SMSF Loans Build Wealth Through Your Super
Specialist SMSF lending from 6.19%. Access 10+ specialist lenders for self-managed super fund property investment. Expert guidance on limited recourse borrowing arrangements.
What Are SMSF Loans?
Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) loans allow your super fund to borrow money to purchase investment property. This powerful strategy lets you leverage your superannuation to build wealth through property while enjoying significant tax benefits.
🛡️ Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement (LRBA)
SMSF loans are structured as Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements, providing crucial protection:
Protection: In the event of default, the lender can ONLY claim the property purchased with the loan - not other assets within your SMSF. Your other super assets remain protected.
Residential Property
Purchase residential investment properties through your SMSF. Loans from $100,000 to $3-5 million with LVR up to 90% (varies by lender).
Commercial Property
Buy commercial premises for your business or investment. LVR typically up to 80%, with loan amounts from $100k to $8 million depending on the lender.
Competitive Rates
Residential rates from 6.19% p.a., commercial from 6.69% p.a. Interest-only options available to maximize cash flow within your SMSF.
Why Invest in Property Through Your SMSF?
SMSF property investment offers unique advantages that traditional super funds and direct property investment can't match.
Powerful Tax Benefits
- Rental income taxed at just 15% (vs. your marginal rate)
- Capital gains taxed at 10% if held 12+ months
- Zero tax on rental income and capital gains in pension phase
- Claim deductions on loan interest and property expenses
Leverage Your Super
- Borrow up to 80-90% of property value
- Control $500k+ assets with $100k super balance
- Accelerate wealth creation through gearing
- Use existing super as your deposit
Direct Control
- Choose your own investment properties
- Control your investment strategy
- Select residential or commercial assets
- Build a tangible retirement asset
Long-Term Wealth
- Benefit from capital growth over decades
- Generate passive rental income
- Build equity for retirement
- Diversify away from volatile shares
Business Premises Option
- SMSF can buy commercial property
- Your business pays rent to your super fund
- Build super wealth while running your business
- Tax-effective retirement planning
Asset Protection
- LRBA structure protects other SMSF assets
- Superannuation has bankruptcy protection
- Separate from personal assets
- Estate planning benefits
Access 10+ Specialist SMSF Lenders
While the Big Four banks have exited SMSF lending, we maintain relationships with specialist lenders who understand self-managed super fund investments.
Why This Matters: With major banks exiting this market, specialist expertise is crucial. Most brokers handle fewer SMSF loans in a year than we do in a month. We know which lenders offer the best rates, most flexible policies, and fastest approvals for SMSF scenarios.
🌶️ Pepper Money
- Loan amounts up to $3 million
- LVR up to 90% (select scenarios)
- Redraw facility available
- Interest-only options
- Broker-friendly processes
🏦 Thinktank
- $100k to $5-8 million loans
- Commercial and residential
- LVR up to 80%
- Terms up to 30 years
- Common sense approach
🏛️ La Trobe Financial
- $100k to $3 million
- 80% LVR residential focus
- Refinancing available
- Established lender
- Competitive rates
🏦 Bank of Queensland
- Traditional bank option
- Residential & commercial
- LVR up to 80%
- Corporate trustee required
- Established processes
💎 Granite Home Loans
- No net asset requirement
- Residential up to 90% LVR
- Commercial up to 80% LVR
- Terms up to 30 years
- SMSF specialists
🗽 Liberty
- Residential & commercial
- Flexible lending criteria
- Fast turnaround times
- Experienced in SMSF
- Alternative scenarios
⭐ Homestar Finance
- No liquidity test
- Unique policy advantage
- Competitive pricing
- SMSF specialists
- Flexible approach
🌾 Regional Australia Bank
- Residential property focus
- Authorized SMSF lending
- Regional presence
- Trustee lending
- Competitive rates
💡 We Compare All Lenders For You
Each lender has different policies on LVR, minimum SMSF balance, liquidity requirements, and property types. We'll match you with the lender that offers the best rate and policy fit for your specific SMSF situation.
Real SMSF Loan Scenarios
See how different SMSF members use property loans to build retirement wealth.
First SMSF Property
Professional couple, aged 45
- ✓LVR: 80% (no LMI)
- ✓Rental income: $550/week
- ✓Interest-only for 10 years
- ✓Tax on rent: 15% (accumulation)
- ✓20 years to retirement
Buy Business Premises
Business owner, aged 52
- ✓LVR: 80% commercial
- ✓Business pays rent to SMSF
- ✓Market rent: $65,000/year
- ✓Rent deductible to business
- ✓Building super while working
Pension Phase Strategy
Retired couple, aged 67
- ✓Held property 15 years
- ✓Rental income: $950/week
- ✓Zero tax on rental income
- ✓Zero CGT if sold in pension
- ✓$950k equity + ongoing income
🎯 The Pension Phase Advantage
Once you enter pension phase (typically age 60-65), your SMSF pays ZERO tax on rental income and capital gains. This makes SMSF property one of the most tax-effective investment strategies in Australia.
How SMSF Loans Work
Understanding the SMSF loan structure and requirements.
Establish Your SMSF
Set up a compliant SMSF with a corporate trustee (recommended for LRBA). Minimum 2 members or single-member with corporate trustee. We can refer you to SMSF specialists.
Create Bare Trust
Establish a bare trust (also called a custodian trust) to hold the property. This is a legal requirement for LRBA - the property is held separately from other SMSF assets until the loan is repaid.
Find & Assess Property
Identify investment property that meets SMSF rules (can't be purchased from related parties, can't be lived in by members). We arrange pre-approval so you can make offers with confidence.
Secure SMSF Loan
We compare 10+ specialist lenders to find your best rate and policy fit. Loan is in the SMSF trustee's name, secured by the property only (limited recourse). Typical settlement: 4-6 weeks.
