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100% Independent. No bank ownership.

Brisbane's independent
mortgage broker

We're not owned by a bank. We don't have product quotas. We compare 60+ lenders with one objective: find the best loan for your situation.

Get Unbiased AdviceAbout Kookaburra Finance

What 'independent' actually means

The term gets used loosely. Here's what it means in practice for Kookaburra Finance clients.

No bank ownership

We are not owned by, operated by, or financially controlled by any bank or lender. Many 'broker' services are bank-owned subsidiaries — we are not. Our panel choices are made entirely on merit.

No product quotas

Some brokers are pressured to place a minimum volume of loans with certain lenders. We have none. Every lender recommendation is made purely because it's the best fit for your situation.

Best Interests Duty

Under ASIC legislation (effective Jan 2021), we are legally required to prioritise your interests over our own. This duty applies to independent brokers — not to bank staff selling their own products.

Independent broker vs bank staff

The difference isn't subtle. It fundamentally changes what's possible for you.

FeatureKookaburra FinanceBank mortgage specialist
Lenders available60+ lenders1 (their own)
Best Interests Duty✓ Legally required✗ Not applicable
Fee to youFreeFree
Can compare rates✓ Real-time comparison✗ Only their own
If declined by one lenderWe try othersYou're told no
Specialist loan types✓ Self-employed, SMSF, low docLimited options
Independence from lenders✓ Fully independent✗ Employed by lender
Application management✓ We handle everythingYou manage it

Properly qualified and regulated

Independence means nothing without the credentials and regulatory oversight to back it up.

Credit Representative
No. 575209
Authorised under ACL 486112
FBAA Member
No. M-361617
Finance Brokers Association of Australia
AFCA Member
No. 119278
Dispute resolution scheme
Qualifications
Diploma of Finance
& Mortgage Broking Management

How we protect your interests

Independence is maintained through process, not just intention.

We document our recommendation reasoning

Every loan recommendation comes with written documentation of why we chose it: what alternatives were considered, why this lender and product was selected, and how it serves your goals.

Commission is disclosed upfront

Our Credit Guide (available before you engage us) discloses the commission structure. There are no hidden fees, no trail commissions that incentivise us to keep you in a bad loan, and no referral fees from lenders.

We review our panel regularly

We regularly assess our lender panel against market rates and service quality. Lenders who aren't competitive get deprioritised — regardless of their commission structure.

You can walk away at any time

There's no engagement fee and no obligation. If you're not satisfied with our recommendation or want a second opinion, you are free to walk away at no cost.

Common questions about independent brokers

What makes a mortgage broker truly independent?
An independent mortgage broker is not owned by, employed by, or financially incentivised to favour any particular bank or lender. We have no ownership relationships with any lender on our panel, no volume-based quotas that pressure us toward specific lenders, and no 'preferred lender' arrangements. Our only obligation is to act in your best interests, which is also a legal requirement under ASIC's Best Interests Duty for mortgage brokers.
How does Kookaburra Finance make money if advice is free?
We're paid a commission by the lender when your loan settles. This commission is set by the lender (not negotiated with us) and is the same rate across equivalent loan products — we can't earn more by choosing one lender over another on the same product type. This structure is regulated by ASIC and disclosed in our Credit Guide. There is no additional cost to you as the borrower.
Are you required to recommend the best loan for me?
Yes. Under ASIC's Best Interests Duty (Mortgage Brokers) legislation, which came into effect in January 2021, we are legally required to act in your best interests, prioritise your interests over our own, and recommend a suitable loan — not just any loan. This is a significant regulatory protection that applies to accredited mortgage brokers but not to bank staff selling their own products.
What's the difference between an independent broker and a bank's mortgage specialist?
A bank's mortgage specialist can only offer that bank's products — one set of rates, one credit policy, one approval pathway. If your situation doesn't fit their criteria, you're declined. An independent broker like Kookaburra Finance can search 60+ lenders, each with different policies, rates, and appetite. If one lender declines, we move to the next. This breadth of access fundamentally changes your outcomes.
How do I know you won't steer me toward high-commission lenders?
Under the Best Interests Duty, we must document our reasoning for every recommendation and prioritise your interests. Additionally, trailing commissions (ongoing payments based on loan balance) have been regulated and trail commissions that create perverse incentives have been restricted. We're also members of the FBAA (Finance Brokers Association of Australia) which has its own ethical standards. Finally, our business depends on referrals and repeat clients. A bad recommendation destroys both.

Ready for unbiased mortgage advice?

Book a free consultation. We'll compare 60+ lenders, explain your options clearly, and recommend the loan that genuinely suits you best.

Book a Free Consultation07 4599 4601