SMSF Commercial Property Loans from & up to LVR
We help you achieve your goals by brokering SMSF commercial property loans that feature competitive rates and LVR’s from a wide selection of Australian SMSF lenders. 15+ years experience helping Australian business owners and investors.
Proud Members of the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia
SMSF Commercial Property Loans - Quick Overview (last verified 10 September 2025)
SMSF Lending Rates
- Interest Rates: 6.24% - 8.70% p.a.
- Typical LVR: of property value
- Minimum Deposit: 20 - 30% plus costs
- Loan Terms: Up to 30 years
LRBA Structure
- Borrowing Type: Limited Recourse (LRBA)
- Asset Protection: Other SMSF assets protected
- Trust Structure: Bare trust holds property title
- Related Party Lease: Allowed at market rent
SMSF Requirements
- Min SMSF Balance: $200,000 (prefer $400K+)
- Liquidity Buffer: 12 months expenses required
- Property Types: All commercial property types
- Approval Time: 14 - 28 days average
What Are SMSF Commercial Property Loans?
SMSF commercial property loans are growing in popularity as a specialised lending product that allows your self-managed super fund to borrow money for the purchase commercial real estate through what’s called a Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement (LRBA).
Unlike standard commercial mortgages, these loans feature unique protections – if something goes wrong, lenders can only claim against the property itself, not your super fund’s other assets.
This can be a powerful wealth-building strategy as it lets your SMSF leverage its existing balance to acquire commercial properties worth 3-5 times more than your current super assets. Whether you’re looking to buy your business premises, invest in a medical suite, or purchase an industrial warehouse, SMSF property loans combine the tax advantages of superannuation (15% tax rate, 0% in pension phase) with the growth potential of commercial real estate.
The key difference between a regular loan and a SMSF loan is that everything must comply with strict Australian superannuation laws. The property must be held in a bare trust structure, meet the sole purpose test, and if leased to related parties, charge market rent. With many major banks exiting this market, specialist non-bank lenders now dominate, offering LVR with rates from for qualified SMSFs.
Most common uses: Business owners purchasing their operating premises (65% of loans), medical professionals buying their practices, investors seeking 6-8% commercial yields, and pre-retirees building tax-free pension phase income.
Property Types in High Lender Demand: Medical & Healthcare remain a favourite property class with lenders, as are quality suburban offices, logistics centres driving by e-commerce and essential retail.
Nadine Connell
Commercial Finance Broker
SMSF Loan Rates, Fees & Lenders
Property Type |
Interest Rate |
Max LVR |
Terms |
Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Business Premises |
6.80% - 7.50% |
75-80% |
Up to 30yrs |
Best rates • Lease to your business • Tax benefits |
Medical/Dental Suites |
6.80% - 7.50% |
75% |
Up to 25yrs |
Specialist lenders • Professional tenants • Strong yields |
Office Investment |
7.20% - 8.20% |
70% |
Up to 25yrs |
Suburban preferred • Multi-tenant • 6-7% yields |
Industrial/Warehouse |
7.00% - 8.20% |
70-75% |
Up to 25yrs |
Low maintenance • Long leases • E-commerce demand |
Retail Property |
7.50% - 8.50% |
70% |
Up to 25yrs |
Quality tenants key • Location critical • Higher yields |
Regional Commercial |
7.50% - 9.20% |
65-70% |
Up to 25yrs |
Higher yields • Local knowledge • Specialist lenders |
Fee Type |
Typical Amount |
Details |
|---|---|---|
Application Fee |
$750-$1,500 |
One-time upfront assessment |
Establishment Fee |
0.5-1.0% (min $3k) |
Loan setup and documentation |
LRBA Documentation |
$2,000-$5,000 |
Bare trust deed & structure setup |
Property Valuation |
$2,500-$5,000 |
Independent valuation required |
Legal Review |
$2,000-$3,500 |
Contract & compliance review |
SMSF Audit (Annual) |
$500-$1,500 extra |
Additional complexity with property |
Annual Review Fee |
$300-$500 |
Lender compliance check |
Discharge Fee |
$500-$1,000 |
When loan is paid out |
Refinance Fee |
$750-$1,500 |
If switching lenders |
Lender Type |
Best For |
|---|---|
🏦 Specialist SMSF Lenders |
