Self–managed super fund quarterly statistical report – December 2014
We publish regular statistical reports for the self–managed super fund (SMSF) market. The contents of this report have been worked out following valuable feedback from the superannuation industry.
The information in this report includes:
- SMSF population and asset allocation tables
- population of SMSFs and members
- asset allocation (break–up of assets into various classes).
- Annual SMSF population analysis tables
- asset allocation by asset value of the fund
- membership sizes (SMSFs with one, two, three or four members)
- demographics (state break–up of SMSFs, members and assets)
- member demographics (age and income of members)
- total asset ranges (distribution of the size of SMSFs)
- average and median assets (per member and per SMSF)
- flow of funds (contributions, transfers, benefits and expenses).
- SMSF quarterly establishment tables
- demographics (state break up of SMSFs)
- member demographics (age of new members)
- member demographics (income range of new members).
- A number of tables no longer report historical data from before 2010 – to view all data from before 2010, refer to
See also:
It is worth noting that most of the information in this report is estimated, and caution should be taken when using or presenting this data. The estimates have been based on the data provided by SMSFs reporting their financial position as at 30 June of the relevant financial year.
The SMSF population and asset allocation tables are updated on a quarterly basis. The next report will cover the period up to 31 March 2015 and should be available in May 2015. The remainder of the tables are updated annually when the June quarter updates are published.
Next step:
Email us at SPR_smsfstats@ato.gov.au – if you would like to provide comments, or you have questions about this report.
This email address is only for comments and questions about published SMSF data.
Statistics explanatory notes
General notes
Much of the information in the statistical tables is estimated, based on data reported to us. Caution should be taken when using or presenting this data. The estimates have been based on data provided by SMSFs reporting their financial position as at 30 June of the relevant financial year.
See also:
Rounding of figures may cause minor discrepancies to totals.
The SMSF population, asset allocation and establishment tables are updated on a quarterly basis, with the remainder of the tables updated annually when the June quarter updates are published.
Quarterly reports (as at the end of March, June, September and December each year) will generally be published within two months after the end of the quarter.
Additional information
From the June 2014 report, the 2012–13 annual return data has been incorporated into our estimation model – as a result, the estimates are a more accurate reflection of SMSF asset holdings.
- A number of tables no longer report historical data from before 2010 – to view all data from before 2010, refer to
New data is being collected on the SMSF annual return from 2012–13, relating to non–deductible expense items and assets held under limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBA). These changes to reporting have resulted in adjustments to our estimates for the June 2013 and subsequent quarters as 2013 annual return data has been incorporated.
Changes were made to the 2012 SMSF annual return form – label 'Derivatives and instalment warrants' is now 'Limited recourse borrowing arrangements'; and Artwork, collectibles, metal or jewels' is now 'Collectables and personal use assets'.
On 15 December 2014, we released Self–managed superannuation funds – A statistical overview 2012–13. Because the overview is based on historical data, it will differ from the more recent data in the December 2014 quarter SMSF statistical report. The statistical overview incorporating 2013–14 data is expected to be released in December 2015.