Interactive Brokers SMSF account: the whole global market in one fund account.
Through our relationship with Interactive Brokers (IBKR), your fund can access 175 markets across 40 countries from one professional-grade, SMSF-compliant account — Australian, US, UK, European and Asian shares, ETFs, bonds, options, futures and currencies.
And the terms are simple: easySMSF is paid for administration. We receive no brokerage commissions, no trading rebates and no margin on your fund's cash — and we don't require your cash to sit in any particular account.
Questions before you apply?
An email reply. No account needed.
Connected IBKR administration
Read-only IBKR transaction and holding data feeds help keep your fund's accounting records up to date and reduce manual paperwork. Feed access does not let us trade or withdraw money — your trustees stay in control.
Professional SMSF support
SMSF accounting and administration support, annual reporting and independent audit coordination in one service. Email us about your fund's administration while your trustees remain responsible for investment decisions.
Clear, fixed administration fees
One fixed monthly administration fee covers the ongoing service. easySMSF receives no brokerage commissions, trading rebates or margin on fund cash. See our pricing for inclusions and other costs, including IBKR's own trading fees.
Your SMSF with Interactive Brokers, administered by easySMSF
Set up a new SMSF
We prepare your trust deed and fund registration documents, arrange trustee company setup where selected, and support Macquarie Bank Cash Management Account (CMA) establishment as part of setup, alongside IBKR account applications and superannuation rollovers. Another eligible supported bank account remains an option. Account opening remains subject to each provider's checks and approval.
Transfer an existing SMSF
Switch your administration to easySMSF without an additional transfer fee from us. We contact your current administrator, collect your fund's records and transaction history, and coordinate the handover. You can keep an existing supported broker — moving administration does not require selling investments.
Less paperwork, ongoing compliance support
We handle transaction reconciliation, annual accounts, SMSF tax returns, trustee minutes and independent audit coordination. Read-only feeds reduce manual entry; we ask for supporting records where a feed cannot provide the information. Trustees review and sign required documents and retain their legal responsibilities.
Through the IBKR account
What your fund can access
One account in the fund's name covers products that would otherwise take several brokers and several sets of paperwork.
ASX & global shares
Direct ASX access plus listed equities across 175 markets in 40 countries — US, UK, EU and Asia, in local currencies.
International ETFs
Thousands of Australian, US and global ETFs across every major sector, region and asset class — including US-domiciled funds.
Options & futures
Exchange-traded options, futures and warrants on 30+ global derivatives exchanges.
Bonds & fixed income
Australian and international government and corporate bonds, listed hybrids and interest-rate securities.
Multi-currency & FX
Hold AUD, USD, EUR, GBP, JPY and 20+ other currencies — settle trades in local currency without forced conversion.
One compliant account
A single SMSF-compliant IBKR account in the fund's name replaces multiple single-market broker relationships.
Availability of specific instruments depends on IBKR's coverage and your fund's investment strategy. All trading decisions rest with your trustees.
How the IBKR account is set up
- 01
Select IBKR during setup
In the easySMSF setup wizard, choose "Interactive Brokers (IBKR)" as your fund's share trading preference. You can change this later — and there's no brokerage charged by easySMSF either way.
- 02
We prepare the application
We open the SMSF-compliant IBKR account in the fund's name, with your trustees as the account holders. The photo ID you upload during setup also verifies the IBKR application — no separate paperwork.
- 03
Fund it and trade
Once your fund is registered and its bank account is open, transfer cash to the IBKR account and start trading across 175 markets. Settlement stays inside the fund; IBKR collects the fund's W-8BEN-E as part of onboarding for US-domiciled investments.
A note on crypto
Crypto held through the fund's broker account, or on a supported Australian regulated exchange (CoinSpot, Swyftx, Coinstash, Bitaroo or Independent Reserve) in the fund's own name, is covered by the $139/month administration fee. Crypto in a private or hardware wallet is supported at $179/month. Offshore crypto accounts are not supported.
Not a walled garden
Global access without the lock-in.
IBKR is the default broker we open for new funds because of its breadth and pricing — but it is a default, not a requirement. Your fund is not locked into a closed investment ecosystem.
