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Home Answers What Does a Mortgage Broker Do? | Lendology Adelaide
Plain-English answer

What does a mortgage broker do?

The direct answer
A mortgage broker compares home loans across a panel of lenders — typically 30 to 60+ — and recommends the loan that best suits your situation. They manage your application, liaise with the lender, and coordinate settlement. In Australia, brokers are paid a commission by the lender at settlement, so their service costs you nothing.

The difference between a broker and a bank

A bank employee recommends their own bank's products. A mortgage broker compares loans across many lenders simultaneously and is legally required — under Best Interest Duty — to recommend what genuinely suits you, not what earns them the most commission.

Lendology compares across 60+ lenders including the major banks, second-tier lenders, credit unions and specialist lenders. Some of these lenders are only accessible through brokers.


What a broker does from start to finish

A mortgage broker assesses your borrowing capacity, reviews your financial position, compares lenders and products, prepares and lodges your application, manages lender queries, coordinates the valuation, and liaises with your conveyancer through to settlement.

After settlement, a good broker monitors your rate and checks in annually to ensure your loan remains competitive — this is part of the ongoing service, not a one-off transaction.


How brokers are paid

Australian mortgage brokers are paid an upfront commission by the lender — typically around 0.65% of the loan amount — and a trailing commission of around 0.15% per year while the loan remains active. This is paid by the lender, not by you.

Brokers are required to disclose their commission in writing before you proceed. Under Best Interest Duty, they cannot recommend a loan simply because it pays a higher commission.


Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Is using a mortgage broker free?
Yes — in Australia, mortgage brokers are paid by the lender at settlement. Your interest rate and loan costs are the same whether you apply through a broker or directly to the bank.
Do mortgage brokers have access to better rates?
In most cases yes. Brokers create genuine competition between lenders, which often results in more competitive rates than going directly to a single bank. Banks also tend to offer their sharpest rates to new customers — not existing ones.
What is Best Interest Duty?
Best Interest Duty is a legal obligation introduced in January 2021 requiring Australian mortgage brokers to act in the best interests of the borrower. It means Lendology must recommend the loan that genuinely suits your situation — not the loan that pays the highest commission.
How long does a mortgage broker take?
From first chat to pre-approval is typically 3 to 7 business days with Lendology. From a signed contract to settlement is usually 4 to 6 weeks depending on the lender and property type.

Talk to a broker

Questions about your specific situation?

Jason and Steve are Adelaide mortgage brokers who give honest, free advice. No obligation.

Book a free chat Call 08 8270 5138

The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute financial advice. Given Finance Pty Ltd (t/a Lendology) ACN 624 144 501 is authorised under LMG Broker Services Pty Ltd ACL 517192.