Refinance Mortgage Broker

Is your home loan
rate still competitive?

Refinancing a home loan means replacing your existing loan with a new one — either with your current lender or a different one — to secure a lower rate, release equity, or improve your loan structure. With the average variable rate at 6.92% in August 2026 and broker-negotiated rates from 5.69%, many borrowers are paying thousands more than they need to.

The RBA cash rate is 4.35% following two consecutive hikes in early 2026. With rates elevated and competition between lenders intense, the gap between what most borrowers are paying and what they could be paying has rarely been larger. A free 30-minute assessment with Adrian will tell you exactly where you stand.

Get a Free Rate Assessment 0411 747 956
RBA Cash Rate
4.35%
August 2026
Avg Variable Rate
6.92%
National average
Broker-Negotiated
From 5.69%
Strong borrowers
Potential saving
Up to 1.23%
vs average rate
Get a free rate assessment

Tell us your current rate — Adrian will find out if you can do better. Response within 2 hours.

Free · No obligation · We respond within 2 hours

Savings calculator

How much could
you save?

Even a small reduction in your interest rate produces significant savings over time. Adjust the sliders to see what a rate reduction means for your specific loan. These are indicative figures — the actual saving depends on your lender, loan structure, and fees. Adrian will model the exact numbers in your free assessment.

$600,000
6.90%
5.70%
25 years
Estimated annual saving
$3,960
$330 per month · 0.66% rate reduction
Current monthly repayment $3,982
New monthly repayment $3,652
Monthly saving $330
Total saving over loan term $99,000

Indicative estimate only. Assumes P&I repayments, no fees. Does not account for switching costs or changes in rate over the loan term. Speak to Adrian for numbers specific to your situation.

Get My Actual Saving — Free
Should you refinance?

5 signs it's time to
review your home loan

Most Australian homeowners refinance every 3–5 years. But the right time to refinance isn't based on a calendar — it's based on whether your current loan still serves your goals. Here are the five clearest signals that it's time to act.

The 2026 context

The RBA cash rate rose twice in 2026 — February and March — bringing it to 4.35%. Many borrowers who locked in fixed rates during the 2020–2022 low-rate period are now rolling onto variable rates significantly higher than expected. If you're in this group, the urgency to compare lenders is higher than it has been in years.

01

Your rate is above the national average

The average variable rate in Australia is 6.92% in August 2026. Broker-negotiated rates for well-qualified borrowers are available from around 5.69%. If your rate is sitting at or above the national average — especially if you've been with the same lender for more than 3 years — there is likely a better deal available.

→ On a $600k loan, a 0.66% reduction saves approximately $3,960 per year
02

Your fixed rate period is ending

When a fixed rate expires, your loan automatically rolls onto your lender's standard variable rate — which is almost always higher than what you'd get by negotiating. The window between when your fixed rate ends and when the new rate kicks in is the optimal time to compare lenders. Start the process 3 months before expiry.

→ Many borrowers find their lender's revert rate is 0.5–1.0% above the market
03

Your equity has grown significantly

If your property value has risen since you bought — and they have materially over the past 3 years — your Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR) may have improved. Moving from 85% to 75% LVR can unlock meaningfully lower interest rates and remove the need for ongoing LMI. Your equity growth can translate directly into a rate reduction.

→ Dropping from 80% to 70% LVR can reduce your rate by 0.2–0.4%
04

Your financial situation has improved

A higher income, reduced debts, a stronger credit profile, or a longer employment history all improve your risk profile in a lender's eyes. A borrower who was a borderline case 3 years ago may now qualify for a significantly better rate with a different lender. Lenders reward stability — refinancing lets you monetise the financial progress you've made.

→ A higher income or lower debt can unlock rates reserved for low-risk borrowers
05

You need to access equity for a specific goal

Refinancing isn't only about getting a lower rate. Many borrowers refinance to access the equity built up in their property for renovations, an investment property deposit, or debt consolidation. A cash-out refinance lets you borrow against your property's equity at home loan rates — which are typically far lower than personal loans or credit cards.

→ Home loan rates are typically 8–15% cheaper than personal loan rates
Types of refinancing

What type of refinance
is right for you?

