Australia’s Fastest-Growing Mortgage Brokerages | Fast Mortgage Brokerages

Stephen Michaels, managing director at Catalyst Advisers, refers to 2025 as a “great year so far”. He says, “That’s based on new conversations, submissions, settlement and volume, as everything’s flowing, and there’s definitely growth. But to reiterate, it’s not easy work; it’s been tough and a grind.”

To that end, after months of research, Australian Broker recognises 2025’s Fast Brokerages blazing a trail. To qualify, firms had to achieve over 20% growth in combined revenue and settlement across 2024. The profile of these brokerages varied, with some operating solo, while others had teams of over 30 brokers.

And Micheals emphasises how impressive their performance has been to record growth. “For the calendar year 2024, we had no rate cut that was promised. It was a flat market in terms of buying, selling and consumer sentiment,” he explains. “You really needed to call upon your old, existing, long-term relationships to continue to drum up at least the minimum amount of business, and the growth on top of that is even harder.”

The MFAA CEO, Anja Pannek, states that by prioritising client education, brokerages become the go-to professionals for future concerns. “Brokerages that put time and effort into helping their clients understand their financial situations will also reap the benefits in terms of retention and business growth,” she says.

Almost half of AB’s 2025 winners are Fast Starters, those who have been in business for three years or less. These brokerages stand out for their resilience and ability to cement a place in the market.

“They need to position themselves well to generate leads and convert clients at the same time as building solid foundations for the future,” Pannek explains. “This includes having a compelling client proposition, a business plan, financial and non-financial metrics to track business performance and a clear marketing and social media strategy, as well as investing in nurturing long-term client relationships. That is a lot in the early stage of setting up; however, this will ensure sustainable growth.”

The MFAA’s data highlights the adoption of technology as an important way to drive growth by freeing up additional time to spend on value-adding client work.

• 84% of brokers utilise digital signing tools.
  
   

• 77% use a CRM platform,
  
   

• 70% protect themselves with cybersecurity defences. 

“Brokers must remain responsive to changes in technological adoption to remain competitive and effectively meet client needs,” states the report.

1. Strategic diversification

• Brokerages are expanding beyond traditional residential mortgages into commercial lending, asset finance, SMSF loans and property syndication.
  
   

• Several firms launched new divisions (eg commercial and medico/private client arms) or acquired other businesses to broaden their service offerings and revenue streams.

2. Investment in technology and operational efficiency

• Significant investments in tech stacks, automation, CRM systems and AI tools have been made to streamline processes, reduce turnaround times and support scalable growth.
  
   

• Digital client portals, open banking integration and automated reporting are enhancing client experience and operational transparency.

3. Focus on training, development, and culture

• Brokerages are prioritising broker and staff upskilling through comprehensive in-house training platforms, mentorship and tailored learning modules.
  
   

• Strong internal cultures, career pathways and recognition programs are helping retain top talent and foster high performance.

4. Client-centric and relationship-driven growth  

• A high proportion of new business comes from repeat clients and referrals, reflecting a focus on long-term relationships and exceptional service.
  
   

• Many brokerages have implemented regular client communication, accountability check-ins and post-settlement care programs to enhance loyalty and retention.

5. Community engagement and social impact

• Many firms are deeply involved in their communities – supporting local initiatives, running educational events and sponsoring clubs – building trust and brand recognition.
  
   

• There’s a notable emphasis on financial literacy, with brokerages running seminars, podcasts and educational content for clients and the broader public.

6. Expansion of teams and geographic reach

• Many brokerages have grown from solo operators to multi-broker teams, often with offshore support to boost capacity.
  
   

• Geographic expansion – opening new offices or entering new states – has been a common growth lever.

7. Niche market focus and specialisation

• Several brokerages are carving out niches – serving specific communities (eg defence, veterans and self-employed) or focusing on complex lending scenarios and high-net-worth clients.
  
