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Virtual Program

Not able to us in Adelaide?

Earn up to 22 CPD hours with the virtual program.

The virtual event offers a curated program, with select technical sessions available to view live and on-demand, so everyone can experience National Conference!

National Conference 2026 Virtual Program

DAY 1
DAY 2

TECHNICAL STREAMS

LEGS AND REGS

Meticulously crafted sessions to provide insight into superannuation compliance, income tax and legal issues for both newcomers and experienced professionals.

STRATEGY

Your one-stop shop for issues relating to strategic superannuation planning including contribution strategies, retirement planning, and estate planning.

ADVICE, PRACTICE & REGULATORY

Targeted sessions aimed at promoting critical thinking, encouraging professionals to examine and enhance their current practices.

 

 

Please note the National Conference 2026 program is subject to change before the conference in February.

Please check the latest schedule times closer to the conference dates.

Day 1 - Wednesday 18 February

10:30am - 10:50am
Welcome and chair address

Scott Hay-Bartlem, Chair, SMSF Association

10:50am - 11:50am
On the Pulse: SMSF Legislative & Policy Reform

Peter Burgess, CEO, SMSF Association

Session details

On the Pulse: SMSF Legislative & Policy Reform​

Plenary 1
10.50am – 11.50am

Peter Burgess, CEO, SMSF Association

Kick off National Conference 2026 with our signature opening session, delivered by SMSF Association CEO, Peter Burgess.
 
In this fast-paced and high-energy update, Peter will take the pulse of the SMSF sector – reflecting on significant legislative reforms, regulatory shifts, and advocacy achievements over the past 12 months, while outlining the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
 
From the latest legislative and policy developments to the next wave of reform priorities, this session will ensure you’re across the key issues shaping our sector and the work still to be done.
 
Attendees will leave energised, informed, and ready to dive into the sessions that will explore these developments in greater depth throughout the conference.
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Keeping Pace with Division 296

To be announced

Session details

Keeping Pace with Division 296

Concurrent 1A
12.00pm – 1.00pm

Session and speaker details to be announced

Related Unit Trusts: Beyond Property & Cash

Shelley Banton, Director, Super Clarity

Session details

Related Unit Trusts: Beyond Property & Cash

Concurrent 1B
12.00pm – 1.00pm

Shelley Banton, Director, Super Clarity

Think a related unit trust (RUT) can only invest in property and cash? Think again. This session takes a deep dive into the often-misunderstood rules governing Regulation 13.22C non-geared trusts, exploring what they can and can’t invest in, and how those investments must be managed under the SIS framework.

Using practical examples, the session will examine less traditional investment options – from crypto to private structures – and analyse where the boundaries lie between permissible and prohibited activity. It will also unpack the policy intent behind the regulations and the original Treasury commentary that supports broader investment flexibility than many assume.

Along the way, you’ll see how trustee behaviour, fund liquidity pressures, and creative structuring can test compliance limits and what to watch for before things go wrong.

Regulator Insights - ATO & ASIC

To be announced

Session details

Regulator Insights - ATO & ASIC

Concurrent 1C
12.00pm – 1.00pm

Speakers to be announced

This Q&A session with key representatives from the ATO and ASIC offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from the regulators at the heart of the SMSF sector. Facilitated by the SMSF Association team, the discussion will explore the latest regulatory updates, compliance priorities, and emerging challenges shaping the industry in 2026.
 
Attendees will gain practical insights into how these developments may affect their day-to-day practice and what the regulators expect in the year ahead – helping you stay on the pulse of a rapidly evolving regulatory environment.
1:00pm - 1:50pm
Lunch
1:50pm - 2:50pm
SMSF Auditing: Lifting the Bar

Belinda Aisbett, Director, Super Sphere Pty Ltd

Session details

SMSF Auditing: Lifting the Bar

Concurrent 2A
1.50pm – 2.50pm

Belinda Aisbett, Director, Super Sphere Pty Ltd

What really happens behind the scenes in an SMSF audit? This session takes you inside the audit process from start to finish – exploring how professional judgement, evidence gathering, and regulator expectations intersect in real time.
 
Through practical examples and insights drawn from recent ATO and ASIC focus areas, you’ll see where audits commonly go wrong, and how small documentation gaps can lead to big compliance risks. The session will also highlight how the ATO’s evolving audit approach is reshaping standards and what this means for both auditors and the professionals they work alongside.
 
Designed to blend technical depth with professional insight, this session offers an honest look at the challenges, pressure points, and decision-making moments that define a modern SMSF audit – and what it takes to get it right.
Beyond Super: When a Company Works Better

Peter Johnson, Director, Advisers Digest Pty Ltd

Session details

Beyond Super: When a Company Works Better

Concurrent 2B
1.50pm – 2.50pm

Peter Johnson, Director, Advisers Digest Pty Ltd

In a world where Division 296 adds a new layer of complexity to superannuation tax outcomes, the long-held rule that “you should never hold growth assets in a company” deserves a fresh look.

