Rate Challenge – SMSF Mortgage Broker
SMSF Mortgage Broker (LRBA & SMSF Property Loans)
Looking for an SMSF mortgage broker? We help Australian SMSF trustees arrange LRBA property loans (residential or commercial), map lender policy, and pressure-test rent, contributions and buffers before you sign a contract.
Information on this page is general only and doesn’t take your objectives, financial situation or needs into account. SMSFs are complex; please obtain personal tax, legal and financial advice before acting.
Last updated: 22/02/2026
We compare 35+ SMSF-friendly lenders
Australia-wide (phone & video meetings)Logos/colours are illustrative; we work with many more lenders via the VOW/YBR aggregation platform, including selected specialist SMSF lenders.
Why SMSF investors choose Rate Challenge
We help SMSF trustees turn a spreadsheet idea into a properly structured loan and property purchase. Instead of starting with rates, we start with your fund strategy: balance, contributions, member ages, risk tolerance and how a property fits alongside your other assets. We then test scenarios (residential investment, business premises, single vs multiple properties) so you see cash flow, buffers and trade-offs clearly before you commit. If you want to sense-check repayments and buffers at a few rate points, we can run it through our SMSF Loan & Buffer Calculator before you go deeper with your advice team.
We map how an LRBA (limited recourse borrowing arrangement) works for your situation and how it interacts with the ATO’s SMSF borrowing rules. We’ll explain bare trusts, security, rent, contributions and buffers in plain English, so your accountant and adviser can focus on strategy and tax while we manage the lending detail.
Different lenders see SMSFs very differently. Some are friendlier for business owners buying their own premises; others prefer higher balances and contributions; a few will refinance existing SMSF loans. We shortlist SMSF-capable lenders, compare policy as well as price, and package a clean application designed to pass credit first time. If you’re already in an SMSF loan and weighing up your options, our Home Loan Refinance Guide covers the same repricing-versus-refinance logic we apply to SMSF loans too.
We also coordinate with your legal and advice team. That means checking trust deeds, bare trust wording and contracts align with the LRBA and lender requirements, and that the transaction passes the sole purpose test. Our role is lending; your accountant, SMSF administrator and licensed financial adviser remain responsible for advice – but we make sure everyone is on the same page.
SMSF Mortgage Broker vs Bank – What’s the Difference?
Most major banks have limited SMSF lending appetite and strict policy filters. As an independent SMSF mortgage broker in Australia, we compare 35+ SMSF-friendly lenders and match your fund structure to current lender policy — not just headline rates.
Banks will usually assess your SMSF loan through a narrow internal credit lens. We assess your scenario across multiple lenders, identify which are actively funding residential or commercial LRBA loans, and package the application to align with their specific servicing and liquidity requirements. That reduces guesswork and lowers the risk of declined applications.
For trustees and advisers, the difference is simple: instead of hoping one bank fits your structure, we structure your application around lenders that already fit your SMSF.
How the SMSF loan process works (and what we handle)
Most SMSF property journeys start with a short call or video meeting. We take a high-level look at your fund balance, contributions, ages and goals, then outline whether SMSF borrowing is worth exploring further with your accountant and adviser. If it looks promising, we agree on a working budget and timeframe before you start making offers.
Next we work alongside your advice team to shape the structure. That includes modelling cash flow at different rate and rent assumptions, flagging lender policy quirks and checking whether a single property or a staged approach makes more sense inside your SMSF. Your accountant and adviser lead strategy, tax and suitability; we translate that into lender language and documentation.
Once everyone is comfortable, we move into full application and contract stages. We help your solicitor align the bare trust, contract and LRBA documents, manage valuations and lender queries and keep an eye on finance and settlement dates. If something doesn’t add up – for example, liquidity looks too tight or the structure risks breaching SMSF rules – we’ll call it out early so you and your adviser can adjust or walk away before the fund is committed.
SMSF property isn’t right for every trustee. Concentration risk, cash-flow pressure or a short timeframe to retirement can all tilt the conversation towards keeping things simpler. Part of our job as your SMSF mortgage broker is being honest about when gearing through super may not be the right move and making sure you have a clear discussion with your advice team before you proceed.
4 key building blocks of SMSF property lending
🏛️Limited recourse borrowing arrangement (LRBA)
Under an LRBA, a separate bare trust holds legal title to the property while the loan is in place and the lender’s recourse is generally limited to that property. We help you and your solicitor align the bare trust, contract and loan documents so the structure satisfies both the lender and the ATO borrowing rules for SMSFs.
📈Cash flow, rent and contributions
Lenders want to see that rent, contributions and fund liquidity can comfortably cover repayments, rates, levies and contingencies. We model different interest-rate and vacancy assumptions so you and your adviser know the fund can handle stress, not just the base case.
🏠Residential vs commercial SMSF property
Residential SMSF properties must be purely investments—no members or relatives can live there or rent on non-commercial terms. Commercial premises can often be leased to your own business at market rent. We outline how each option works, then your adviser can confirm which suits your retirement strategy.
⚖️Compliance, sole purpose test & arm’s length rules
SMSFs must invest for the sole purpose of providing retirement benefits and on arm’s length terms. We help you understand how lender structures interact with the ASIC Moneysmart SMSF guidance, so you can work with your accountant and adviser to keep the fund compliant across rent, related-party dealings, improvements and exit strategies.
