SMSF Knowledge Library

What is an SMSF – and how is it different from an industry super fund?

July 22, 2025

A self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) is a private super fund that gives you direct control.

When it comes to superannuation, most Australians remain unclear on what truly drives their retirement wealth. At its core, the difference between an industry fund and an SMSF is about one word: control.

A self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) is a private super fund that gives you direct control. As trustee (or director of a corporate trustee), you are legally responsible for the fund’s compliance and operations under the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993. By contrast, an industry super fund pools your contributions with millions of others and makes decisions based on its internal mandates — not your family strategy.

Let’s break it down.

Case Study: Anna’s retirement reboot

Anna, a 52-year-old business owner, held $780,000 in her industry super. Frustrated by limited investment choice and impersonal service, she moved to an SMSF. Within 18 months, Anna and her husband had:

Acquired a commercial warehouse leased to her own business at market rent (complying with section 71 SIS Act exemptions)
Implemented an SMSF will and leading member strategy to safeguard wealth within the bloodline

Her industry fund? It offered none of those options.

Comparing SMSFs and industry funds

Feature	SMSF	Industry super
Number of members	Up to 6 family members	Millions of unrelated members
Control	Trustees make all decisions	Investment committee decides
Investment choice	Shares, crypto, gold, property	Mostly pooled listed assets
Estate planning	SMSF wills, death benefit trusts	Generic binding nominations (if any)
Fees	Flat and scalable	Percentage-based, rising with balance
Strategy	Tailored to your family goals	One-size-fits-all

Getting started

Seek advice from a qualified SMSF strategist, not just a general accountant.
Establish a corporate trustee – this ensures long-term control, succession and tax advantages.
Use an SMSF deed built for strategy.
Implement a leading member structure to preserve control across generations.
Don’t go it alone. DIY can be dangerous and expensive. Structure it right from day one.

Grant Abbott

Chairman of the Succession, Asset Protection, and Estate Planning Advisers Association (SAPEPAA)

Grant Abbott is widely recognised as Australia’s foremost expert on self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs), with over three decades of experience in superannuation law, estate planning, and wealth protection. As the founder of multiple successful ventures including LightYear Docs, LightYear Training Group, and I Love SMSF, Grant has pioneered many of the strategies that now underpin modern SMSF advice in Australia. His deep knowledge of the SIS Act, tax legislation, and advanced structuring techniques has made him the go-to authority for accountants, financial planners, and legal professionals across the country. Grant’s career has been defined by his passion for education and empowerment. He has trained more than 25,000 advisers, authored several best-selling books on SMSFs, and continues to innovate through AI-driven compliance and strategy tools that simplify the complex world of SMSFs for professionals and trustees alike. His thought leadership spans topics such as contribution maximisation, SMSF estate planning, intergenerational wealth transfer, and protecting superannuation from litigation and bankruptcy—all delivered with practical, actionable insights that drive results. In an industry facing constant change, Grant remains at the forefront—combining deep legislative understanding with future-focused innovation. His latest work integrates artificial intelligence with SMSF strategy, helping advisers scale their businesses while delivering highly personalised client outcomes. Whether presenting to national conferences, mentoring elite advisers, or developing cutting-edge legal documentation, Grant Abbott is committed to reshaping how Australians grow, protect, and pass on their superannuation wealth.

Articles by Grant