Excel Funding Group Shares What Australians Need to Know About SMSF Lending in 2026

Most Australians know they have superannuation. Fewer know that, under certain conditions, it may be possible to use that super to purchase an investment property. For many, the idea sounds either too complicated to be worth pursuing or simply not available anymore. According to specialist lenders like Excel Funding Group operating in this space, neither assumption is necessarily accurate.

The confusion has a clear origin. Several years ago, Australia’s major banks stopped offering loans to self-managed super funds for the purpose of buying property. That decision was widely reported, and for many financial advisers, accountants and mortgage brokers, it appeared to signal the end of the product category altogether. What was less widely reported is that other lenders, outside the major banks, continued offering these loans. For Australians who have been told the door is closed, it may be worth asking whether that advice is current.

What Is a Self-Managed Super Fund?

A self-managed super fund, or SMSF, is a type of superannuation fund that the member runs themselves rather than having it managed by a large institution. Instead of employer contributions flowing into an industry or retail fund where professionals make the investment decisions, those contributions go into a fund that the member controls and is personally responsible for managing.

SMSFs are not for everyone. They come with administrative responsibilities and compliance obligations that standard super funds do not. But for Australians who prefer a more hands-on approach to how their retirement savings are invested, they are a legitimate and regulated option under Australian law.

Can You Really Buy Property Through Your Super?

In short, yes, under certain conditions and with appropriate professional advice in place. The way it works is that the SMSF takes out a loan from a lender to purchase a single investment property. The property sits in a separate holding structure while the loan is being repaid. Once the loan is paid off, the property moves fully into the super fund. If at any point the loan cannot be serviced, the lender can only claim the property itself, not the other money or assets held inside the fund.

This is a simplified explanation, and the full picture involves legal, financial and compliance considerations that vary depending on individual circumstances. Anyone considering this pathway should speak with a licensed financial adviser before making any decisions.

Who Might This Be Relevant For?

Not everyone qualifies, and not everyone who qualifies should pursue it. Generally speaking, the people who tend to explore this option are those who have been building up super for many years, have a meaningful balance across their fund, and have income coming in that could contribute toward servicing a loan. Excel Funding Group notes that many lenders in this space commonly reference a combined super balance of $250,000 or more as a general starting point, though this varies by lender and individual circumstance.

Property type also matters more than many people realise. Different types of properties, for example a standard house versus a serviced apartment or a commercial space, are assessed differently by lenders. The rates and borrowing limits that apply can differ considerably depending on what is being purchased. Excel Funding Group advises that this is one of the areas where working with a specialist in SMSF lending, rather than a generalist broker, tends to make a meaningful difference to the outcome.

What Excel Funding Group Sees in the Market

Excel Funding Group is a Sydney-based company that works exclusively in SMSF property lending, having started operations in late 2024. Unlike most mortgage brokers, who handle a wide range of loan types, Excel Funding Group focuses entirely on this one category.

According to Excel Funding Group, a pattern the company encounters with some regularity is borrowers who have previously been given quotes by generalist brokers that turn out not to apply to their specific situation. A property that gets assessed differently than the borrower was told, or a borrowing limit that is lower than they were quoted, can create serious problems if a purchase contract has already been signed. Excel Funding Group notes these observations reflect its own experience and should not be taken as a characterisation of the broader industry.

Arthur Shin, Co-Founder of Excel Funding Group, has noted that a number of Australians who already own investment property in their own name have simply never been asked whether they have considered exploring a similar approach within their super. He is careful to stress that property values go up and down, that this strategy is not suitable for everyone, and that individual circumstances vary considerably.

Is It the Right Move?

That is a question that depends entirely on individual circumstances, and it is one that Excel Funding Group takes seriously. Using super to purchase property involves real considerations: fund balances can become concentrated in a single asset, and the strategy requires a level of ongoing commitment that is not suited to everyone. Excel Funding Group is transparent about this from the outset, because the goal is always a sound outcome for the client, not simply a completed transaction.

For Australians who are genuinely curious about whether this pathway makes sense for them, the starting point can be a straightforward conversation with someone who understands the landscape. Excel Funding Group offers exactly that, with specialist knowledge, clear communication, and a focus on getting the details right. For Australians who have long assumed this option is no longer available, it may simply be worth finding out whether that assumption still holds. The market has moved, and so has what is possible.

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The information in this article is general in nature and reflects publicly available information about SMSF lending in Australia. Readers are encouraged to speak with a qualified financial adviser to understand what may be appropriate for their individual situation.