Brokers Now Settle 81% Of Home Loans, Here’s Why That Matters For You
If you’re buying a home in Australia right now, you’re probably not doing it alone. New data just confirmed what we’ve been seeing on the ground for a while: more Australians than ever are turning to a mortgage broker instead of walking straight into a bank.
According to the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) Industry Intelligence Service Report for the March 2026 quarter, brokers settled a record 81% of all new residential home loans in the March 2026 quarter, up from 76.7% just three months earlier. That’s the highest broker market share ever recorded in this country, and it puts Australia in the same league as the UK and the Netherlands, the only other markets where brokers write more than 80% of home loans. Back in 2018, that number was just over 55%. That’s how much things have shifted in under a decade.
So why are so many Australians choosing a broker over going direct?
It really comes down to choice and confidence. Lending in 2026 isn’t simple. Between interest rate movements, tighter lending policies, rising living costs, and lenders constantly changing what they will and won’t approve, working out the “best” loan on your own has become a genuine headache. A broker’s job is to cut through that noise. Instead of being shown one bank’s products, you get access to dozens of lenders and someone who can actually match a loan to your situation, not just your credit score.
We’re also seeing borrowers ask smarter questions than they used to. It’s no longer just “what’s the lowest rate?” It’s “What structure suits my goals, my job, my future plans?” That’s exactly the kind of thing a broker is trained to work through, whether you’re a first home buyer trying to get over the line, or an investor building a portfolio. In fact, we’ve written before about how loan structure can matter more than the interest rate itself, and results like this show more Australians are catching on to that.
Interestingly, not every lender is thrilled about this shift. Some of the big banks have been quietly pushing their own direct lending channels, largely because broker-written loans are less profitable for themWhile many lenders continue to invest in their direct channels, the growing broker market share suggests many borrowers value having access to multiple lenders and independent guidance when making one of their biggest financial decisions. But borrowers don’t seem to mind who profits more. They want someone in their corner, and that’s exactly what a good broker offers, before, during, and long after settlement.
At the end of the day, this isn’t just an industry statistic. It’s a sign that Australians are prioritising expert guidance over guesswork, especially when a home loan is often the biggest financial decision of their life.
Ready to make your move? For tailored advice or to talk through your buying strategy, get in touch with Safe Haven Finance. Call us on 0433 564 936 or book a free 15-minute consultation today. We’re here to help you find the right loan and the right lender for you.
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