Keystone Home Loans

SMSF Loans

Borrowing through your self-managed super fund, structured to the rules from day one.

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SMSF loans

Property in your super, done right

Navigating SMSF loans can feel complicated. There are strict lending criteria and super rules, and you need to balance your fund's long-term growth with buying the right property. This is where a mortgage broker helps.

The right SMSF loan can help your fund grow and support a stable retirement plan. But securing or refinancing an SMSF loan isn't always straightforward, and the borrowing rules changed on 10 August 2026.

Working with us takes the guesswork out of the finance, so you can focus on the bigger picture and feel confident in your fund's investment decisions. Phillip compares the lenders that offer SMSF loans and works with your accountant and solicitor through to settlement.

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New borrowing rules

What changed on 10 August 2026

New law changed what an SMSF can buy with a loan. Here's what it means, based on the ATO's guidance.

  • New property loans are for business premises

    A limited recourse borrowing arrangement (LRBA) entered into on or after 10 August 2026 can only buy real property if it is business real property: land and buildings used wholly and exclusively in a business, such as the premises a business operates from.

  • Residential purchases can't use a new LRBA

    Your fund can still buy residential property with its own money if it meets the other super rules. It can't finance a new residential purchase with an LRBA, unless the property is business real property.

  • It has to stay business real property

    The property must be business real property when the loan starts and for the whole life of the loan. The ATO says leased premises don't stop qualifying while the owner looks for a new tenant, but they do if the owner abandons plans to lease them.

  • Existing loans carry on

    LRBAs entered into before 10 August 2026 can continue and can be refinanced. Purchases where the fund exchanged a binding contract before that date are also unaffected, even if the loan or settlement came later.

The change comes from the Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Act 2026. A significant change to an existing LRBA can start a new arrangement under the new rules, so check before you borrow more or change the terms. Source: ATO, changes to limited recourse borrowing arrangements (opens in a new tab).

The basics

How an SMSF loan works

An SMSF can only borrow in limited ways. For property, that's a limited recourse borrowing arrangement under section 67A of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993. These are the conditions the ATO sets out.

  • One asset per loan

    The loan must buy a single acquirable asset. Property on separate titles generally can't be bought under one LRBA, even if the properties are much the same.

  • Held in a separate trust

    The property sits in a holding trust while the loan is in place. Your fund has the beneficial interest, gets the income, and has the right to take legal ownership once the loan is repaid.

  • The lender's recourse is limited

    If the loan defaults, the lender's rights are limited to that property, so the fund's other assets are protected. Lenders may also ask members for a personal guarantee.

  • What the loan can pay for

    The purchase, the costs of buying and borrowing (such as transfer duty and loan establishment costs), and repairs and maintenance. It can't pay for improvements.

  • Related-party rules still apply

    Business real property can be bought from a related party at market value and leased to your business at market rent. Residential property can't be bought from a related party, or lived in or rented by members or their relatives.

  • Borrowing from family

    A related party can lend to the fund, but the terms must be at arm's length. The ATO's guideline PCG 2016/5 sets out terms it accepts; otherwise the fund's income from the property may be taxed as non-arm's length income.

Before you commit

Things to know before your fund borrows

  • We arrange the loan, not the strategy

    Whether an SMSF, or property inside one, suits you is financial product advice. It must come from someone with an Australian financial services licence or authorised by one. We work alongside your adviser and accountant.

  • Cash flow inside the fund

    The fund pays the loan and property costs from rent, contributions and its other assets. Plan for vacancies, and for members who stop contributing because of illness, job loss or death.

  • No major changes until it's repaid

    Borrowed money can't pay for improvements. Changing the property's character while the loan is in place, such as building on vacant land, creates a different asset and breaks the LRBA rules.

  • Higher costs

    SMSF loans often have higher rates and fees than other loans, and a property adds accounting, audit and holding trust costs. They all come out of your retirement savings.

