About REFS Australia

When I first started out in mortgage broking, I began my mentoring journey because it was a requirement — but it didn’t take long for me to realise just how valuable and important having a mentor truly is. I feel so grateful to have had Debbie Hutchings as my mentor through Refs Australia, and I can honestly say that her guidance has been one of the most significant parts of my development in this industry. Debbie was nothing short of amazing as a mentor. There were so many things I didn’t know that I needed to know, and she consistently went above and beyond to equip me with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to succeed. Her insight, patience, and the many suggestions she offered helped me grow in ways I hadn’t even anticipated, and I will forever appreciate the time, care, and expertise she poured into me. I would highly recommend Refs Australia — and Debbie Hutchings in particular — to anyone new to the mortgage broking industry. Having the right mentor truly makes all the difference, and Debbie is an outstanding example of what mentorship should be.

Refs Australia came highly recommended by many people, so I knew their mentoring and coaching would be very professional, but it was not until I tried their service did I realise the extra effort that is made to set-up your business for success for the future. It was very personalised and I was pleasantly surprised how much they cared for me and my business. The mentoring wasn't just at a micro level but at a marco level as well. Refs Australia has helped me establish a valuable business that I am proud of. Thank you.

Choosing REFS for my new broker mentoring has been one of the best decisions I’ve made in my career! Working with Wayne and Deb over the past two years has been nothing short of incredible. My mentor Wayne is incredibly generous with his time and knowledge, always available to talk through scenarios and walk me through the details step by step. His experience and steady guidance gave me the confidence I needed in my first years as a broker. Deb was just as important in helping me make the leap from the 9–5 into building my own business. From our very first conversation, she gave me the reassurance, encouragement, and practical advice I needed to succeed. Their coaching, industry insight, and ongoing support have been invaluable in shaping both me as a broker and my business. REFS is more than just a mentoring, it’s a team of people who genuinely care about seeing new brokers succeed. I’m grateful to have had their support and would highly recommend them to any broker looking for the best mortgage broking mentors in the industry.

REFS came highly recommended to me from my aggregator as a provider of broker mentorship and they fulfilled the lofty expectations that were set. At an individual level my mentor Wayne was practical in his approach and slotted in in guiding me in what I knew and didn't know given my experience in commercial lending. At a group level Deb is committed not only to providing engaging and relevant training but also to forming relationships with the other 'mentees' which has been extremely valuable to me and my business. I will miss having them looking over my shoulder.

Deb and her team were absolutely fantastic to work with and gave a massive boost to my mortgage broking career. There isn’t a lending scenario or broker personality they haven’t come across—and helped others through—before. Their experience, guidance, and support have been invaluable, and I can confidently say that they are the best in the business when it comes to mentoring brokers. I would highly recommend Deb and her team to any broker looking for the support of Australia’s leading mentoring business.

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.