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SMSF Loans Melbourne

Use Your Super to Buy Investment Property

How SMSF Loans Work for Property Investors

If you have a Self-Managed Super Fund and you have been wondering whether you can use it to buy property, the answer is yes. An SMSF property loan allows your fund to borrow money to purchase an investment property, either residential or commercial, and hold it inside your super structure. It is a strategy that many Australians are using to build wealth for retirement, and FinancePath is here to help you understand how it all works.

What Is an SMSF Loan?

An SMSF loan, also known as a Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement or LRBA, is a specific type of loan designed for Self-Managed Super Funds. The term "limited recourse" means that if your fund ever defaults on the loan, the lender can only claim the asset purchased with that loan. Your other SMSF assets are protected. This is one of the key features that makes this structure appealing for long-term investors.

When your SMSF borrows to buy property, the asset is held in what is called an SMSF bare trust until the loan is fully repaid. Once the loan is paid off, ownership transfers back to the fund. This legal structure is a requirement of the arrangement and is something FinancePath can help you understand in plain language before you commit to anything.

SMSF Residential and Commercial Property

You can use an SMSF property loan to buy either a residential investment property or a commercial property. An SMSF residential loan works well for funds looking to generate rental income from a standard investment property. An SMSF commercial loan is popular with business owners who want their SMSF to purchase the premises their business operates from, with the business then paying rent to the fund at market rates.

Both options come with their own rules and requirements, and FinancePath works with you to make sure the property you are considering meets all the legal criteria, including the SMSF sole purpose test. This test requires that the fund exists solely to provide retirement benefits to its members. Any property purchased must align with this purpose, which means you cannot live in or personally use a residential property owned by your SMSF.

SMSF Loan Rates, LVR and Deposit Requirements

SMSF loans generally come with different conditions compared to standard investment loans. The SMSF loan interest rate is typically higher than a regular investment loan rate, and lenders tend to offer lower loan-to-value ratios. Most lenders require a minimum deposit of around 30 to 35 percent for a residential SMSF loan, meaning the SMSF loan LVR sits at around 65 to 70 percent. For commercial properties, SMSF deposit requirements can be even higher.

You also have the choice between an SMSF variable rate and an SMSF fixed rate, depending on your fund's strategy and cash flow needs. FinancePath can compare SMSF lenders across a wide panel to find a rate and structure that suits your fund's specific situation. Not all lenders offer SMSF lending, so having a knowledgeable SMSF mortgage broker in your corner makes a real difference.

Tax Benefits Inside an SMSF

One of the reasons so many Australians are drawn to using super to buy investment property is the tax treatment inside the fund. SMSF rental income tax is capped at 15 percent during the accumulation phase, which is significantly lower than most personal income tax rates. When you sell the property, if the fund has held it for more than 12 months, you may be eligible for the SMSF CGT discount, which can reduce the capital gains tax liability to just 10 percent. If the property is sold while the fund is in pension phase, the gain may be tax-free altogether. These are general points about how the tax rules work, and FinancePath always recommends speaking with your accountant or financial adviser about your specific situation.

SMSF Borrowing Capacity and the Application Process

Your SMSF borrowing capacity depends on several factors, including the fund's existing assets, contributions, rental income from the property, and the lender's specific assessment criteria. Lenders assess SMSF loan applications differently from personal loans, and the process can take longer due to the additional documentation required, such as the trust deed, financial statements, and evidence of the bare trust structure.

FinancePath guides you through the SMSF loan application from start to finish. We help you understand what documents you need, how lenders will assess your fund, and what to expect at each stage. If your SMSF already holds a property loan and you are looking to reduce your rate or switch lenders, you can also explore SMSF loan refinancing as an option.

For those who are also considering building a broader property portfolio outside of super, our investment loans service covers a range of strategies for individual investors. And if you are thinking about buying your first investment property, we can help you weigh up whether doing so inside or outside an SMSF makes more sense for your circumstances.

FinancePath is based in Melbourne and works with clients across Australia who want clear, straightforward guidance on SMSF lending. We take the time to explain each step without the jargon, so you can make confident decisions about your retirement strategy. Get in touch with our team today to find out whether an SMSF loan is the right fit for your fund.

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Let our credit advisers guide you through our 3-step lending journey

FinancePath Clarity & Preparation

1. Clarity & Preparation

We begin by gaining a deep understanding of you - your goals, your lifestyle, your current position, and where you want to be in the future.