   

• Specialist service propositions and tailored advice are differentiating factors.

Education first is the firm’s philosophy and has propelled its growth, as clients have responded to feeling empowered.

Infinity doesn’t believe in transactional; instead, it opts to be a transformational-based business. This comes into play as many retail loans lack flexibility or contain hidden fees that clients don’t notice unless they are familiar with complex banking terms. By diversifying its lender panel, the firm meets the needs of a broad client base – 70% of clients use mainstream lenders, and the remaining 30% are connected with niche lending options that better suit their goals.

“One of the challenges we find in our industry is a lack of education around rates,” says COO Helena Christakos. “We find that it’s very hard for clients to understand the difference between having a 5.5% rate compared to a 5.75%.”

 

“We’ve invested heavily in specialist teams, advanced systems and automations which allow us to scale without sacrificing any service quality”

Helena ChristakosInfinity Group Coaching

Infinity prioritises creating a buffer for clients, so they’re fully aware of how rate changes impact their standard of living. “It means if there is a car breakdown, they’re not going to use the credit card. We’re educating them on how to be sustainable within their current means,” explains Christakos. “It’s about being smarter with their money and being more aware.”

In 2024, the brokerage estimates it saved clients over $144 million in home loan debt. “To our knowledge, no other mortgage brokerage in Australia matched these savings,” says Christakos.

In the same year, the firm helped a record 2,489 clients purchase property, consolidate debt and learn how to make smarter money decisions. This was backed up by: 

• residential loan book growth of 63%, reaching $1.73 billion
  
   

• clients purchasing 2,325 properties in 2024, a 53% increase from the previous year

Constant evolution in many areas, notably its online portal, is another of the brokerage’s hallmarks. The portal works in tandem with their educational approach and includes open banking integration plus budget and goal tracking.

“We’re building a lot more automations in-house as well, to take away some of the unnecessary administrative tasks,” Christakos says. “We have AI chatbots across most of our platforms. Now, we have an option where the customer has a question, it’s urgent, and it can be answered. If not, they can automatically book into someone’s calendar.”

The portal’s upgrade also features automated monthly reporting to improve accuracy and efficiency, along with a new resource library including budgeting tips and educational webinars. Clients will be able to track their debt reduction and budgeting progress with clear visibility over their financial position and goals.

Christakos says, “The difference is because it’s a two-way view; it’s probably been one of the biggest successes we’ve had. We set up their goal and how much they should be paying off their mortgage, they put it in their budget, and we track that.”

Holding clients responsible is why the brokerage regards itself as “personal trainers of finance”. While maintaining a long-term view is fundamental for Christakos.

“We want to empower our clients, but we also need to be firm. When they are doing something they shouldn’t, we rein them in,” he says.

Monthly reports are generated and sent out that calculate where clients are in relation to their goals, along with a relationship manager doing a physical check-in.

 

Infinity has invested heavily in specialists and tech. This has allowed the business to scale without sacrificing quality or service. Christakos says, “Even though our solution allows us to grow because it is so structured, it’s still flexible enough to adapt to a client’s personal situation as well.”

That’s why the brokerage has recorded “substantial growth” in the last two years and expects that to continue. However, that creates the enviable problem of bringing in more people and creating efficiencies. This is where their systems and automation have really kicked in, and the firm has bolstered its team of brokers from 16 to 20.

Growth is further generated by all of the team being on the same page. Christakos explains, “Getting one person as a frontline staff member who has the right ethos and values is like having three staff in other companies. We hire very smart people, and we also do a lot of promotion from within.”

By tying everything together, it’s clear why Infinity has recorded such impressive growth, and 67% of business came from repeat clients in 2024. The remainder came largely through word-of-mouth referrals.

“Empowerment all starts from education. We don’t have a magic wand, but it’s all about teaching our clients about the information that’s out there but not being taught to them,” says Christakos. “These education sessions are the fundamental starting points for us to build long-term and sustainable relationships.”