  • Get the structure right before you sign

    The holding trust and the buyer's name on the contract need to be right before you exchange. If the documents are wrong, the arrangement can be hard to unwind and you may have to sell.

  • Be wary of sales pitches

    Be cautious of anyone pushing property through an SMSF, especially if they are paid referral fees. Moneysmart warns about pressure tactics such as free seminars, flights and meals.

How we help

How we arrange your SMSF loan

Phillip manages the finance with you and your professional team, from the first call to settlement.

Book a free consultation

  1. Free, no-obligation chat

    We talk through what your fund wants to buy or refinance, how the property is used, and the fund's balance, contributions and existing loans. If a purchase doesn't fit the 2026 rules, we'll tell you early.

  2. Your advisers confirm the strategy

    Before anything is lodged, your accountant or licensed financial adviser should confirm the purchase suits your fund and its investment strategy. We give them the lender requirements they need.

  3. Compare SMSF lenders

    Not every lender offers SMSF loans, and those that do differ on deposit, loan terms, property types, fees and how they assess the fund. We compare the options from our panel of 50+ lenders and explain the trade-offs.

  4. Paperwork and valuation

    We collect what the lender needs, such as the fund's trust deed, financial statements, lease details and the holding trust documents, and arrange the valuation. Your solicitor prepares the trust deeds and contract.

  5. Approval to settlement

    We lodge the application, follow up the lender and keep your solicitor and accountant in the loop until settlement.

  6. Review after settlement

    We keep reviewing your loan after settlement. Existing LRBAs can still be refinanced under the new rules, so a better deal stays on the table.

Buying business premises in your own name, a company or a trust instead? See commercial loans.

Testimonials

See what clients say about our service

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5.0 Stars

Based on 48 user reviews

Darren W.

Darren W.

“Refinanced through our mortgage broker and couldn’t be happier. Phillip secured us a great interest rate, helped consolidate our loans, and ended up saving us a heap of money each month. Everything was explained clearly and the process was smooth from start to finish. Highly recommend.”

Michael D.

Michael D.

“Phillip was amazing. Not only did he help us find the loan we desired, he was proactive with our conveyancer, the bank and all other parties involved to make sure we had our i's and t's, ticked and crossed. As a first home buyer this was invaluable. Thankyou Phillip for helping us with our first home.”

Julie H.

Julie H.

“Phillip was great to work with! Helped us with refinancing and obtaining the best rate in the market. He was very efficient and made the whole process very easy. Would recommend him to anyone looking for a mortgage broker.”

Frequently Asked, Clearly Answered

Not with a new loan. From 10 August 2026, a limited recourse borrowing arrangement can only be used to buy real property that is business real property. Your fund can still buy residential property with its own money if it meets the other super rules. Loans entered into before that date, and purchases where the contract was exchanged before it, are unaffected.

Yes. The ATO says the new rules don't apply when a fund maintains or refinances an LRBA it entered into before 10 August 2026, including with a new lender, for the same asset. Borrowing more or significantly changing the terms can create a new arrangement, so talk to us and your adviser first.

Yes, if it's business real property. Your fund can lease business real property to a related party, such as your own business, on commercial terms at market rent. Residential property can't be lived in or rented by members or their relatives.

No. Borrowed money can pay for the purchase, the buying and loan costs, and repairs and maintenance, but not improvements. And changing the property's character while the loan is in place, such as building a house on vacant land, creates a different asset and breaks the LRBA rules, however the work is paid for. Get advice before any work.

It depends on the lender and the property. SMSF loans usually need a bigger contribution than a standard home loan, and lenders also look at how much cash the fund will hold after settlement. We compare current lender policies for your fund's situation.

No. Advice about setting up an SMSF, or whether your super should buy property, must come from someone who holds an Australian financial services licence or is authorised by one. We arrange the loan once you and your adviser are confident the strategy suits you.

Didn’t find your answer?

Work with Phillip on your SMSF loan

He’s here to guide you personally through every step, comparing 50+ lenders so your loan process is smooth and stress-free.