Explore SMSF Home＋
Investment option
Private company interests need ownership and valuation clarity.
Unlisted company shares can create ownership, valuation, related-party, liquidity and professional review questions that are not visible through a public market price.
At a glance
Private ownership needs stronger context.
Company
Shareholding
Acquisition
Ownership evidence
Valuation
Related parties
Distributions
Liquidity
The fund should be able to explain what it owns, how it is valued and who is connected.
Operating position
What sits behind an unlisted company interest.
01
Ownership position
Keep the company, share class, quantity and acquisition details visible.
02
Valuation position
Record valuation method, date, source and professional context.
03
Income position
Dividends, distributions and other returns should remain connected.
04
Relationship context
Related-party and control relationships should be visible enough to prompt review.
Evidence position
Private company evidence needs continuity.
Ownership, valuation, company information and income records should remain together because there may be no public market record.
Share certificates
Share registers
Subscription agreements
Company financial statements
Valuation reports
Dividend records
Attention points
Unlisted interests can require deeper review.
Valuation, liquidity, related-party involvement and access to information may all need professional attention.
01
Valuation
There may be no observable market price for the holding.
02
Liquidity
The fund may not be able to dispose of the interest quickly.
03
Related parties
Connections between trustees, companies and other parties may need review.
04
Information access
The fund may rely on private company records to support ownership and value.
How SMSF Home helps
Keep private company context visible.
01
Ownership register
See the company, share class and holding details clearly.
02
Valuation record
Keep valuation method, date and supporting evidence connected.
03
Relationship map
Record relevant parties and professional involvement.
04
Evidence position
Keep company documents, statements and distribution records together.
Bring the private interest home
Keep ownership, valuation, company records and related-party context visible.
Home Helper™ source and review record
Primary guidance sources
This educational summary is not a substitute for the current law, regulator guidance or advice based on the fund's circumstances. Use the primary sources below to check the rule and later changes.
- ATO - Investment strategy (opens in a new tab)
Source checked 2026-08-21
- ATO - What are the SMSF investment restrictions? (opens in a new tab)
Source checked 2026-08-21
- ATO - Valuation guidelines for self-managed super funds (opens in a new tab)
Source checked 2026-08-21
Resource version 1.0.0 / Content reviewed 2026-08-21