The trust deed is the most pivotal document of a self-managed super fund.  The trust deed together with superannuation laws set out the governing rules of the fund (ATO SMSF publication “Creating the Trust and Trust Deed”).

SMSF members as trustees of the fund have total responsibility for the fund, including its prudential management.  The SIS Act has embedded trustee covenants, central to which is the trustee’s duty of care, skill and diligence which encompasses first and foremost a compliant trust deed, appropriate investment strategies formulated in accordance with the law, and proper documentation.