Not all refinances are the same. The right structure depends on what you're trying to achieve. Here are the main types Adrian advises on:

Rate and term refinancing

The most common type. You switch to a new loan with a lower interest rate and/or a different term length. The goal is to reduce monthly repayments, pay less interest over the life of the loan, or both.

Best for: Borrowers paying above the market rate or coming off a fixed period

Cash-out refinancing

You refinance for more than your current loan balance, receiving the difference in cash. This lets you access the equity built up in your property at home loan rates — far cheaper than a personal loan or credit card — to fund renovations, an investment deposit, or other goals.

Best for: Borrowers with significant equity who need funds for a specific purpose

Debt consolidation refinancing

Multiple debts — credit cards, personal loans, car loans — are rolled into a single home loan. The result is one repayment at a much lower interest rate. This can significantly reduce monthly cash flow pressure, though it's important to model the total interest paid over the loan term before proceeding.

Best for: Borrowers with multiple high-interest debts impacting cash flow

Investment property refinancing

Refinancing an investment loan to access equity, restructure from principal and interest to interest-only, or improve the rate. Adrian's commercial banking background means he understands the lender criteria for investment refinances — including how your full portfolio is assessed when you have multiple properties.

Best for: Property investors looking to optimise structure or access equity to purchase again

Restructuring — fixed, variable, or split

With the RBA cash rate at 4.35% and further movement possible in either direction, some borrowers want to fix a portion of their loan for rate certainty while keeping the rest variable for flexibility. A split loan gives you the best of both — stable repayments on the fixed portion, an offset account on the variable portion.

Best for: Borrowers who want rate certainty without giving up flexibility entirely

Lender mortgage insurance removal

If you paid LMI when you originally purchased — which is common for buyers with less than 20% deposit — you may now have enough equity to refinance to a new lender without LMI applying. This removes a cost from your loan while potentially also securing a better rate.

Best for: Borrowers who originally purchased with less than 20% deposit and have since built equity

The right way to refinance

Is it better to refinance
with a broker or your bank?

When you go directly to your bank to refinance, you're negotiating with one lender who has a vested interest in keeping your rate as high as you'll accept. A mortgage broker compares 30+ lenders and negotiates on your behalf — at no cost to you.

More than 75% of new Australian home loans are now arranged through mortgage brokers, according to the MFAA. The reason is straightforward: brokers consistently get better outcomes because they have access to the full market and a commercial incentive to find you the best deal.

Start with a free assessment
Ascent Property Finance
Your bank
Lenders compared
30+
1
Negotiates on your behalf
Yes
No
Cost to you
Free
Free
Handles discharge paperwork
Yes — full process
You do this
Exit fee / break cost analysis
Upfront — before you commit
You find out later
Break-even calculation
Yes — exact months
Rarely provided
Works for you
You
The bank
Response time
2 hours
Days–weeks
What does refinancing cost?

Understanding the
real cost of switching

Every refinance comes with some switching costs. The key question is not whether there are costs — but whether the savings over time outweigh them. This is what a break-even analysis tells you.

On a $600,000 loan switching from 6.92% to 5.99%, the typical switching cost of $1,500–$2,000 is recovered within 5–6 months of lower repayments. Over 25 years, the net saving exceeds $95,000.

The one scenario where the costs can be significant is breaking a fixed rate early. Fixed rate break costs are calculated by the lender based on wholesale funding rates and the time remaining on your fixed term — they can range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands. Adrian calculates this upfront, before you commit to anything.

Using a broker to refinance costs you nothing. Adrian is paid a commission by the new lender when your loan settles — the same model used by every mortgage broker in Australia. There are no hidden fees, no upfront charges, and no obligation at any stage of the assessment.

Typical refinancing costs
Range
Discharge fee (existing lender)
Fee to close your current loan
$150–$400
Government registration fees
Mortgage discharge and new registration
$150–$300
New lender application fee
Often waived for refinancers — broker negotiates
$0–$600
Valuation fee
New lender assesses property value — often free
$0–$300
Fixed rate break cost
Only applies if breaking a fixed rate early — varies
$0–$30,000+
Broker fee
Ascent Property Finance is paid by the lender, not you
$0
Typical total (no break cost)
Recovered in 5–6 months on most refinances
$500–$1,600
How it works

The refinancing process
with Ascent Property Finance

01
Free rate assessment

Adrian reviews your current loan — rate, lender, remaining term, fixed or variable — and compares it against 30+ lenders. He calculates your potential saving and the break-even point on switching costs. No commitment required.

