Thanks for all responses so far; especially yours SSkim. I can appreciate what you're saying. Part of my problem is, I am very new to Superannuation and the rules around this in Australia. This, in itself, is my conondrum. I have nothing in my own experience to measure offerings such as E-Super against, except from what I know with equivalent kinds of offerings in the UK. However, I am totally capable of making my own investment decisions beyond choosing which Mutual Fund to park some cash in.
In effect, I am looking for an option that enables me to manage my own investments - down to individual stock selection. It looks like E-Super will fit the bill nicely. However, on the surface it looks more expensive than execution-only SIPPs in the UK. However, I can accept that I am in Australia, and must do as the Aussies do (and leave my POM ways behind). ;) I am very new to the Australian pension management system though, and have a lot to learn. If E-Super is good value when compared to other equivalent offerings, then I am happy to accept this. It seemed prudent to ask some questions first though.
At the end of the day, all I have to currently go on is the small superannuation fund set up with Colonial First State, when I worked over here as a temporary resident in 2008. It has been haemoraging money in charges ever since, and I am anxious to avoid the same fate going forwards (one of the first things I'll be doing with THAT fund is transferring it into any SMSF I set up).
In terms of the AUD 200k question, I will be starting this Super Fund from a much lower base than 200k. However, I'm not earning bad money over here, and intend to utilise any legitimate tax efficient advantages of an SMSF that I can, so my first year of contributions will not be on the small side. I'm hoping that this, when combined with the current "First Year Fee Free" offer that E-Super are currently advertising, will allow me to beef up my SMSF fairly rapidly.
Again, thanks for all responses so far. If anybody has any further comments with regards to my response, please feel free to post them.
