The SMSF Adviser Show

Epizode

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  Div 296 has moved beyond just being a tax issue 13.10.2026 41min

  Division 296 isn't really a tax story. It's now an estate-planning and family wealth transfer story that happens to involve tax. In this week's episode of the SMSF Adviser Show podcast hosts Keeli Cambourne and Aaron Dunn from Smarter SMSF, speak with Neal Dallas, director of Business Depot Legal about the challenges that are now arising with death benefit nominations and wealth transfer. Listen as they discuss: ·       whether reducing a member's balance to $3m or $10m actually produces the best overall family outcome once tax, transaction costs, ownership and succession are considered; ·       how the first death can move the surviving spouse into Division 296 territory; ·       the potential mismatch where one person receives the superannuation benefit but the deceased estate has to deal with a later tax liability; ·       why post-death transactions inside an SMSF can still affect the Division 296 outcome; ·       why established estate-planning strategies, including spouse balance equalisation, BDBNs, EPA powers, pension structuring, recontributions and pre-death withdrawals, remain relevant but may now need to be remodelled.
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  The expanding ETF Toolkit: how advisers can build smarter SMSF portfolios 01.10.2026 38min

  In this special edition of the SMSF Adviser Show podcast, Olivia Grace-Curran and Mark Jocum explore the expanding ETF landscape and what it means for advisers building SMSF portfolios. From core holdings to targeted allocations, they discuss how ETFs are becoming increasingly sophisticated portfolio tools. The conversation covers the rise of factor investing, thematic strategies, income-focused ETFs and the role of Growth at a Reasonable Price (GARP) approaches in balancing growth opportunities with valuation discipline. Listen as they discuss: How the role of ETFs in SMSF portfolios has changed over the past decade Why ETFs are becoming broader portfolio construction tools beyond low-cost market exposure The role of GARP strategies and rules-based investing in diversified portfolios How advisers are using ETFs for income, commodities, thematics and targeted exposures The importance of understanding the purpose each ETF serves within a portfolio How advisers can think about building more resilient SMSF portfolios using ETFs Key ETF trends shaping the future of portfolio construction
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  The future's so bright . . . what will SMSF world look like in five years? 29.09.2026 46min

  There has been continued and exponential growth in the SMSF sector over the past few years, borne out by the data collected each year by Class. This year's Benchmark Report once again highlighted just how fast the sector is growing and where that is occuring. In this week's episode of the SMSF Adviser Show podcast, hosts Aaron Dunn from Smarter SMSF, and Keeli Cambourne talk with Tim Steele, Class CEO, about the latest data in the Benchmark Report and extrapolate what this means for the sector now, and what it could mean over the next few years. Listen as they discuss: The continuing growth in SMSF establishment and reasons as to why it is accelerating; New data indicating that SMSFs are becoming the choice in superannuation as indicated by the increase in outflows from APRA-regulated funds; The impact of the LRBA ban on residential property and what it means in the big picture of Australia's housing crisis; The increasing role of technology and AI in the SMSF space; How APRA funds may respond to the increased uptake of SMSFs
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  SMSF Adviser Show – Bluestone Property investment and the way forward 18.09.2026 48min

  Changes to the borrowing regulations for SMSFs have seen many trustees and advisers rethinking their investment strategies. In this special episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, host Olivia Grace-Curran speaks with Richard Chesworth from Bluestone Home Loans about what the changes mean for SMSFs, and opportunities that now exist in the market for SMSFs still looking towards property as a wealth building vehicle. In this special edition of the SMSF Adviser Show podcast Olivia Grace-Curran and Richard Chesworth, Head of Specialised Distribution at Bluestone Home Loans, discuss the recent regulatory developments in property investment, including changes affecting residential property borrowing through limited recourse borrowing arrangements. The changes have raised questions for trustees and advisers about the future of SMSF property investment, where opportunities may now lie, and the role that specialist lenders will play going forward. Listen as they discuss Where the industry now finds itself in regard to borrowing following the regulatory and tax changes The shift in how SMSFs now approach property investment Risks that may exist in the SMSF lending market following the changes What trustees and advisers need to understand about the current SMSF borrowing environment Opportunities that exist for SMSFs in commercial property investment The broader market impacts that could flow from reduced participation from SMSF investors The key differences between specialist SMSF lending and traditional residential lending    
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  Audits, AI and everything in between 15.09.2026 48min

