Published by Prime Creative Media
The SMSF Adviser Show features insights from the leading experts in the SMSF industry and explores the biggest themes shaping the SMSF landscape today. Join us as we dive into the latest headlines and developments in the industry.
Listen on Apple Podcasts40 min
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
40 min
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
40 min
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
52 min
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
46 min
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.
39 min
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
1 hr 10 min
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.
34 min
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.
54 min
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.
42 min
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.
58 min
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.
1 hr 5 min
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.
1 hr 10 min
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.
49 min
In this special episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn are joined by a selection of prominent industry members at the SMSF Association National Conference in Adelaide. In part one, SMSF Association chief executive Peter Burgess joins the show to talk about where the SMSF sector is heading, how it's growing, and the major issues impacting professionals. Then Class CEO Tim Steele and Financial Services Council CEO Blake Briggs chat about the thought leadership breakfast on the first day of the conference, why many SMSF members are not receiving advice, and how to get more advice to these members.
41 min
There has already been a flurry of activity within the SMSF sector in the first month of the year and keeping on top of all the upcoming changes is set to be a challenge. On this episode of the SMSF Adviser podcast hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn look at the key themes shaping the SMSF advice industry from the new draft of the Division 296 legislation, to contribution cap changes, the impact of inflation on superannuation and how the latest RBA rate hike will impact superannuation. Listen as they discuss: Impact of Division 296 and contribution cap changes. Inflation and transfer balance cap adjustments. The need for SMSF practitioners to be on top of the reporting of the self-managed fund. Superannuation and the victims of crime bill. The RBA rate decision and future legislative changes.
42 min
In this episode of the SMSF Adviser podcast, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn dissect the draft Division 296 legislation with SMSF Association CEO Peter Burgess, including the fresh challenges around equity, complexity and "system neutrality" between SMSFs and large APRA funds. Breaking down the association's submission to the draft legislation consultation, Burgess stresses that while the sector "won the battle" on unrealised gains, the new fight is ensuring that realised earnings allocated to in ‑ scope members are fair and transparent, especially given the different calculation methods across fund types. Tune in to hear: Why the TSB integrity measure is a red flag for the SMSFA. How the issues that remain in the draft legislation can be fixed. When to expect the bill to enter Parliament.
51 min
In this episode of the SMSF Adviser podcast hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn take a look back at the biggest events in the SMSF space for 2025, from the federal election and Division 296 uncertainty to tighter regulatory scrutiny across the sector and the ramifications of pension errors. They also break down concerns that the government may look to drag SMSFs into the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort, including how exactly it could be achieved and whether it makes any sense at all. Listen as they discuss How the Div 296 changes are setting up a Groundhog Day for EOFY Whether new draft legislation will actually be seen before Christmas Where SMSFs are heading in 2026 How the CSLR could impact the SMSF sector
31 min
In this episode of the SMSF Adviser podcast hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn unpack the unresolved details of Division 296, including how the shift to taxing realised gains may affect high-balance SMSF members, particularly in the year of death. They discuss why "hold-until-you-die" strategies are unlikely to be practical due to pension and liquidity pressures. They also delve into the government's new Digital Assets Framework Bill, which brings crypto platforms into the AFSL regime to improve consumer protection – an important shift given SMSFs' strong involvement in digital assets. Listen as they discuss: Div 296 uncertainty and end-of-year legislative timing Strategy concerns for high-balance SMSF members Financial abuse risk within SMSFs Role of advisers and practical vigilance
50 min
In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, CoinSpot chief business development officer Tim Wilks joins host Keith Ford to break down the rapid rise of digital asset investing within the SMSF sector – and why trustees are increasingly looking to crypto as part of a broader diversification strategy. Wilks explains how institutional adoption, regulatory progress and improved compliance frameworks have helped shift perceptions of cryptocurrency from a speculative punt to a legitimate high-growth asset class. Tune in to hear: Why SMSFs are increasingly allocating to cryptocurrencies and other digital assets. How to practically work with SMSF clients in the digital asset space. Why advisers who skill up early on crypto will be better positioned to attract and retain clients as demand accelerates.
45 min
In this special episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn are joined by Liam Shorte, managing director of SONAS Wealth, and Phil Broderick, principal at Sladen Legal, at the SMSF Technical Strategy Day in Sydney. Shorte joins the show to discuss the evolving world of contribution and why it's important to understand the contribution rules and caps to ensure planning decisions remain sound regardless of the final policy settings. Listen as Broderick unpacks a range of estate planning issues he covered in his session at the strategy day, including how some recent case law should impact the way SMSF professionals consider death benefit nominations.