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Working with a Mortgage Broker Australia – How It Works
Simply put, a mortgage broker’s job is to find you the right loan for your situation – and make sure you continue to have the right loan as your goals and life change over time. Rather than walking into a single bank and hoping their products suit you, working with a broker means having someone in your corner who knows the market, understands your situation, and can compare dozens of lenders to find a loan that actually fits. At Ingram Financial, that’s exactly what we do – and we’re with you well beyond settlement day.
| What makes us different | Ingram Financial | Banks & lenders |
|---|---|---|
| Your own personal, non-bank affiliated home loan expert | ✔ | ✖ |
| Free for you for most common scenarios | ✔ | ✔ |
| We work in your best interests (we’re not owned by a bank) | ✔ | ✖ |
| Fast turnaround times | ✔ | ✖ |
| Access to dozens of banks and lenders in one place | ✔ | ✖ |
| Ongoing support and guidance once your loan has settled | ✔ | ✖ |
What we’ll do for you.
From understanding your goals to settlement and beyond, here is how we’ll work together as your mortgage broker.
Understand your goals
Every great loan starts with a good conversation. We’ll take the time to get to know your situation – whether you’re buying your first home, upgrading, investing, or looking to refinance. We’ll ask about your income, your goals, your timeline, and anything else that helps us build a clear picture. This is usually a relaxed chat over the phone or online, and it typically takes around 30–45 minutes, but we can also get you to complete a fact find prior to this to enable us to spend less time gathering data, and more time working with you on the solution. The more we understand upfront, the better we can tailor our research to options that will genuinely work for you.
Provide you with some options
Once we understand what you’re looking for, we get to work. We’ll research across our panel of lenders – banks, credit unions, and non-bank lenders – to find loan options that match your goals and financial situation. We’ll present you with a shortlist and walk you through the key differences: interest rates, fees, features, and flexibility. There’s no pressure to decide on the spot, and we’ll answer every question you have until you feel confident in your choice.
Get it sorted for you
Once you’ve chosen your preferred loan, we handle the heavy lifting. We’ll prepare and lodge your application, liaise with the lender on your behalf, and keep you updated every step of the way. From chasing up paperwork to coordinating with your conveyancer, we manage the process so you don’t have to. Our goal is to make settlement as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Help you save
Our relationship doesn’t end at settlement. We’ll stay in regular contact to make sure your loan is still working hard for you as your situation evolves. Whether your fixed rate is due to expire, your property has grown in value, or your income has changed – we’ll proactively reach out to review your loan and let you know if there’s an opportunity to save. Many clients find that a regular review results in a better rate or a more suitable product, often with minimal effort on their part.
Our code of ethics.
We are serious about the commitment we make to our customers.
Transparency
We do everything possible to make sure our clients are fully informed – about the loans we recommend, the reasons behind those recommendations, and how we get paid. You’ll never be left wondering why we’re suggesting a particular product. We believe that an informed client makes a better decision, and it’s our job to give you the clearest possible picture before you commit to anything.
Governance and culture
We operate in full accordance with Australian credit laws and work collaboratively with relevant regulatory bodies. But beyond compliance, we genuinely care about raising the bar for the industry. We see our role as constantly evolving – staying across regulatory changes, lender policy shifts, and market conditions so we can consistently deliver outcomes that are in our clients’ best interests.
Manage conflicts of interest
Conflicts of interest can arise from time to time in any financial services context, and we take them seriously. When any conflict exists – whether related to lender commission structures or otherwise – we will disclose it to you openly and ensure your needs always come first. Our recommendations are driven by what’s right for your situation, not what’s most lucrative for us.
Committed professionals
Delivering great outcomes for our clients requires ongoing investment in knowledge and skills. We stay current with industry qualifications, lender accreditations, and professional development to make sure the advice we give is always accurate, relevant, and up to date. When you work with us, you can be confident you’re dealing with someone who takes their professional obligations seriously.
Quality
We maintain thorough and accurate records for every client we work with – kept securely and handled with care. Good record-keeping isn’t just about compliance; it means that when you come back to us months or years down the track, we already have the context we need to pick up right where we left off and help you quickly.