  In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show podcast, hosts Keeli Cambourne and Aaron Dunn, CEO of Smarter SMSF, are joined by Jo Hurley, Head of Technical at ASF Audits, to look into what is happening in the audit space. Following the SMSF Association Audit day and information from the ATO, this episode delves into the challenges now facing the SMSF audit sector in light of regulatory changes, and what to expect going forward. Listen as they discuss Market valuations as their increasing importance Auditor education and expectations ATO compliance and focus AI and the challenges facing the sector
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  The learning curve of the SMSF trustee education reforms 01.09.2026 43min

  In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show podcast hosts Keeli Cambourne and Aaron Dunn from Smarter SMSF, talk with Natasha Panagis, senior SMSF specialist for Heffron, to unpack the reforms announced last month in regard to SMSF trustee education, investment strategies and what it will mean for advisers going forward. Listen as they discuss: Mandatory education for new SMSF trustees What it may look like and how it will be assessed Investment strategy documentation Challenges facing advisers and trustees moving forward
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  Advice reforms and trust issues hit the sector again 18.08.2026 41min

  Advice reforms are at the top of the agenda as the sector tries to navigate the fallout of First Guardian and Shield. In this week's episode of the SMSF Adviser podcast, hosts Keeli Cambourne and Aaron Dunn from Smarter SMSF, consider what may be on the card following the announcement from Financial Service Minister, Daniel Mulino. Peter Crump from BDO joins the show to unpack the challenges and nuances of exiting an SMSF after family/business breakdown, or incapacity. Listen as they discuss The importance of addressing exit strategies Family dynamics and pressures in estate planning Succession planning for business partnerships and SMSFs How life experience in advice plays a vital role
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  The past, the present and the future 30.07.2026 40min

  In this special episode of the SMSF Adviser Show podcast hosts Keeli Cambourne and Aaron Dunn, CEO of Smarter SMSF, talk with Peter Burgess, CEO of the SMSF Association following his keynote address at the SMSF Association Technical Summit 2026 in Sydney.  Listen as they discuss The changes and ramifications of the legislative changes in the past 12 months The challenges the industry has overcome  The current state of play for the sector Advocacy work done and being done What the future state of play may look like
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  Div 296 - the starting gun has sounded 14.07.2026 40min

  The Division 296 legislation came into force on 1 July 2026 and trustees are now contemplating strategies, or have already put things in place, to ensure they are getting the best out of their funds. In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show hosts Keeli Cambourne and Aaron Dunn from Smarter SMSF speak with Liam Shorte, director of SONAS Wealth, about what he has seen as an adviser, what challenges he and his clients are facing and what strategies can be put in place. Listen as the discuss: What trustees are doing now Strategies that can be considered now Estate planning issues Looking beyond the numbers and the mental health of trustees
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  The one-twelfth rule can cause a whole lot of trouble 30.06.2026 40min

  It may be the start of a new financial year but it's never too early to start planning how an SMSF pays its pensions. In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keeli Cambourne and Aaron Dunn from Smarter SMSF are joined by audit expert Shelley Banton from Super Clarity to discuss the importance of compliance in paying minimum pensions and how the 1/12 rule is still very important. Listen as they discuss: Why the 1/12 rule still matters ATO scrutiny in minimum pension payments The importance of documentation and planning What advisers should do now to avoid any issues
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  Countdown to PayDay Super 16.06.2026 52min

  The new PayDay Super rules are imminent and there's only weeks for SMSF trustees and employers to ensure they have put everything in place for the changing rules and regulations. On this episode of the SMSF Adviser podcast, hosts Aaron Dunn and Keeli Cambourne speak with Tony Negline from the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand about the work he's been doing in the lead up and what SMSF trustees need to do to make sure they are compliant. Listen as they discuss: The challenges that employers are facing; The steps SMSF trustees need to take; What can go wrong; What the next few months may look like from a practical perspective
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  Trusts, turmoil and the importance of clarity 04.06.2026 46min

  While the dust settles on the Government's Budget proposals the financial sector is left in limbo in regard to the way in which trusts will be treated going forward. In this week's episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, Daniel Butler, director of DBA Lawyers speaks with Keeli Cambourne and Aaron Dunn about the concerns from the industry and what it may mean going forward. Listen as they discuss: The importance of the definition of a trust; What impacts the measures may have on estate planning; Franking credits; What trustees and advisers should do in the interim.
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  Budget 2026 - the story is only just beginning 19.05.2026 39min

  With the ink now drying on the Federal budget, it seems what most thought was going to be a quiet night for the super sector has in fact opened the door on a number of new issues and concerns. In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, Keeli Cambourne is joined by co-host Aaron Dunn from Smarter SMSF to unpack what the proposed tax reforms mean for SMSFs. Listen as they discuss Negative gearing and borrowing CGT changes and investment structure How trusts and estate planning may be affected What should trustees and advisers be considering going forward
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  Why advisers need to move beyond just note-taking with AI 06.05.2026 1h 10min