Tools & guides for SMSF property borrowers
Use these SMSF tools and guides to pressure-test your thinking, then speak with an SMSF mortgage broker so the lending structure supports the advice you receive.
SMSF Loan & Buffer Calculator
Run SMSF repayment and buffer scenarios at different rates and terms so you can see where cash flow sits before you buy.
SMSF Property Investment Guide
A deeper guide to planning, structuring and executing an SMSF property purchase from first idea through to settlement.
SMSF Market Update 2025
Snapshot of SMSF lending and property conditions in 2025, with context for trustees thinking about gearing through super.
Where we help SMSF property investors
Local insight in Victoria with Australia-wide coverage via phone and video calls for SMSF trustees and advisers.
Visit or book an SMSF lending chat
Australia-wide (phone & video meetings)Meetings by appointment. Close to major stations and the legal precinct—handy when your accountant or lawyer is also involved.
Meetings by appointment. Local knowledge for SMSF trustees investing in Ballarat & regional Victoria.
Australia-wide support via phone and video for trustees, accountants and advisers who want a lending specialist on the team.
We charge no broker fee on many standard SMSF loans. Some complex or bespoke scenarios may attract a fee, which we’ll always discuss upfront.
How we work with SMSF trustees
Australia-wide by phone and secure video. If your accountant, adviser or solicitor wants to join, we’ll coordinate a joint call.
📄What to prepare for the first call
SMSF balance and assets, member ages, contribution history, target property type/price, and adviser contacts (accountant/adviser/solicitor).
✅What you’ll get back
A lender short-list, LVR/buffer view, documentation checklist and suggested next steps with your advice team.
SMSF property loan FAQs
💰How much SMSF balance do I need to buy property?
There’s no legislated minimum, but many advisers suggest at least $200k–$250k in the fund before considering property. Lenders will look at deposit (usually 20–30% plus costs), contributions, rent and how much cash remains as a buffer. We model scenarios with your accountant so the fund isn’t left short.
🏠Can I or my family live in an SMSF property?
Not if it’s residential. SMSF-owned residential property must be a pure investment—no members or relatives can live in it or rent on favourable terms. Commercial property can often be leased to your own business at market rent, subject to advice and proper documentation.
🏛️What is an LRBA and why does it matter?
An LRBA (limited recourse borrowing arrangement) is the structure that allows your SMSF to borrow. A bare trust holds legal title while the loan is in place and the lender’s recourse is limited to that property. Getting this wrong can cause serious tax and compliance issues, so we always work alongside your lawyer and accountant.
🧾What professional advice do I need?
You’ll normally need an SMSF accountant/administrator, a licensed financial adviser and a solicitor with SMSF experience, plus a lending specialist. We manage the loan and lender conversation; your other advisers handle suitability, investment strategy, tax and legal documentation.
🔧Can my SMSF renovate or develop the property?
Borrowed funds are generally limited to repairs and maintenance. Major improvements, extensions or development often need to be funded from existing SMSF cash and can trigger additional rules. Always speak with your accountant, adviser and lender before signing any building or renovation contracts.
📊Will an SMSF property put too much risk in one asset?
Property can concentrate risk if it becomes the majority of your fund. We look at your whole SMSF balance, age and plans, then your adviser can confirm whether the level of concentration and gearing suits your risk profile and retirement timeline.
🔄Can I refinance an existing SMSF loan?
Sometimes. Not all lenders accept SMSF refinances, and extra checks apply to the trust deed, bare trust and property. We review your current structure and loan, then outline which lenders may consider a refinance and whether the savings justify the costs.
⏱️How long does an SMSF property loan take from start to finish?
Allow extra time compared with a standard home loan. From first chat to conditional approval can take one to three weeks depending on documents and your existing SMSF set-up. Bare trust, contracts and settlement timing often require 30–60 days or more. We’ll help you negotiate realistic finance and settlement dates.
📉What happens if rates rise or rent falls?
We stress-test your scenario with higher rates and periods of vacancy so you can see the impact on cash flow and buffers before you proceed. If the fund can’t stay comfortably liquid under stress, we’ll say so and help you and your adviser adjust or reconsider the strategy.
🚪What if we later want to sell the property or pay out the loan?
Exit strategies matter as much as entry. We explain how selling, moving into pension phase or paying down the loan interacts with your LRBA and trust structure. Your accountant and adviser will model tax and retirement outcomes; we ensure the loan and lender process align with that plan.
🤝Can multiple SMSF members or funds buy together?
In some cases yes, for example where unrelated SMSFs co-invest in a larger commercial property. Policy and documentation requirements are much stricter. If you’re exploring this, we’ll outline lender appetite and then work with your advice team on the right structure.
📣How do we start the SMSF loan conversation?
Start with a quick call or enquiry. We’ll run high-level numbers, outline which lenders may suit and give you a checklist to take to your accountant and adviser. Once everyone is comfortable with the strategy, we move to a full application and valuation so you can buy or refinance with confidence.
Information accurate as at 22/02/2026. SMSF rules and lender policies can change; please confirm details with your accountant, adviser and lender. Nothing on this page is personal tax, legal or financial advice.