Working with a broker

A broker compares loans across a panel of lenders and matches you to one that actually fits your situation, not just what one bank offers. We handle the paperwork and talk you through it along the way.
In most cases, no — we're paid a commission by the lender once your loan settles, calculated as a percentage of your loan amount, not charged to you directly. If a fee were ever to apply, it would be disclosed upfront in your credit guide before you commit to anything.
A bank can only offer you their own products, while we compare a broader range across our lender panel to find what fits your circumstances. It also means one point of contact instead of juggling different banks yourself.
Not typically — in most cases the rate is the same whether you come through us or apply directly, since lender commissions are built into their standard pricing rather than added to your rate. Rates and offers do vary by lender and loan, so we'll always be upfront about how a specific option compares.
As your broker, we're required by law to act in your best interests when recommending a loan. We start by understanding your income, goals and what matters most to you, rate, flexibility, or speed, then assess that against our lender panel. We'll always explain why a particular loan makes sense for your specific situation.

Buying your first home

Approval typically takes a few weeks once your paperwork is together. Settlement then follows whatever timeframe your contract of sale sets, often 30 to 90 days after that.
It depends on the lender and loan — some options need less than the traditional 20%, including government schemes for eligible first home buyers. It's worth a quick chat before assuming you need more saved than you do.
It comes down to your income, expenses, existing debts and overall financial picture, not just your salary. We run the numbers properly so you get a realistic figure to work with.
Depending on your situation, you may need to budget for stamp duty, lenders mortgage insurance, legal fees, inspections and application costs. We'll go through what applies to you so there are no surprises.
There are state and federal schemes that can lower your deposit or upfront costs for eligible first home buyers. Eligibility changes over time, so it's worth a chat to confirm exactly what applies to you.

Refinancing means replacing your current home loan with a new one, either with your existing bank or a different lender. It's usually done to get a better rate, access equity, or find a loan that suits you better.
The most common reasons are a better rate, consolidating other debts, or accessing equity for a renovation or purchase. Sometimes it's simply that your current loan no longer fits your life.
It comes down to weighing what you'd save or gain against any costs of switching. The simplest way to know is to have us run the numbers on your specific loan.
Generally a few weeks from application to settlement of the new loan. The exact timing depends on your current lender and how quickly documents come together.
There can be costs like discharge fees, application fees or a new valuation, though they vary and aren't always significant. We'll be upfront about anything that applies before you decide to go ahead.

Asset finance is finance for buying a vehicle, equipment or other assets, where the asset itself usually secures the loan. It's built around the asset, which often means better terms than a general-purpose loan.
Not necessarily — many asset finance loans can cover the full purchase price, including GST. A deposit or trade-in can still reduce your repayments or strengthen your application.
With a chattel mortgage, the most common asset finance structure, you own the asset from day one, and the lender simply registers an interest as security. This is different from a lease, where the finance company keeps ownership; we'll confirm which structure applies to you before you commit.
With a chattel mortgage, you own the asset from the start and the lender holds a registered interest as security. With a lease, the finance company owns the asset and you pay to use it.
It depends on things like how long you've been trading, your ABN/GST registration, and what records you can provide. There are options for newer businesses that need less paperwork than a standard application.