
Are you comfortable coordinating independent audit and tax reporting each year?
Do you understand trustees remain responsible even when administration is outsourced?
Are you willing to learn and avoid prohibited transactions and related-party pitfalls?
- Low readiness does not mean “never” — it may mean more learning and professional support before any structural change.
General information only
This tool provides general information only and does not consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should seek professional advice before making a decision.
Assumptions
- “Yes” answers are optimistic self-assessments only — real readiness depends on behaviour and advice.
›How we calculated this
Score = (count of “Yes” answers ÷ 6) × 100. “No” and “Unsure” are not counted as yes.
Investment access analyser
Compares broad access patterns — your SMSF deed, investment strategy, diversification, liquidity, valuation, and related-party rules still govern what is actually permitted.
Not all SMSFs can invest in all asset classes, even when technically possible. The sole purpose test, in-house asset limits, borrowing rules, and related-party restrictions can all limit choices. Always confirm with your deed and professional advisers.
| Asset | Typical return range | Potential alpha range | Risk | Liquidity | SMSF direct | APRA member-directed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash / term deposits | Cash rate to ~mid single digits % (varies) | Usually modest | Low | High | Yes | Yes |
| ASX shares | Highly variable (negative to strong positive years) | Wide — stock-specific | High | High | Yes | Limited |
| ETFs | Index-like to thematic — highly variable | Often modest vs index; tactical use varies | Medium | High | Yes | Yes |
| Managed funds | Wide by mandate | Wide by mandate | Medium | Medium | Yes | Limited |
| Direct residential property | Highly variable by market and leverage | Wide — idiosyncratic | Very high | Low | Sometimes | Usually no |
| Business real property | Idiosyncratic (rent + capital growth) | Wide | High | Low | Sometimes | Usually no |
| Private credit | Mid single digits to low teens (deal-dependent) | Moderate to high vs public credit | Medium | Low | Sometimes | Limited |
| Private companies | Highly variable | Very wide | Very high | Very low | Sometimes | Usually no |
| Startups | Binary / power-law outcomes | Very wide — often negative | Very high | Very low | Sometimes | Usually no |
| Venture capital | Fund-dependent; long-dated J-curves | Very wide | Very high | Very low | Sometimes | Usually no |
| Crypto assets | Extremely volatile | Extreme dispersion | Very high | Medium | Sometimes | Usually no |
| Tokenised assets | Highly variable / evolving | Uncertain | Very high | Medium | Sometimes | Usually no |
| Collectibles | Idiosyncratic | Uncertain | High | Low | Sometimes | Usually no |
Cash / term deposits: Still subject to investment strategy and liquidity needs.
ASX shares: Listed equities are common in SMSFs; diversification and valuation discipline matter.
ETFs: Many APRA funds offer listed ETF exposures; direct pick-and-mix differs by fund.
Managed funds: SMSF access depends on platform and liquidity; compare fees and tax outcomes.
Direct residential property: LRBA rules, non-arm's length income risks, liquidity and diversification are major design constraints.
Business real property: Related-party rules and sole purpose test are central — specialist advice is common.
Private credit: APRA funds may offer institutional-style sleeves; direct deal access for members is uncommon.
Private companies: In-house asset limits, related-party rules, and valuation complexity are key constraints.
Startups: Not all SMSFs can or should pursue venture-style exposures; diversification and liquidity risks are acute.
Venture capital: Access often via specialised managers; minimums and liquidity lock-ups apply.
Crypto assets: ATO reporting, valuation, custody, and investment strategy alignment need careful thought.
Tokenised assets: Legal and regulatory treatment is evolving; deed and compliance fit must be verified.
Collectibles: Strict rules on use, storage, and insurance; many SMSFs avoid collectibles for simplicity.
General information only
This tool provides general information only and does not consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should seek professional advice before making a decision.
Assumptions
- Return and alpha ranges are deliberately broad — they are not forecasts.
- “Typical APRA access” varies materially by product; treat as generalised.
Alpha opportunity library
Maps broad strategy families to return hurdle bands — illustrative only.
Based on your modelled required alpha of 0.70%, the closest educational band is 0–1%.
0–1% annual edge (illustrative)
- Lower-cost ETFs
- Fee reduction across the value chain
- Tax-aware rebalancing (general concepts — not tax advice)
- Cash / term deposit optimisation within strategy constraints
Listed ETFs: APRA funds often provide exposure; direct security picking is usually limited.
1–3% annual edge (illustrative)
- Direct indexing (where cost-effective)
- Tactical allocation within risk limits
- Private credit (where permitted and suitable)
- Concentrated quality equities (diversification warnings apply)
Private credit: institutional exposure sometimes exists; direct deal access for members is uncommon.
3–8% annual edge (illustrative)
- Small caps (higher dispersion)
- Specialist private credit
- Opportunistic property (liquidity and related-party rules)
- Niche managed funds
Direct property: generally no in APRA funds except via pooled property options/funds.
8–15% annual edge (illustrative)
- Venture funds (long lock-ups, high failure rates)
- Private businesses (valuation and related-party complexity)
- Concentrated high-growth strategies (concentration risk)
Startups / VC: APRA members typically do not obtain direct early-stage deal access.
15–30% annual edge (illustrative)
- Successful early-stage outcomes (not plannable as a base case)
- Distressed / special situations (skill and access dependent)
- Highly concentrated private deals
Direct private company deals: usually not available as member-directed APRA investments.
30%+ annual edge (illustrative)
- Exceptional venture outcomes only
- Not suitable as a normal planning assumption
Tokenised / exotic: APRA funds generally do not offer direct member access.
General information only
This tool provides general information only and does not consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should seek professional advice before making a decision.
Assumptions
- Higher bands imply narrower skill, access, and risk tolerance — not a menu recommendation.
›How we use your inputs
We reuse the same combined balance and cost inputs as the alpha calculator to select a highlighted band.
General information only
This tool provides general information only and does not consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should seek professional advice before making a decision.