Market leaders, standard 70% LVR, streamlined process |
💼 Non-Bank Commercial |
75% LVR available, flexible criteria, faster approvals |
🏢 Second Tier Lenders |
Complex structures, professional properties, larger loans |
🔐 Premium Lenders |
80% LVR for quality properties, high SMSF balances |
💰 Regional Specialists |
Regional properties, local market knowledge, niche assets |
🏗️ Private Credit Funds |
Urgent settlement, unique properties, credit issues |
Business Premises Advantage: Save 0.5-1% when buying your own business property vs investment
SMSF Balance Impact: Funds with $750K+ get better rates than minimum $200K funds
Pension Phase Benefit: All rental income becomes tax-free in pension phase (0% vs 15%)
Major Banks Exit: CBA, Westpac, NAB no longer offer new SMSF loans - use specialist lenders
SMSF Commercial Property Loan Products
Choose the right SMSF commercial property loan structure for your investment strategy
Owner-Occupied Business Premises
Most popular: 65% of SMSF loans fund business premises
- Rates from 6.8% for established businesses
- Up to 80% LVR with strong financials
- Tax benefits: Deductible rent, tax-free in pension
- Full control: No lease negotiations or relocations
- Loan amounts: $200,000 to $10 million+
SMSF Investment Property
Build wealth: Pure investment for stronger returns
- Rates from 7.2% for investment properties
- Up to 70% LVR standard approval
- Higher yields: 6-8% net typical commercial
- Tenant diversity: Reduce risk with multiple tenants
- Professional management: Less hands-on than residential
SMSF Property Refinancing
Save money: Refinance existing SMSF property loans
- Rate reductions: Save 0.5-1.5% on existing loans
- Improved terms: Better features and flexibility
- Equity release: Access growth for new investments
- Consolidation: Combine multiple SMSF loans
- Fast processing: 14-day approvals typical
Construction & Development
Specialised funding: For appropriate SMSF developments
- Extremely limited for special use cases only
- Progressive drawdowns available
- Up to 70% LVR of completion value
- Interest-only during construction
- Highly specialised structures required
Talk directly to a specialist
Ready to get started, or want to learn more?
Get direct access to Nadine Connell - your dedicated commercial finance specialist with over 15+ years experience and 3,300+ happy clients.
Choose how you'd like to connect:
SMSF Loan Features
How much can you borrow?
Your SMSF borrowing power at a glance
The exact amount you can borrow is determined by your SMSF balance as well as other factors, however this table provides estimates.
Our lending experts can assess your fund’s exact borrowing power – speak to our specialist broker team. We’ll assess:
- Your current SMSF balance and liquidity
- Projected rental income (5-8% yields typical)
- Member contribution capacity
- Existing SMSF income streams
- Property type and location
Have a question? Call 1300 262 098, to talk to a commercial finance broker.
Your SMSF Balance |
Estimated Borrowing Power |
Maximum Property Value |
|---|---|---|
$300,000 |
$420,000 – $525,000 |
$600,000 – $750,000 |
$500,000 |
$700,000 – $1,000,000 |
$1,000,000 – $1,400,000 |
$750,000 |
$1,050,000 – $1,500,000 |
$1,500,000 – $2,100,000 |
$1,000,000 |
$1,400,000 – $2,000,000 |
$2,000,000 – $2,800,000 |
$2,000,000+ |
$2,800,000 – $6,000,000 |
$4,000,000 – $8,000,000 |
Our SMSF Property Finance Process
Get your SMSF commercial property loan approved and settled efficiently by our expert team. Exact timeframes may vary.
Week 1: Assessment & Pre-Approval
- Review SMSF position
- Calculate borrowing capacity
- Identify suitable lenders from 60+ panel
- Provide rate estimates from 6.24%
- Submit to lenders
- Negotiate terms
- Secure approval (valid 3-6 months)
Week 2-3: Property & Structure
- Review purchase contracts
- Arrange valuations
- Assess tenant quality
- Verify compliance (up to 80% LVR)
- Engage specialist lawyers
- Establish bare trust
- Prepare loan documents
- Ensure ATO compliance
Week 3-4: Formal Approval
- Submit complete application
- Coordinate valuations
- Satisfy conditions
- Obtain formal approval in 5-28 days
Week 5-6: Settlement Process
- Final document review
- Insurance confirmation
- Settlement booking
- Fund disbursement (5-28 days typical)
How well do you qualify for a SMSF Commercial Property Loan?
