Why SMSFs are embracing digital assets, with Tim Wilks
Release Date: 11/21/2025
The past, the present and the future
The SMSF Adviser Show
In this special episode of the SMSF Adviser Show podcast hosts Keeli Cambourne and Aaron Dunn, CEO of Smarter SMSF, talk with Peter Burgess, CEO of the SMSF Association following his keynote address at the SMSF Association Technical Summit 2026 in Sydney. Listen as they discuss The changes and ramifications of the legislative changes in the past 12 months The challenges the industry has overcome The current state of play for the sector Advocacy work done and being done What the future state of play may look like
info_outline
Div 296 - the starting gun has sounded
The SMSF Adviser Show
The Division 296 legislation came into force on 1 July 2026 and trustees are now contemplating strategies, or have already put things in place, to ensure they are getting the best out of their funds. In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show hosts Keeli Cambourne and Aaron Dunn from Smarter SMSF speak with Liam Shorte, director of SONAS Wealth, about what he has seen as an adviser, what challenges he and his clients are facing and what strategies can be put in place. Listen as the discuss: What trustees are doing now Strategies that can be considered now Estate planning issues Looking beyond...
info_outline
The one-twelfth rule can cause a whole lot of trouble
The SMSF Adviser Show
It may be the start of a new financial year but it's never too early to start planning how an SMSF pays its pensions. In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keeli Cambourne and Aaron Dunn from Smarter SMSF are joined by audit expert Shelley Banton from Super Clarity to discuss the importance of compliance in paying minimum pensions and how the 1/12 rule is still very important. Listen as they discuss: Why the 1/12 rule still matters ATO scrutiny in minimum pension payments The importance of documentation and planning What advisers should do now to avoid any issues
info_outline
Countdown to PayDay Super
The SMSF Adviser Show
The new PayDay Super rules are imminent and there's only weeks for SMSF trustees and employers to ensure they have put everything in place for the changing rules and regulations. On this episode of the SMSF Adviser podcast, hosts Aaron Dunn and Keeli Cambourne speak with Tony Negline from the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand about the work he's been doing in the lead up and what SMSF trustees need to do to make sure they are compliant. Listen as they discuss: The challenges that employers are facing; The steps SMSF trustees need to take; What can go wrong; What the next few...
info_outline
Trusts, turmoil and the importance of clarity
The SMSF Adviser Show
While the dust settles on the Government's Budget proposals the financial sector is left in limbo in regard to the way in which trusts will be treated going forward. In this week's episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, Daniel Butler, director of DBA Lawyers speaks with Keeli Cambourne and Aaron Dunn about the concerns from the industry and what it may mean going forward. Listen as they discuss: The importance of the definition of a trust; What impacts the measures may have on estate planning; Franking credits; What trustees and advisers should do in the interim.
info_outline
Budget 2026 - the story is only just beginning
The SMSF Adviser Show
With the ink now drying on the Federal budget, it seems what most thought was going to be a quiet night for the super sector has in fact opened the door on a number of new issues and concerns. In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, Keeli Cambourne is joined by co-host Aaron Dunn from Smarter SMSF to unpack what the proposed tax reforms mean for SMSFs. Listen as they discuss Negative gearing and borrowing CGT changes and investment structure How trusts and estate planning may be affected What should trustees and advisers be considering going forward
info_outline
Why advisers need to move beyond just note-taking with AI
The SMSF Adviser Show
In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Marloo co-founder Shak Lala to unpack how AI is moving from note-taking to becoming a true AI partner for financial advisers. Shak explains how AI can materially increase adviser capacity, manage SMSF complexity, lift compliance standards, and improve client experience, while also allowing advisers to consolidate their tech stack and avoid the tedious admin tasks. Tune in to hear: How AI tools have evolved already to handle a wider range of tasks. What kind of efficiency gains the early adopters are experiencing. Where the...
info_outline
What’s next for the SMSF sector?
The SMSF Adviser Show
In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn explore some of the key developments shaping the SMSF landscape, including whether the Division 296 tax on high‑balance members could lead to a spike in wind‑ups. They also break down how the proposed financial adviser education reforms could create a more flexible pathway and grow the number of advisers in the profession, and take a look at how bankruptcy is being treated for SMSF trustees. Tune in to hear: Whether the introduction of Div 296 will drive SMSF wind-ups or if any change will be a drop in the bucket....
info_outline
Government’s CSLR push and the Div 296 death tax by stealth
The SMSF Adviser Show
In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn unpack the proposals that would see SMSFs included in funding the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR) and why the approach to Division 296 post-death earnings attribution is a fraught proposition. A flurry of consultations flowed this week as the government seeks to address the fallout from the Shield and First Guardian collapses, with the exploding cost of compensation now putting pressure on the government to find new areas to cover the costs and SMSFs are firmly in the conversation. Tune in to hear: Whether...
info_outline
Understanding the performance of SMSFs v APRA funds
The SMSF Adviser Show
In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn are joined by SMSF Association CEO Peter Burgess and Adelaide University’s Dr George Mihaylov to break down new research that compares the performance of SMSFs to that of APRA funds. By applying the same methodology used for APRA funds to a dataset covering more than 400,000 SMSFs, the study delivers a more accurate, “apples with apples” view of sector performance, underscoring the role of advice and diversification in outcomes. Tune in to hear: How investment performance of SMSFs and APRA funds stack up. Why...
info_outlineIn this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, CoinSpot chief business development officer Tim Wilks joins host Keith Ford to break down the rapid rise of digital asset investing within the SMSF sector – and why trustees are increasingly looking to crypto as part of a broader diversification strategy.
Wilks explains how institutional adoption, regulatory progress and improved compliance frameworks have helped shift perceptions of cryptocurrency from a speculative punt to a legitimate high-growth asset class.
Tune in to hear:
- Why SMSFs are increasingly allocating to cryptocurrencies and other digital assets.
- How to practically work with SMSF clients in the digital asset space.
- Why advisers who skill up early on crypto will be better positioned to attract and retain clients as demand accelerates.