Access dozens of lenders in one place.
Do I have to pay to use a broker?
There are a lot of misconceptions that mortgage brokers charge hefty fees. Generally this is not the case. Typically, the lender pays a mortgage broker in the following way (at no additional cost to you):
Mortgage brokers are paid an upfront commission and a trail payment:
UPFRONT PAYMENT PAID TO ME BY THE LENDER, NOT BY YOU. A one-off payment called an upfront commission is usually between 0.65% to 0.7% of the loan amount (+gst). We handle all the legwork and secure approval for your loan.
TRAIL PAYMENT PAID TO ME BY THE LENDER, NOT BY YOU. ‘trail’ or ongoing commission is usually 0.15% p.a., based on the balance of your loan. We’ll be in regular contact with you to check in on your situation and make sure your loan continues to work hard for you, your changing situation and goals.
How that plays out
Let’s say you choose to take out a $500,000 loan with Bank ABC. I will receive payment:
An upfront commission of $3,250 (based on a 0.65% upfront payment rate)
A trail payment of:
- $750 in the first year with a loan balance of $500,000
- $675 in the second year if your loan balance was $450,000
- $600 in the third year if your loan balance was $400,000
The lender will continue paying the trail payment until you pay off your loan or change your loan. It will also cease if your loan ever enters in to default or arrears.
What Our Clients Have To Say
5.0
★★★★★
PC
Peter Chard
May 2026
★★★★★
5-star rating
SM
Shivani Menon
March 2026
★★★★★
Highly recommend our mortgage broker! Shannon was absolutely amazing throughout the entire process — knowledgeable, responsive, and genuinely supportive. He made what could have been a stressful experience feel smooth and manageable, always going above and beyond to help us. We’re so grateful for his guidance and couldn’t have done it without him!
Frequently Asked Questions
Going directly to a bank means you only have access to that bank’s products – even if a competitor’s loan would suit you better. A mortgage broker compares options across dozens of lenders, which means you’re more likely to find a loan that fits your actual situation rather than the closest thing a single lender has available. Brokers also manage the application process on your behalf, which saves time and reduces the back-and-forth.
It varies depending on the lender and the complexity of your situation, but from initial conversation to formal approval, most straightforward applications take one to four weeks. Settlement timelines are largely determined by the contract of sale. A broker can often speed things up by knowing which lenders are processing quickly at any given time and making sure your application is as clean as possible before it goes in.
Yes – and this is one of the areas where brokers add the most value. Different lenders have very different credit policies, and a decline from one doesn’t mean a decline from all. A broker can assess why the application was declined, identify lenders whose policies are a better fit for your circumstances, and help you put together a stronger application before reapplying.
Brokers often have access to rates that aren’t advertised publicly, and some lenders only operate through the broker channel rather than offering loans directly to consumers. Beyond the rate itself, a broker can also negotiate on your behalf and identify loans with features – like offset accounts or flexible repayment options – that can save you money over the life of the loan.
A good broker stays in touch well after settlement. At Ingram Financial, ongoing client care is a core part of the service – not an afterthought. Expect regular check-ins, proactive reviews when market conditions or your circumstances change, and a familiar face (or voice) whenever you have a question. The trail commission brokers receive is specifically structured to incentivise this kind of ongoing support.
Yes. As well as home loans, a mortgage broker can assist with investment property loans, refinancing, construction loans, car and asset finance, business loans, and more. Having one trusted adviser who understands your full financial picture – rather than approaching multiple lenders separately for different needs – makes the whole process simpler and more cohesive.
Based in the Sutherland Shire, Ingram Financial works with clients across Sydney and beyond – from first home buyers in Cronulla and Caringbah to investors refinancing across Australia. Whether you prefer to meet in person or keep things simple via online and phone meetings, we make the process work around you.
Need some help?
Not sure where to start? That’s exactly what we’re here for. Drop us a message and we will get back to you within one business day with clear, honest advice tailored to your situation.