Articles by Jason Spits

Investments, SMSF, SMSFA

SMSFs outperform APRA funds

SMSF, performance, APRA, Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority, SMSF Association, University of Adelaide, International Centre for Financial Services, rate of return, Dr George Mihaylov, SMSF balance, Peter Burgess, financial advice, ATO SMSF statistics, returns

New research has found SMSFs outperformed APRA-regulated funds over a five-year period and balances continue to shape individual returns.

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ART, ASIC, ATO, Auditing, Regulation

Adviser and auditor banned

Financial Services and Credit Panel, FSCP, SMSF auditor, ASIC, Administrative Review Tribunal, ART, Glenn Paul Meilak, Terence Murphy

Two separate actions have led to an SMSF adviser and a qualified auditor being banned from practising for failing to maintain the standards expected of them.

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Contributions, Insurance, Superannuation

Clarity needed on insurance benefits status

Clarification is needed on the treatment of life insurance benefits inside superannuation after a draft tax ruling stated they could be viewed as income or contributions.

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Education, financial advice, Financial Planning, Regulation

SMSFA welcomes expanded pathway

The SMSF Association has welcomed an expansion of the pathway for new entrants into financial advice, but wants to ensure current quality standards are retained.

The SMSF Association has welcomed an expansion of the pathway for new entrants into financial advice, but wants to ensure current quality standards are retained.

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Education, financial advice, Financial Planning

New adviser pathway expanded further

The pathway for new entrants into financial advice will be expanded to include anyone with a bachelor’s degree after they have completed core units of study related to the sector.

The pathway for new entrants into financial advice will be expanded to include anyone with a bachelor’s degree after they have completed core units of study related to the sector.

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Education, financial advice, Financial Planning

Education changes welcomed

Government plans to allow more people to become advisers have been generally welcomed as a departure from a flawed model that prevented growth of the sector.

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Superannuation, Tax

Div 296 delay shows support uncertain

Division 296 tax Senate Crossbench SMSF Association Peter Burgess $3 million super cap bill credit card and debit card surcharges unrealised capital gains

The absence of the Division 296 bill in the current proceedings of the Senate indicates the government lacks the support to pass it and is working to convince crossbenchers.

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ATO, Investments, SMSF

SMSF sector returns exceed 10 per cent

ATO SMSF SMSF sector statistical overview return on assets fund balances earnings returns

Returns across the SMSF sector were above 10 per cent during the 2023 financial year, reinforcing its competitiveness with APRA-regulated funds.

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Tax

Senate must deny Div 296 passage

Australian senators should end the progress of the Division 296 tax bill, which may result in people having to borrow to pay the impost on super fund members.

Australian senators should end the progress of the Division 296 tax bill, which may result in people having to borrow to pay the impost on super fund members.

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Education, financial advice, Financial Planning

Don’t delay education requirements

SMSF Association Keddie Waller Financial advice Financial advisers Education requirements Experienced pathway Authorized Relevant provider

Financial advisers who lose their authorisation should be aware of what education requirements they may need to meet to ensure they can still practise after the start of 2026.

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