For some of us, choosing a career isn’t an easy decision. Whether you’re just starting out or making a change, mortgage broking is a career with opportunity and may be the right move for you. Firstly, what do mortgage brokers do? Mortgage brokers are finance professionals that work in the middle between their clients and lenders to source the best loans suitable to their client’s financial situation. Mortgage brokers require great customer service, numerical, communication and organisation skills to balance multiple clients and lenders. Now you know the basics of what a mortgage broker does, here’s why should you consider a career in mortgage broking. Career progression: Starting a career in mortgage broking won’t cost you thousands in tuition fees and you can generally establish a career within a couple of years. To become a mortgage broker in Australia, you’ll need to achieve a FNS40815 Certificate in Finance and Mortgage Broking to meet minimum education requirements. You may also want to join a professional association. If you wish to apply for membership with the Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA) or the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA), you’ll need to achieve a FNS40815 Certificate in Finance and Mortgage Broking, or a FNS50315 Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking, depending on the association*. Professional associations represent their members, keep the industry ethical, and assist with training to keep members up to date with industry regulations. As a mortgage broker, you’ll need to meet yearly Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements. This ensures you’re up to date with industry regulations, trends and performing your best for clients. The industry has great potential for career progression and you have the option to be self-employed or work for a brokerage. The more skills you attain and the further you advance in your career, the better possible earning potential you’ll have too. Eventually you may even decide to open your own business. Rewarding: Mortgage broking is a rewarding career as you’ll be helping Australians achieve the dream of owning their own home or building their business. Applying for a mortgage can be a daunting and confusing process, with many thinking it’s near impossible to get into the property market. Mortgage brokers help their clients feel at ease by finding a loan that’s best suited to their financial circumstances. Working in a rewarding role will keep you feeling fulfilled and satisfied throughout your career. If you enjoy working in a client-facing environment and helping people, mortgage broking may be a career for you to consider. Flexibility: Throughout your career, you’ll have the flexibility to be self-employed or work for a brokerage. Both options have great benefits and either may suit you at different life stages. As a self-employed mortgage broker, you’ll manage your time and income which is appealing for work life balance. You’ll need to establish a client base and reputation independently, which takes time and effort, but your hard work will pay off in the long run. If you work for a brokerage, the organisation will have existing clients and you’ll have a consistent income, which can provide you more security. A brokerage may potentially support your education and development, which is a bonus for career progression. Both scenarios have unique benefits and having the flexibility to work in different environments adds variation and excitement to your career. Variety: Mortgage brokers work with a variety of clients, lenders, and scenarios. All clients are different, which means you’ll be working across a unique variety of situations and finding the right solutions. Your clients won’t always need support for residential property loans, you’ll also have clients purchasing commercial property. For residential property, you’ll be helping clients purchase their own home, whereas for commercial property, you’ll assist clients purchase commercial real estate, such as office, retail or warehouse space. Having a varied and diverse role supports learning, productivity and motivation. Career Change: There may be a time in your life where you desire a career change. Mortgage broking is a popular decision for individuals making a change in their careers, especially those already working in the finance or real estate industry. Here are some reasons why mortgage broking is a popular choice for career changers: You can study a qualification in a short timeframe and can do this online from your own home You may have already built up the skill set of a mortgage broker in previous roles The desire to have better work-life balance The potential to be your own boss and manage your schedule The flexibility to change up whether you work in a brokerage of independently Are you a mortgage broker? We encourage you to share your tips for getting started, your career highlights, or what a typical workday is like for you. If you’re considering a career in mortgage broking, visit our mortgage broking page for more information. *Additional requirements may be needed to apply for membership with professional associations. Additional requirements may differ depending on the level of membership you apply for. Please refer to relevant associations website for further details.