SMSF vs industry fund fee calculator — how much could you save?
Industry and retail super funds charge a percentage of your balance — so as your super grows, so do their fees. An SMSF charges a flat fee. See the difference over your investing lifetime.
Your details
All figures are estimates only.
Typical industry funds: 0.8–1.2% all-in
easySMSF: from $139/month
Illustrative fee difference
$139,359
difference after 20 years, on the assumptions you set below — illustrative only, not a projection or guaranteed outcome
$1,057,458
Total fees paid: $33,360
$918,098
Total fees paid: $115,000
Total fees over 20 years
On these assumptions, total fees are $81,640 lower with an SMSF. Estimates only — your actual fees will differ.
For general illustration only — not financial advice. Assumes fees deducted annually and a constant growth rate.
How to use the calculator
1.Enter your current super balance
Use your combined balance across all funds — if you and your partner will run one SMSF together, add both balances, because an SMSF fee is charged per fund, not per member.
2.Enter your fund's percentage fee
Find the total of the administration fee, investment fee and any indirect cost ratio on your last annual statement. Most industry and retail funds land between 0.85% and 1.30% all-in.
3.Set your time horizon and contributions
Choose the number of years until you expect to draw down and add your annual contributions, so the comparison compounds on a realistic balance rather than today's number.
4.Compare the two fee lines
The calculator shows total fees paid under each structure. Percentage fees rise every year as your balance grows; the fixed SMSF fee does not.
5.Check the crossover balance
The crossover is the balance where a fixed fee becomes cheaper than a percentage fee. Below it, stay where you are. Above it, an SMSF is usually the lower-cost structure.
Worked examples: what percentage fees actually cost
Three typical starting points, using the all-in percentage fee most Australians pay. The annual figure is what the percentage charge costs in year one — it climbs every year the balance grows.
| Balance | Fund fee | Cost in year 1 | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | 1.00% | $2,000 a year and rising | Close to the crossover. A fixed fee is competitive today and gets better every year the balance grows, but the gap in year one is small. |
| $500,000 | 1.00% | $5,000 a year and rising | Clearly past the crossover. A flat annual fee costs a fraction of the percentage charge, and the saving compounds because the money stays invested. |
| $1,000,000 | 0.90% | $9,000 a year and rising | The percentage structure is the single largest recurring cost in the fund. Even a conservative flat-fee comparison shows a six-figure difference over 20 years. |
Want the fixed-fee side in detail? See our pricing, administration fees and setup costs.
Your break-even balance, by what your fund charges
The crossover point is simply the balance at which a percentage fee equals a fixed fee. Above it, every extra dollar you accumulate costs you nothing more in administration. Below it, a percentage fund is usually cheaper. Find your fund's all-in percentage on your last annual statement and read across.
| Your fund's all-in fee | Typical fund type | Roughly where a fixed fee wins |
|---|---|---|
| 0.60% | Low-cost indexed industry option | Higher balances — commonly $400k+ |
| 0.85% | Typical balanced industry option | Commonly around $280k+ |
| 1.10% | Retail or platform-based fund | Commonly around $220k+ |
| 1.30%+ | Wrap or advised retail fund | Commonly under $200k |
These are indicative crossover ranges, not a quote or a recommendation — run your own figures in the calculator above, because contributions, time horizon and whether you and a partner share one fund all move the break-even point. A two-member fund reaches it far sooner, because the fixed fee is charged per fund rather than per member.
What the fee comparison deliberately leaves out
- Insurance inside super. Group life and TPD cover in an APRA fund is often cheaper than retail cover bought individually. If you hold insurance in your current fund, price the replacement before you roll anything out.
- Investment returns. The calculator compares costs only. It makes no assumption that an SMSF will out-perform or under-perform your existing fund.
- Your time as trustee. An SMSF is your legal responsibility. Administration, accounts, the tax return and the independent audit are handled for you, but the investment decisions and trustee duties are yours.
- Government charges. The ATO supervisory levy is a government charge passed on at cost. For a corporate trustee, the $636 ASIC company registration fee is already included in the setup price. See SMSF setup costs for the full itemised list.
Fee calculator questions
Ready to see your own numbers in writing?
Compare the fixed setup and administration fees for your fund — audit included, no percentage-of-balance charges.
General advice warning
Figures shown are illustrative only and based on the inputs and assumptions you provide. They are general information, not personal financial product advice. Consider your objectives, financial situation and needs, and seek personal advice from a licensed financial adviser before acting. easySMSF does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL).
Related
Work out the rest of your numbers
SMSF setup costs explained
Every one-off establishment fee itemised, with the $636 ASIC company registration fee included in the corporate trustee price.
Read: SMSF setup costs explainedFixed-fee pricing
Setup and ongoing administration with the independent audit included.
Read: Fixed-fee pricingDetailed SMSF fee calculator
Model lifetime fees against your current industry or retail fund.
Read: Detailed SMSF fee calculatorSMSF administration
What the fixed monthly fee covers once the fund is running.
Read: SMSF administrationSMSF rates and thresholds
Contribution caps, minimum pensions and the current supervisory levy.
Read: SMSF rates and thresholds