Family Trust Setup Cost Calculator
Estimate the cost of setting up a family (discretionary) trust. The initial set-up is relatively cheap, but a corporate trustee and the ongoing annual accounting and compliance are the bigger long-term costs to factor in.
Your family trust setup details
Your estimate sits within the typical range.
A corporate trustee (a company acting as trustee) adds set-up cost and an annual ASIC fee, but limits personal liability and makes succession easier, usually recommended over an individual trustee for asset protection.
Setting up a family trust is cheap, running one is not. Budget for the annual accounting, tax return and documented distributions every year. A trust should be set up for a genuine tax, asset-protection or succession reason, with advice.
💰 Ways to save
- Get advice on whether a trust actually benefits your situation before setting one up, it carries real ongoing cost.
- A corporate trustee costs more up front but limits liability and simplifies succession, usually worth it.
- Factor the annual accounting and compliance, that ongoing cost is bigger than the set-up over time.
How we estimate this
Setting up a family (discretionary) trust in Australia typically costs around $600 to $1,500 in 2026 for the deed and a corporate trustee, plus stamp duty on the deed in some states. The bigger long-term cost is annual accounting and compliance, often $1,500 to $3,000+ a year.
Pricing reviewed: November 2026.
Understanding family trust setup costs in Australia
Setting up a family (discretionary) trust in Australia typically costs around $600 to $1,500 in 2026 for the deed and a corporate trustee, plus stamp duty on the deed in some states. The bigger long-term cost is annual accounting and compliance, often $1,500 to $3,000+ a year.
The set-up is relatively cheap, especially online, but a corporate trustee, stamp duty and the ongoing annual accounting and documented distributions are the real costs. A trust should be established for a genuine tax or asset-protection purpose, with professional advice.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to set up a family trust in Australia?
Roughly $600 to $1,500 in 2026 for the deed and a corporate trustee, plus stamp duty in some states. The bigger cost is ongoing, annual accounting and compliance of often $1,500 to $3,000+ a year.
Is a family trust worth the cost?
Only if there is a genuine tax, asset-protection or succession benefit that outweighs the ongoing annual accounting and compliance cost. Get advice before setting one up, running a trust is not cheap.
Are you a accountant / financial adviser?
Everyone on this page is working out what family trust setup costs because they are ready to hire. Put your business right beneath the calculator, in your state, so you are who they find. From $50/mo.