I note you have been given two pieces of good advice by other posters.
(1) To check out the Australian Taxation Office website relating to Self Managed Super Funds and
(2) Check out the e-trade SMSF website.
Fees for managing the fund (accontantcy, auditor etc) are paid out of the fund.
Some say that you need $200,000 to $250,000 to make it worthwhile starting a SMSF but i know of instances of some that are doing well without this kind of start up. At age 50 you can likely give yourself a better chance of performance managing the fund yourself.
E-trade seems the logical, cheapest and easiest way to start a SMSF (it was free of start up costs a while back) but if you do it thru an accountant you will need to be prepared for costs of $2,000 - $3,000 plus audit fees each year of perhaps $450 - $700.
You can read plenty and obtain plenty of info about SMSF'S and setting them up it if you go back here in the archives.
Personally, I really do like spending time investing my hard earned and having control of almost everything........except changes to tax rules governing super funds etc.
All the best with your decision. Only you can put the time, effort and thought into making your future retirement a far simpler one.
