SMSF Certified Courses | Super Extension

Who is Super Extension for?

Accountants who work in SMSF accounting or administration and need to expand their knowledge – starting with contributions and benefit payments.
Auditors who audit SMSFs and need a deeper understanding of SMSF contribution and benefit payment rules.
Paraplanners and advisers who advise superannuation clients and want a better understanding of the rules and opportunities when it comes to contributions and drawing down on benefits.
Business services accountants who deal with business clients every day and need the confidence to communicate in more detail about superannuation contributions and accessing superannuation benefits.

'Contributions' learning outcomes

After completing this topic area, learners will be able to:

recognise the various transactions which are contributions to super (both the common and not so common) and why they are regarded as contributions;
explain the various ways in which contributions are made (to both SMSFs and non-SMSFs);
identify when various different types of contributions are made and why that date is important; and
apply their learnings to everyday client scenarios.

After completing this topic area, learners will be able to:

explain when different types of contributions can and cannot be accepted;
identify the action to be taken if an SMSF trustee accepts a contribution when the member wasn’t eligible; and
apply their learnings to everyday client scenarios.

After completing this topic area, learners will be able to:

recognise the different contribution caps and how the amounts are determined;
determine the particular cap to which a contribution is counted and why;
identify who can use the catchup contribution rules and the categories of clients for whom it might be useful;
identify who can use the bring forward rules and how the amounts are determined;
understand what happens if a member exceeds their cap and identify steps which could be put in place to stop an excess happening;
calculate an individual’s total super balance; and
apply their learnings to everyday client scenarios.

After completing this topic area, learners will be able to:

identify if an employer can claim a tax deduction for contributions for particular individuals;
distinguish when the “engagement test” needs to be met;
explain how an SMSF’s status on Super Fund Lookup impacts whether an employer can make contributions to the fund;
identify reportable super contributions and their impact on an individual; and
apply their learnings to everyday client scenarios.

After completing this topic area, learners will be able to:

recognise if and when an individual is able to claim a tax deduction for a contribution;
analyse a client’s circumstances and determine (if relevant) whether or not they will need to meet the work test or qualify for a work test exemption;
explain the notice requirements for personal deductible contributions; and
apply their learnings to everyday client scenarios.

After completing this topic area, learners will be able to:

explain why the Government offers tax concessions to encourage low income earners to save for their retirement via super;
explain the Low Income Super Tax Offset and determine who is entitled to it;
explain what is required to qualify for a Government co-contribution and how it is calculated;
explain the tax offset which is available for individuals who make contributions for their spouse; and
apply their learnings to everyday client scenarios.

'Benefits' learning outcomes

After completing this topic area, learners will be able to:

understand the difference between preserved, restricted and unrestricted benefits;
calculate a member’s preserved, restricted and unrestricted balance;
identify whether a member satisfies a condition of release and whether there are any cashing restrictions; and
help clients wanting to access their super benefits identify their options.

After completing this topic area, learners will be able to:

explain the rules applicable for the two main types of super pensions (retirement phase account-based pensions and transition to retirement pensions);
calculate minimum and maximum pension payments under a range of scenarios;
identify any special reporting requirements for SMSFs providing pensions; and
apply this knowledge for the benefit of clients.

After completing this topic area, learners will be able to:

explain what a super lump sum means and how it can be paid;
understand the difference between a super lump sum arising from the full or partial commutation of a pension and other lump sums;
understand the documentation required to formalise a super lump sum from an SMSF; and
apply this knowledge for the benefit of your clients.

After completing this topic area, learners will be able to:

explain what the transfer balance cap is and its role in the super system;
calculate an individual’s transfer balance cap and the amount of their cap used to date by understanding the transactions that impact a member’s transfer balance account;
explain the consequences of exceeding the transfer balance cap and the ways in which this can be resolved; and
apply this knowledge for the benefit of clients.

After completing this topic area, learners will be able to:

explain key super benefit tax concepts such as the proportioning rule and how it applies to both income streams and lump sums;
explain how benefits are taxed under a variety of circumstances; and
apply these rules to your clients’ super benefits.

After completing this topic area, learners will be able to:

explain how various super interests are taken into account for the purposes of the age pension and the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card;
understand the importance of 1 January 2015 as a key date for income streams; and
apply this knowledge for the benefit of your clients.

