Property Related
June 2025
You’ve worked hard to build your broking career.
You’re good at what you do. Your clients trust you. And you know deep down, you could run your own show.
Becoming a self-employed mortgage broker means more freedom, more flexibility, and more control over your income.
But it also comes with a big question:
How do you set up your business so you can grow, without getting buried in admin, compliance, and tech headaches?
You don’t need to figure it all out on your own.
You just need the right structure behind you.
This guide breaks down exactly how to become a self-employed mortgage broker in Australia and how to build a business that works for you, not the other way around.
Once you’ve decided to go out on your own, the next step is choosing how to structure your business.
For most brokers, that comes down to two options:
Both paths let you run your own business.
You’ll still build your brand, manage your clients, and control how you grow.
But behind the scenes, the experience can look very different.
Aggregators provide brokers with access to lender panels, software, and sometimes limited support.
You’ll operate under their umbrella, but largely run solo.
You’ll need to set up your own processes, manage compliance, and take care of day-to-day admin.
It’s a fit for brokers who want full autonomy and are willing to build their business infrastructure from the ground up.
Sub-aggregators do everything an aggregator does, plus hands-on support, mentorship, and operational help.
You’ll still work independently, but you’re backed by a team that helps with training, compliance, admin, marketing, and more
Sub-aggregators like Smartfinn Advisors allow you to stay in control of your brand and clients, but gain a reliable structure that saves you time and headaches.
So which one’s right for you?
It depends on your goals, the level of support you want, and the amount of time you’re prepared to spend on non-income-generating tasks.
Next, we break down the benefits and limitations of each option, allowing you to choose the structure that best aligns with your business goals.
Every broker has different priorities — flexibility, support, control, income. Here’s how the two models stack up so you can decide which one fits your goals.
| Aggregators | |
✅ Benefits: Greater autonomy: Full control over branding, lead gen, tech stack, and how you run your business. Direct lender relationships: Build strong BDM relationships which can assist with policy exceptions and escalations. Higher earning potential at scale: If you write large volumes, you may negotiate better splits and incentives. Custom tools and processes: You get the freedom to choose and pay for the CRM, workflow tools, and compliance setup that suit your style. |
⚠️ Limitations Minimal day-to-day support: You’ll need to manage admin, compliance, audits, and training on your own, or build a team around you. Higher upfront and ongoing costs: From platform fees to insurance and ACL maintenance, the setup can get expensive, especially if volume fluctuates. No built-in mentoring: You’re largely on your own. Growth often depends on your own drive, time, and resources. |
| Sub-Aggregators | |
✅ Benefits: Structured support from day one: Onboarding, compliance systems, and training are usually ready to go, so you’re not starting from scratch. Mentorship and business development: Ongoing coaching and regular check-ins to help keep you accountable and accelerate your growth. If you’re looking to scale your business, the Smartfinn team will also mentor your brokers and admin to support your expansion. Done-for-you marketing: Access branded templates, social content, and marketing campaigns to support lead generation. Plus, the Smartfinn team goes the extra mile by nominating you for industry awards and providing support throughout the process. Simplified compliance: File audits, documentation, and NCCP updates are handled for you (or with you), reducing risk and admin. Faster problem-solving: Real-time support from people who’ve done the job, not a ticketing queue. | ⚠️ Limitations Less operational freedom: You’ll need to work within the systems and software provided, which may not suit all brokers. Commission split model: A portion of your income goes towards the support you receive, which may not suit brokers writing very high volumes. Reputation tie-in: You’re aligned with the sub-aggregator’s ACL, which means their compliance history and brand can influence yours. However, this alignment also ensures more frequent checks by the team, providing additional safeguards to protect your interests. |
While both models give you access to lenders, systems, and back-office support, the experience can be very different. Here’s a side-by-side comparison to help you weigh up which structure better suits your needs:
| Feature | Aggregator | Sub-Aggregator |
| Holds Australian Credit Licence (ACL) | Yes | Yes |
| Direct access to lender panel | Direct access to a wide panel of lenders, often including niche lenders and white label options. | Same access as an aggregator (via their parent group), with no difference in loan products available. However, the lender panel is slightly larger, including new-to-industry lenders that offer niche lending benefits. |
| CRM and tech platforms | Offers standardised platforms (e.g. Mercury, Podium) with setup and training generally self-managed. | Offers access to the same tech, but usually includes setup help, training, and ongoing troubleshooting. |
| Marketing & Lead Generation | Minimal support. You’re expected to generate your own leads and handle all marketing strategy, content, and execution. Some aggregators may offer optional marketing platforms or resources at extra cost. | Many sub-aggregators offer marketing guidance, lead-gen support, or access to shared resources (e.g. templated campaigns, co-branded assets, or digital strategies) to help grow your business. |
| Compliance support | Compliance templates and frameworks are provided, but you’re responsible for managing your own file audits and record-keeping. | Compliance is actively managed. Files are reviewed, feedback is provided, and support is more hands-on. |
| Mentorship and training | Training is typically generalised and self-led. Ongoing mentoring is rare. | Mentorship and broker development are key offerings, ideal for early-stage growth or scaling. |
| Level of personal support | Access to account managers or BDMs, but support can feel transactional or delayed due to high broker volume. | A smaller broker pool means more responsive, one-on-one support and closer working relationships. |
| Fees | May include fixed monthly fees, volume requirements, or admin charges. Commission splits are often higher if you meet targets. | Revenue share model — you pay a percentage of commissions but avoid large upfront or fixed costs. |
| Autonomy and control | Full branding, marketing, and operational freedom. You manage your own compliance and team. | Still operate your own brand and business, but follow some processes set by the sub-aggregator. |
| Best suited for | Experienced brokers or groups with internal capability | Brokers who want more support, don’t want to manage an ACL, or value guidance while growing. |
Once you’ve weighed up your options and decided how you’ll structure your business, the next step is setting up your foundations.
Regardless of whether you join an aggregator or a sub-aggregator like Smartfinn Advisors, there are a few non-negotiables that every self-employed broker needs to put in place before writing loans. You must:
These steps are the groundwork.
Once those essentials are ticked off, what comes next depends on how you’ve chosen to structure your business.
If you’re building everything from scratch, you’ll need to invest time and money into sourcing the right tools, support, and systems.
But if you’re partnering with a sub-aggregator like Smartfinn Advisors, much of that heavy lifting is already done for you.
You didn’t go self-employed to get bogged down in admin, compliance, or chasing support tickets.
You became a broker to grow your business, serve your clients, and create real financial freedom.
Smartfinn Advisors gives you the infrastructure to do just that, without sacrificing your independence.
Here’s how we back you at every step:
Smartfinn Advisors was built for brokers who want more control and less friction.
If you’re ready to scale your business without the stress of doing it all alone, we’re ready to back you.
If your current setup is holding you back, it’s time to find one that works for you, not against you.
Smartfinn Advisors gives you the freedom to run your business your way, with real support, better tools, and a commission structure that respects your value.
Fill out our contact form now to learn more about how Smartfinn can help you scale your business with less admin, more support, and greater earning potential.
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