 

Smart moves have powered the brokerage forward, and one such move has been to embrace offshoring. Founded as a one-person firm, it has since added a loan processor in the Philippines to manage backend tasks.

“The biggest challenge for me was finding a way to manage my time without dropping the ball and making sure I continued to keep the same level of customer service, which is something that I’m honestly good at,” says director Jose Slompo.

 

“People really value it when you explain everything in detail”

Jose SlompoAmplifinance

The brokerage recorded a conversion rate of 84% from submission to settlement in the 12 months prior to June 2025. Slompo points to online feedback (130+ Google Reviews, all 5 stars) as evidence of the service delivered.

An element of this is driven by availability, with Slompo happy for clients to message him directly, guaranteeing a prompt reply. This stems from his own experience of waiting days for brokerages to respond.

Slompo says, “Then once you get a reply, they say they’re going to look at it, and they take another two weeks. That’s just unacceptable for me. I can’t imagine treating a customer like that.”

While some brokerages have detailed growth plans, Slompo is more definitive about what he doesn’t want to come. “As long as I’m having fun and not compromising on top-quality customer service, I’ll continue to grow, but when any of those two things start to get minimally impacted, that’s where I’ll draw the line and stop growing.”

That customer service is why work is flooding in, with things being energised by having a loan processor on board. “It frees up so much time for me, but I still review everything; it just means a lot of the manual things I don’t have to do anymore,” adds Slompo.

There are plans to keep pushing growth by adding a credit analyst.

 

Marketing is something that’s never been commissioned by Amplifinance, and growth has been powered solely by word-of-mouth referrals.

However, Slompo has carved out a niche, with 80% of his clients being Brazilians living in Australia. Among these, there is a 60/40 split in favour of investors over owner-occupiers.

This base leads to Slompo dealing with non-bank lenders regularly, and he has become a specialist in this area. “I always tell clients, ‘They’re going to charge a bit more in terms of rates and fees, but that’s a price you pay for more borrowing capacity’.”

Slompo’s passion is routinely recognised by clients, who are impressed by the level of detail in his answers. He explains, “I take a long-term view of the borrowing capacity of the client rather than just looking at the immediate transaction.”

This was illustrated with a couple purchasing their PPOR using a family guarantee from one of the applicants’ stepmothers. However, the valuation of the property offered as a guarantee was much lower than expected, requiring Slompo to challenge, resulting in a much better valuation.

Then there was an issue with the property being purchased because the zoning was commercial. Slompo says, “I then worked with the solicitors to collect documentation and make a case as to why it should be treated as residential, which was accepted.”

He also cites a case of a self-employed client in which servicing was tight, but Slompo managed to get items such as bad debts, donations, and rental expenses added back, which ultimately was the difference between getting full approval.

He comments, “I love workshopping complex self-employed deals with BDMs, especially the ones with multiple companies and trusts, as there’s always something new to learn.”

 

Authenticity is the momentum behind the brokerage’s rise. Clients know they might not always like what they hear, but it will be for their benefit.

“I don’t sugar-coat the hard truths. I don’t push loans that aren’t right. I show up the same way on social media, in client meetings and in the community – transparent, relatable and unapologetically myself,” explains director Ronald Gatbonton. “That consistency has built trust, and trust is the currency that turned conversations into commitments and commitments into growth.”

 

“We want to make sure that we are able to grow but also maintain that boutique feeling of our service, rather than just focusing on quantity”

Ronald GatbontonRight Wealth

Growth hasn’t arrived out of the blue, with Right Wealth putting a plan in place to reach its targets. Gatbonton says, “It was more than just numbers on a page. My plan has always been anchored on two things: faith and authenticity. Faith that the right opportunities and clients will align when I show up with excellence. And authenticity, that I won’t copy anyone else’s playbook – I’ll grow this brokerage in a way that reflects who I am and the community I serve.”