Manage & Grow
Rental income flows to SMSF (taxed at 15% or 0% in pension phase). Make loan repayments from SMSF cash flow and member contributions. Once loan is repaid, property transfers to SMSF ownership.
SMSF Loan Requirements
What lenders look for when assessing SMSF loan applications.
Minimum SMSF Balance
Most lenders require:
- At least 20-30% of purchase price in SMSF
- Some lenders: $150k-$200k minimum
- Granite: No net asset requirement
- Sufficient for deposit + costs
Liquidity Requirements
Cash reserves needed:
- 12-24 months of loan repayments
- Covers negative cash flow scenarios
- Homestar: No liquidity test
- Ongoing member contributions help
SMSF Structure
Structural requirements:
- Corporate trustee (strongly preferred)
- Compliant trust deed
- Investment strategy in place
- Up-to-date compliance
LVR Limits
Loan-to-value ratios:
- Residential: 80% standard, 90% max
- Commercial: typically 70-80% max
- LMI may apply over 80%
- Lower LVR = better rates
Property Rules
SMSF property must be:
- Purchased from arm's length party
- Not lived in by members/relatives
- Genuinely for investment
- Meets sole purpose test
Professional Advice
You'll need support from:
- SMSF accountant (compliance)
- Specialist mortgage broker (us!)
- Financial planner (optional)
- Solicitor for bare trust deed
Important: SMSF lending is more complex than standard home loans. Each lender has different policies on minimum balance, liquidity, and property types. We'll guide you through the requirements and match you with the right lender for your situation.
Why Choose Esteb & Co for SMSF Loans?
SMSF lending is a specialized niche requiring expert knowledge. Most brokers handle a few SMSF loans per year. We handle them every week.
SMSF Specialists
We specialize in SMSF lending and understand the complex rules, lender policies, and compliance requirements inside out.
10+ Lender Panel
Access to all major SMSF lenders including Pepper, Thinktank, La Trobe, BOQ, Liberty, Granite, Homestar, and more.
Best Rate Guarantee
We compare all lenders to ensure you get the most competitive SMSF loan rate and the best policy fit for your scenario.
Fast Approvals
We know exactly what each SMSF lender needs, ensuring smooth applications and faster approval times.
Referral Network
We work with SMSF accountants, financial planners, and solicitors who specialize in self-managed super funds.
Education & Strategy
We'll help you understand LRBA structures, tax implications, and the best loan strategy for your retirement goals.
📞 Speak to an SMSF Loan Specialist Today
Book a free consultation to discuss your SMSF property investment strategy. We'll explain your borrowing capacity, lender options, and structure requirements.
SMSF Loan FAQs
Common questions about self-managed super fund property loans.
❓ What is a Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement (LRBA)?
An LRBA is a special loan structure for SMSFs. If you default, the lender can only claim the property purchased with the loan - not other SMSF assets. The property is held in a separate bare trust until the loan is repaid.
❓ How much can I borrow with my SMSF?
Most lenders offer 70-80% LVR, though some go to 90%. Loan amounts range from $100,000 to $5-8 million depending on the lender and property type. You'll need sufficient SMSF balance for deposit, costs, and liquidity reserves.
❓ What are SMSF loan interest rates?
Current SMSF residential rates start from 6.19% p.a., while commercial rates start from 6.69% p.a. Rates vary by lender, LVR, and property type. SMSF rates are typically 0.5-1% higher than standard home loans due to the specialized nature.
❓ Can I buy a house for my kids through my SMSF?
No. SMSF members and related parties (including children) cannot live in or personally use property owned by the SMSF. The property must be a genuine arm's length investment generating rental income for your super fund.
❓ What's the minimum SMSF balance needed?
Most lenders want to see at least 20-30% of the purchase price already in your SMSF, plus liquidity for 12-24 months of repayments. Some lenders have minimums of $150k-$200k, though Granite Home Loans has no net asset requirement.
❓ Can my SMSF buy commercial property for my business?
Yes! This is a powerful strategy. Your SMSF borrows to buy commercial premises, then your business pays market rent to your super fund. The rent is tax-deductible to your business and builds wealth in your SMSF at concessional tax rates (15% or 0%).
❓ What are the tax benefits of SMSF property investment?
Rental income is taxed at 15% (accumulation phase) or 0% (pension phase). Capital gains are taxed at 10% if held 12+ months (accumulation) or 0% (pension phase). Compare this to your marginal tax rate of potentially 47%!
❓ Why have the Big Four banks stopped SMSF lending?
Major banks exited due to regulatory complexity and risk management policies. This created opportunity for specialist lenders like Pepper, Thinktank, La Trobe, and others who understand SMSF lending and have streamlined processes.
❓ How long does SMSF loan approval take?
Pre-approval typically takes 5-10 business days. Full approval and settlement usually takes 4-6 weeks, slightly longer than standard home loans due to the LRBA structure requirements and additional documentation.
❓ Do I need a corporate trustee for SMSF loans?
While not legally required, almost all SMSF lenders strongly prefer or require a corporate trustee structure. It provides better asset protection, easier succession planning, and simpler administration. Setting up costs around $1,500-$2,000.
FREE DOWNLOAD
The Complete SMSF Property Loan Guide
📚 20+ Pages Covering:
- What is LRBA & how it works
- Step-by-step loan process
- 10+ lender comparison
- Tax implications & savings
- 3 real case studies
- Common mistakes to avoid
- ATO compliance checklist
- Detailed FAQs
💰 Learn how to save $100k+ in taxes
Get Your Free SMSF Loan Guide
Download our comprehensive guide and learn everything you need to know about using your self-managed super fund to build wealth through property.
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