There are several prerequisites to receive a Wholesale Investor Certificate.
Wholesale Clients and the Corporations Act
An SMSF can be a wholesale investor if it satisfies the tests under sections 708 and 761G of the Corporations Act, including:
· Net assets of at least $2.5 million; or
· Gross income of at least $250,000 per annum for each of the last two financial years; or
· A single investment of $500,000 or more.
These thresholds can be certified by a qualified accountant. It is most often under Regulation 7.6.02AF of the Corporations Regulations 2001.
Who can sign off a wholesale investor certificate?
A qualified accountant who is a full member of one of the following Australian professional bodies:
· Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) — CA, ACA, or FCA
· CPA Australia — CPA or FCPA
· Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) — AIPA, MIPA, or FIPA
The accountant must also comply with their continuing professional education and ethical requirements. Importantly, the accountant does not need to hold a public practising certificate. This means that an internal accountant working within a family office or private business may be legally permitted to issue the required wholesale investor certificate, so long as they meet the membership and education standards listed above. The certification must be issued on
letterhead and be dated within the last two years.
Strategic Support from Westcourt
At Westcourt Family Business Accountants, we specialise in guiding SMSF trustees through complex regulatory frameworks. From reviewing trust deed structures to assessing investment
classification pathways, we can help you stay compliant while preserving strategic investment flexibility.
If you’re uncertain about your wholesale investor status or want to explore how to structure your SMSF to optimise investment access, speak to our SMSF specialists today.
At Westcourt, we are qualified to sign off on wholesale investor certificates.
Click Here for Part 1: Is your SMSF a Wholesale Investor or not, and why it matters.
Click Here for Part 3: Superannuation Fund’s Importance on Wholesale Investor Certificates
Click Here for Part 4: Other Pathways to Wholesale Investor Status
