Population and asset allocation tables

The following tables contain details of:

• SMSF population growth
• asset allocation of SMSFs
• number of SMSFs established or wound up during recent financial years (quarterly and annual data)
• estimates of the amount of assets held by SMSFs for each type of asset.

These tables are updated on a quarterly basis. To view figures from before 2015, refer to historical data.

On this page:

• Population table – annual data
• Population table – quarterly data
• Asset allocation tables

Population table – annual data

This table contains details of the number of SMSFs that were established or wound up during each financial year.

The establishment date is the date when an SMSF is deemed by the super law to come into existence. It can be different from the date the SMSF registers with us.

Wind-ups include both those initiated by trustees and those that occur as a result of our compliance and cleansing activity. Where the wind-up is initiated by the trustees, the year refers to the year the fund actually winds up, rather than the date this advice was received by us.

Net establishments are calculated as establishments less wind-ups.

The total number of SMSFs is calculated as the number of SMSFs as at the end of the previous financial year plus net establishments for the financial year.

The total number of members of SMSFs is estimated based on SMSF return form data. The estimates for June 2019 are extrapolated from 2017–18 data.

The data for this table was extracted on 4 May 2020.

Population table – quarterly data

This table is similar to the population table – annual data but breaks the data down into each quarter since the June 2015 quarter.

Establishments and wind-ups for recent quarters may be understated because there is often a time lag between when the event occurs and when we receive notification from the SMSF. It is anticipated that the number of June 2019 quarter establishments and wind-ups will increase as more notifications are received.

Generally, we receive notifications of wind-ups as at the end of the financial year. This means the June quarters show significantly higher numbers of wind-ups than other quarters. Other quarters that show a high number of wind-ups may be due to our activities. For example, in recent years we cancelled around 9,000 SMSF Australian business numbers which were reflected in the September 2017 quarter.

Estimates of the total members of SMSFs for the September 2018 quarter onwards are extrapolated from 2017–18 return form data.

The data was extracted on 4 May 2020.

Asset allocation tables

All data in these tables are estimates. The tables contain data on:

• the amount of assets held for each type of asset listed on the SMSF annual return
• borrowings and other liabilities
• total and net Australian and overseas assets held.

The estimates are based on data provided by SMSFs reporting their financial position as at 30 June of the relevant financial year.

The figures for September 2015 through to June 2018 are based on return form data for those financial years. Each quarter, these estimates are updated as more return data becomes available.

Figures for September 2018 and subsequent quarters are extrapolated from 2017–18 return form data.

The estimates relate to the total SMSF population, including funds established in the most recent quarter. This means that any changes in asset allocation figures from one quarter to another will be based on estimates for funds established in that quarter as well as estimates for all other SMSFs.

The data was extracted on 4 May 2020.

Find out about:

• Annual SMSF population analysis tables
• March 2020 quarter establishment tables