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Know what to expect from an education direction

If you breach the law, we may ask you to complete an SMSF education course.

Published 2 March 2026

If you breach your obligations under the law when operating your SMSF, we may ask you to complete an SMSF education course.

We’ve updated our non-compliance actions webpage to include clearer guidance about education directions – one of the tools we use to help trustees get back on track when they breach the law.

An education direction is a formal notice requiring a trustee (or director of a corporate trustee) to complete an approved SMSF education course within a set time. This helps ensure they understand their legal obligations and responsibilities going forward.

When someone receives an education direction, they must:

  • complete the course by the due date, and
  • sign a new trustee declaration (NAT 71089) within 21 days.

This update aims to make it easier for trustees to understand what the direction involves – and what they need to do next.

For more information on the actions we take if you don't comply with super laws visit Our SMSF non-compliance actions.

Looking for the latest news for SMSFs? You can stay up to date by visiting our SMSF newsroom and subscribingExternal Link to our monthly SMSF newsletter.

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