About REFS Australia

REFS Australia – The Best Place to Start Your Mortgage Broking Journey If you’re thinking about becoming a mortgage broker, I can confidently say that REFS Australia is one of the best places to start. The mortgage broking industry in Australia is in desperate need of strong, structured mentoring, as many mentors operate solo or with limited capacity to train brokers across all the critical areas of the business. REFS Australia is different. Led by Debbie, it’s a powerhouse team with multiple experienced and passionate mentors. I was fortunate to be mentored by Peter Clark, and I can’t speak highly enough of the experience. Peter is an absolute gun—he’s been in the industry for over 20 years across various roles and brings a wealth of practical knowledge to the table. What makes him stand out is that he’s not just a coach—he’s walked the walk, having actively written loans himself, which is rare to find in a mentor. When I began the mentoring program, I had already worked for two years in a mortgage brokerage back-office role, and I thought I had a solid grasp of the industry. But Peter’s guidance humbled me. He opened my eyes to how much I didn’t know and helped me shift my mindset. Some of the most valuable lessons I learned weren’t just about what to do—but what not to do. That distinction has shaped me into the confident and capable broker I am today. The mistakes Peter helped me avoid have been just as important—if not more—than the strategies he shared for success. Thanks to Peter, Debbie, and the entire REFS Australia team, I’ve been given a solid foundation to launch my own mortgage broking business with confidence and clarity.

Working with REFS Australia and my mentor John Adams has been an invaluable part of my journey to becoming a proficient finance broker. From day one, John has gone above and beyond to support me not only through the technical aspects of the mentorship period, but also in building and growing our mortgage broking business. His deep industry knowledge, willingness to help with complex deals, and constant guidance have been instrumental in my development. Whether it was structuring tricky scenarios or navigating compliance requirements, John was always there to provide clarity and insight. I couldn’t recommend REFS Australia and John Adams more highly to anyone looking for a supportive and experienced mentor in the mortgage broking industry.

Louise has been a great help with the start of my broking journey. She has been very generous with her time in assisting me learn the ropes of the industry. This coupled with the REFS framework, has provided me the tools and assistance to get up and running. If you are new to industry, Louise and the REFS will be a great resource to engage with.

Where do I start…. Choosing REFS as my mentor company was one of the best decisions I made at the beginning my broker journey. From the first call with Deb, I knew this was the person I needed to mentor me. We just clicked and from that day on, the relationship has been open and honest communication, great advice and coaching tips plus importantly, the ability to make me feel calm in moments of overwhelm! Having already been a lender for many years (but having a 2+years gap), I needed something unique - I knew what an LVR was, how to structure deals, the importance of commentary and how to hold the first appointment with a customer … what I didn’t know was how to do this in the context of broking. This is where Deb from REFS came in, conversations on how to generate business, how to find the right lender fit for a customer in a sea of banks, how to interpret different policies across lenders, and importantly how to be a business owner, not and employee. Thanks Deb for everything, I am so pleased to have met you and to have had your support, setting me up for success as a broker.

A True Professional with Integrity and Honesty I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Debbie Hutchings, and I was truly impressed by her professionalism and integrity. Unlike many in the industry who shape their advice around their own business interests, Debbie provided me with completely impartial guidance, focusing solely on what was best for me. Her deep knowledge, transparency, and ethical approach set her apart, making her a trusted source for anyone navigating the complexities of finance and mortgage broking. It’s rare to find someone who genuinely prioritizes their clients’ success over their own business gains, and Debbie does exactly that. I highly recommend Debbie to anyone seeking honest, unbiased advice. She is a true asset to the industry, and I am grateful for the valuable insights she shared with me.

I was very fortunate to have met and be mentored by Wayne Milner. As a new broker to the industry, Wayne took the time to walk me through all the steps that was required to submit a loan application. He always answered my calls, replied to my emails and gave me all the time in the day to ask all the questions I had. Wayne is not just a top gentlemen, but he is incredibly knowledgeable in all areas of finance. His abundance of knowledge really helped me find my feet in my first year as a mortgage broker. If not for a change in employment, I would have remained a mentee of Wayne for years to come. Thank you Wayne and the team at REFS Australia for everything they did and continue to do for all mentees.

The tools insight and relationship Louise provided to me has been invaluable for both personal and business development. I look forward to bringing some brokers through the same system and seeing them grow as I did.

I had the opportunity to go out on my own, however I had to have a mentor to see me through to the 2 year mark as an industry requirement. I contacted various ‘mentors’ and then I called Deb! Instantly I felt comfortable and knew she was the right fit for me and my business. Since Deb and the team at REFS are not ‘brokers’ offering mentorship it meant they had the time to take my calls and assist me through complex deals.. Deb has become a friend throughout the process and she has supported me in all I do, she has nominated me for awards and truly wants the best for me as a broker - and I love this! She’s uplifting, inspiring and an all round awesome human being. Deb and the team, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to work with you and thank to for setting me on the path to success. Nikki Nielsen, Loan Market.

Deb and Louise have been a great support in my big learning curve, and I couldn't have done it without them. Deb has always been available whenever I had needed her. I will miss them and the others I have met along the journey.

When I first met Deb, she was focused on learning more about me and how REFS can work with me to achieve my goals. I was completely new to the finance industry, and this was a huge jump for me. It was scary! Deb as my mentor was the easiest and best decision! She not only guided me through the process of writing loans but also helped me be more confident in myself, something I have always struggled with. Deb and the teams wealth of knowledge is second to none. The REFS mentor program is wonderful and informative and I could not recommend enough!! Thank you Deb and team, your passion for helping new-to-industry brokers will never be forgotten.

REFS & Debbie provided me with an exceptional knowledges & experiences during the mentorship program. Debbie would be happy to check your file prior to submission, even on the weekend...! Thank you very much for sharing your time & knowledge Debbie.

Deb & the Refs team of Mentors make the mentorship process so easy, I actually started with a different firm and just didnt feel like I had the support I needed so I come across Deb and was a lot easier an strealined process to follow. If you are geen in home loan lending like I was the Refs is the place to start. Thanks Deb