The outlook for brokersin FY26

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AUSTRALIA'S ECONOMY has held steady in 2025 despite global uncertainties, domestic policy shifts and a federal election. NAB Group Economics’ latest forecast is for the economy to grow by 1.8% over the remainder of the year. Among consumers, cost of living pressures continue to drag on confidence, but this has not flowed through to property markets, where valuations have been rising and sentiment has lifted. Property professionals surveyed in NAB’s latest quarterly Residential Property Index said markets in Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia were rising or near their peak, while markets in Victoria and NSW were in the early stages of recovery – providing growing opportunities for brokers across regions. Housing markets have been buoyed by recent interest rate cuts, along with increased stability following the federal election, says NAB executive broker distribution Adam Brown.

NAB is the bank behind the broker, and relationships are the cornerstone of our business. Backed by a national team of award-winning BDMs and specialist support at each stage of the home loan process, we're dedicated to delivering an exceptional experience to brokers and customers.

ADAM BROWN, NAB

“NAB has seen lending activity pick up in recent months, creating fresh opportunities for brokers,” Brown says. “Lower interest rates are not only improving borrowing capacity but also boosting buyer confidence. Upgraders have already re-entered the market, and we’re seeing more first home buyers return.” The Reserve Bank of Australia cut interest rates by 25 basis points in May, and NAB Group Economics expects further 25 basis points rate cuts in July, August and November, taking the rate down to 3.1%.

CHRIS THOMAS, NAB

“First home buyers stand to benefit from lower interest rates as well as government initiatives such as the expanded Home Guarantee Scheme, which allows eligible buyers to purchase homes with as little as a 5% deposit, avoiding lenders mortgage insurance,” Brown says. “Brokers play a critical role in helping first home buyers navigate these options and secure their dream homes. There are also opportunities for brokers in advising buyers on alternative strategies like rentvesting or teaming up with family members to enter the property market.”

Like investors, self-employed customers have specific needs, with many looking to brokers for support. Self-employed people, whether sole traders, partners, company owners or trustees, often have different priorities and lending needs compared to those with regular employment. NAB’s recent SME Business Insights report reveals that cash flow and profitability remain the top concerns keeping small business owners up at night. For brokers, being informed about these pressure points enables deeper, more meaningful conversations with self-employed clients and allows brokers to deliver tailored lending solutions that align with their goals. “As Australia’s biggest business bank, NAB has specialist knowledge of complex business structures and diverse income sources, says Chris Thomas, NAB executive commercial broker and equipment finance sales. “Our banking experts know what it takes to run a business, which ensures self-employed customers borrow appropriate amounts for both home and business lending.” NAB has tailored policies designed to make life simpler for brokers working with self-employed customers. The bank requires only a single year of tax returns to verify income for customers with loan-to-value ratios of 80% or under. NAB’s segmented home lending specialists are trained to assist small business owners and other self-employed customers, offering cash-flow-based lending and simplified processes to support their homeownership journeys.

“Decarbonisation and the transition to a cleaner economy is another theme on the minds of many business owners. Investing in research and development, innovation and transforming old technologies to new comes at a cost. This presents opportunities for brokers and banks to find strategic funding solutions to support those long-term investments.” To support brokers in diversifying, NAB has been hosting face-to-face credit skills workshops in partnership with aggregators, covering topics such as trade and working capital, commercial real estate and industry-specific credit policies.

“NAB has seen lending activity pick up over recent months, creating fresh opportunities for brokers. Lower interest rates are not only improving borrowing capacity but also boosting buyer confidence”

“Investing in research and development, innovation and transforming old technologies to new comes at a cost. This presents opportunities for brokers and banks to find strategic funding solutions to support those long-term investments”

Helping first-time buyers step into property

Supporting Australian businesses

Published 30 Jun 2025

NAB executives share their insights on what brokers can expect in the new financial year – and where the best opportunities lie

VIEW FROM PROPERTY EXPERTS

NAB Residential Property Index

Across all areas of broking, NAB remains focused on strengthening partnerships and supporting brokers in delivering exceptional customer service. NAB is committed to helping brokers stay ahead with investing in digital platforms to streamline approval processes. “Broker-originated loans accounted for 61.1% of home loan drawdowns in the first half of 2025, underscoring the vital role brokers play in NAB’s success,” says Brown. “We’re always listening to brokers and looking for ways to make it easier for brokers to do business with us.” NAB’s introduction of multi-offset accounts in February has received positive feedback. The feature allows home loan customers to link up to 10 offset accounts, enabling more effective budgeting and interest savings. Brokers are essential to bringing the best of NAB to the bank’s customers and are committed to strengthening these relationships, whether they are focused on first home buyers, self-employed customers or diversifying into commercial lending.

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Across Australia, sentiment towards the housing market is on the rise, lifting expectations for increased activity through winter. NAB’s Residential Property Survey revealed property professionals are expecting a continued pick-up in activity, including in the first home buyer segment. While the proportion of new home sales to first home buyers fell in the March quarter after climbing to a two-year high in the last quarter of 2024, many professionals surveyed expect renewed activity in this part of the market in the year ahead. As more buyers prepare to take action in the coming months, brokers have a valuable opportunity to step in as trusted advisers, as well as facilitators. While optimism in housing markets is rising, economic uncertainties mean many Australians remain financially cautious. As a result, borrowers are seeking guidance on how to stretch their budgets or explore alternative pathways to homeownership.

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Source: NAB Residential Property Survey Q1 2025

Branching into business lending

While many brokers choose to focus on home lending, around one in three brokers have already branched out into commercial lending. “Many more brokers are looking to diversify into the commercial lending market,” says Thomas. NAB expects robust growth across various business segments, including SME lending, health services and regional industries. “One of the standout areas where brokers can support business customers is around succession planning and intergenerational wealth transfer. These areas create opportunities for brokers to provide funding solutions whilst building long-term relationships with their customers,” Thomas says.

NAB's commitment to the broker channel

Source: NAB Economics, The Forward View Australia, May 2025

NAB Residential Property Index

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