Everything you're wondering
before you call.

A mortgage broker acts as an intermediary between borrowers and lenders. We help you find the ideal mortgage options tailored to your needs by comparing various lenders, navigating complex lending criteria, and managing the application process.

Mortgage brokers offer access to a wide range of lenders and products, not just one bank's offerings. We provide personalized advice, negotiate on your behalf, and handle the paperwork, saving you time and effort.

Our services are typically free for you as we are paid a commission by the lender upon successful settlement of your loan. Rest assured, we prioritize your needs and recommend options that are best for you, not the lender.

Eligibility depends on factors like your income, credit history, employment status, existing debts, and the property’s value. We’ll assess your situation to determine your borrowing power and match you with suitable lenders.

Borrowing capacity depends on several factors including your income, living expenses, existing debts and the lender’s assessment criteria. Banks also apply interest rate buffers to ensure borrowers can still afford repayments if interest rates increase.

If you want to understand how lenders calculate borrowing power and see example borrowing scenarios, read our guide:How Much Can I Borrow for a Home Loan in Australia

Typically, you’ll need:

• Proof of income (e.g., payslips or tax returns)

• Bank statements

• Identification (e.g., passport or driver’s license)

• Details of assets and liabilitiesWe’ll provide a detailed checklist based on your circumstances.

Before approving a home loan, lenders review several aspects of your financial situation. This includes your income, employment stability, existing debts, credit history and living expenses.

Banks also review bank statements to verify income and understand spending habits.

You can read more about this in our guide:What Banks Look for in Your Bank Statements When Applying for a Home Loan

Home loan pre-approval is an initial assessment from a lender indicating how much they may be willing to lend based on your financial information. This usually involves reviewing your income, employment, debts and living expenses.

Pre-approval helps buyers understand their budget before searching for property and can make the purchasing process much smoother.

You can learn more about how this process works in our guide:What Is Home Loan Pre-Approval and How Does It Work in Australia?

The process can take 2-4 weeks, depending on the lender and complexity of your application. We work to ensure everything moves as quickly as possible.

Yes, self-employed borrowers are eligible for home loans. You’ll need to provide additional documentation like recent tax returns, business activity statements (BAS), or financial statements. We specialize in helping self-employed clients navigate lender policies.

Some lenders offer loans with as little as a 5% deposit, but you may need to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). We can guide you through your options and explore alternatives, such as guarantor loans.

You can read more about deposit requirements and strategies in our guide: How Much Deposit Do You Really Need to Buy a Home in Australia?

It’s possible. We work with a variety of lenders, including those that specialize in helping clients with less-than-perfect credit. We'll review your situation and recommend suitable options.

A fixed-rate loan locks in your interest rate for a set period, providing predictable repayments. A variable-rate loan may fluctuate with market rates, offering flexibility and potential cost savings. We can help you decide which suits your goals.

An offset account is a savings or transaction account linked to your home loan. The balance in this account offsets your loan principal, reducing the interest you pay.

You can also read our detailed comparison: Offset Account vs Redraw: What’s the Difference?

Yes, refinancing can help you secure a better interest rate, access equity, or consolidate debt. We’ll review your current loan and compare it against other options to see if refinancing is right for you.

In Australia, you may be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) and stamp duty concessions. The government’s 5% Deposit Scheme also lets eligible first home buyers purchase with a 5% deposit and no Lenders Mortgage Insurance. We’ll help you understand and access these benefits.

For a full breakdown of grants, schemes and eligibility rules, see our First Home Buyer Guide in Australia (Grants, Schemes & Deposit Options).

Generally, you’ll need at least 5-10% of the property’s value. Keep in mind that a larger deposit can help you avoid LMI and reduce your loan repayments.

Our detailed guide explains deposit options, including 5% deposits and government schemes: How Much Deposit Do You Really Need to Buy a Home in Australia?

In addition to your deposit, consider costs like:

• Stamp duty

• Lenders Mortgage Insurance (if applicable)

• Legal and conveyancing fees

• Building and pest inspections

• Moving costs

For a full breakdown of property purchase expenses, see our guide: Hidden Costs When Buying a Property in Australia.

Each year we donate a portion of our profits to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, and larger settlements add to that through our upfront commission. The donation comes from us, not from your loan, so choosing us helps protect Australia's wildlife and habitats at no extra cost to you.

Working with us already contributes. You can also help by sharing our mission with friends and family who are looking for a mortgage broker.

You can reach us by:

• Phone: +61 485 981 099
• Email: lorenzo@echidnaequity.com or tom@echidnaequity.com
• The contact form on our website

Yes. Book a free 30-minute chat by phone or video at a time that suits you, or send us a message and we'll find a time.

While based in Sydney, we assist clients across Australia.

Check out our Guides.