02
Lender comparison

Adrian identifies the best 3–5 lenders for your profile based on rate, features, serviceability, and any specific goals (equity release, debt consolidation, investment). He recommends one and explains exactly why.

03
Application submitted

Adrian prepares and submits the new loan application. He handles the documentation, valuation order, and any queries from the new lender — freeing you from the paperwork that typically makes refinancing feel difficult.

04
Approval and discharge

Once approved, Adrian coordinates the discharge of your existing loan with your current lender. Both sides of the transaction are managed simultaneously to minimise delays. Most refinances settle within 4–6 weeks of application.

05
Settlement — lower rate begins

Your new loan settles and your lower rate takes effect immediately. Adrian confirms the rate, repayment amount, and any conditions — and stays available for questions throughout the first 3 months on your new loan.

Frequently asked questions

Refinancing
FAQs

Can't find what you're looking for? Call Adrian directly on 0411 747 956.

0411 747 956
  • Refinancing means replacing your existing home loan with a new one — either with your current lender or a different one. The goal is typically to secure a lower interest rate, access equity in your property, consolidate debts, or adjust your loan structure. A mortgage broker compares 30+ lenders simultaneously to find the best outcome for your situation, at no cost to you.
  • With the average variable rate at 6.92% in August 2026 and broker-negotiated rates available from around 5.69% for well-qualified borrowers, there is a meaningful gap between what most Australians are paying and what they could be paying. On a $600,000 loan, a 0.5% rate reduction saves approximately $3,000 per year or $90,000 over 30 years. Whether refinancing makes sense for your specific situation depends on your current rate, remaining loan term, exit fees, and how long you plan to hold the property — the free assessment calculates this exactly.
  • Typical refinancing costs include a discharge fee from your existing lender ($150–$400), government registration fees ($150–$300), and any application or establishment fees on the new loan (often waived for refinancers). If you are breaking a fixed rate, there may be significant break costs calculated by your lender. Using a broker to refinance costs you nothing — brokers are paid by the new lender when your loan settles. The total switching cost for most variable rate refinances is $500–$1,600, which is typically recovered within 5–6 months of lower repayments.
  • Most refinances complete within 4–6 weeks from application to settlement. The timeline depends on how quickly documents are provided, the new lender's assessment turnaround, and how responsive your current lender is with the discharge. Adrian manages both sides of the process and will give you a realistic timeline based on the specific lender you are moving to.
  • Refinancing with a broker gives you access to 30+ lenders simultaneously rather than one bank's product range. A broker also negotiates on your behalf, identifies any exit fees or break costs upfront, and handles the application and discharge paperwork — at no cost to you. Going directly to a bank means you only see that lender's rates and products, you negotiate yourself, and you handle the paperwork. More than 75% of new Australian home loans are now arranged through mortgage brokers — the market has voted with its behaviour.
  • Refinancing may not make sense if you are in a fixed rate period with significant break costs; if you are close to paying off your loan (the interest saving may not cover switching costs over the remaining term); if your property has declined in value and you are now above 80% LVR (which may trigger LMI on the new loan); or if you plan to sell within 12 months. The free assessment includes a break-even calculation that confirms whether the numbers stack up for your specific situation before you commit to anything.
  • Typically: the last 2 payslips or 2 years of tax returns if self-employed, your most recent 3 months of bank statements, a copy of your current loan statement, and photo ID. Adrian will tell you exactly what is required for the specific lender you are applying with and help you prepare your application to give it the best possible chance of approval at the rate quoted.
  • Each formal home loan application triggers a credit enquiry, which temporarily reduces your credit score by a small amount. This impact is typically minor and short-lived for borrowers with a strong credit profile. Avoid submitting multiple applications with different lenders simultaneously — a broker submits one application to the selected lender after confirming eligibility, which minimises credit enquiries and maximises the chance of approval at the best rate.
Start here

Find out if you're
paying too much.

Book a free rate assessment with Adrian. He'll compare your current loan against 30+ lenders, calculate your potential saving, model the break-even point on switching costs, and give you a clear recommendation — within 2 hours of your enquiry.

Get My Free Rate Assessment Call Adrian directly — 0411 747 956