Rising Variable Rates Put Refinancing Costs in Focus for Self-Employed Owners

ADELAIDE, South Australia, October 20, 2026 — Brokerage & Co, an Adelaide mortgage broking firm working with self-employed business owners and households, has set out the costs and loan terms it weighs in a home loan refinancing review as higher variable mortgage rates follow the Reserve Bank of Australia's 29 September decision to lift the cash rate target by 25 basis points to 4.60%.

"A useful review starts with the loan someone already has, what they want it to do and the full cost of changing it, because the decision needs to make sense for their circumstances," said Sergio Stefano, CEO and Head Broker, Brokerage & Co.

The September increase was the fourth rise of 2026, and the RBA's Monetary Policy Board said it would increase the cash rate further if needed. Two dates now sit ahead of borrowers: the ABS's September inflation figures on 28 October, and the Board's next decision on 3 November.

The cash rate is a policy setting. What changes for a household is the rate and repayments on its own loan, which depend on its lender and loan terms.

Switching Costs Sit Alongside the Rate

Brokerage & Co's review starts with the current mortgage, the borrower's goals and any changes in their circumstances since the loan was arranged. Changes such as starting a business, shifts in income or renovation plans can prompt a review.

The comparison includes discharge fees from the existing lender, government registration charges and any application costs with a new lender. Those costs are weighed against the proposed loan terms, and the firm's process includes keeping the current loan where the cost of switching outweighs the benefit.

For borrowers considering renovations or consolidating other debts, the review also covers how a new structure changes repayments and the length of the loan. Consolidating debts can lower monthly outgoings while extending the time the debt is carried, so both the monthly figure and the longer commitment form part of the discussion.

Self-Employed Owners Bring Different Paperwork

Through its self-employed home loans service, Brokerage & Co works with business owners whose income is documented through business records rather than payslips. For an owner reviewing an existing mortgage, the starting point is the current loan and the reason for any change, rather than the rate announcement itself.

Where a switch is selected, the firm's process moves from reviewing the existing loan to comparing available options, preparing the application and managing it through to settlement. Ongoing reviews after settlement take account of rate changes and the client's circumstances over time.

Its first-home-buyer lending service covers an earlier stage of ownership, including deposits, relevant grants and pre-approval. An existing owner's review is different: it begins with a mortgage already in place, the costs of leaving it, and whether the borrowing still suits the household's plans for the property.

The firm receives payment from the lender and does not charge borrowers for its advice, with lender fees and transaction costs considered separately in each comparison. ASIC's Moneysmart guidance recommends that borrowers ask any broker how they are paid.

Ahead of the 28 October inflation figures and the 3 November rate decision, Brokerage & Co is reviewing existing loans for borrowers across Adelaide, with its refinancing process set out on the Brokerage & Co website.

About Brokerage & Co

Brokerage & Co Partners Pty Ltd operates from Suite 16, 15 Fullarton Road, Kent Town, South Australia, under ABN 82 692 958 919. Led by CEO and Head Broker Sergio Stefano, the firm provides home lending, refinancing, self-employed lending, first-home-buyer lending and investment lending, with ongoing mortgage reviews for existing clients after settlement. Brokerage & Co is Credit Representative 519748 of Finsure Finance and Insurance Pty Ltd, Australian Credit Licence 384704.

Media Contact

Sergio Stefano
CEO and Head Broker, Brokerage & Co
1300 941 446
hello@brokerageandco.com.au
Contact – Brokerage & Co

Contact Information:

Brokerage & Co

15 Fullarton Rd
Kent Town, South Australia 5067
Australia

Sergio Stefano
+61 411 334 644
https://www.brokerageandco.com.au/