Australia’s love affair with SMSFs shows no sign of slowing down. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has released its June 2025 quarterly statistical report, and the numbers highlight how significant SMSFs are in shaping retirement wealth. If you’ve ever wondered how SMSFs fit into the bigger picture, here’s a simple breakdown.
SMSFs by the numbers
There are 653,062 SMSFs now registered across the country with just over 1.2 million members. With assets surpassing $1.05 trillion, the SMSF sector continues to demonstrate the long-term appeal of self-directed super and the advantages of investment flexibility.
Where is the money invested?
SMSF members have plenty of flexibility in choosing investments, but the ATO data shows clear favourites:
- Listed shares (28%)
- Cash and term deposits (16%)
- Property – with non-residential real estate ($105 billion) and residential property ($57 billion) continuing to be popular choices.
Interestingly, SMSFs are dipping their toes into crypto assets, though at $3 billion, it’s still a small slice of the trillion-dollar pie.
Who’s running SMSFs?
The typical SMSF member is not in their 20s or 30s. The data shows:
- 85% of SMSF members are 45 or older – reflecting that SMSFs are mostly used by people closer to retirement who have larger super balances.
- The gender split is fairly balanced – 53% male and 47% female.
Annual trends: 2023/24 in review
The report also reflects on the 2023/24 financial year, revealing some key insights:
- Average assets per member: $881,000
- Average assets per SMSF: $1.6 million
- Member contributions into SMSFs: $19.9 billion
- Employer contributions into SMSFs: $6.3 billion
These figures make it clear that SMSFs represent a major pathway to retirement wealth for Australians with larger balances and a hands-on approach to investing.
What do the numbers tell us?
With over $1 trillion managed outside of large super funds, SMSFs are shaping investment markets – especially in shares and property.
But it’s not for everyone. Running an SMSF comes with responsibility and compliance obligations. Generally, it’s more suited to people with higher balances who want direct control over how their money is invested.
For those considering an SMSF, the takeaway from these statistics is clear: SMSFs remain a powerful option, but they work best for those who are prepared to manage them actively and understand the rules.
Final thoughts
The June 2025 report shows a sector that continues to grow steadily, with strong investment in Australian shares, property, and cash. While crypto and overseas assets are on the radar, they remain minor players compared to the big traditional categories.
SMSFs are not a “set and forget” solution, but for those with the right balance and interest, they can be an effective way to build retirement wealth. And with $1.05 trillion already under management, it’s clear SMSFs will remain a major force in Australia’s super landscape.