Lender

Variable
More details
  • Refinance only offer. No application fee and no settlement fee
  • No monthly, annual or ongoing fees
  • Access your SMSF loan via our easy-to-use online app Smart Money

SMSF 70

  • Refinance only offer. No application fee and no settlement fee
  • No monthly, annual or ongoing fees
  • Access your SMSF loan via our easy-to-use online app Smart Money
Variable
More details

SMSF 70 (Refinance Special)

    Variable
    More details

    SMSF Residential

      Variable
      More details
      • Available for Purchase and Refinance
      • No application fee and no settlement fee
      • No monthly, annual or ongoing fees

      SMSF 80

      • Available for Purchase and Refinance
      • No application fee and no settlement fee
      • No monthly, annual or ongoing fees
      Variable
      More details

      Liberty Residential SMSF (LVR < 80%)

        Variable
        More details

        SMSF Loan (Principal and Interest) (LVR < 80%)

          Variable
          More details

          Ocean SMSF 90 P&I ($50k - $1.5m)

            Fixed
            More details

            SMSF 80 Fixed 5 Years (Refinance)

              Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

              Base criteria of: a $400,000 loan amount, variable, fixed, principal and interest (P&I) home loans with an LVR (loan-to-value) ratio of at least 80%. However, the ‘Compare Home Loans’ table allows for calculations to be made on variables as selected and input by the user. Some products will be marked as promoted, featured or sponsored and may appear prominently in the tables regardless of their attributes. All products will list the LVR with the product and rate which are clearly published on the product provider’s website. Monthly repayments, once the base criteria are altered by the user, will be based on the selected products’ advertised rates and determined by the loan amount, repayment type, loan term and LVR as input by the user/you. *The Comparison rate is based on a $150,000 loan over 25 years. Warning: this comparison rate is true only for this example and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Rates correct as of March 19, 2024. View disclaimer.

              Buying a property through an SMSF loan

              It is possible to get a loan to buy a property through your SMSF, but it’s a highly specialised and complex topic and strict rules apply.

              Australian residents who currently have an SMSF, or are in the process of establishing an SMSF, can take out an SMSF loan to purchase or refinance a residential or commercial investment property.

              Buying a property through an SMSF using an LRBA

              All SMSF loans need to be taken out through a limited recourse borrowing arrangement (LRBA), which means that in order to limit the recourse of the lender, a separate trust and trustee have to be set up to minimise the risk to other assets in the fund.

              In more simple terms, if the SMSF is unable to continue making repayments on the loan and falls into arrears, the lender will try and recover its losses by seizing the assets. Because the property is in a separate trust to the SMSF, the lender can’t pursue the assets in the SMSF which means the assets are protected from the risk of being repossessed by the lender.

              There are a few things you need to consider before entering into an LRBA. These include whether the asset you’re using it to purchase passes the sole purpose test, if the loan can be sold to another party, and whether or not the SMSF can cope with an interest rate rise.

              As well as using your SMSF to purchase an investment property, you can also use borrowed cash from an LRBA to pay for maintenance and repairs to the property that is part of the SMSF, however, you cannot use these funds to make improvements/additions to the property, such as adding a granny flat or an extension.

              How does it work?

              The actual process of buying a property through an LRBA isn’t too dissimilar to a regular property purchase, however, the difficulty lies in processing the application. If the loan application isn’t properly structured or compliant, there can be hefty fines of over $200,000 for trustees. This is why it’s strongly recommended to seek out the expert help of an accountant or mortgage broker.

              This is generally how the application process works when purchasing an investment property through an LRBA:

              1. You, the trustee, and other trustees (if applicable) find an investment property you want to purchase.
              2. A custodian (also known as a bare trustee) is then appointed for the property. They hold the property title on the trustee’s behalf until the loan has been paid off.
              3. You submit the loan application with all the documentation.
              4. The custodian then has to issue payment for the deposit and the contracts for the purchase of the property are exchanged.
              5. Provided the lender approves your loan application, the custodian will then put the property up as security with the lender so the transaction can be finalised, and pay the stamp and legal costs.
              6. After the loan has reached settlement, you will start making the loan repayments and collecting rent. If the rent isn’t enough to cover the repayments, the difference must be made up from internal SMSF funds.
              7. After the loan has been fully repaid, the title can be transferred from the custodian to the SMSF.

              What do you need to do before you borrow?

              It’s extremely important to seek out independent legal and financial advice about your SMSF borrowing money to purchase an investment property. Because SMSF loans are a very niche and complex topic, it’s important to make sure you understand the legislation around what types of properties you’re allowed to purchase, and what restrictions there are on the investment property. For example, if you’re buying a residential property as an investment, you’re not allowed to live in the property.

              Which lenders offer SMSF loans?

              There aren’t many lenders who offer SMSF loans in Australia anymore due to their complexity and small profit margins. At the time of writing, these lenders offer SMSF loans:

              • Loans.com.au
              • Firstmac
              • La Trobe Financial
              • Liberty Financial
              • Bank of Queensland (BOQ)
              • Switzer Home Loans
              • Mortgage House
              • Freedom Lenders
              • Reduce Home Loans
              • Rate Chaser Home Loans
              • LJ Hooker Home Loans
              • Regional Australia Bank
              OpenCorp Icon
              Investing in property?
              Get help from a Property Investment Specialist
              SMSF Icon
              Need help with an SMSF home loan?
              Speak to an SMSF lending specialist