What ATO’s Latest Data Reveals and How to Get Started
More Australians than ever are deciding to take charge of their own retirement savings and the numbers prove it. According to the ATO’s SMSF Quarterly Statistics for September 2025, there are now 661,384 self-managed super funds in Australia, holding a combined $1.034 trillion in assets.
If you’ve been thinking about starting your own SMSF, you’re not alone. In fact, 14,494 new funds were established in just the September 2025 quarter alone the highest single quarter on record. People like you are making the switch every single day.
But is an SMSF right for you? And what does the process actually involve? Let’s break it all down plainly, honestly, and without the jargon.
The SMSF Sector in 2025: By the Numbers
| 661,384 SMSFs in Australia | 1.22M SMSF Members | $1.034T Total Assets | 14,494 New Funds (Sep Qtr) |
These aren’t just impressive statistics they tell a story about how Australians are changing their relationship with superannuation. The record number of new registrations in September 2025 shows that the momentum is only growing.
Why Are So Many Australians Starting an SMSF?
The ATO’s data gives us a window into who is setting up SMSFs and why. The median age of new SMSF members is 46 meaning it’s not just people close to retirement making this move. Working-age Australians with solid incomes are choosing to take control well before they hit 60.
The top reasons people choose an SMSF:
- Control: You decide exactly where your money is invested shares, property, ETFs, managed funds, even gold or cryptocurrency
- Flexibility: You can tailor your investment strategy to your personal goals and risk appetite
- Cost efficiency: At larger balances, running an SMSF can be significantly cheaper than paying retail super fees
- Investment options: Access to assets your industry fund simply cannot offer, like direct residential property or unlisted investments
- Estate planning: Greater flexibility in how your superannuation is distributed to beneficiaries
| Did you know? The largest single income group among new SMSF members in September 2025 was Australians earning $100,000–$150,000 per year. You don’t need to be ultra-wealthy to run your own super fund you just need a solid balance, a clear strategy, and the right SMSF Accountants. |
Is an SMSF Right for You? 5 Questions to Ask Yourself
An SMSF isn’t for everyone but it might be exactly right for you. Here are five honest questions to help you work it out:
1. Do you have at least $150,000–$200,000 in super?
This is the general threshold at which an SMSF becomes cost-competitive with retail and industry funds. The ATO’s 2023-24 data puts average annual SMSF running costs at around $7,400 (with autoSMSF’s fixed fee structure the costs are much lower) . At lower balances, those costs eat into your returns more heavily. That said, if you’re planning to contribute aggressively and grow your balance quickly, starting earlier can still make sense.
2. Do you want more investment choice?
Listed shares remain the top asset class in the SMSF sector at 28.6% of total assets but SMSF members also invest in direct property, private equity, managed funds, and more. If you’re frustrated by the limited options in your industry fund, an SMSF opens up the full investment landscape.
3. Are you willing to take on trustee responsibilities?
As an SMSF trustee, you are legally responsible for your fund’s compliance. That means lodging annual returns, having the fund audited, maintaining an investment strategy, and keeping proper records. It sounds daunting but with the right SMSF accountant on your side, the practical burden is minimal.
4. Do you have a long-term investment mindset?
SMSFs work best for people with a clear, long-term view of their retirement. They’re not a vehicle for short-term trading or speculation they’re a structure that lets you build wealth strategically over time.
5. Do you have the right support around you?
This is perhaps the most important question of all. Running an SMSF doesn’t have to mean going it alone. A good SMSF accountant will handle the compliance, tax, and reporting leaving you free to focus on your investment decisions.
What Does Setting Up an SMSF Actually Involve?
The good news: setting up an SMSF is much more straightforward than most people expect — especially when you have a specialist like autoSMSF handling the process for you.
Here’s a plain-English overview of how it works:
Step 1: Choose your trustee structure
Your SMSF can have up to six members, each of whom must be a trustee (or director of a corporate trustee). Most new funds use a corporate trustee structure a company that acts as trustee which is generally recommended for its flexibility and legal protections.
Step 2: Create your trust deed
Your SMSF is governed by a legal document called a trust deed, which sets out the rules for how the fund operates. This is prepared for you as part of the setup process.
Step 3: Register with the ATO
Once established, your fund needs to be registered with the ATO and elected into the regulated superannuation system. This gives your fund its ABN and makes it eligible to receive concessionally taxed contributions.
Step 4: Open a bank account
Your SMSF needs its own dedicated bank account, completely separate from your personal finances. All contributions, investment income, and expenses flow through this account.
Step 5: Roll over your existing super
Once your fund is active, you can request a rollover of your existing superannuation balance from your current fund. This is typically straightforward and handled electronically.
Step 6: Set your investment strategy
Every SMSF must have a documented investment strategy that reflects the fund’s objectives and the members’ needs. This doesn’t have to be complex but it does need to be in writing and reviewed regularly.
| autoSMSF handles every step of the setup process for you from trust deed preparation and ATO registration through to ongoing compliance, tax returns, and annual audits. You focus on where to invest. We handle the rest. |
What Does Ongoing SMSF Management Look Like?
