From 10 August 2026, super funds can no longer borrow to buy residential property.
If you've ever wondered whether your super could buy an investment property — the rules just changed, and the window to find out is closing. A free 15-minute SMSF eligibility check with Francis Choo tells you where you stand before the deadline.
The law has passed. Here's what it means in plain terms.
Ending
From 10 August 2026, self-managed super funds can no longer take out a new loan to purchase residential property.
Protected
Existing SMSF property loans continue unchanged. Contracts signed before the deadline are also protected under the new law.
Still open
Commercial property lending through an SMSF is not affected. Buying property in your personal name also remains available.
Source: Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Act 2026, which received Royal Assent on 26 June 2026.
Never heard of SMSF property lending?
Most Australians don't know their super can hold property at all.
Your super in a retail or industry fund is pooled into managed investments — shares, bonds, cash. You don't choose the assets, and the fund can't borrow to buy a property on your behalf.
A self-managed super fund (SMSF) is different. It's your own fund, and under current rules it can borrow through a specific loan structure to purchase an investment property — typically with around a 20% deposit from your existing super balance, through specialist lenders.
That borrowing option is what ends on 10 August. Whether it's right for you depends on your circumstances — that's a conversation for your financial adviser and accountant. Whether your fund could qualify for the lending is what I can tell you, and quickly.
Is this you
This check is for you if:
Your super is sitting in a retail or industry fundThose funds can't borrow to buy a direct property. An SMSF with the right lending structure can — until the deadline.
You've maxed out your personal borrowing capacitySMSF borrowing is assessed against the fund — not your personal income and existing debts. It's a separate capacity most people have never used.
You already have one SMSF property and want to know what's nextWhether a second is possible depends on your fund's capacity and balance — worth mapping before the option closes.
You've heard about the deadline and want a straight answerNo jargon, no sales pitch. Just whether your fund could qualify, and what the timeline realistically allows.
"I'm not just a broker in this space — my own super fund holds two investment properties. I've sat on your side of the table, twice."
SMSF property owner × 2
★★★★★5.0 rating · 300+ Google reviews
What SMSF clients say
Real results, from real trustees.
★★★★★
"Francis achieved a great result for my wife and I to finalise a loan for our SMSF property purchase."
Jon Cosmas
Google review
★★★★★
"The team at ZENRG was very professional with their guidance on setting up our SMSF and then purchasing our investment property using our super."
Glester Vicuna
Google review
★★★★★
"Without you guys, I would not be in a position today of getting the approval sorted for these two [SMSF] properties at the same time."
Ananth Krish
Google review
Common questions
Before you book, a few honest answers.
Is my super fund actually affected by this change?Only self-managed super funds (SMSFs) looking to borrow to buy residential property are affected. Commercial property lending through an SMSF isn't impacted, and loans already contracted before the deadline are protected.
How much deposit do I need?Specialist SMSF lenders typically require around a 20% deposit, though this varies by lender and by your fund's circumstances.
Is there really a hard deadline?Yes. From 10 August 2026, SMSFs can no longer enter new loan arrangements to buy residential property. Your fund and trust structure need to be in place before a contract of sale is signed — settlement can happen after the date, but the structure and signed contract can't.
What if my fund doesn't qualify?Not every SMSF will meet lender criteria before the deadline — that's a normal outcome of the eligibility check. The call tells you where you stand either way, with no pressure to proceed.
No surprises
What happens when you book:
01
Pick a time that suits youOnline booking, name, email and phone. No documents, no super statements needed. Evening slots available.
02
I call you — a phone call, not a video meetingI'll ask about your super balance range and situation, and tell you plainly whether SMSF lending is worth exploring for you.
03
You leave with a clear answerEither a realistic path and timeline before the deadline — or an honest "this isn't for you," and you've lost nothing but fifteen minutes.
Free — no cost, no obligationGeneral information only — not personal adviceYour details are never sold or shared
The deadline doesn't move. Find out where you stand.
Fifteen minutes now tells you whether this option exists for you at all.
This page has been prepared by Francis Choo (Credit Representative 423643) operating under ZENRG Finance (Australian Credit Licence 471677). All content is general information only and does not constitute personal financial advice, credit advice, or tax advice. SMSF lending involves complex legal, financial and tax considerations. Individual circumstances vary significantly. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Please consult a licensed financial adviser, registered tax agent and qualified SMSF administrator before making any investment decisions.
