Between staffing pressures, rising costs and expansion plans, many healthcare practice owners are looking for smarter ways to fund growth while building long-term wealth.
A Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) can play a powerful role in that strategy, giving doctors and dentists more control over investments, access to tax advantages, and opportunities to invest in assets that directly support the growth and stability of their practice.
With proposed taxation changes from the Federal Government still unfolding, including changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing rules for some investors, SMSFs may become an even more attractive structure for healthcare professionals looking to invest for the long term. However, the final impact of these proposed changes will depend on how the legislation is ultimately implemented.
Why Many Practice Owners Turn to SMSFs
For dentists and doctors, an SMSF can offer far more flexibility than a traditional super fund. Rather than leaving investment decisions entirely in someone else’s hands, an SMSF allows you to take greater control over how your retirement savings are invested.
One of the most common strategies is purchasing practice premises through an SMSF. Instead of paying rent to a landlord each month, your practice pays rent to your super fund. In simple terms, you’re helping fund your own retirement while securing a long-term home for your business.
How an SMSF Can Support Practice Growth
Greater Control Over Business Premises
Owning your practice property through an SMSF can provide long-term stability. It reduces the risk of lease disputes, unexpected rent increases, or losing your premises altogether.
For growing practices, having certainty around location and occupancy can make expansion planning far easier.
Tax Advantages
SMSFs remain one of the most tax-effective investment structures available in Australia.
Investment earnings inside an SMSF are generally taxed at 15% while in the accumulation phase. If assets are held for more than 12 months, the effective capital gains tax rate can be reduced to 10%. Once the fund moves into pension phase, investment earnings and capital gains may become tax-free.
The 2026 Federal Budget proposed changes to taxation have also reinforced the relative advantages of SMSFs. While the slated changes impact capital gains tax discounts and negative gearing rules for many individual investors, it appears that SMSFs will largely retain their existing concessions.
For long-term investors, particularly those planning to hold assets into retirement, this remains a major advantage.
Asset Protection Benefits
Doctors and dentists often operate in industries with higher personal and professional risk exposure. Superannuation assets are generally protected from creditors, providing an added layer of security if business or financial circumstances change unexpectedly.
Investment Flexibility
An SMSF can invest across a range of asset classes, including commercial property, shares and managed funds. Some practice owners may also explore Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements (LRBAs), allowing the SMSF to borrow funds to purchase income-producing assets such as commercial property.
How Amalgam Advisors Can Help
While the opportunities can be attractive, SMSFs come with strict compliance obligations. Because of the complexity and compliance requirements involved, professional assistance with setting up and managing your SMSF is highly recommended.
At Amalgam Advisors, we help dentists and doctors to structure and manage SMSFs with confidence. From setup and compliance through to investment structuring and ongoing administration, we provide practical advice tailored to healthcare professionals.
Using an SMSF to support practice growth can be a smart long-term strategy, but getting the structure right from the outset matters.
If you’re considering using an SMSF to purchase practice premises, improve tax efficiency, or support future business growth, our team can help you explore the options and make informed decisions with confidence.
Contact us on 1300 604 380 to book an initial consultation.