Once your SMSF is up and running, there are annual obligations every trustee needs to meet. Here’s a quick summary of what’s involved each year:
- Annual SMSF tax return lodged with the ATO
- Independent audit by an ATO-approved SMSF auditor
- Payment of the ATO supervisory levy (currently $259 per year)
- Review and update of your investment strategy as needed
- Record-keeping for all fund transactions
- Member statements prepared at year end
In practice, if you work with autoSMSF, all of this is managed for you. Your accountant prepares your financials, coordinates the audit, and lodges your return you simply review and sign off.
What Can You Actually Invest In with an SMSF?
This is often what excites people most about SMSFs and for good reason. The September 2025 ATO data shows how SMSF trustees across Australia are currently investing their $1 trillion in assets:
- Listed Australian and international shares (28.6% of total SMSF assets) direct ownership, not units in a managed fund
- Cash and term deposits (16.3%) at record low levels as trustees chase better returns
- Non-residential real property (commercial property) a popular choice for business owners
- Residential property subject to strict rules around related party dealings
- Managed funds, ETFs and listed trusts
- Gold, silver, and other commodities
- Cryptocurrency around $3.2 billion is held in crypto across the SMSF sector
How Much Does It Cost to Run an SMSF?
Transparency matters, so here’s the honest picture. Running an SMSF involves both setup costs and ongoing annual costs.
Typical setup costs
- Trust deed preparation
- Corporate trustee registration (if using a company trustee)
- ATO registration
- Advice and administration setup
Typical ongoing annual costs
- SMSF accounting and tax return preparation
- Independent audit fee
- ATO supervisory levy ($259 per year)
- Any investment platform or brokerage fees
The ATO’s 2023-24 data puts the average total operating expense across all SMSFs at around $7,400 per year but costs vary significantly by fund size and complexity. At autoSMSF, we offer clear, transparent fixed pricing with no hidden surprises.
As a general guide, most financial experts consider an SMSF to become cost-effective once your balance exceeds $200,000. At $500,000 or more, the cost advantage over retail super can be very significant.
3 Common SMSF Myths Busted
Myth 1: “SMSFs are only for the wealthy”
The ATO data shows the largest group of new SMSF members earn $100,000–$150,000 per year. SMSFs are mainstream, not exclusive. If you have $200,000 or more in super and want more control, an SMSF is well within reach.
Myth 2: “Running an SMSF is too complicated”
The compliance side of an SMSF can be complex — but that’s exactly what your accountant is there for. With autoSMSF handling your setup, tax, compliance, and annual return, the burden on you as a trustee is far lighter than most people expect.
Myth 3: “I can’t afford to make a mistake”
This one is true but it’s not a reason to avoid SMSFs. It’s a reason to work with a specialist. The ATO does actively regulate the sector, and compliance is non-negotiable. The right accountant keeps your fund compliant, keeps you informed, and means you never have to worry about getting it wrong.
Who’s Starting SMSFs Right Now? (You Might Recognise Yourself)
Based on the ATO’s September 2025 data, here are some of the people who are setting up SMSFs right now:
The property-minded investor
They want to buy a commercial property through their super — perhaps the business premises they currently lease. An SMSF is one of the very few ways to hold direct property inside a super fund, and it can be a powerful strategy for business owners.
The shares enthusiast
They’ve been investing in ASX shares for years and are frustrated that their industry fund doesn’t give them direct ownership. In an SMSF, they can build and manage their own share portfolio with full visibility and control.
The couple planning ahead
Two members, one fund often a couple in their mid-40s who want to consolidate their super, reduce their combined fees, and take a more hands-on approach as they plan for retirement in the next 15–20 years.
The small business owner
They want flexibility, tax efficiency, and the ability to use their super strategically as part of their broader financial plan. An SMSF gives them options that simply don’t exist in retail or industry funds.
How autoSMSF Makes It Easy
At autoSMSF, we are SMSF accountants specialists who live and breathe self-managed super. We don’t do general tax returns or business bookkeeping. We do one thing: we help Australians set up, manage, and get the most out of their SMSFs.
Here’s exactly what we handle for you:
- SMSF Setup trust deed, corporate trustee, ATO registration, bank account guidance, and rollover coordination
- Annual Compliance financials, member statements, and everything your auditor needs
- Prepare your SMSF tax return and lodge with ATO
- Audit Coordination we work directly with your approved SMSF auditor so you don’t have to
- Ongoing Support questions, changes to your fund, or updates to your investment strategy
We’re not a robo-advice platform. We’re real SMSF accountants who give you the professional, personal service your retirement savings deserve without the big-firm price tag.
The Bottom Line
The ATO’s September 2025 data is clear: Australians are choosing to take control of their superannuation in record numbers. If you’ve been thinking about whether an SMSF is right for you, there has never been a better time to explore it seriously.
The setup process is simpler than you think. The compliance obligations are manageable with the right support. And the control, flexibility, and investment choice you gain can make a real difference to your retirement outcome.
| Ready to Take Control of Your Super? autoSMSF handles your SMSF setup, compliance, tax and accounting so you can focus on your investments, not the paperwork. Contact autoSMSF today to get started → Contact us |
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. SMSF suitability depends on individual circumstances. The ATO data referenced is drawn from the SMSF Quarterly Statistical Report, September 2025, published on data.gov.au. Please consult a qualified financial adviser before making decisions about your superannuation.