This session challenges traditional wisdom by modelling how companies can, in some circumstances, outperform SMSFs as investment vehicles – particularly for high-balance clients and family groups seeking flexibility, control, and long-term tax efficiency.

Through practical examples, we’ll examine when holding capital assets in a company may deliver a better after-tax result, the flow-on effects for shareholders, and how intergenerational planning and cash-flow management come into play. With the line between superannuation and non-super investment strategies shifting under Division 296, this session will help SMSF professionals rethink how to structure wealth for the future.

SMSFs and AFCA: Lessons from the Frontline

To be announced

Session details

SMSFs and AFCA: Lessons from the Frontline

Concurrent 2C
1.50pm – 2.50pm

Speaker to be announced

When an SMSF dispute reaches AFCA, every decision tells a story – about advice quality, compliance, and where things can go wrong.
 
In this highly practical session, key AFCA representatives will unpack the latest advice and investment complaints data to reveal what’s really driving disputes involving SMSFs. Through real-world case studies, you’ll gain insight into AFCA’s decision-making process and the underlying risks shaping today’s complaint trends – from conflicted advice models and inappropriate SMSF establishment, to lack of diversification and wholesale investor misclassifications.
 
Walk away with the key lessons learned, emerging risk indicators, and clear do’s and don’ts to ensure the long term sustainability of the SMSF sector.
2:50pm - 3:30pm
AFTERNOON TEA
3:30pm - 4:30pm
Coming Soon!

To be announced

Family Fortunes: SMSFs and Trusts

Katie Timms, Partner, RSM Australia

Session details

Family Fortunes: SMSFs and Trusts​

Concurrent 3B
3.30pm – 4.30pm

Katie Timms, Partner, RSM Australia

As the tax landscape evolves, particularly under Division 296, advisers and accountants are re-evaluating how wealth is best structured and preserved across generations. This session explores the complementary roles of SMSFs and family trusts in managing tax, control, and succession outcomes for high-balance and intergenerational clients.
 
Through case studies Katie will examine when and why a trust might be the ideal companion to an SMSF – from managing investment income and capital flows to preserving flexibility for future generations. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how these two structures can work together to balance tax efficiency, estate planning, and wealth transfer in a post-296 environment.
Coming Soon!

To be announced

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Day 2 - Thursday 19 February

10:25am - 11:25am
Coming Soon!

To be announced

Super and Separation: Beyond the Legalities

Liz Westover, Partner, Deloitte

Session details

Super and Separation: Beyond the Legalities

Concurrent 4B
10.25am – 11.25pm

Liz Westover, Partner, Deloitte

Relationship breakdowns are rarely straightforward – especially when superannuation is involved. This session takes a practical look at how SMSF professionals can navigate the financial, administrative, and interpersonal complexities that arise when clients separate.
 
Through real-world examples and case studies, the session will explore how to manage member balance calculations, CGT rollover relief, and the tax implications of splitting super interests. You’ll also learn strategies for dealing with poorly drafted court orders, non-cooperative clients, and the practical challenges of rolling over benefits to another SMSF or APRA fund.
 
With a focus on practical application, this session highlights how SMSF professionals can work alongside legal advisers to achieve the best outcomes when relationships – and compliance – get complicated.
Keeping Pace with Reform

Keddie Waller, Policy Manager, SMSF Association

Session details

Keeping Pace with Reform

Concurrent 4C
10.25am – 11.25am

Keddie Waller, Policy Manager, SMSF Association

The pace of reform in superannuation shows no signs of slowing, and staying ahead of change has never been more important for SMSF professionals. In this essential session, Keddie Waller, our Policy Manager, will unpack the latest developments shaping the SMSF landscape.
 
From regulatory refinements and DBFO Tranche 2 changes to the next wave of AML/CTF reforms and other key policy shifts, Keddie will explore what’s driving change, where the biggest impacts may be felt, and how professionals can prepare.
 
Attendees will gain practical insights and foresight to navigate the evolving environment with confidence, ensuring they stay on the pulse of reform and ready for whatever is coming next.
11:35am - 12:35pm
There's More to Life than SIS

Neal Dallas, Director, Business Depot Legal Pty Ltd

Victoria Mercer, Solicitor, Business Depot Legal Pty Ltd

Session details

There's More to Life than SIS

Concurrent 5A
11.35am – 12.35pm

Neal Dallas, Director, Business Depot Legal Pty Ltd

Victoria Mercer, Solicitor, Business Depot Legal Pty Ltd

SIS sets the framework for running an SMSF but it’s far from the whole story. Trustees and directors are also bound by broader legal duties under common law, the Corporations Act and state-based Trustee Acts, all of which apply in addition to SIS.
 
In this session, Neal and Victoria will use real client examples to illustrate how these non-SIS obligations arise in practice, including fiduciary duties, conflicts of interest, disclosure requirements and the duty of care. Attendees will gain practical insights into how to recognise, manage and – if possible – resolve these issues when they arise.
 
