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The Best Mortgage Brokers in Adelaide

Six Adelaide mortgage brokerages chosen on review depth, lender panel breadth and post-settlement service. Compiled from Word of Mouth, RateMyAgent, Three Best Rated and direct broker research. Re-checked at least every six months.

By Joel Bauer, Adelaide, South Australia

Illustrative photo. Photo: Unsplash.

Almost everyone who buys or refinances in Adelaide eventually asks whether a broker is worth the call. For many people the answer is yes. A broker can compare many lenders in a single application, where a bank can only sell its own products. The practical problem is picking one, because a lot of brokers look excellent on settlement day.

On cost, Moneysmart says lenders generally pay brokers a commission, so you do not pay them directly, though a broker sometimes charges a fee and must give you a written quote you sign first. Brokers must also tell you about the commissions they may receive. That makes it fair to ask how a broker is paid and which lenders they use before you hand over documents.

Check the licence before the first meeting. Moneysmart points to ASIC's Professional Registers Search, where you choose the Credit Representative or Credit Licensee list, so you can confirm the broker holds a credit licence or acts under one. The list below includes both solo brokers and larger team brokerages. A solo broker means one person from first call to settlement, while a team offers more capacity and backup.

I put weight on what happens after settlement. Each broker here either holds a credit licence or is a credit representative under a licensee, checked on ASIC's register in October 2026. Each needed a Google rating of 4.9 or higher (Rachael Howlett is rated on RateMyAgent instead) and reviews that mention service after the loan settled. They also had to disclose which lenders they work with and how they are paid. Where a broker states industry recognition from bodies such as AFG, the MFAA or the FBAA, the entry says so. When you read reviews yourself, look for the ones describing a rate review or a call returned a year later. The six brokers follow.

A broker is usually free, here is why

For a standard owner-occupier or investor loan, a mortgage broker costs you nothing. They are paid a commission by the lender at settlement, not by you. Some brokers do charge a fee for complex commercial or self-employed cases and a good one tells you that up front.

The value is choice. A broker compares 30 to 70 or more lender products in a single application, where a bank only sells its own. For first-home buyers, refinancers and anyone outside the standard salaried profile, that comparison almost always beats walking into your own bank.

Check the licence and ask about clawback

Every broker must hold or work under an Australian Credit Licence, which you can check on ASIC's registers at asic.gov.au. Membership of the MFAA or FBAA is a further positive signal, as both run disciplinary registers and require ongoing training.

Then ask one specific question: how do you handle clawback? If you refinance or pay out the loan within 18 to 24 months, the lender reclaims part of the broker's commission. Some brokers wear it, others pass it to you as a disclosed fee. You want to know which before you sign, not after.

Solo broker or a brokerage

A solo broker means you deal with the same person from the first call through to settlement and beyond, which suits clients who value one relationship and one point of contact. A larger brokerage brings more capacity and backup, at the cost of sometimes being handed between people.

Neither is better in the abstract. If your situation is straightforward and you just want it handled, capacity helps. If it is complex or you want someone who knows your whole picture, the single-broker model usually serves you better.

Judge on post-settlement, not settlement day

Almost every broker looks good on settlement day. The real test is the years after: whether they review your rate when the market moves, flag a worthwhile refinance and pick up the phone when you call. That is where most of the long-term value of a broker actually sits.

The brokers on this list were chosen partly because their reviews keep mentioning service after the loan settled, not just the deal itself. When you read reviews, weight the ones written months or years later.

The list side by side

No.NameAreaBest forRating
01Rise High Financial SolutionsAdelaideAward-winning brokerage with deep lender panel5 (1108)
02LendQuestThebartonUpfront commission disclosure and a broad lender panel5 (183)
03Rachael Howlett (Mortgage Broker)Adelaide2026 RateMyAgent State and National Award winnerNone shown
04Loans CombinedAdelaideStrong general-purpose brokerage, well-rated team5 (413)
05Zanda Wealth Mortgage BrokersAdelaideWealth-focused approach with mortgage as part of broader financial plan4.9 (141)
06Castle MortgagesFullartonAdelaide local boutique, handles bad-credit options5 (51)

Rise High Financial Solutions

Adelaide. Award-winning brokerage with deep lender panel

Adelaide-based brokerage with the deepest Google review record of any broker on this list. Won Industry and Community Broker Group of the Year 2023 at the Australian Finance Group Broker Awards. Access to over 200 green loan products and 70+ trusted lenders, materially broader than most brokers. Strong fit for first-home-buyers, investors and clients with green-loan eligibility.

