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Annual SMSF population analysis tables

This is a statistical report for the self-managed super fund market.

Last updated 13 June 2018

About this data

The following tables contain demographic information of SMSFs, as well as individual members, as at 30 June 2017. They also include a more detailed analysis of asset allocation of SMSFs, as well as estimates of the total amount of ‘flows’ into and out of SMSFs. These tables are updated on an annual basis, when the June quarter updates are published.

Tables on this page:

Asset allocation by asset value of the fund table

This table contains the approximate distribution of assets held by SMSFs of different sizes, based on total fund assets. These tables are based on actual return data for the 2013 to 2016 financial years.

The data is provided by SMSFs reporting their financial position as at 30 June of the relevant financial year.

The data was extracted on 12 July 2017.

Asset value ranges of funds

2013

$1–
$50k

>$50–
$100k

>$100–
$200k

>$200–
$500k

>$500k–
$1m

>$1–
$2m

>$2–
$5m

>$5–
$10m

>$10m

Listed trusts

1.65%

2.06%

2.72%

3.64%

3.97%

3.80%

3.43%

3.13%

2.31%

Unlisted trusts

2.30%

3.98%

5.44%

6.16%

6.74%

7.82%

9.39%

12.17%

16.04%

Insurance policy

0.02%

0.04%

0.03%

0.03%

0.03%

0.05%

0.04%

0.04%

0.01%

Other managed investments

1.31%

2.21%

3.02%

4.09%

4.46%

4.61%

4.51%

4.46%

4.41%

Cash and term deposits

54.80%

50.90%

48.60%

36.97%

33.03%

31.12%

27.80%

23.95%

19.96%

Debt securities

0.13%

0.19%

0.29%

0.51%

0.75%

0.95%

1.07%

1.28%

1.55%

Loans

2.03%

2.29%

1.59%

0.82%

0.56%

0.57%

0.62%

0.87%

1.70%

Listed shares

21.51%

23.07%

23.90%

26.15%

28.04%

29.75%

30.60%

30.80%

28.72%

Unlisted shares

1.99%

2.29%

1.68%

1.05%

0.85%

0.87%

1.02%

1.44%

2.33%

Limited recourse borrowing arrangements

0.13%

0.33%

0.68%

3.38%

2.82%

1.51%

1.15%

1.41%

3.10%

Non-residential real property

0.88%

1.81%

3.72%

8.21%

10.41%

11.82%

13.61%

13.92%

12.61%

Residential real property

0.68%

1.22%

1.94%

4.87%

5.02%

3.93%

3.28%

2.30%

1.61%

Collectables and personal use assets

0.62%

0.71%

0.43%

0.21%

0.12%

0.09%

0.07%

0.07%

0.05%

Other assets

10.87%

7.45%

4.81%

3.06%

2.48%

2.38%

2.49%

2.84%

3.44%

Overseas shares

0.45%

0.45%

0.36%

0.32%

0.28%

0.29%

0.39%

0.61%

1.11%

Overseas
non- residential real property

0.06%

0.09%

0.04%

0.03%

0.01%

0.01%

0.02%

0.02%

0.10%

Overseas residential real property

0.11%

0.27%

0.24%

0.11%

0.05%

0.04%

0.02%

0.02%

0.02%

Overseas managed investments

0.03%

0.05%

0.05%

0.04%

0.05%

0.07%

0.08%

0.14%

0.18%

Other overseas assets

0.45%

0.59%

0.44%

0.36%

0.32%

0.34%

0.41%

0.53%

0.73%

Total

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

Asset value ranges of funds

2014

$1–