'Investments' learning outcomes

After completing this topic area, learners will be able to:

evaluate whether a particular super fund transaction or investment will satisfy the sole purpose test;
explain the trustee covenants and the consequences if they aren’t met;
demonstrate how to apply the keeping fund assets separate rules;
explain broadly when loans are permitted/not permitted;
differentiate a loan from an inadvertent mistake or illegal early release;
explain the concept “commercial terms”; and
use this knowledge to help clients evaluate the legality of an investment.

After completing this topic area, learners will be able to:

identify the key requirements of an ATO compliant investment strategy;
explain to SMSF trustees how to construct an ATO compliant investment strategy;
evaluate the investment strategies of clients to determine if they will meet the ATO’s requirements; and
apply their learnings to everyday client scenarios.

After completing this topic area, learners will be able to:

identify whether an investment of an SMSF is an in-house asset;
explain how the allowed in-house limit is calculated;
explain what happens if the allowed in-house limit is exceeded; and
apply their learnings to everyday client scenarios.

After completing this topic area, learners will be able to:

explain the key terms “Part 8 associate” and “related party”;
identify the various Part 8 associates of an SMSF member; and
apply their learnings to everyday client scenarios.

After completing this topic area, learners will be able to:

identify which assets cannot be acquired from a related party; and
assist clients in identifying potential breaches of these rules.

After completing this topic area, learners will be able to:

differentiate between real property and non-real property;
describe the wholly and exclusively test;
evaluate whether a particular property qualifies as business real property and when it needs to meet that definition; and
apply their learnings to everyday client scenarios.

After completing this topic area, learners will be able to:

recognise the transactions which are a borrowing and why they are treated that way;
identify whether a particular borrowing by an SMSF is allowed;
explain the key features of a limited recourse borrowing arrangement or LRBA;
identify if an asset is a “single acquirable asset”;
explain the restrictions which apply whilst an LRBA is in place; and
apply their learnings to everyday client scenarios.

	There are 7 topics, being released one at a time, all delivered in an easy online format for convenient access.
	Each topic includes around 6-7 modules and short assessment tasks of less than 1 hour each.
	You have 6 months to complete, so you can take your time and learn on your schedule.
	Gain approximately 6 structured CPD hours SMSFA Accreditation per topic and Heffron certification.
	Complimentary SMSFA membership

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SMSF education course for professionals – Super Extension

Why choose Super Extension?

Earn valuable CPD hours

Practical takeaways

Close essential gaps

What's included in Super Extension?

The first three topics 'Contributions', 'Benefits' and 'Investments' are available now with 'Fund & other taxes' coming soon!

$330 per topic (incl GST)

Who is Super Extension for?

'Contributions' learning outcomes

Contributions – what, how and when .b{fill: #b4b4b4}

Contributions – what, how and when

Contribution eligibility rules .b{fill: #b4b4b4}

Contribution eligibility rules

Contribution caps & total super balance basics .b{fill: #b4b4b4}

Contribution caps & total super balance basics

Claiming tax deductions for contributions (employer) .b{fill: #b4b4b4}

Claiming tax deductions for contributions (employer)

Claiming tax deductions for contributions (personal) .b{fill: #b4b4b4}

Claiming tax deductions for contributions (personal)

Tax concessions for low income earners .b{fill: #b4b4b4}

Tax concessions for low income earners

'Benefits' learning outcomes

When can super benefits be accessed .b{fill: #b4b4b4}

When can super benefits be accessed

Super income streams .b{fill: #b4b4b4}

Super income streams

Super lump sums .b{fill: #b4b4b4}

Super lump sums

Transfer balance cap .b{fill: #b4b4b4}

Transfer balance cap

Member benefit tax rules .b{fill: #b4b4b4}

Member benefit tax rules

Super & Government benefits .b{fill: #b4b4b4}

Super & Government benefits

'Investments' learning outcomes

SMSF investments – overarching rules .b{fill: #b4b4b4}

SMSF investments – overarching rules

Investment strategies .b{fill: #b4b4b4}

Investment strategies

In-house assets .b{fill: #b4b4b4}

In-house assets

What is a related party? .b{fill: #b4b4b4}

What is a related party?

What assets can be acquired from a related party? .b{fill: #b4b4b4}

What assets can be acquired from a related party?

Business real property .b{fill: #b4b4b4}

Business real property

SMSF borrowing .b{fill: #b4b4b4}

SMSF borrowing

Super Specialist has launched!

Learn with industry experts

Meg Heffron

Managing Director

Lyn Formica

Head of Education and Content

Heffron was named SMSF Adviser Educator of the Year in 2022 and 2023.

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