Super Funds “Going Global”— Opportunities, Risks, and Recommendations from a Tax Perspective

Summary: Australian superannuation funds (super funds) are seeing rapid growth in both asset size and overseas allocations, driving a parallel surge in demand for foreign exchange (FX) hedging. Recently, RBA Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser noted that over the next decade, super fund assets are expected to increase from approximately 150% of GDP to 180%, with FX hedging volumes potentially doubling to around AUD 1 trillion. This trend raises not only investment and liquidity management considerations but also significant tax and compliance challenges. This article analyzes key impacts from a tax perspective, incorporating the latest economic data and regulatory developments, and proposes phased, actionable recommendations.