At this stage, we focus on asking the questions that matter to you, not just the questions lenders require. This allows us to build a strategy that supports your life today and your longterm plans, not just a transaction.

During this stage, we:

  • Discuss your objectives, lifestyle priorities, and longterm goals
  • Explore what financial success looks like for you now and into the future
  • Gather the key details needed to build a strong lending profile
  • Provide clarity around what's possible and outline a clear pathway forward

This first step ensures we're aligned and preparing a lending plan that's tailored specifically to your needs - not a one size fits all approach. It's all about setting the right foundation so the rest of the journey feels simple, informed, and stress free.

2. Tailored Solution & Approval

Next, we design a personalised lending solution around your unique circumstances and guide you through every part of the approval journey.

After analysing your position and reviewing the broader lending market, we provide you with a clear, personalised borrowing capacity and a lending structure that aligns with both your immediate needs and future goals.

In this stage, we:

  • Analyse your financial position and lending objectives in detail
  • Assess market options to identify the most suitable lenders and products
  • Present a custom built finance strategy tailored to you
  • Provide clarity on your borrowing capacity and structure your loan accordingly
  • Manage the application process from start to finish
  • Coordinate with lenders and handle all required documentation

You'll always know where things stand, what's coming next, and what actions (if any) you need to take. We remove the complexity from this step so you can move forward with confidence, clarity, and peace of mind.

FinancePath Tailored Solution & Approval

FinancePath Settlement & Ongoing Support

3. Settlement & Ongoing Support

Once approved, we support you through settlement and continue to work with you well beyond your loan being put in place.

Settlement is not the end of the journey - it's the beginning of an ongoing relationship designed to ensure your lending continues to support your life as it evolves.

Here's what this includes:

  • Ensuring your loan is fully finalised and set up correctly
  • Providing clear guidance so you understand how your lending works from day one
  • Regularly checking in to ensure your loan and facilities remain the best fit for you
  • Reviewing your structure over time to keep you competitive as the market changes
  • Identifying opportunities for future growth and strategic financial moves

We proactively reach out to ensure your lending remains aligned with your goals - now and into the future - giving you the confidence and peace of mind that we have your back.

Your lending journey doesn't end at settlement, and neither does our support. Our ongoing approach ensures you're always well positioned to make the most of your financial opportunities.

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What our $_review_count 5-star reviews say.

Rated 5.0 from 265 Reviews

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Chris and his team have been a pleasure to deal with during the whole process. Very informative and got us a great result with our remortgage.

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Jake was amazing, so personable and an excellent broker!

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Hands down the best broker experience we have ever had. Mark, his team and network of property professionals made our experience 10/10. Have already told all my family and friends, can’t recommend FinancePath more!

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Why choose a Mortgage Adviser like us?

Why choose a Mortgage Adviser like us?

We envision a world where financial stress is a thing of the past. Where everyone has a trusted partner guiding them through life’s biggest financial decisions—24/7.

We’re here to help you seize opportunities, avoid pitfalls, and live your best life. Not just for you, but for your family, friends, and future generations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

We often get asked the same questions about smart money management. Here are our answers.
How are you different from a broker?

Many brokers focus on how much you can borrow. We focus on how much you should borrow — and, just as importantly, why.
Rather than producing a generic borrowing capacity figure, our role is to ask the right questions upfront so your lending strategy actually fits your life. We take the time to understand your income structure, expenses, lifestyle priorities, future plans, and risk tolerance before discussing numbers. This ensures your lending position supports where you’re heading, not just what a calculator says is possible.
From there, we help you shape a personalised lending strategy — considering cash flow, tax implications, flexibility, and future opportunities — so your finance decisions remain sustainable and intentional over time. Our focus is on clarity and confidence, not maximising debt.
We also stay involved beyond settlement. That means helping you understand how your loan works day‑to‑day, keeping an eye on whether it still suits your circumstances, and checking in as your goals or situation evolve.
Unlike many brokers, we hold an Australian Credit Licence (ACL), which means we are required to meet strict compliance standards, maintain professional indemnity insurance, manage dispute resolution processes, and demonstrate adequate resources and systems. This provides reassurance that you’re working with a licensed professional held to high regulatory and ethical standards.
In short, we don’t just arrange loans — we help you make lending decisions that still feel right years down the track.

How do you make your money?

