When the tide turns, you don’t ask the ocean for permission, you jump on the biggest wave you can find. In 2025, that wave has Mortgage Broker written all over it.”
John Hanna
The Big Bang: Record‑Breaking Numbers
Mortgage brokers now settle 76.8 % of all new residential home loans. an all‑time high and up from just 56 % in 2017.
Figure 1. MFAA & Comparator data show the sharp ascent of broker‑written loans, with industry leaders tipping the magic 80 % mark before New Year’s Eve.
That’s not a rounding error; it’s a paradigm shift. Every borrower you know—your neighbour, your sister‑in‑law, even your Uber driver, is bypassing the big‑bank branch and tapping a broker who’s legally bound to put their interests first.
What’s Fueling the Surge?
Best Interests Duty (BID)
Since 2021, brokers have been statutorily required to act in a client’s best interests. Translation? Consumers trust brokers the way Aussies trust a battered‑fish recipe at the local surf club.
Rate‑Cut Tailwinds
February’s surprise RBA cut lit a fire under refinancers and first‑timers alike. Brokers were ready. with choice, speed, and a digital toolkit that makes bank processes look like dial‑up internet.
Tech & Talent
With 22,000‑plus brokers (and counting) embracing e‑signatures, open banking, and AI‑driven product matching, paperwork is getting crushed faster than a stubby after knock‑off.
Borrower Journey: Side‑by‑side graphic contrasting the 12‑step “Bank Branch Shuffle” with the 4‑step “Broker Express Lane.”
80 % and Beyond: 2025’s Broker‑Led Housing Boom
Industry veterans aren’t whispering—they’re shouting: “We’re headed past 80 %.” And here’s why that matters:
| Metric | 2017 | 2025 (Est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Broker Market Share | 56 % | 80 % |
| Avg. Lenders on a Broker’s Panel | 18 | 23 |
| Avg. Rate Discount Achieved | 0.20 % | 0.35 % |
When choice multiplies, competition ignites. More lenders jostling for shelf space means sharper pricing, and that means borrowers keep more cash in their back pocket—fuel for the next renovation, investment, or smashed‑avo brunch.
Winners & Losers in a Broker‑Ruled Market
Winners
Borrowers – Tailored advice, faster approvals, and real after‑care (ever had your bank call you to refinance?).
Investors – Structuring flexibility; niche lenders hungry for complex deals.
Smaller Lenders – Brokers are their bridge to mainstream customers.
Losers
Old‑School Branch Models – Foot traffic is down; digital is table stakes.
Complacent Borrowers – Loyalty tax is real. Stick with a variable loan too long and you’ll pay for the bank’s Christmas party.
How to Ride the Wave
- Get a Broker on Speed‑Dial – Interview at least two; pick the one who talks strategy, not just rates
- Stress‑Test Your Budget – Rate cycles can still sting. Plan for +1 %
- Review Annually – Treat your mortgage like a high‑performance engine—tune it regularly.
Mortgage brokers aren’t the alternative anymore; they are the market. If you’re serious about buying, investing, or just holding onto more of your hard‑earned cash, 2025 is the year to partner with a broker who has your back.”
John Hanna
Mortgage brokers aren’t the alternative anymore; they are the market. If you’re serious about buying, investing, or just holding onto more of your hard‑earned cash, 2025 is the year to partner with a broker who has your back.
References
- Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia. (2025, June 2). Mortgage broker market share reaches new peak
- Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia. (2025). The Value of Mortgage and Finance Broking 2025 (Deloitte Access Economics)
- Farrington, W. (2025, June 3). Industry hails new landmark in mortgage broker dominance. Mortgage Professional Australia.
(All data sourced from MFAA & Deloitte Access Economics unless otherwise stated.)