$50k

>$50–
$100k

>$100–
$200k

>$200–
$500k

>$500k–
$1m

>$1–
$2m

>$2–
$5m

>$5–
$10m

>$10m

Listed trusts

1.53%

1.94%

2.53%

3.61%

4.02%

4.12%

3.90%

3.55%

2.62%

Unlisted trusts

2.38%

4.08%

5.57%

6.18%

6.85%

8.01%

9.50%

12.05%

15.54%

Insurance policy

0.01%

0.03%

0.03%

0.02%

0.02%

0.04%

0.04%

0.03%

0.01%

Other managed investments

1.30%

1.97%

2.75%

3.92%

4.54%

4.80%

4.80%

4.83%

4.59%

Cash and term deposits

55.18%

51.40%

48.48%

35.05%

30.49%

28.64%

25.33%

21.35%

16.60%

Debt securities

0.13%

0.19%

0.29%

0.54%

0.84%

1.10%

1.32%

1.54%

1.78%

Loans

1.96%

2.31%

1.57%

0.76%

0.49%

0.52%

0.56%

0.85%

1.72%

Listed shares

20.04%

21.67%

23.27%

25.54%

28.27%

31.17%

32.56%

33.24%

31.52%

Unlisted shares

2.11%

2.35%

1.85%

1.01%

0.75%

0.77%

0.97%

1.35%

2.23%

Limited recourse borrowing arrangements

0.37%

0.74%

1.20%

5.68%

4.81%

2.44%

1.70%

2.02%

4.24%

Non-residential real property

0.93%

1.91%

3.74%

8.28%

10.21%

11.20%

12.61%

12.80%

11.73%

Residential real property

1.11%

1.58%

2.17%

5.36%

5.51%

4.07%

3.30%

2.36%

1.57%

Collectables and personal use assets

0.67%

0.59%

0.40%

0.17%

0.09%

0.07%

0.06%

0.06%

0.04%

Other assets

11.03%

7.78%

4.99%

3.07%

2.47%

2.39%

2.49%

2.79%

3.63%

Overseas shares

0.42%

0.36%

0.32%

0.25%

0.21%

0.22%

0.35%

0.50%

0.89%

Overseas
non- residential real property

0.09%

0.07%

0.05%

0.03%

0.02%

0.01%

0.01%

0.02%

0.08%

Overseas residential real property

0.21%

0.29%

0.30%

0.12%

0.06%

0.04%

0.03%

0.02%

0.00%

Overseas managed investments

0.07%

0.05%

0.05%

0.05%

0.06%

0.06%

0.08%

0.14%

0.29%

Other overseas assets

0.46%

0.69%

0.46%

0.36%

0.31%

0.34%

0.40%

0.50%

0.91%

Total

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

Asset value ranges of funds

2015

$1–
$50k

>$50–
$100k

>$100–
$200k

>$200–
$500k

>$500k–
$1m

>$1–
$2m

>$2–
$5m

>$5–
$10m

>$10m

Listed trusts

1.40%

1.99%

2.77%

3.80%

4.37%

4.56%

4.31%

3.91%

3.14%

Unlisted trusts

2.08%

3.89%

5.71%

6.32%

7.07%

8.40%

10.05%

12.42%

15.87%

Insurance policy

0.01%

0.02%

0.02%

0.02%

0.01%

0.03%

0.03%

0.03%

0.03%

Other managed investments

1.41%

2.04%

2.84%

3.93%

4.74%

5.16%

5.18%

5.27%

5.21%

Cash and term deposits

54.36%

50.39%

47.17%

33.00%

28.35%

26.97%

23.98%

20.27%

15.76%

Debt securities

0.11%

0.20%

0.27%

0.59%

0.97%

1.23%

1.46%

1.60%

1.90%

Loans

1.67%

2.07%

1.37%

0.72%

0.49%

0.49%

0.55%

0.84%

1.72%

Listed shares

21.71%

22.28%

23.59%

25.02%

27.57%

30.43%

31.83%

32.05%

29.39%

Unlisted shares

2.31%

2.28%

1.90%

1.00%

0.73%

0.77%

0.99%

1.26%

2.62%

Limited recourse borrowing arrangements

0.22%

0.70%

1.33%

7.54%

6.48%

3.17%

2.06%

2.34%

4.57%

Non-residential real property

0.90%

1.93%

3.63%

8.13%

9.90%

10.94%

12.17%

