If you are evaluating the cost of hiring mortgage assistant support, you are not alone. Brokerages across Australia, the UK, and Canada are reassessing their staffing models. Margins are tightening. Compliance requirements are rising. Capacity is stretched.
The right hiring model can protect profitability while increasing loan volumes.
This guide breaks down the real numbers, risks, and structures. It compares local hires, offshore teams, and hybrid delivery models. You will also see compliance considerations and cost benchmarks backed by industry data.
Let’s get into it.
Mortgage broking is operationally intensive. File preparation, lender follow-ups, compliance checks, CRM updates, document collection, and client communication take time.
According to the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA), brokers now write more than 70% of new residential loans in Australia. That share continues to grow. More volume means more administration.
Meanwhile, regulatory oversight from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has increased documentation and compliance expectations. Similar trends exist in the UK under the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
The result?
Administrative workloads expand faster than revenue per file.
That is why understanding the cost of hiring mortgage assistant talent is critical.
Before we compare costs, we need clarity on scope.
A mortgage assistant typically handles:
In many brokerages, assistants recover 15–25 hours per week for a senior broker.
That time can be redirected into revenue-generating activity.
Let’s look at Australia as a reference market.
Based on SEEK and industry salary surveys:
But salary is not the true cost.
| Cost Component | Approximate % | Example (AUD 70,000 Salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | 100% | 70,000 |
| Superannuation (11%) | 11% | 7,700 |
| Payroll Tax (varies by state) | ~5% | 3,500 |
| Leave Loading | ~2% | 1,400 |
| Equipment & Software | — | 3,000 |
| Office Overheads | — | 8,000 |
| Recruitment Costs | — | 5,000 |
| Estimated Total Cost | — | ~98,600 |
The real cost of hiring mortgage assistant support locally often exceeds AUD 95,000 annually.
That excludes management time.
For smaller brokerages, this can compress margins quickly.
Offshore support has become mainstream.
Countries like the Philippines and Nepal offer English-speaking finance graduates at lower salary bands.
| Model | Monthly Cost (AUD) | Annual Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Contractor | 1,500–2,000 | 18,000–24,000 |
| Managed BPO Model | 2,200–3,500 | 26,400–42,000 |
| Hybrid Dedicated Team | 3,000–4,500 | 36,000–54,000 |
Even at the premium end, offshore hiring reduces costs by 40–60%.
However, price alone should not drive decisions.
Here are the most effective structures used by international brokerages.
You recruit independently through job boards.
Pros
Cons
This model suits experienced operators.
It requires strong process maturity.
You engage a specialist provider with mortgage experience.
The provider handles:
Pros
Cons
This model balances cost and risk control.
For foreign companies, this is often the safest path.
The senior credit analyst remains onshore.
Administrative and file preparation work is offshore.
Benefits
This model optimises both control and margin.
Many brokerages underestimate secondary expenses.
Expect 4–8 weeks of onboarding. That is productivity loss.
If SOPs are weak, scaling fails.
Under ASIC and FCA guidance, brokers remain responsible for file accuracy.
Delegation does not remove accountability.
Client financial data requires secure environments.
ISO-aligned infrastructure is recommended.
If you are an international brokerage outsourcing mortgage processing:
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) also emphasises operational risk governance for regulated entities.
Risk oversight is non-negotiable.
Cost savings must not compromise compliance.
Let’s assume:
Additional annual revenue:
3 loans × 2,500 × 12 = AUD 90,000
If offshore assistant cost = AUD 36,000
Net gain ≈ AUD 54,000
The economics are clear when capacity constraints exist.
Consider hiring when:
Waiting too long often costs more than hiring early.
Ask yourself:
Your answers determine the structure.
Onshore costs in Australia often exceed AUD 95,000 annually including overheads. Offshore managed models typically range from AUD 26,000–54,000 annually depending on seniority.
Yes, if structured correctly. Brokers remain responsible under ASIC or FCA rules. Proper contracts, secure systems, and audit processes are essential.
Expect 4–8 weeks depending on complexity and documentation maturity.
Yes. Many firms use them for email and lender communication. Some restrict direct borrower calls initially.
In most capacity-constrained brokerages, yes. Assistants free revenue-producing time, increasing settlements.
The cost of hiring mortgage assistant talent is not just about salary. It is about structure, compliance, scalability, and return on investment.
Onshore hiring provides control but carries higher overhead.
Offshore managed models offer strong cost efficiency with risk mitigation.
The right model depends on your growth stage, compliance maturity, and operational discipline.
If you are exploring structured offshore mortgage support with governance, training, and secure infrastructure built in, the next step is a tailored cost comparison.