Frequently asked questions

  • No—you can go directly to a bank. But a broker can make things easier and give you more options.

    What a broker does:

    • Compares multiple lenders to find suitable options

    • Matches you to the right policy based on your situation

    • Handles paperwork and lender communication

    • Helps with strategy, structure, future plans, equity.

    • Supports you from pre-approval through to settlement and beyond

    When a broker helps most:

    • You’re unsure how much you can borrow

    • Your situation is complex such as self-employed, on a visa, multiple incomes etc.

    • You want to compare options without the legwork

    • You want guidance, not just a rate

    When you might go direct:

    • You’ve chosen a specific bank/product

    • Your situation is simple and you’re happy to manage it yourself

    You don’t need a broker—but people use one to save time, avoid mistakes, get the right loan structure and expert advice.

  • A mortgage broker helps you find, structure and manage the right loan, while guiding you through the entire process.

    We:

    • Compare 50+ lenders to find the right fit for your situation

    • Navigate complex or unique scenarios like self-employed, low deposit, credit issues, etc.

    • Recommend the right strategy—not just a rate, but a plan that works now and long-term

    • Manage your application and deal with the lender from start to finish

    • Guide you through the buying and negotiation process

    • Connect you with trusted professionals—accountants, solicitors, conveyancers and agents

    • Help you with insurance solutions like Life, TPD, Income Protection, Home & Contents

    • Assist with debt consolidation

    • Help you with asset finance for cars, boats, equipment and more

    We do the legwork, streamline the process, and help you make the right financial decisions.

  • Often—but it depends on your goals.

    For some people, the lowest rate is the priority. For others, it’s flexibility, features, or simply getting approved- especially if you’re self-employed, newly in business, or have a less-than-perfect credit history.

    Our role is to understand what matters most to you and structure the loan accordingly. We compare a wide range of lenders to find a solution that fits your current needs and future plans.

    We don’t just chase the lowest rate, we build the right loan strategy for your situation.

  • In most cases, the lender pays us a commission once your loan settles.

    Importantly, this is not added to your loan and doesn’t impact what you pay. The Lender pays us.

    Are there any fees?
    For around 99% of clients, we don’t charge a fee. In more complex scenarios, an upfront fee may apply but only with:

    • A clear quote upfront

    • No obligation to proceed

    • Full explanation before any work begins

    Full transparency
    We always disclose how we’re paid in our documents and conversations.

    For most clients, you get expert guidance at no direct cost and if a fee applies, it’s agreed to upfront with no surprises.

  • As funny as this question sounds, it is often asked!
    The simple answer is that most mortgage brokers in Australia are legitimate professionals, but like any industry, quality varies. The key is knowing what to look for.

    ‍Importantly, brokers are legally required to act in your best interests.

    What to check before you choose a broker:

    ‍‍Licensing & credentials
    They must be licensed (or authorised) under an Australian Credit Licence. You can verify this via ASIC.
    Our aggregator is Connective Credit Services PTY LTD (Australia’s Leading aggregator) Their Australian Credit Licence (ACL) number is 389328. Our Credit representative number is 533288.

    AFCA membership
    They should be a member of Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), giving you access to independent dispute resolution.

    Blue Sky Mortgage Solutions holds an AFCA membership (under the name Dean Perry)  

    ‍We are also members of MFAA (Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia)

    Insurance
    Professional indemnity insurance is required to protect clients if advice is incorrect.

    We hold Professional Indemnity Insurance through our aggregator.

    Reviews & reputation
    Look for consistent, recent reviews. Focus on service, communication, and outcomes. Please see our Google Reviews 

    Many of our clients are referred to us through word-of-mouth.

    Visibility & Conversation
    A credible broker should have a professional website, clear contact details, and likely some level of educational or social content.

    A good broker will ask about your goals and explain multiple options clearly. You should never feel pressured.

    Privacy & compliance documents
    You should receive a Credit Guide and Privacy Statement outlining how they operate, how they’re paid, and how your data is handled.
    We have a Privacy Statement on our website.

    ABN & business legitimacy
    Check they have a valid ABN and are a properly registered business. Our ABN is 37629969008

  • How much can I borrow?

    As a very rough guide, most people can borrow around 5 times their annual income.

    However, that’s just a starting point. It doesn’t factor in things like:

    • Existing debts -credit cards, car loans, HECS etc.

    • Living expenses

    • Number of dependents

    • Interest rate buffers used by lenders

    What can impact your borrowing power?

    Your borrowing capacity can vary significantly depending on:

    • Your income structure i.e. salary, overtime, bonuses, self-employed.

    • Deposit size

    • Loan type e.g. first home buyer schemes or medico-specific loans

    • Credit history

    The government also have schemes and incentives which may help with savings such as the First Home Super Saver scheme – this allows you to save money within super and withdraw for a deposit on your home.

    Want a quick estimate?

    We’ve got a borrowing power calculator on our website to give you a fast indication.

    If you want an accurate figure and the right strategy behind it, it’s worth contacting us so we can properly assess your situation and run the numbers across multiple lenders.

  • To get your home loan application underway, we’ll need a few key things.