12.52%

11.12%

Residential real property

1.06%

1.96%

2.44%

5.69%

5.88%

4.41%

3.49%

2.63%

1.86%

Collectables and personal use assets

0.51%

0.53%

0.38%

0.14%

0.09%

0.06%

0.05%

0.05%

0.02%

Other assets

10.98%

8.08%

5.19%

3.12%

2.52%

2.48%

2.67%

3.15%

4.06%

Overseas shares

0.51%

0.51%

0.46%

0.41%

0.36%

0.39%

0.58%

0.89%

1.40%

Overseas non- residential real property

0.07%

0.09%

0.06%

0.03%

0.02%

0.01%

0.01%

0.02%

0.05%

Overseas residential real property

0.18%

0.35%

0.29%

0.11%

0.06%

0.04%

0.03%

0.01%

0.01%

Overseas managed investments

0.04%

0.04%

0.06%

0.06%

0.06%

0.08%

0.10%

0.19%

0.37%

Other overseas assets

0.46%

0.65%

0.54%

0.36%

0.33%

0.37%

0.46%

0.55%

0.90%

Total

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

Asset value ranges of funds

2016

$1–
$50k

>$50–
$100k

>$100–
$200k

>$200–
$500k

>$500k–
$1m

>$1–
$2m

>$2–
$5m

>$5–
$10m

>$10m

Listed trusts

1.44%

2.19%

3.25%

4.25%

4.86%

5.08%

4.77%

4.38%

3.42%

Unlisted trusts

2.34%

4.31%

5.91%

6.54%

7.43%

8.78%

10.45%

12.76%

15.90%

Insurance policy

0.01%

0.01%

0.01%

0.02%

0.02%

0.02%

0.02%

0.04%

0.00%

Other managed investments

1.63%

2.08%

2.88%

3.92%

4.61%

5.16%

5.34%

5.40%

5.28%

Cash and term deposits

54.62%

49.44%

45.77%

31.88%

27.48%

26.55%

23.70%

20.07%

15.11%

Debt securities

0.15%

0.25%

0.34%

0.74%

1.16%

1.45%

1.74%

1.92%

2.05%

Loans

1.28%

1.64%

1.18%

0.60%

0.43%

0.47%

0.54%

0.85%

1.87%

Listed shares

23.18%

24.37%

25.09%

25.88%

27.48%

29.97%

30.72%

31.03%

29.29%

Unlisted shares

2.39%

2.20%

1.77%

0.91%

0.65%

0.71%

0.93%

1.34%

2.81%

Limited recourse borrowing arrangements

0.22%

0.65%

1.63%

8.35%

7.37%

3.50%

2.19%

2.30%

4.94%

Non-residential real property

0.97%

1.83%

3.16%

7.10%

8.86%

10.12%

11.77%

12.11%

11.14%

Residential real property

0.90%

1.91%

2.38%

5.92%

6.42%

4.94%

4.11%

3.06%

1.55%

Collectables and personal use assets

0.30%

0.43%

0.28%

0.11%

0.05%

0.04%

0.04%

0.03%

0.01%

Other assets

9.46%

7.07%

5.02%

2.90%

2.39%

2.35%

2.55%

3.12%

4.01%

Overseas shares

0.43%

0.52%

0.50%

0.42%

0.37%

0.42%

0.61%

0.91%

1.33%

Overseas non- residential real property

0.04%

0.08%

0.04%

0.03%

0.01%

0.01%

0.01%

0.01%

0.06%

Overseas residential real property

0.18%

0.43%

0.23%

0.08%

0.06%

0.03%

0.02%

0.02%

0.02%

Overseas managed investments

0.03%

0.05%

0.06%

0.05%

0.06%

0.07%

0.11%

0.17%

0.27%

Other overseas assets

0.45%

0.55%

0.49%

0.29%

0.27%

0.32%

0.38%

0.49%

0.93%

Total

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

Membership sizes table

This table contains an approximate distribution of the number of members in SMSFs as at the end of each financial year for the 2013 to 2016 years. These figures are based on SMSF annual return data.

