In this episode of the SMSF Adviser podcast, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn dissect the draft Division 296 legislation with SMSF Association CEO Peter Burgess, including the fresh challenges around equity, complexity and "system neutrality" between SMSFs and large APRA funds.

Breaking down the association's submission to the draft legislation consultation, Burgess stresses that while the sector "won the battle" on unrealised gains, the new fight is ensuring that realised earnings allocated to in‑scope members are fair and transparent, especially given the different calculation methods across fund types.

Tune in to hear:

• Why the TSB integrity measure is a red flag for the SMSFA.
• How the issues that remain in the draft legislation can be fixed.
• When to expect the bill to enter Parliament.

In this episode of the SMSF Adviser podcast hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn take a look back at the biggest events in the SMSF space for 2025, from the federal election and Division 296 uncertainty to tighter regulatory scrutiny across the sector and the ramifications of pension errors.

They also break down concerns that the government may look to drag SMSFs into the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort, including how exactly it could be achieved and whether it makes any sense at all.

Listen as they discuss

• How the Div 296 changes are setting up a Groundhog Day for EOFY
• Whether new draft legislation will actually be seen before Christmas
• Where SMSFs are heading in 2026
• How the CSLR could impact the SMSF sector

In this episode of the SMSF Adviser podcast hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn unpack the unresolved details of Division 296, including how the shift to taxing realised gains may affect high-balance SMSF members, particularly in the year of death. They discuss why "hold-until-you-die" strategies are unlikely to be practical due to pension and liquidity pressures.

They also delve into the government's new Digital Assets Framework Bill, which brings crypto platforms into the AFSL regime to improve consumer protection – an important shift given SMSFs' strong involvement in digital assets.

Listen as they discuss:

• Div 296 uncertainty and end-of-year legislative timing
• Strategy concerns for high-balance SMSF members
• Financial abuse risk within SMSFs
• Role of advisers and practical vigilance