- Keep an existing broker — CommSec, nabtrade, SelfWealth, Stake, CMC and others are supported, and we integrate the data feed
- Choose your own supported bank for the fund's cash account — there is no required cash account
- Switch broker preference later if your trustees change approach
Why this matters for your fund
Because easySMSF earns nothing from trading or cash balances, the incentives line up with your fund: we have no reason to narrow your investment menu, push a particular broker, or hold your cash somewhere that pays us a margin. Administration is the product; the investing stays yours.
Compare this with platforms whose revenue rises when members trade more or leave cash in a nominated account — the structure, not the marketing, is the difference.
IBKR partnership — frequently asked questions
Can an SMSF open an Interactive Brokers account?
Yes. An SMSF can open an Interactive Brokers (IBKR) account in the trustee's name as trustee for the fund. easySMSF can support opening the account as part of setup, giving access to 175 markets across 40 countries, subject to account eligibility and trading permissions. easySMSF receives no brokerage commission or trading rebate.
What is the easySMSF and IBKR relationship?
easySMSF can open an SMSF-compliant trading account with Interactive Brokers (IBKR) as part of your fund's setup. IBKR is the default broker for new easySMSF funds because of the breadth of markets it covers. The relationship is administrative: easySMSF helps open and integrate the account — IBKR is the broker, and your trustees remain the account holder and sole decision-maker.
Does easySMSF receive commissions from IBKR or any other broker?
No. easySMSF is paid for administration only. We do not receive brokerage commissions, trading rebates or a margin on your fund's cash balance — from IBKR or from any other supported broker or bank. Our revenue does not change when you trade more, trade less, or leave cash in a particular account.
Which global markets can my SMSF trade through IBKR?
Interactive Brokers gives your SMSF direct market access to 175 markets across 40 countries — including the ASX (Australia), NYSE, NASDAQ and CBOE (US), the LSE (UK), Euronext, Xetra, SIX (Switzerland), the TSE (Japan), HKEX (Hong Kong) and SGX (Singapore). Orders are placed on local exchanges, in local currencies, from one account held in the fund's name.
What can my SMSF invest in through the IBKR account?
Australian and globally listed shares, thousands of Australian, US, European and Asian ETFs, exchange-traded options and futures on 30+ derivatives exchanges, listed warrants, government and corporate bonds, hybrids, mutual funds and FX spot. Cryptocurrency is not held through the IBKR account — see below.
Does my fund have to keep its cash in a particular account?
No. With easySMSF there is no required cash account. Your fund's cash sits in the fund's own bank account — titled in the trustee's name 'as trustee for' the fund — with a supported Australian bank that you choose. easySMSF offers Macquarie Bank Cash Management Account (CMA) establishment as part of setup, subject to Macquarie approval; it is optional. Some SMSF platforms require or incentivise cash to be held in an account that generates revenue for the administrator; easySMSF does not, because we receive no margin on fund cash.
Can my SMSF use a different broker instead of IBKR?
Yes. IBKR is the default for new funds because of its market breadth, but it is not mandatory. Your SMSF can keep an existing broker — CommSec, nabtrade, SelfWealth, Stake, CMC and many others are supported — and we will integrate the trading data feed for compliance and reporting. There is no requirement to move accounts.
How is cryptocurrency handled?
Crypto held through the fund's broker account, or in the fund's name on one of five Australian regulated exchanges (CoinSpot, Swyftx, Coinstash, Bitaroo or Independent Reserve), is covered by the $139/month administration fee. Crypto in a private or hardware wallet is supported at $179/month. Offshore crypto accounts are not supported.
What about US-domiciled ETFs and the W-8BEN-E form?
Through IBKR, your SMSF can access thousands of ETFs across Australian, US, European and Asian markets, including US-domiciled ETFs. US withholding tax reporting is handled through a W-8BEN-E for the fund, which IBKR collects as part of onboarding. Whether a US-domiciled or Australian-domiciled ETF suits your fund is a decision for your trustees and, if you have one, your licensed adviser.
General information only — it doesn't take your objectives or situation into account and isn't financial, tax or investment advice. Trading and investment decisions rest with your fund's trustees.
Ready to give your fund the whole market?
Set up your SMSF online and choose IBKR during the wizard — or keep your existing broker. Either way, administration is one fixed monthly fee.