The data was extracted on 12 July 2017.

Proportion of funds (%)

Number of members

2012–13

2013–14

2014–15

2015–16

1

22.7%

22.7%

22.6%

22.9%

2

69.1%

69.4%

69.6%

69.8%

3

4.0%

3.9%

3.8%

3.6%

4

4.2%

4.1%

4.0%

3.7%

Demographic table

This table contains estimates of the proportion of funds, members and assets located across the different states and territories of Australia.

State refers to the state or territory that the fund is administered, not necessarily where the members live.

These figures are estimates based on SMSF annual return data for the 2013 to 2016 financial years.

The data was extracted on 12 July 2017.

Funds

State

2012–13

2013–14

2014–15

2015–16

ACT

1.8%

1.8%

1.7%

1.7%

NSW

32.0%

32.6%

33.1%

32.7%

NT

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

QLD

16.4%

16.3%

16.6%

17.0%

SA

7.2%

7.0%

7.0%

7.0%

TAS

1.4%

1.4%

1.4%

1.3%

VIC

30.8%

30.5%

30.3%

30.3%

WA

10.3%

10.1%

9.9%

9.8%

Members

State

2012–13

2013–14

2014–15

2015–16

ACT

1.8%

1.8%

1.7%

1.7%

NSW

32.1%

32.7%

33.1%

32.8%

NT

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

QLD

16.4%

16.3%

16.6%

17.0%

SA

7.2%

7.1%

7.0%

7.0%

TAS

1.4%

1.4%

1.3%

1.3%

VIC

30.7%

30.5%

30.2%

30.2%

WA

10.3%

10.1%

9.9%

9.9%

Assets

State

2012–13

2013–14

2014–15

2015–16

ACT

1.8%

1.9%

1.8%

1.8%

NSW

32.6%

33.4%

34.4%

34.5%

NT

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

QLD

16.1%

15.7%

15.8%

16.0%

SA

7.3%

7.3%

7.2%

7.1%

TAS

1.3%

1.2%

1.2%

1.2%

VIC

31.1%

30.8%

30.3%

30.1%

WA

9.7%

9.5%

9.2%

9.3%

Member demographic table – age ranges

This table contains an approximate age distribution of individuals who were members of SMSFs as at the end of June 2017. The data behind this table was extracted on 12 July 2017 and is an estimate based on Australian Business Register (ABR) data.

Member demographic table – age ranges

Age ranges

Male

Female

Total

<25

0.7%

0.7%

0.7%

25–34

3.7%

3.9%

3.8%

35–44

11.8%

13.0%

12.4%

45–49

10.1%

11.1%

10.6%

50–54

11.5%

12.4%

11.9%

55–59

13.4%

14.1%

13.7%

60–64

13.4%

14.1%

13.7%

65–69

13.6%

13.5%

13.6%

70–74

11.2%

9.8%

10.5%

75–84

9.4%

6.7%

8.1%

85+

1.4%

0.7%

1.1%

Unknown

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

Total

100%

100%

100%

All ages

52.6%

47.4%

100%

Member demographic table – income ranges

This table contains an approximate distribution of the taxable income of individuals who were SMSF members as at the end of June 2017. The data was extracted on 12 July 2017 and is an estimate based on ABR data and the member’s most recently lodged personal tax return.

Member demographic table – income ranges

Income ranges

Male

Female

Total

$0–$20,000

19.1%

25.7%

22.2%

>$20,000–$40,000

16.1%

21.3%

18.5%

>$40,000–$60,000

11.1%

14.0%

12.5%

>$60,000–$80,000

10.8%

10.8%

10.8%

>$80,000–$100,000

8.6%

7.3%

8.0%

>$100,000–$150,000

12.4%

7.8%

10.2%

>$150,000–$200,000

7.5%

4.7%

6.2%

>$200,000–$500,000

8.3%

3.7%

6.1%

>$500,000

2.5%

0.9%

1.7%

Unknown

3.6%

4.0%

3.8%

Total

100%

100%

100%

Total asset range tables

These tables show an approximate distribution of SMSFs by asset size and of the assets held by SMSFs of different sizes as at the end of each financial year.