  • AFG Industry & Community Broker Group of the Year 2023
  • Access to 70+ lenders and 200+ green loan products
  • First home buyer, investor, refinance specialists
Rating
5 from 1108 reviews on Google
Visit website

LendQuest

Thebarton. Upfront commission disclosure and a broad lender panel

Thebarton brokerage that compares across a panel of more than 40 lenders and discloses lender commissions to clients before they proceed, which is not universal in the industry. No fee to the client in most cases. LendQuest Pty Ltd is corporate credit representative 555514 of BLSSA Pty Ltd (Australian Credit Licence 391237) with brokers who are FBAA members listed on ASIC's professional register. Works with clients in person from the George Street office, over the phone or by video.

  • Panel of more than 40 lenders
  • Lender commissions disclosed before you proceed
  • No fee to the client in most cases
  • Corporate credit representative 555514 of BLSSA, ACL 391237
Rating
5 from 183 reviews on Google
Visit website

Rachael Howlett (Mortgage Broker)

Adelaide. 2026 RateMyAgent State and National Award winner

Individual broker and 2026 Award Winner, both State Winner and National Winner on RateMyAgent. Single-broker model means you deal directly with the same person from initial enquiry to post-settlement service. Best fit for clients who want a personal relationship rather than a brokerage handover model.

  • 2026 RateMyAgent State and National Award Winner
  • Solo broker model: single point of contact
  • Strong post-settlement engagement
Visit website

Loans Combined

Adelaide. Strong general-purpose brokerage, well-rated team

Team brokerage format, multiple brokers, each handling a slice of the client load. Best fit for general home loan, refinance and investor cases. Lower profile than some brokers on this list but consistent five-star Google performance.

  • Team brokerage with multiple brokers
  • General home loan, refinance, investor focus
  • Consistent service over a meaningful sample
Rating
5 from 413 reviews on Google
Visit website

Zanda Wealth Mortgage Brokers

Adelaide. Wealth-focused approach with mortgage as part of broader financial plan

Differentiator is the wealth-focused framing, mortgage is positioned as one component of a broader financial plan rather than a standalone product. Best fit for clients who want their broker to think about cash flow, offset structure and long-term equity build, not just rate.

  • Wealth-management framing on mortgage decisions
  • Cash flow and offset structure planning
  • Suits longer-term financial planning clients
Rating
4.9 from 141 reviews on Google
Visit website

Castle Mortgages

Fullarton. Adelaide local boutique, handles bad-credit options

Fullarton-based family-owned boutique brokerage with 10+ years operating. Works with a 60+ lender panel covering home loans, vehicle, commercial, asset finance and specialty bad-credit options that most brokers turn away. Personal-service model where clients deal with the same broker from first call through to settlement and beyond. Smaller review base than the top picks on this list but represents the genuine Adelaide local broker category, best fit for clients who want a single relationship rather than passing through a national-brand pipeline.

  • 10+ years operating
  • 60+ lender panel including bad-credit specialty
  • Same broker from first call to post-settlement
  • Family-owned Adelaide boutique, no national overlay
Rating
5 from 51 reviews on Google
Visit website

Frequently asked

Do mortgage brokers cost me anything?

Almost always no. Brokers are paid commission by the lender at settlement, not by you. Some brokers charge a fee for complex commercial or self-employed cases, they will tell you up front if so. For standard PAYG owner-occupier and investor loans, broker service is free to the borrower.

How do I check if my broker is properly licensed?

Search ASIC's Professional Registers at asic.gov.au. Every broker must hold or work under an Australian Credit Licence. MFAA or FBAA membership is an additional positive signal, both maintain disciplinary registers and require ongoing CPD.

What is a clawback and why does it matter?

If you refinance or pay out a loan within 18-24 months of settlement, the lender 'claws back' part of the broker's commission. Some brokers pass this clawback on to you via a fee disclosed up front; others wear it. Ask before signing.

Should I use a broker or go direct to a bank?

Brokers compare 30-70+ lender products in one application; banks only sell their own. For first home buyers, refinances or anyone outside the standard PAYG profile, a broker almost always finds a better deal. For very simple cases with a strong existing bank relationship, going direct can also work.

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