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Invest with a clear direction.

An SMSF Investment Strategy gives your fund a considered framework for making investment decisions—and for revisiting them as circumstances change.

The starting point

A plan for the fund as a whole.

Before investing your super, SMSF trustees need to formulate and give effect to an Investment Strategy. It is a plan for making, holding and realising investments in line with the fund’s objectives.

It connects the fund’s decisions to the needs of its members over time. The strategy should reflect the fund’s trust deed and consider the investments as a whole.

Step 1 of 3Set the fund’s objectives

Look beyond the investment itself.

Trustees consider the fund’s investments together, with its objectives, trust deed and expected cash flow in mind.

01 / BALANCE

Risk & return

The risks of making, holding and realising investments, and their likely returns.

02 / MIX

Diversification

How the investments fit together and the risks of inadequate diversification.

03 / ACCESS

Liquidity

Whether the fund can access money when it expects to need it.

04 / OBLIGATIONS

Benefits & liabilities

The fund’s ability to pay member benefits and other current or future liabilities.

Step 2 of 3Shape the investment approach

Choose the asset classes that serve your objectives.

After setting the fund’s objectives, trustees consider which types of investments may help achieve them. Explore the asset classes named in ESUPERFUND’s current Standard Investment Strategy.

01 / CASH & INCOME

Money available when the fund needs it.

Consider cash flow alongside the role of interest-bearing investments.

Included examples
Transaction bank account · Online savings accounts · Term deposits · Bonds
02 / SECURITIES & FUNDS

Listed and managed investments.

Consider how these holdings contribute to the fund’s intended investment mix.

Included examples
ASX-listed securities · International shares · Australian and international managed funds
03 / MARKETS & ALTERNATIVES

Specialised exposures need careful consideration.

These asset classes are part of the current example strategy and warrant attention to risk.

Included examples
ASX-listed warrants · Listed and exchange-traded options · CFDs · FX · Futures · Metals and commodities
04 / PROPERTY

Property within the fund’s approach.

Consider how a property holding affects liquidity, diversification and the fund’s obligations.

Included examples
Residential or commercial property without SMSF borrowing · Commercial property with SMSF borrowing
05 / OTHER ASSETS

Consider the deed and the rules.

The current strategy also refers to other assets trustees consider appropriate, to the extent permitted by the fund’s trust deed and superannuation regulations.

Next consideration
Assess the asset in the context of the whole strategy.
01 / 05Scroll horizontally or use the arrows to explore

These are grouped examples from the current Investment Strategy page, not an investment recommendation. Check the specific asset requirements before proceeding.

Step 3 of 3Review as the fund changes

A strategy is a living decision.

Trustees review the fund’s objectives and strategy annually, and at other times when a significant event affects the SMSF.

The review concerns the fund’s overall structure. It is separate from monitoring each individual investment, which may be overseen or traded more frequently.
When to revisit the plan

Step back and consider the whole fund.

Review the investment objectives and whether the strategy still reflects the fund’s overall needs, investments and expected cash flow.

Focus: the structure of the SMSF, rather than a separate review of every holding.
Clear roles

The direction is yours to decide.

The Investment Strategy belongs to the SMSF. As trustee, you decide what is appropriate for the fund and remain responsible for its investment decisions.

Trustees

Set the objectives, consider the required factors, choose and implement the strategy, and review it.

ESUPERFUND

Provides an example Investment Strategy when you establish an SMSF with us. You can adopt or modify it as you consider appropriate.

Advice

ESUPERFUND does not decide the fund’s investments or provide financial product advice. Consider independent professional advice for your circumstances.

With ESUPERFUND

A starting framework, with room to make it yours.

When you establish an SMSF with ESUPERFUND, we provide an example Standard Investment Strategy. It does not prescribe percentage investment ranges. Trustees may adopt it or modify it to suit the fund’s objectives and intended investments.

Explore SMSF setup
How the process comes together
  1. Consider the fund’s objectives and the factors that shape your strategy.
  2. Review the example strategy and decide whether to adopt or modify it.
  3. Invest in line with the strategy you have chosen, then keep it under review.
Explore the detail

The questions behind the plan.

These points matter when your fund’s investment approach is more specific or concentrated.

Four common questions
Is an Investment Strategy a financial plan?

The existing ESUPERFUND guidance distinguishes an Investment Strategy from a detailed financial plan that names particular assets and allocations. The strategy sets the fund’s overall approach; it does not need to list every intended purchase.

Must it set a percentage for each asset class?

ESUPERFUND’s existing guidance says its Standard Investment Strategy does not specify a percentage or range for each asset class. Trustees still consider each investment on its merits and the fund’s diversification as a whole.

What if the fund holds one asset or asset class?

The existing guidance says this is not specifically prohibited, but a concentrated approach can increase risk. Trustees must have regard to diversification and carefully document why the approach is appropriate for their SMSF. Professional financial advice may be prudent.

Where can I see the asset classes in the example strategy?

The Step 2 carousel above groups the asset classes listed on the current page. Specific investment eligibility and ESUPERFUND service arrangements need to be checked for the asset you are considering. Explore investment options.

Your next move

Ready to explore your own SMSF?

Understand the setup journey and the decisions you will make as trustee.

How setup works
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