Broking association's latest Member Sentiment Survey will run until end of August
Peak broking body the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) is urging members to make their voices heard as it launches its six-monthly Member Sentiment Survey, running throughout August.
The survey aims to capture broker insights on borrower trends, market shifts and the evolving needs of clients in a rapidly changing economic landscape.
Responses will be used to support the MFAA’s advocacy work on numerous issues, including government home ownership schemes; greater competition in the refinancing market; financial inclusion; housing affordability; and the critical role that brokers play for borrowers.
“Economic conditions continue to shift and so do the needs of borrowers and how mortgage brokers are supporting their clients,” MFAA chief executive Anja Pannek (pictured) said.
Pannek called the survey a “crucial tool that identifies real-time insights and ‘lead indicators’ around how borrowers are faring in the current economic environment across a range of factors, including interest rates, housing supply and cost of living”.
Previous survey findings help to shape the MFAA’s calls for a dynamic serviceability buffer in its submission to the 2024 Financial Regulatory Framework and Home Ownership inquiry.
“The hard data we gain from these surveys is key in advocacy for our members and in how we shape the future of our industry,” Pannek said.
Earlier this year, research from the February 2025 Member Sentiment Survey revealed that mortgage stress was easing, with more homeowners able to refinance and secure better loan products.
Brokers noted a clear uptick in borrower confidence, even as some serviceability challenges lingered.
MFAA calls for bold tax reforms
The MFAA under Pannek has not shied away from expressing its wishlist on Australia tax policy.
In its submission to the Productivity Commission ahead of this month’s Economic Reform Roundtable, the MFAA urged the government to raise GST to 15% (from 10% currently) and expand its reach to previously exempt goods and services.
It also wants to see stamp duty and payroll taxes abolished, and is pushing for the instant asset write-off scheme to become a permanent fixture for businesses.
“A higher and broadened GST will deliver greater revenues to the states and territories as distributed by the Commonwealth Grants Commission,” said the MFAA. “This would boost state and territory revenues and support them to phase out inefficient taxes, such as stamp duty, without compromising service delivery.”
