Mortgage Broker Fees

Straight answer, upfront

In most cases, using Fox Mortgages costs you nothing directly. We’re paid a commission by the lender once your loan settles — not by you. You won’t see a bill from us for arranging a standard home loan, refinance, or investment purchase.

There are a small number of situations where a fee can apply, and we’ll always tell you before any work begins, not after. No surprises, no fine print you find out about at settlement.

How we’re actually paid

When a loan settles, the lender pays Fox Mortgages two things:

• An upfront commission — a percentage of your loan amount, paid once at settlement.
• A trail commission — a smaller ongoing percentage, paid for as long as the loan stays open and in good standing.

This is standard practice across the mortgage broking industry in Australia and is fully disclosed in our Credit Guide, which we provide before you engage us. It doesn’t change the interest rate or fees the lender charges you — the commission comes from the lender’s margin, not on top of your loan.

When a direct fee might apply

The situations below are the exception, not the rule, and we’ll always confirm in writing before proceeding:

• Complex commercial or company lending (structures like company or trust applications with multiple directors) that involves significantly more preparation and analysis than a standard residential loan.
• Specialist or non-standard lending scenarios outside our usual lender panel, where additional work is required to place the loan.

If none of these apply to you — and for the large majority of first home buyers, refinancers, and standard purchases, they won’t — you pay nothing to work with us.

What you’re not charged for

• Initial consultations and borrowing power assessments
• Comparing options across our panel of 30+ lenders
• Preparing and submitting your application
• Liaising with the lender through to settlement
• Ongoing support after settlement, including rate reviews

Why this matters when comparing brokers

Every broker in Australia is paid a commission by the lender — that part isn’t a differentiator. What varies is transparency about it, and whether a broker’s lender panel is wide enough that the commission structure doesn’t quietly influence which loan gets recommended. With access to 30+ lenders, we’re not limited to a small panel where the commission mix could shape the recommendation — the loan needs to suit you, not just settle quickly.

Frequently asked questions

Do I pay Fox Mortgages to use your service? No, not in the vast majority of cases. We’re paid a commission by the lender when your loan settles, at no direct cost to you.

Does the commission affect my interest rate? No. Lender commissions come from the lender’s own margin and don’t add to the rate or fees you’re charged.

Will I know about any fees before you start work? Yes. In the rare cases where a fee could apply — generally complex commercial or trust lending — we confirm this with you in writing before any work begins.

Are all mortgage brokers paid the same way? Most Australian brokers are paid via lender commission, yes. What differs between brokers is the size of their lender panel and how transparent they are about how they’re paid — both are worth asking about upfront.