Answer these quick questions to see if you're ready to invest in commercial property through your SMSF (illustration purposes only).
What is your SMSF's current balance?
What type of commercial property are you considering?
After the property purchase, can your SMSF maintain 12 months of expenses in cash?
What rental yield do you expect from the property?
Are your SMSF members able to make regular contributions?
Is your SMSF currently compliant with all ATO requirements?
When are you looking to purchase?
Documents Required
SMSF Documents
- Last 2 years financial statements
- Current member statements
- Investment strategy (we can update)
- Trust deed (we verify borrowing powers)
- ATO compliance history
Property Documents
- Sale contract or Letter of Offer
- Rental appraisal or lease agreement
- Property details and photos
- Council rates notice
Income Evidence
- SMSF bank statements (3 months)
- Contribution history
- Existing lease agreements
- Investment income details
Minimum Eligibility Criteria
- $200,000 minimum SMSF balance (prefer $400,000+)
- 20-30% deposit plus purchase costs
- 12 months liquidity buffer maintained
- Compliant investment strategy allowing property
- Clean ATO compliance record
Not sure if you qualify? We'll assess your eligibility free of charge.
Book your free consultationWhy work with us?
Save time
We instantly connect you with over 60+ potential lenders, help you prepare your loan application, and expedite the approval process all the way through to settlement. Our clients save between 20-60 hours on average versus applying directly themselves.
Save headaches
We know the Australian commercial lending marketplace. Our clients leverage our extensive networks to connect with the right lenders for different requirements and scenarios, and avoid common commercial lending mistakes.
Save money
We compare multiple lenders instantly, not just rates but also features like offset accounts, redraw facilities, payment flexibility and approval timeframes. This ensure you get the most competitive rates and terms possible.
Browse by Commercial Property Type
Browse by Commercial Property Location
Frequently asked questions
How much can my SMSF borrow for commercial property?
Most SMSF commercial property loans offer 70% LVR, meaning you need a 30% deposit plus costs. We’ve seen some strong applications be able to access 75-80% LVR, particular for property types in higher demand (medical suites, prime locations, and properties with government income that are considered recession proof). Business owner-occupiers also attract better rates than pure investors. Your borrowing power will depend on your SMSF balance, rental income, and member contributions. We can give you a quick calculation, just book a no obligation chat with our team.
What are the current SMSF commercial interest rates?
SMSF commercial property loan rates as at currently range from [sbp_rates_smsf_general_range]. You typically need metropolitan properties to have a chance of getting the lower end of this rate range, as well as strong tenants and a mid-to-large SMSF balance.
Can I lease SMSF property to my business?
Yes, business property can be leased to related parties at market rent. This is a popular strategy because it lets your business claim tax-deductible rent, while you build SMSF wealth. About 65% of our SMSF clients opt for this strategy.
Which lenders offer SMSF commercial property loans?
Major banks like CBA, Westpac, ANZ and NAB have exited SMSF lending, but specialist lenders like Liberty, Pepper Money, Thinktank, La Trobe and others are still actively pursuing SMSF loans. That’s why it makes sense to work with us – we can prepare your application and get all lenders competing for your business – without it impacting your credit score.
How long does SMSF loan approval take?
It takes about 2 weeks to get a SMSF commercial property loan approved. Pre-approvals can be as quick as 48 hours. Settlement typically occurs 4-6 weeks from application, though we can expedite to 2-3 weeks if needed. While exact timeframes will vary based on your situation, our team will ensure the process is as quick and pain free as possible.
What deposit does my SMSF need?
While a minimum deposit of 20% is available from some of our selective lenders, in most cases a 30% deposit will be required. Don’t forget to also budget for purchase costs which can amount to somewhere between 5 and 7% of the purchase price.
How do I find out if I qualify for a SMSF commercial property loan?
Call 1300 262 098 now or book your free consultation here and our commercial loan broker team can quickly assess if you qualify for SMSF commercial finance.