The brokerage is around halfway through its growth plan after laying the foundations, building systems, and targeting a clear niche in the Filipino-Australian community.

Over the past 12 months:

This speaks to the brokerage’s ability to deliver, which is focused on a comprehensive offering. “It’s not about the transaction; it’s about stewardship,” says Gatbonton. “When clients leave with confidence, clarity and the assurance that someone genuinely cared about their future, that’s delivering.”

Social media has also played a role with Facebook posts aimed at educational and insightful content, unpacking concepts such as being a first-time buyer or explaining mortgage products on the market.

Clients are issued a roadmap based on their goals and objectives, and then it’s down to the brokerage. “Not all will probably qualify for this lowest basic loan product because some have a bit of complexity in their life status,” says Gatbonton. “But they’re presented with all the suitable loan options to make an informed decision.”

Gatbonton is another brokerage owner who joined the industry after property investment became a passion. The desire to take it a stage further saw him leave behind a 20-year spell in nursing. “The common theme is you look after people,” Gatbonton says.

Right Wealth’s rapid growth is merited, but the crucial factor going forward is maintaining those high standards, along with ensuring continuous growth. Gatbonton says. “The personalised service is what matters and what sets us apart.”

 

“It’s not just about selling a product or selling a loan product,” adds Gatbonton. “It’s about showing them clarity or giving them clarity on what their goals are.”

This is distilled in an example of a client who had been turned away by four other brokers due to their complicated situation on paper, with multiple income streams and debts.

“I don’t believe in giving up when a person’s dream is at stake. I spent late nights restructuring their finances, speaking directly with lenders, and mapping every scenario until I found a path that worked,” explains Gatbonton.

The situation ended with the client in tears as they received the keys to their first home. And this speaks to Right Wealth’s attitude of going beyond the nuts and bolts of broking.

Gatbonton adds, “It’s not just about showing technical skill but bringing faith, persistence and genuine care until the client’s dream becomes reality.”

 

To maintain sustainable growth, Michaels advises brokerages to expand their team before they become overwhelmed by volume. However, he warns that hiring should be carried out surgically to ensure that new hires are the right fit.

“Don’t be scared of hiring and spending that money to have a headcount,” he explains. “Having someone in that seat next to you just allows you to explore and really understand your business and where you fit in the market. But in the same vein, don’t hire out of desperation.”

There also has to be a focus on striking the right balance between growing revenue and maintaining profitability while meeting regulatory requirements.

Brokerages that are growth-oriented need to monitor several factors. “They are focusing on client engagement and retention strategies, exploring diversified services and revenue streams, such as commercial lending,” says Pannek. “Some are also expanding into holistic financial support by employing other professionals, such as accountants and buyer’s agents, or using referral partners.”

This pressure is heightened for solo brokers running a brokerage, but tech tools offer a way to combat this. Pannek adds, “There is an increasing trend of brokers partnering or joining other broker businesses or scaling up back-office support, such as admin staff and loan writers. The emergence of technology tools such as generative AI is also assisting brokers in a multitude of ways, but they still need to maintain that all-important human connection.”

 

• Relationship-driven growth: Repeat clients and referrals are the main sources of new business, underscoring the importance of long-term client relationships and trust.
  
   

• Personalisation and education: Leading brokerages focus on client education and tailored advice.
  
   

• Technology adoption: High adoption of digital tools is freeing up brokers to focus on value-added client work and operational efficiency.
  
   

• Diversity of models: Both solo operators and large teams are succeeding, with many new Fast Starters (in business less than three years) showing remarkable growth and resilience.
  
   

• Niche and community focus: Many brokerages are serving specific cultural or demographic communities, further differentiating themselves and deepening client loyalty.
  
   

• Sustainable growth foundations: Successful firms invest in training, culture, compliance and strategic hiring to ensure long-term, scalable growth.