Which storage option suits an SMSF?

The right storage option for your SMSF depends on what matters most to your fund, whether that's keeping costs down, owning specific bullion, or how you'd prefer to handle reporting and access. For most funds the choice comes down to preference, but a few practical differences are worth understanding before you decide.

Setting up storage for an SMSF is straightforward. Once we've received the supporting documents and verified its trustees, your fund can buy and store bullion just as an individual would. For the full list of what's required, see Entity requirements.

For most SMSFs, the decision sits between unallocated and allocated storage.

Unallocated is the lower-cost option. There's no ongoing storage fee, so your fund isn't paying yearly maintenance, and it's easy to trade in and out as you adjust the fund's position. Your fund holds a claim to metal by weight rather than to specific bars. When you redeem, we make up the weight with the largest available bars.

Allocated suits funds that would rather own specific, segregated bullion that's identifiably theirs. With this option you may pick the size or brand of your choice. The trade-off is an annual storage fee to keep it stored and maintained.

Both options work well for an SMSF. It comes down to whether your fund prefers to avoid ongoing fees or to own specific bars.

Either way, reporting is simple. For both unallocated and allocated storage, you can download a Statement of Holdings at any time, free of charge, with no need for anyone to visit in person. It serves as formal proof of your fund's holdings, so it's all your bookkeeper or accountant should need when substantiating the fund's bullion at end of financial year.

Storing with Reserve Vault or The Melbourne Vault is also an option, and works well for funds that want their bullion held in a professional facility. A couple of things are worth considering, though. Auditing and insurance may come as extra charges, arranged directly with the vault, and auditing the holdings may mean visiting the vault in person, which some trustees find less convenient than having it handled remotely.

Please note that Ainslie Saver is not available for SMSFs.