Join us to see how understanding the law beyond SIS can make all the difference in keeping your clients — and yourself — compliant.
Coming Soon!

To be announced

Coming Soon!

To be announced

12:35 - 1:25pm
Lunch
1:25pm - 2:25pm
Payday Super: Ready or Not

Tony Negline, Superannuation & Financial Services Leader, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand

Session details

Payday Super: Ready or Not

Concurrent 6A
1.25pm – 2.25pm

Tony Negline, Superannuation & Financial Services Leader, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand

With Payday Super set to commence on 1 July 2026, employer super obligations are changing fast. Add major reforms already in place around wage theft rules, award changes, and ATO guidance on remuneration, the landscape for both employers and SMSF professionals is shifting.
 
This session will break down the latest employer superannuation requirements and how they affect SMSF administrators, advisers, and accountants working with business clients and employees with SMSFs. It will explore key compliance pain points including contribution timing, multiple employments, contractor arrangements, salary sacrifice, and much more.
 
This session will arm professionals with the knowledge and strategies to help clients meet their obligations, avoid costly mistakes, and prepare for the next wave of employer compliance reform.
Taking the Pulse of Retirement Strategies

Melanie Dunn, Principal, Accurium

Session details

Taking the Pulse of Retirement Strategies

Concurrent 6B
1.25pm – 2.25pm

Melanie Dunn, Principal, Accurium

As Australia’s retirement landscape continues to evolve, SMSF professionals are re-examining how to deliver better outcomes for retirees in a world of longer lifespans, rising costs, and shifting market dynamics.
 
This session takes the pulse of retirement income strategies – what we’re doing well, where improvements can be made, and the key considerations for SMSF retirees when building sustainable income streams. Through practical discussion and examples, the session will explore how to use different product classes, manage retirement risks, and model effective strategies to support client goals.
 
Attendees will also gain insights into broader super and advice sector developments, understanding how emerging trends and policy directions can inform better SMSF retirement planning.
SMSF Ethics: Not All About You

Bryan Ashenden, Head of Financial Literacy & Advocacy, BT Financial Group

Session details

SMSF Ethics: Not All About You

Concurrent 6C
1.25pm – 2.25pm

Bryan Ashenden, Head of Financial Literacy & Advocacy, BT Financial Group

Ethics in advice is never one-dimensional and in the SMSF world, it’s not all about you. While practitioners must act in line with the Code of Ethics, the ethical landscape extends beyond adviser behaviour to include the decisions and motivations of SMSF trustees themselves.
 
This refreshed session takes a deeper look at how adviser conduct, client bias, and structural incentives interact to shape ethical outcomes. It explores how unconscious biases, rationalisations, and pressure points can influence trustee decisions and what advisers can do to recognise and manage these risks before they lead to poor client outcomes or regulatory concern.
 
Moving beyond compliance, this session challenges practitioners to rethink how ethical awareness and client understanding work together to build trust and protect the integrity of SMSF advice.
2:35pm - 3:35pm
The Evolving Role of Tax Practitioners

Arthur Athanasiou, Principal, AGA Legal Pty Ltd

Session details

The Evolving Role of Tax Practitioners

Concurrent 7A
2.25pm – 3.35pm

Arthur Athanasiou, Principal, AGA Legal Pty Ltd

The compliance landscape for tax practitioners continues to evolve, with expanded obligations under the Code of Professional Conduct and new breach reporting duties reshaping professional expectations.
 
In this session, Arthur Athanasiou will unpack what these changes mean for everyday practice – from navigating the latest interpretations by the Tax Practitioners Board to managing new compliance requirements such as false or misleading statements. Using practical examples, Arthur will explore how to assess and report breaches, understand when self-reporting or peer reporting is required, and maintain professional integrity in an increasingly regulated environment.
SMSF Pensions: Reversionary or Not?

Bryce Figot, Special Counsel, DBA Lawyers

Session details

SMSF Pensions: Reversionary or Not?

Concurrent 7B
2.35pm – 3.35pm

Bryce Figot, Special Counsel, DBA Lawyers

This session revisits the reversionary decision from every angle – weighing the strategic, tax, and estate planning implications of whether to make an SMSF pension reversionary or not.
 
As client circumstances, succession goals, and regulatory settings continue to evolve, advisers must carefully balance transfer balance cap (TBC) benefits against practical considerations such as ECPI, blended family dynamics, and changing member intentions. The session will also explore the mechanics and consequences of altering reversion status mid-stream.
 
Featuring worked examples and an easy-to-apply decision framework, this session equips SMSF professionals to approach one of the sector’s most enduring questions with renewed clarity and confidence.
Coming Soon!

To be announced

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It brings a lot of value to the industry: a lot of people come here for the excellent presenters and CPD points, but I think the connection with everyone getting back together is a big part of it.
Another great line-up of presentations from well informed and interested presenters that kept me engaged from start to finish.