  In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Marloo co-founder Shak Lala to unpack how AI is moving from note-taking to becoming a true AI partner for financial advisers. Shak explains how AI can materially increase adviser capacity, manage SMSF complexity, lift compliance standards, and improve client experience, while also allowing advisers to consolidate their tech stack and avoid the tedious admin tasks. Tune in to hear: How AI tools have evolved already to handle a wider range of tasks. What kind of efficiency gains the early adopters are experiencing. Where the future of AI in financial advice practices is heading.
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  What's next for the SMSF sector? 23.04.2026 34min

  In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn explore some of the key developments shaping the SMSF landscape, including whether the Division 296 tax on high‑balance members could lead to a spike in wind‑ups. They also break down how the proposed financial adviser education reforms could create a more flexible pathway and grow the number of advisers in the profession, and take a look at how bankruptcy is being treated for SMSF trustees. Tune in to hear: Whether the introduction of Div 296 will drive SMSF wind-ups or if any change will be a drop in the bucket. How the proposed changes to education standards could improve access to SMSF advice. Why the Federal Court might allow an SMSF trustee to stay on despite bankruptcy.
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  Government's CSLR push and the Div 296 death tax by stealth 09.04.2026 54min

  In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn unpack the proposals that would see SMSFs included in funding the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR) and why the approach to Division 296 post-death earnings attribution is a fraught proposition. A flurry of consultations flowed this week as the government seeks to address the fallout from the Shield and First Guardian collapses, with the exploding cost of compensation now putting pressure on the government to find new areas to cover the costs and SMSFs are firmly in the conversation. Tune in to hear: Whether there is any reasonable basis for including SMSFs in funding the scheme. Why the draft Div 296 regulations on post‑death earnings attribution are a death tax by stealth. What else is in the early responses to the draft regs.
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  Understanding the performance of SMSFs v APRA funds 26.03.2026 42min

  In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn are joined by SMSF Association CEO Peter Burgess and Adelaide University's Dr George Mihaylov to break down new research that compares the performance of SMSFs to that of APRA funds. By applying the same methodology used for APRA funds to a dataset covering more than 400,000 SMSFs, the study delivers a more accurate, "apples with apples" view of sector performance, underscoring the role of advice and diversification in outcomes. Tune in to hear: How investment performance of SMSFs and APRA funds stack up. Why there is a much larger variance in performance among SMSFs. The benefits that advisers are able to deliver, particularly for low-performing funds.
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  The next phase of SMSFs as behaviour, technology and demographics converge 11.03.2026 58min

  In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn sit down with Andrew Inwood, global CEO of CoreData, to explore how SMSFs are evolving and the structural shift from accumulation to decumulation. Inwood explains that SMSFs are moving into a "next wave" of growth and maturity, with technology, changing member expectations, and an enormous looming intergenerational wealth transfer all reshaping the sector. Tune in to hear: Why younger, wealthier cohorts are increasingly starting SMSFs. The central role SMSFs will play in how capital is managed and deployed. Why the industry needs to articulate a clear, positive narrative about SMSFs' role in delivering better retirement and intergenerational outcomes.
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  AI, global markets and SMSFs: How advisers can find the next wave of opportunities 04.03.2026 1h 5min

  In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Robert Talevski, CEO of Webull Securities Australia, to explore how technology and global markets are reshaping advice and SMSF investing. Talevski argues that if trustees and advisers go to the effort of running a self‑managed fund, they should be thinking beyond simple passive exposures, while still respecting client risk profiles, retirement horizons and the extra admin burden inside super. Tune in to hear: Why the bigger opportunity may sit with companies using AI rather than building it. How ETF use is evolving toward active, thematic and outcome‑focused products. The value of advisers looking offshore for opportunities and global diversification.
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  Highlights from the SMSF Association National Conference 2026 – Part 2 26.02.2026 1h 10min

  In the second episode of the SMSF Adviser Show's special SMSF Association National Conference editions, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn are joined by three more industry experts in Adelaide. SMSF Association policy manager Keddie Waller joins the show to break down a range of superannuation reforms that are impacting the SMSF landscape, including the AML/CTF changes that are on the horizon. Then Tony Negline from Chartered Accountants ANZ explains why payday super is going to cause a lot more headaches then many professionals expect, as well as what businesses need to do to get ready for the 1 July start date. Finally, Dr Evan Morrison from HUB24's Innovation Lab takes us through the ways that artificial intelligence is reshaping professional practice and where the new frontier of agentic AI is heading.