How much does SMSF Australia charge for annual SMSF accounting?

SMSF Australia offers three fixed-fee annual packages: Basic Fund at $1,300+GST (listed shares, managed funds, ETFs, term deposits), Complex Fund at $1,600+GST (adds direct property up to 2, cryptocurrency, precious metals), and Very Complex Fund from $2,000+GST (unlisted assets, private loans, derivatives, NFTs, 3+ properties). All packages include the independent SMSF audit at no additional cost.

Is the SMSF audit included in the annual fee?

Yes. The independent SMSF audit is included in all three annual fee packages — Basic, Complex, and Very Complex. It is not charged as a separate add-on.

Can SMSF Australia service my fund if I am not in the same state?

Yes. SMSF Australia operates nationally across all Australian states and territories. All client meetings and services are conducted via Zoom — there is no requirement to be near a physical office.

How much does it cost to set up an SMSF with SMSF Australia?

The SMSF setup fee is $2,000+GST, which covers corporate trustee establishment (ASIC fee $636), SMSF trust deed ($400), Class Super first-year licence ($250), ABN and TFN applications, investment strategy preparation, and rollover coordination.

Does SMSF Australia provide financial advice?

No. SMSF Australia does not provide financial planning or investment advice. Services are limited to SMSF accounting, tax, audit, compliance, and legal matters.

Does an SMSF pay stamp duty on a property purchase?

Does an SMSF pay stamp duty on a property purchase? A Self-Managed Super fund (SMSF) is subject to stamp duty when purchasing a property. There may be some exemptions under certain limited circumstances, but this differs based on location as stamp duty is imposed under different rules in each state or territory.

It is crucial to obtain advice from a local conveyancer or solicitor with local expertise when purchasing a property in an SMSF.

Ad Valorem Stamp Duty on Property

Stamp duty is calculated on the consideration or the market value of the property transferred whichever is highest. Using Sydney as Australia’s largest property market as an example, from the 1^st July 2025 the stamp duty rates for NSW are as per the table below.

Value of property	NSW
$0 – $17,000	$1.25 for every $100 (min $20)
$17,000 to $37,000	$212 plus $1.50 for every $100 over $17,000
$37,000 to $99,000	$512 plus $1.75 for every $100 over $37,000
$99,000 to $372,000	$1,597 plus $3.50 for every $100 over $99,000
$372,000 to $1,240,000	$11,152 plus $4.50 for every $100 over $372,000
Over $1,240,000	$50,212 plus $5.50 for every $100 over $1,240,000

For example, stamp duty on the purchase of a $850,000 property is $32,662.

Checkout the links to the stamp duty calculators for the other states below:

Stamp duty on property transferred from a member

A concession on ad valorem stamp duty in relation to business real property (generally residential property cannot be transferred from a SMSF member to a SMSF) owned by a member and transferred to their SMSF is available in some states such as NSW, Victoria and WA.

Depending on the state the concession can apply to transfers with or without monetary consideration which must be held by the SMSF on behalf of that member for the purpose of providing for their retirement and cannot be part of the fund’s general investment pool. Proceeds from the sale must continue to be segregated for the member. Concessional stamp duty ranges from $750 to nil.

Evidence required includes the SMSF trustee minutes stating the intention to hold the property beneficially for the member transferor and that the member held the property beneficially as well as the SMSF trust deed with a non-revocable clause stating the property is segregated for the member’s benefit.

How does stamp duty work when my SMSF LRBA loan is fully repaid?

The legal title of the property is in the name of the bare trustee which can be transferred back to the SMSF trustee when the LRBA loan is fully repaid, and the security can be discharged. Transferring the title from the bare trustee to the SMSF trustee is a taxing point which can incur stamp duty.

Concessional stamp duty is generally available when transferring the title back to the SMSF trustee for example in NSW it is reduced to $750 and in Victoria may be reduced to nil.

Does my SMSF have to transfer the legal title when the LRBA loan is fully repaid

The myth is that the bare trustee who holds the property on behalf of the SMSF must transfer the title of the property back to the SMSF trustee when the loan is fully repaid. This is not required, and the property can be sold without being transferred back to the SMSF trustee. However, whilst the LRBA is on foot the fund still operates under the obligations imposed by the LRBA rules. The major limit is the property cannot be changed into a different asset.

Example – A SMSF purchased a residential building under a LRBA. The loan is fully repaid and the SMSF trustee wants to knock down the property and build a block of units (be aware there are other SISA issues which arise when doing a development in a SMSF). The title must be transferred back to the SMSF trustee before the building is demolished. Demolishing the building changes the asset from a residential building to a vacant block of land. The ATO view this as changing the character of the asset into a different asset which breaches the borrowing prohibition.

When would it be better not to transfer the title back to my SMSF trustee?

A stamp duty concession is only available if the trustee can demonstrate that the bare trustee arrangement was properly executed when it was established. These rules are state dependent. There is no taxing point if the title of the property is retained by the custodian and therefore the SMSF would not pay stamp duty when the property is sold.

Generally, the following would need to be provided as evidence:

the executed bare trust deed which should indicate the property being acquired and that it is being held beneficially for the SMSF
a copy of the stamped contract
the SMSF provided all of the purchase money which can be demonstrated by such things as the settlement statement, bank records and loan records from the bank