How much does it cost to set up an SMSF?
$990 with a company trustee, ASIC registration included. Your first year of accounts, tax return and audit is $1,190, billed after year one. No hourly rates.
What it costs to set up
| Setup option | What’s included | One-time fee |
|---|---|---|
| Company trustee (recommended) | ASIC company registration, trustee company, trust deed, ABN, TFN, ATO registration | $990 |
| Individual trustees | Trust deed, ABN, TFN, ATO registration | $440 |
| Transfer an existing SMSF | Review of deed, financials, last annual return and setup documents | $220 |
| Setup only (no ongoing admin) | Standalone setup for funds administered elsewhere, includes credit card fee | $1,690 |
A company trustee makes asset ownership and member changes simpler, because assets don’t need re-titling when trustees change.
What it costs to run each year
Fixed fees covering financial statements, tax return and independent audit, billed after each year.
Bronze
Cash, shares, ETFs, gold and crypto up to 300 trades. 24-month minimum.
- Accounts, tax return and audit
- Chat and email support
Silver
Property with or without an LRBA, plus broader investments.
- Everything in Bronze
- Phone support
- ATO and ASIC mailhouse
Gold
All asset classes and priority processing.
- Everything in Silver
- Free deed updates
- Phone and WhatsApp
Median administration and operating expenses from ATO SMSF statistics (2022–23 returns). Bronze covers cash, shares, ETFs, gold and crypto up to 300 trades. General information only.
Total cost over your first two years
Company trustee, Bronze package, cash and listed investments.
| What you pay | When | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SMSF setup with company trustee (ASIC registration, trustee company, trust deed, ABN, TFN) | Upfront | $990 |
| First year’s accounts, tax return and independent audit (Bronze) | After year one, in arrears | $1,190 |
| Second year’s accounts, tax return and audit | After year two | $1,190 |
| Total for the 24-month minimum term | $3,370 |
| Government fees (every SMSF pays these) | Amount |
|---|---|
| ATO supervisory levy, first return (two years) | $518 |
| ATO supervisory levy, each later year | $259 |
| ASIC annual review, SMSF trustee company | $70 a year |
| ASIC annual review, standard company (e.g. property bare trustee) | $342 a year |
ASIC company registration is included in our $990 setup. Government fees are set by the ATO and ASIC and may change each year.
Online tools that come with your fund
Low fees don’t mean doing it all by email. Every My SMSF client gets these tools as part of the fixed fee.
Online dashboard
Log in any time to see your fund, documents and reports in one place.
Crypto exchange feeds
Read-only API connections to Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, KuCoin, CoinSpot and Bitaroo, plus wallet ownership checks.
Live bullion values
Gold and silver valued from LBMA, ASX and Perth Mint price feeds.
Borrowing calculator
Check what your fund can borrow for commercial property and get a full report.
Try it →SMSF setup cost: common questions
How much does it cost to set up an SMSF?
With My SMSF, $990 with a company trustee (including ASIC registration) or $440 with individual trustees. Annual accounts, tax return and audit start at $1,190, billed after each year.
Are SMSF setup costs tax deductible?
Generally no. Establishment costs are capital in nature. Ongoing administration and audit fees are usually deductible to the fund. Ask your adviser about your situation.
Is there a minimum term?
Yes, 24 months. That covers two years of accounts, tax returns and audits.
What does the ATO levy cost?
$259 a year. A new fund pays two years in its first annual return, so $518.
Are there any hidden fees?
No. Our fees are fixed. Extra services such as pensions, actuarial certificates or a bare trust are listed on our fee schedule.
Set up your SMSF for $990
Company trustee and ASIC registration included. Your first year of accounts and audit is billed after year one.
1300 545 516General information only, current as at 24 September 2026. It does not consider your personal circumstances and is not financial advice.