Help centre

Questions, answered honestly.

The real questions people ask before working with a broker — about costs, credit, eligibility and what actually happens next. No jargon, no spin.

Costs & trust

No catch. In almost every case our service costs you nothing — the lender pays us a commission once your loan settles, and we show you exactly what that is in writing before you commit. We're paid roughly the same regardless of which major lender you choose, so our advice isn't bought. If a particular situation ever did involve a fee, you'd know the exact number before we did a thing.
No. You generally get the same rates a bank offers its direct customers — sometimes better, because we know which lenders are sharpest right now and can negotiate on your behalf. The commission we're paid comes from the lender's margin, not added on top of your loan.
We're not owned by any bank. We compare 40+ lenders and recommend based on what fits your situation and goals — not who pays us. Commissions across the major lenders are broadly similar, so there's no incentive to steer you, and we disclose every figure in writing.
No. Exploring your options, getting our advice and comparing lenders costs you nothing, and you're under no obligation to proceed. Plenty of people come to us just to find out where they stand.

Broker vs your bank

Your bank can only offer its own products. We compare 40+ lenders against each other to find the one that actually fits you, then handle the paperwork, chase the bank and manage it through to settlement. Same effort from you, far more of the market working in your favour.
Often, yes. Banks reserve their sharpest pricing for new business and rarely volunteer it to existing customers. We can benchmark your number against 40+ lenders and frequently either find a better deal elsewhere or use it as leverage to get your current bank to sharpen up.

Eligibility & your situation

The honest answer is: let's find out — for free and with no impact on your credit score. Every lender has different rules, so 'qualifying' isn't one fixed bar. We look at your real situation and tell you straight where you stand and what's achievable.
A 'no' from one bank isn't a 'no' from the market. Being declined usually just means you were sent to the wrong lender for your circumstances. We match you to lenders whose policies actually suit you — and if you're not quite ready, we'll tell you the exact steps to get there.
You still have options. Some lenders specialise in situations involving past defaults, missed payments or a thin credit file. We'll explain honestly what's possible now, what it might cost, and how to improve your position if waiting a little would get you a much better deal.
Yes — this is exactly where a broker earns their keep. Self-employed, contractor, casual and commission income is read very differently from lender to lender. We know which lenders are friendliest to your situation and how to present your income so it's understood properly.
It can, because the compulsory repayments reduce your assessable income, but the effect varies by lender and is often smaller than people fear. We factor it in from the start so your borrowing power is realistic — no nasty surprises later.
They can. Lenders count the limit on your cards (not just the balance) and active BNPL accounts as ongoing commitments, which lowers borrowing power. Sometimes simply reducing a limit or closing an unused account meaningfully improves your position — we'll advise on what's worth doing before you apply.
Often, yes — it depends on your visa type and a few other factors, and some lenders are far more open to it than others. Tell us your situation and we'll quickly let you know what's realistic.

Deposit, LMI & schemes

As a rule of thumb, 20% avoids Lenders Mortgage Insurance, but plenty of buyers get in with 5–10% — and first-home buyers may qualify for government schemes that reduce the deposit needed. We'll work out the real number for your goal, including all the upfront costs.
Lenders Mortgage Insurance is a one-off cost lenders charge when you borrow more than 80% of a property's value — it protects the lender, not you. You can often avoid it with a larger deposit, a guarantor, or an eligible government scheme. We'll show you the trade-offs so you can decide what makes sense.
Yes. A guarantor (often a parent using equity in their home) can help you buy sooner and avoid LMI. It's a big decision for everyone involved, so we'll walk you and your family through exactly how it works and the risks before anyone commits.
Quite possibly. There are federal and state schemes that help eligible first-home buyers get in with a smaller deposit or reduced costs. Eligibility and places are limited and change over time, so we'll check what you currently qualify for and how to use it.

Refinancing & existing loans

It depends on your current rate, loan size and goals — but for many people it's the single fastest way to cut their biggest monthly bill. We'll run the numbers honestly, including any switching costs, and tell you whether it's worth it or whether you're better off staying put.
Don't wait until it rolls off — that's when many people quietly slip onto a high 'revert' rate. We can line up your options ahead of time so you move straight onto a sharp deal the moment your fixed term ends, with nothing falling through the cracks.
Only if you let it. By default a new loan often starts a fresh 30-year term, but you can request a shorter term to match your existing payoff timeline. We'll make sure you don't accidentally add years of interest just to lower the monthly figure.
Yes. If your property has grown in value, refinancing can let you tap that equity for renovations, a deposit on an investment property, or consolidating other debt. We'll structure it sensibly so it supports your goals without overextending you.

The process & pre-approval

Your enquiry goes straight to one of our brokers, who personally gets back to you — usually within one business day — with a real answer, not an auto-reply. We have a quick, no-pressure chat about your goals and then map out your best options. There's no obligation to proceed.
Typically ID, recent payslips or business financials if self-employed, a few months of bank statements, and details of any existing debts. We give you a simple, tailored checklist up front so you're not scrambling — and you can upload everything securely online.
Once we have your documents, many clients have pre-approval within a few business days, depending on the lender and the complexity of your situation. We keep it moving and keep you updated at every step.
Pre-approval is the lender's conditional 'yes' based on your finances, so you can shop with confidence and a clear budget. Full (unconditional) approval comes once you've found a property and the lender has assessed it too. We guide you through both.
Usually around 90 days, though it varies by lender. If you haven't found a place by then it can generally be renewed — we'll keep an eye on the clock so your approval doesn't lapse at the wrong moment.

Credit checks & privacy

No. An initial conversation and comparison of your options doesn't touch your credit score. A formal application later may involve a credit check, but we'll always explain that step and get your okay before anything is lodged.
Yes. Your details are handled in line with Australian privacy law, stored securely, and only ever used to help with your finance. We don't sell your data. You can read exactly how we handle it in our Privacy Policy.

Working with us

Whatever suits you. We help clients right across Australia, so most of the process happens by phone, email and secure online signing — no time off work needed. Prefer to meet face to face in Adelaide? We're happy to do that too.
You have one dedicated broker who owns your file from the first chat right through to settlement — you're never a ticket number bouncing between call-centre staff. And because your broker is backed by a support team working behind the scenes, things keep moving quickly even when life gets busy.
Absolutely — it's one of our favourite parts of the job. We explain everything in plain English, help you understand grants and schemes you may be eligible for, and guide you step by step so the whole thing feels manageable instead of overwhelming.
Yes. Investment lending has its own structuring considerations — interest-only options, offset accounts, equity release and tax-effective setups. We'll help you structure finance that supports your strategy, and we're happy to work alongside your accountant.
We're based in Adelaide but help clients all over Australia. The whole process can be handled remotely, so where you live is no barrier to getting our help.
More than 40 Australian lenders — the major banks alongside a wide range of specialist, customer-owned and online lenders. That breadth means we're finding the loan that genuinely fits your goals, not pushing one product.

Still have a question?

Ask us directly — no pressure, no obligation. Most enquiries get a real answer within one business day.