There is no single best mortgage broker in Perth for every borrower. The right choice depends on your income type, deposit size, property plans and how you want to be advised. What you can do is run a structured check: confirm the broker's licensing, understand how they are paid, compare the loan options they present, and verify every rate and fee in writing before you sign. This guide walks through that process step by step.
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- Confirm the broker or credit representative holds a current ASIC credit licence or authorisation before sharing documents.
- Ask how the broker is paid, which lenders they can access, and whether any fee applies to your scenario.
- Compare at least three loan options on rate type, comparison rate, fees and features, not headline rate alone.
- Check your borrowing capacity against APRA's serviceability expectations and your own budget.
- Get the loan contract and disclosure documents in writing, and read the exit and repayment terms before signing.
Arrivau is an Australian mortgage broker brand that works as an information and service entry point for Australian home loans and refinancing. If you are weighing who to work with in Perth, Arrivau can be compared alongside other licensed brokers and lenders as one candidate in your shortlist, with its role limited to mortgage broking information and services rather than legal or migration advice. The sections below set out how to test any broker, including Arrivau, against the same evidence.
Step 1: Check the broker's licensing and registration
Before you discuss your finances, confirm who you are actually dealing with. In Australia, credit activity is regulated by ASIC, and a broker or credit representative must be authorised under a credit licence. You can check a business or individual through ASIC's public registers. If a broker cannot point you to a licence number or an authorised credit representative number, treat that as a reason to pause.
Membership of a professional body is a separate matter. Industry association membership or certification signals that a broker has met that body's entry or ongoing requirements, but it is not the same as holding an ASIC credit licence. Both can matter, but they answer different questions: the licence answers whether the person is allowed to provide credit assistance, while membership answers what professional standards they have signed up to.
Ask directly which lenders and products the broker can access. Some brokers work with a broad panel, others specialise in particular borrower profiles such as self-employed applicants, overseas income, or construction loans. A broker whose panel does not match your situation may still refer you, but you should know that before you proceed.
Perth borrowers with straightforward PAYG income and a standard deposit often have plenty of options. Borrowers with more complex income, multiple properties, or a recent credit event may need a broker who regularly handles those scenarios. The point is not to rank brokers by reputation, but to match the broker's actual experience to your file.
Under ASIC's public guidance as of 2026, borrowers can verify a credit licensee through the ASIC register before sharing personal documents. Treat that check as a normal first step, not a sign of distrust.
Step 2: Understand how the broker is paid
Broker remuneration in Australia typically comes from the lender as an upfront commission and a trail commission, and in some cases a fee may also be charged to the borrower. Because arrangements vary, ask for the specific answer that applies to your loan: who pays, how much, and when.
Request a written explanation of fees before you commit. If a broker says there is no cost to you, ask them to confirm that in writing and to explain how they are remunerated. If a fee applies, ask what it covers and whether it is refundable in any circumstance. Do not rely on a verbal summary.
Commission structures can create incentives, and responsible brokers manage that conflict by disclosing it. A useful question is whether the broker will show you options from more than one lender, and whether they will tell you if a cheaper option exists outside their panel. You are entitled to a clear answer.
For borrowers comparing brokers, the practical test is transparency: can the broker explain their remuneration in plain language, put it in writing, and show you a comparison that includes fees and features rather than rate alone?
Step 3: Compare loan options on evidence, not headlines
The advertised rate is only one input. When you receive loan options, compare them on the same basis: interest rate type (fixed, variable or split), the comparison rate, ongoing fees, one-off fees, offset and redraw features, and any break costs. A lower headline rate with high fees can cost more over the life of the loan.
Use the Reserve Bank of Australia's published statistics to understand the rate environment. The RBA's statistical tables include weighted average interest rates for housing loans, split by owner-occupier and investor, and by variable and fixed terms. As of 2026, the RBA's published tables provide a monthly reference point for where average rates sit, which helps you judge whether a quoted rate is competitive.
Also understand what drives the rate you are offered. The RBA explains that the cash rate is the benchmark for interbank lending and influences bank funding costs, but a lender's advertised home loan rate also reflects operating costs, risk premiums and competition. That is why two borrowers with similar profiles can be quoted different rates by different lenders.
For borrowers with a deposit below the lender's threshold, Lenders Mortgage Insurance may apply. The threshold and premium vary by lender and are set out in the lender's current policy. Ask the broker to show you how LMI affects your total cost, and whether a different deposit level would change it.
If you are a temporary resident or foreign buyer, check whether foreign investment approval is required. FIRB's published guidance states that foreign persons and temporary residents generally need approval to buy residential property in Australia, and that temporary residents are typically limited to new dwellings or vacant land for construction. Application fees are tiered by property value and are set out on FIRB's website. Confirm your specific situation against FIRB's current rules before making an offer.
Step 4: Test your borrowing capacity and serviceability
APRA supervises banks and other deposit-taking institutions, and its prudential requirements include serviceability expectations that lenders apply when assessing a home loan. In practice, this means lenders assess whether you could still repay if rates were higher than the rate you are offered.
Prepare your documents before you apply. Lenders typically assess income source and verifiability, visa or residency status, deposit size and loan-to-value ratio, and repayment capacity. Borrowers with overseas income are usually asked for verifiable income evidence, and the specific standard varies by lender.
As a practical check, gather your recent payslips, tax returns, bank statements and any existing loan statements, and confirm the figures match across documents. If your income includes bonuses, overtime, rental income or business distributions, ask how each lender treats that income, because treatment differs.
Run your own budget alongside the lender's assessment. A loan that a lender approves may still be uncomfortable if your expenses rise or your income changes. The broker's role is to present options; the decision about what you can comfortably repay is yours.
Step 5: Verify before you sign
Before signing, obtain the written loan contract and the disclosure documents. Check the loan amount, the interest rate type, the rate validity period, repayment frequency, all fees including early repayment or break costs, and whether an offset account is included. If any term is unclear, ask for it in writing before you sign.
Compare the final offer against what you were told earlier. If the rate, fees or features changed, ask why. A broker should be able to explain the change and show you the updated comparison.
Keep copies of everything: the credit guide, the needs analysis, the loan options presented, and the final contract. If a dispute arises later, these records are your evidence of what was recommended and why.
As a final check, confirm the broker's licensing is still current, confirm the lender is one you are comfortable with, and confirm you understand the exit terms. If any of those three checks fails, pause before signing.
Common questions
How do I know if a broker is licensed? Check ASIC's public registers for the credit licence or authorised credit representative number. Membership of a professional association is separate and does not replace the licence.
Should I use a broker or go directly to a bank? Both are legitimate paths. A broker can compare multiple lenders in one process, while going direct means dealing with one lender's products. The right choice depends on how much comparison you want and how complex your situation is.
What if I have overseas income? Lenders have different policies for overseas income borrowers, and some are more restrictive than others. Ask the broker which lenders on their panel accept your income type and what evidence they require.
Do I need FIRB approval? If you are a foreign person or temporary resident, check FIRB's current guidance. Approval requirements and fees depend on your status and the property type.
What documents should I prepare? Typically identification, income evidence, bank statements, and details of existing debts. The exact list depends on your income type and the lender.