January 15: Mortgage brokers face talent crunch; Aussie fast-tracks growth
Australia’s mortgage broker sector is hitting a talent crunch as 2026 approaches. With brokers facilitating about 77% of new home loans, the pressure to hire, train, and retain a mortgage broker is rising. Aussie’s new Aussie Amplify program aims to speed scale and ownership, while fresh MFAA broker guides warn about recruitment, professionalism, and cyber risk. Record FY25 settlements at Aussie signal demand is holding. These shifts could lift banks’ acquisition costs and shape aggregator growth in FY26, giving investors new signals to track.
Talent, professionalism and cyber risk: what 2026 looks like
High broker market share and steady refinancing keep lead volumes elevated. That forces every mortgage broker to compete for experienced loan writers and operations staff. Training time, compliance, and customer service make ramp-up slow. Salary expectations and support costs in AUD keep rising. Firms with clear career paths and mentoring will attract better candidates and protect conversion rates.
The new MFAA broker guides spotlight recruitment standards, ethics, data handling, and incident response. They outline practical steps for licensees and credit reps to lift resilience and customer trust. We view cyber drills, vendor checks, and staff training as near-term priorities. See the guidance here source. A disciplined mortgage broker will convert more referrals and face fewer costly disruptions.
With broker market share near 77% of new flows, lenders must compete harder in third-party channels. That gives the mortgage broker more leverage on pricing, service levels, and niche policy needs. Banks that embrace broker feedback may speed approvals and win loyalty. Those that lag can see slower pipeline velocity and higher fall-over.
Inside the Aussie Amplify program and growth pathways
Aussie’s Aussie Amplify program creates clear tracks for recruitment, team building, and equity options within the franchise network. It is designed to speed a mortgage broker from solo operator to multi-adviser business. Launch details highlight support and coaching for rapid scale source. For founders, ownership depth helps retention, succession, and access to capital.
At scale, process control is vital. We expect Amplify participants to lean on centralised training, digital lodgement tools, and analytics to lift productivity. A mortgage broker who documents files cleanly and monitors risks can settle more loans with fewer errors. Streamlined tech also boosts customer updates, which improves repeat business and online reviews.
Scaling a brokerage takes working capital. Team hires, marketing, and lead buys land before commissions. A growing mortgage broker often blends bank facilities with trail book finance or internal profit share. Clear cash flow plans help avoid stress in slower months. Owners should model drawdown timelines, commission splits, and offsets under different settlement scenarios.
Implications for banks, aggregators, and FY26 outcomes
As more borrowers prefer advice, banks must win deals through partners. That can lift cost per acquisition and shift budgets toward broker campaigns and turn-time improvements. For a mortgage broker, fast credit decisions matter as much as rate. Lenders that deliver consistent service across states will secure more broker mindshare and flow.
More brokers chasing support will benefit scaled aggregators. We expect FY26 to bring selective M&A, tech partnerships, and stronger training offers. A well-supported mortgage broker writes more quality loans, which compounds trail income for groups. Parent companies that invest in cyber, data quality, and lender relations should gain share and better unit economics.
Track broker headcount growth, time to competency, and conversion rates by channel. Watch lender approval times, policy updates, and pricing changes through a mortgage broker lens. Monitor reported cyber incidents and remediation costs. Finally, review aggregator retention, new franchise openings, and any capital raises. These datapoints will confirm where value is building.
Final Thoughts
Australia’s broker channel looks set for another big year. Talent shortages, higher standards, and cyber resilience will define who grows and who stalls. Aussie’s push to speed scale and ownership through Amplify adds urgency for peers. Banks will sharpen broker service and pricing as distribution tilts further to advisers.
For investors, the playbook is clear. Back platforms that help a mortgage broker find quality leads, settle faster, and manage risk. Look for aggregators with rising headcount, higher conversion, and fewer complaints. Assess banks on approval times, channel economics, and consistency across states. Finally, value service providers that reduce cyber incidents and protect customer data. Set watchlists for quarterly lender SLA updates, aggregator recruitment targets, and reported cyber events. Compare commissions and clawback policies, as small tweaks can shift cash flow for firms. In due diligence, ask about data governance, incident drills, and vendor screening. The simple rule is to back providers that make brokers more productive, compliant, and trusted with customers. Execution, not hype, will decide FY26 winners.
FAQs
Why is the mortgage broker talent crunch intensifying in Australia?
Lead volumes remain high as brokers write about 77% of new home loans. That raises demand for experienced loan writers, credit analysts, and support staff. Training takes time, compliance is tighter, and pay expectations have lifted. Firms without clear career paths and mentoring lose candidates to larger groups with better support.
What is the Aussie Amplify program and who benefits?
Amplify is a growth pathway within the Aussie network that helps brokers hire, build teams, and access ownership options faster. It combines coaching, recruitment support, and operational tools. New entrants scale quicker, while established owners deepen equity, improve retention, and smooth succession. Customers benefit from stronger service and capacity.
How do the MFAA broker guides affect planning for 2026?
The guides set expectations on recruitment standards, professionalism, data security, and incident response. Groups will budget for training, vendor checks, and cyber drills. Clear file notes and risk controls should lift conversion and reduce disruptions. Lenders will prefer partners that show compliance maturity and consistent customer outcomes.
What indicators should investors watch in FY26?
Track broker headcount growth, time to competency, and conversion rates. Compare lender approval times, policy updates, and pricing through the third-party channel. Review aggregator retention, new franchise openings, and any capital raises. Monitor reported cyber incidents and remediation costs. These signals reveal where productivity and profits are improving.
Disclaimer:
The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes. Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.
