Buying property through a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) is increasingly popular but comes with strict rules that must be followed to the letter.
The property must meet the 'sole purpose test' — it must be held purely for retirement benefits. You can't live in it, your family can't use it, and it can't be purchased from a related party (with limited exceptions for business real property). All expenses must be paid from the fund, and rental income must flow back into it.
Borrowing within an SMSF requires a Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement (LRBA), which adds complexity and cost. The property must be held in a separate bare trust until the loan is repaid. Given the compliance requirements, always work with a specialist SMSF accountant and solicitor alongside your buyer's agent.