These figures are estimates based on SMSF annual return data for the 2013 to 2016 financial years.

The data was extracted on 12 July 2017.

Total asset range table – proportion of funds (%)

Asset ranges

2012–13

2013–14

2014–15

2015–16

$1–$50,000

7.4%

6.9%

6.4%

5.6%

>$50,000–$100,000

5.5%

4.9%

4.4%

3.7%

>$100,000–$200,000

10.9%

10.2%

9.3%

8.6%

>$200,000–$500,000

24.8%

24.2%

23.9%

24.0%

>$500,000–$1m

22.7%

23.2%

23.9%

24.8%

>$1m–$2m

17.0%

17.7%

18.3%

19.0%

>$2m–$5m

9.6%

10.4%

11.1%

11.5%

>$5m–$10m

1.8%

2.0%

2.2%

2.3%

>$10m

0.4%

0.5%

0.5%

0.5%

Total

100%

100%

100%

100%

Total asset range table – proportion of assets (%)

Asset ranges

2012–13

2013–14

2014–15

2015–16

$1–$50,000

0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

>$50,000–$100,000

0.4%

0.4%

0.3%

0.3%

>$100,000–$200,000

1.7%

1.5%

1.3%

1.1%

>$200,000–$500,000

8.7%

8.0%

7.6%

7.4%

>$500,000–$1m

16.9%

16.1%

15.7%

15.8%

>$1m–$2m

24.6%

23.9%

23.5%

23.6%

>$2m–$5m

29.4%

29.9%

30.2%

30.3%

>$5m–$10m

12.0%

13.1%

13.6%

13.5%

>$10m

6.1%

7.0%

7.8%

7.9%

Total

100%

100%

100%

100%

Average and median assets table

This table approximates the average and median assets per SMSF member and per SMSF at the end of each financial year.

These figures are estimates based on SMSF annual return data for the 2013 to 2016 financial years.

The data was extracted on 12 July 2017.

Average and median assets table ($)

Asset values

2012–13

2013–14

2014–15

2015–16

Average assets per member

508,620

547,291

577,620

599,265

Median assets per member

297,760

321,576

341,349

362,280

Average assets per SMSF

965,038

1,036,278

1,092,004

1,126,863

Median assets per SMSF

532,456

574,840

610,527

641,983

Flow of funds table

This table shows estimates of the total amount of ‘flows’ into and out of SMSFs during each financial year. It contains totals relating to the following:

  • contributions – member and employer
  • transfers – inward and outward
  • benefits payments
  • total expenses – investment expenses and administration and operating expenses.

The 'total expenses' referred to in this table include deductible and non-deductible expenses reported on the SMSF annual return.

The following return labels are used in each expense category:

Investments expenses

  • interest expenses within Australia
  • interest expenses overseas
  • insurance premiums – members
  • investment expenses
  • forestry management investment scheme expense

Administration and operating expenses

  • SMSF auditor fee
  • management and administration expenses
  • other amounts
  • supervisory levy

These figures are estimates based on SMSF annual return data for the 2013 to 2016 financial years.

The data was extracted on 12 July 2017.

Flow of funds table ($ million)

Date

Member contributions

Employer contributions

Inward transfers

Outward transfers

Benefit payments

Total investment expenses

Total administration and operating expenses

2012–13

17,979

5,445

16,595

4,280

25,582

2,483

2,447

2013–14

19,687

6,043

15,249

5,116

29,647

3,010

2,734

2014–15

25,308

6,959

15,384

5,666

33,914

3,586

3,000

2015–16

25,133

7,129

15,329

5,627

37,009

4,004

3,860

QC56006