SMSF commercial property loans.

For commercial property, yes. Under the 2026 reforms, new SMSF borrowing arrangements (LRBAs) entered into from 10 August 2026 are limited to business real property — commercial premises used wholly and exclusively in a business. New SMSF borrowing for residential property is no longer available. Existing residential SMSF loans set up before that date continue and can generally be refinanced on substantially the same terms (no top-ups or equity release), and contracts exchanged before 10 August 2026 are also protected.

This is the classic SMSF commercial strategy, and it survived the 2026 changes. Business real property is an exception to the usual related-party rules, so your fund can buy the office, warehouse or shop your business runs from and lease it back to the business, provided the lease is on arm’s-length terms at a market rent. Rent is then paid to the fund rather than to a third-party landlord.

Most SMSF commercial lenders will fund around 70% to 80% of the property value, so plan for a deposit of 20% to 30% from the fund, plus purchase costs. Lenders also want to see the fund retain a liquidity buffer after settlement — commonly around 10% of the fund’s assets — and will assess rental income plus member contributions when testing serviceability.

SMSF borrowing uses a limited recourse borrowing arrangement: a separate holding trust (bare trust) owns the property while the loan is on foot, and the lender’s recourse is limited to that property, not the rest of your super. Most lenders also require a corporate trustee. Your accountant or adviser sets up the structure; we arrange the lending side and make sure the loan matches it.

The major banks have largely exited SMSF lending, so this market is served by specialist and non-bank lenders with very different rates, policies and fees. That makes comparison genuinely valuable — the spread between lenders on an SMSF commercial loan is much wider than on a standard home loan.

Yes, and we won’t pretend otherwise. We provide credit assistance only — we arrange the loan. Whether buying property inside super is the right strategy is a matter for a licensed financial adviser and your accountant, and lenders will expect the fund’s trust deed and investment strategy to permit the purchase. We work alongside your advisers to get the lending side done properly.