Instead, we’re paid through commissions by the fund provider when a loan settles and, in some cases, while the loan remains in place. This payment structure does not change our legal obligations to you.
As licensed mortgage brokers, we are required to act in your best interests and comply with responsible lending obligations under Australian law. That means we must take reasonable steps to ensure any loan we recommend is suitable for your circumstances, aligns with your objectives, and does not place you in financial hardship. Our duty is to you — not the lender.
Banks, by contrast, are only required to ensure a loan is not unsuitable for their customer. They are not held to the same best‑interests obligation and are limited to offering products from their own range.
Our process is designed around these higher standards. We focus on understanding your full financial position, asking the right questions, and recommending lending solutions that are sustainable over the long term — not simply what you might qualify for today.
This approach gives you confidence that your lending decisions are being made carefully, responsibly, and with your interests at the centre — both now and into the future.

Do I need to take out a loan to use your other services?

Not at all. Whatever stage of life you are in or financial position you find yourself in, we can help bring clarity to your money matters. We may identify loan products with better rates, or help you build a smarter end-to-end money management strategy. It all starts with a free smart money management consultation. Whether you are looking to reduce debt, grow wealth, or simply get a clearer picture of your finances, our team is ready to help you take the next step. There are no obligations and no pressure, just straightforward, honest guidance tailored to your situation. Give us a call on 1300 780 440 to get started.

What happens if interest rates change after my loan settles?

Interest rate movements are one of the most common concerns we hear from borrowers — and understandably so. Even small changes can affect repayments and your longer‑term financial position.
At FinancePath, you’re not left to navigate these changes on your own. Our role is to help you understand how rate movements may affect your loan and to be available when it makes sense to review your options. When you’re considering a change — whether that’s reviewing your rate, restructuring your loan, or exploring refinancing — we’ll walk you through the implications clearly so you can make an informed decision.
We also focus heavily on getting the structure right from the outset. That includes discussing fixed versus variable rates, split loan options, and flexibility features, so your loan is aligned with your goals and risk tolerance from day one — not just current market conditions.
Our approach is about long‑term suitability, not constant switching. As your circumstances or the lending environment change, we’re here to help you assess what still makes sense, so your loan continues to support your broader financial plans over time.

How long will it take to get my loan approved?

Missing out on a great property because your bank is buried in paperwork is frustrating — and avoidable. We work closely with a wide range of Australian lenders, including specialist lending teams that don’t deal directly with the public. This allows us to assess your situation efficiently and guide your application through the process without unnecessary delays.
Whether you’re seeking pre‑approval or need a fast turnaround on a purchase, we focus on momentum so you’re always ready to act. No sitting on hold. No waiting weeks for updates. When the right opportunity comes along, you’ll be in a strong position to move forward with confidence.

How long does the mortgage application process typically take?

While every situation is different, most applications move from initial submission through to settlement within two to six weeks. Your first financial assessment and loan recommendation can typically happen within days of providing your details. From there, formal application and lender assessment generally takes one to two weeks, though complexity, document readiness, and the lender's current workload can all influence the timeline. Property valuations and legal checks can also add time depending on the circumstances. Pre-approval can often be obtained faster, sometimes within just a few days. At FinancePath, we work to keep things moving efficiently at every stage and will keep you informed throughout so there are never any surprises. The goal is always to get you to settlement as smoothly and quickly as possible.

Why do you focus on getting finance ready before I find a property?

Most people approach a bank only after finding a property they want. By that point, time pressure is working against you, and any gaps in your application become urgent problems.
We take the opposite approach. Getting your lending position clear before you need it means we can ask the right questions, gather the correct documents, and present your application accurately, without the rush. Approval timeframes ultimately depend on the lender and loan type, but our role is to remove every delay on your side, avoiding back-and-forth, last-minute surprises, and unnecessary bottlenecks.
The result is that when the right property comes along, you're already organised, informed, and ready to act. Not scrambling to catch up.

Can you still help me if I am self-employed or have irregular income?

Being self-employed or running your own business should never be a barrier to building your property portfolio or securing the finance you need. Traditional lenders often apply a one-size-fits-all approach that puts self-employed applicants at an unfair disadvantage. At FinancePath, we work with self-employed borrowers and business owners every day. We know which lenders genuinely understand variable income, what documentation they require, and how to present your application in the strongest possible way. Whether you are using business financials, tax returns, or business activity statements, we help you put your best foot forward. Some lenders actively specialise in self-employed borrowers and offer more flexible criteria, and our job is to connect you with the right one while making sure you are getting a competitive deal.