    At a high level, this includes:

    The basics

    • Proof of identity e.g. driver’s licence, passport, Medicare

    • A summary of your income, expenses, assets, and liabilities

    • Your employment history-typically the last 2–3 years

    • Signed Privacy Consent so we can act on your behalf

    Income documents

    If you’re PAYG (employed):

    • This will include recent payslips

    • Latest tax return or Notice of Assessment

    If you’re self-employed:

    • Last 2 years’ tax returns

    • Financials for your business

    • Other documents will likely be required

    Bank statements & verification

    We’ll also ask you to securely link your accounts via Open Banking which helps speed things up and reduces paperwork OR send through bank statements.

    Want the full checklist?

    We have a detailed document checklist available that covers everything step-by-step—just let us know and we’ll send it through.

  • Yes, in many cases you can.

    Some lenders will accept deposits as low as 5%, and in certain situations even less -for example, with a guarantor. That said, a smaller deposit usually means Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) may apply, which increases the overall cost.

    The key is choosing the right lender and structure. If you’re a first home buyer, there may also be government schemes that can help avoid LMI.

    We look at your full situation-deposit, income, credit history and goals, to find the most suitable option and set you up properly, not just get you approved.

  • Yes—many lenders in Australia will consider visa holders, but it depends on your visa type, income, and overall profile.

    Some lenders are comfortable with temporary visas (e.g. 482, 491, 494), while others prefer permanent residents. Your borrowing capacity, deposit requirements and interest rate can vary depending on:

    • Visa type and time remaining

    • Employment and income stability

    • Deposit size (often 10–20%+)

    • Credit history (including overseas in some cases)

    In some situations, you may have access to mainstream lenders, while in others we may look at specialist options that are more flexible.

  • There isn’t a best bank, however there is a best bank for you. It’s our job to look into your whole situation and help determine which one. Of course we have our favourites, but they may not be the best for you.

    If you have a specific lender in mind, just let us know.

  • All Brokers are different, however we have accreditation with over 50 top Lenders in Australia and are even able to utilise smaller, unique lenders on a case-by-case scenario.

    As part of our Best Interest Duty to you, we are required to look at multiple sources to secure the best outcome for you.

    If you have a specific lender in mind, just let us know.

  • The home loan process typically takes 3–6 weeks, depending on the lender and your situation. Here’s a quick overview:

    • Initial assessment (1–3 days): We review your goals, finances and borrowing capacity. We start collecting your personal information and documents.

    • Pre-approval (1–2 weeks): Your application is submitted and conditionally approved (generally valid up to 90 days).

    • Property & valuation (1–5 days): Once you’ve found a property, the lender completes a valuation.

    • Formal approval (a few days): Your loan is fully approved once all conditions are met.

    • Documents & signing (1–3 days): You review and sign loan documents.

    • Settlement (~6 weeks): Funds are transferred and the property officially becomes yours.

    Timeframes are indicative and can vary depending on the lender and complexity of your application.

  • Choosing a broker isn’t just about who can get you a loan, it’s about finding someone who gives the right advice and guides you properly.

    ‍Importantly, brokers are legally required to act in your best interests- not the bank’s.

    What to check before you choose a broker:

    ‍‍Licensing & credentials
    They must be licensed (or authorised) under an Australian Credit Licence. You can verify this via ASIC.
    Our aggregator is Connective Credit Services PTY LTD (Australia’s Leading aggregator) Their Australian Credit Licence (ACL) number is 389328. Our Credit representative number is 533288.

    AFCA membership
    They should be a member of Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), giving you access to independent dispute resolution.

    Blue Sky Mortgage Solutions holds an AFCA membership (under the name Dean Perry)  

    ‍We are also members of MFAA (Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia)

    Insurance
    Professional indemnity insurance is required to protect clients if advice is incorrect.

    We hold Professional Indemnity Insurance through our aggregator.

    Reviews & reputation
    Look for consistent, recent reviews. Focus on service, communication, and outcomes. Please see our Google Reviews

    Many of our clients are referred to us through word-of-mouth.

    Visibility & Conversation
    A credible broker should have a professional website, clear contact details, and likely some level of educational or social content.

    A good broker will ask about your goals and explain multiple options clearly. You should never feel pressured.

    Privacy & compliance documents
    You should receive a Credit Guide and Privacy Statement outlining how they operate, how they’re paid, and how your data is handled.
    We have a Privacy Statement on our website.

    ABN & business legitimacy
    Check they have a valid ABN and are a properly registered business. Our ABN is 37629969008

  • Yes…this is a big part of what we do.

    We don’t just help with one loan, we help you build a long-term strategy. That means structuring your lending correctly from the start so you can continue to borrow and grow over time, rather than hitting a wall after your first or second purchase.

    We:

    • Plan your borrowing capacity and structure for future purchases

    • Recommend lenders that are portfolio-friendly, not just for one deal

    • Help you sequence purchases and releases of equity

    • Review and adjust your lending as your portfolio grows

    We’ve helped many clients from their first purchase through to their third and beyond, and often go on to assist their family members as well.

  • Audits & oversight
    Brokers are regularly audited by their aggregator group and regulated by Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). This adds an extra layer of accountability.

    Best Interests Duty (BID)
    Brokers must recommend loans that are in your best interests, not based on commission. This is a legal obligation under Australian law. They must also review viable alternatives, affordability, servicing, exit strategy and your individual requirements and objectives.

    Licensing & credentials
    They must be licensed (or authorised) under an Australian Credit Licence. You can verify this via ASIC.
    Our aggregator is Connective Credit Services PTY LTD (Australia’s Leading aggregator) Their Australian Credit Licence (ACL) number is 389328. Our Credit representative number is 533288.