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
- Demographics (state break-up of SMSFs, members and assets)
- Member demographics (age and income of members)
- Total asset ranges (distribution of SMSFs by asset size and total assets held by SMSFs in each asset range)
- Average and median assets (per member and per SMSF)
- Flow of funds (contributions, transfers, benefits and expenses)
- to view figures from before 2013, refer to historical data.
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 through 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.
2013 |
$1– |
>$50– |
>$100– |
>$200– |
>$500k– |
>$1– |
>$2– |
>$5– |
>$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 |
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% |
2014 |
$1– |
>$50– |
>$100– |
>$200– |
>$500k– |
>$1– |
>$2– |
>$5– |
>$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 |
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% |
2015 |
$1– |
>$50– |
>$100– |
>$200– |
>$500k– |
>$1– |
>$2– |
>$5– |
>$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% |
2016 |
$1– |
>$50– |
>$100– |
>$200– |
>$500k– |
>$1– |
>$2– |
>$5– |
>$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 through to the 2016 years. These figures are based on SMSF annual return data.
The data was extracted on 12 July 2017.
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.
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% |
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% |
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.
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.
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.
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% |
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.
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 ($ million)
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.
Date |
Member contributions ($m) |
Employer contributions ($m) |
Inward transfers ($m) |
Outward transfers ($m) |
Benefit payments ($m) |
Total investment expenses ($m) |
Total administration and operating expenses ($m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |