If you are evaluating the cost of hiring mortgage assistant support for your brokerage, you are likely facing one core question:
Should you hire locally, or outsource internationally?
For foreign mortgage firms expanding capacity, this decision impacts margins, compliance, scalability, and service quality.
In this comprehensive guide, we break down:
This article is written for foreign companies seeking sustainable growth.
Before diving into numbers, clarity matters.
A mortgage assistant typically handles:
In Australia, brokers must comply with responsible lending obligations under the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the National Consumer Credit Protection Act (NCCP).
Administrative errors can trigger compliance risk. So cost alone should never be the only metric.
Most companies underestimate the real employment cost.
In Australia, a mortgage assistant salary typically ranges between:
But salary is only part of the picture.
As of 2026, mandatory superannuation contributions are 11.5% under Australian law.
This adds approximately:
AUD $6,325 – $8,625 per year.
Varies by state. Typically 4.75% – 5.5% once thresholds are exceeded.
Four weeks annual leave + 10 days personal leave.
That equals roughly 6 weeks paid non-productive time.
Estimated at AUD $8,000 – $12,000 annually.
Often 15% – 20% of salary if outsourced.
Let’s calculate conservatively.
| Cost Component | Estimated Annual Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Base Salary | 65,000 |
| Super (11.5%) | 7,475 |
| Payroll Tax | 3,200 |
| Leave Liability | 7,500 |
| Overheads & Equipment | 10,000 |
| Recruitment (amortised) | 5,000 |
| Total Estimated Cost | 98,175 |
The true cost of hiring mortgage assistant locally is closer to $95,000 – $105,000 annually, not $65,000.
That difference matters.
Many foreign firms now consider offshore support in countries like Nepal or the Philippines.
Let’s examine that structure.
Average monthly cost ranges:
AUD $2,200 – $3,500 depending on skill level.
Annualized:
AUD $26,400 – $42,000.
| Category | Local Hire (AUD) | Offshore Support (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Base Cost | 65,000 | Included |
| Benefits & Super | 7,475 | Included |
| Payroll Tax | 3,200 | 0 |
| Leave Liability | 7,500 | Included |
| Equipment & Office | 10,000 | Included |
| Recruitment | 5,000 | Included |
| Annual Total | ~98,000 | 30,000 – 40,000 |
| Savings | — | 50% – 65% |
Savings can exceed AUD $60,000 per assistant annually.
When calculating the cost of hiring mortgage assistant staff, consider indirect variables.
New hires require 2 – 3 months training.
That is paid time with lower output.
Industry turnover can exceed 15% annually.
Replacing staff resets your cost cycle.
ASIC compliance audits require documentation accuracy.
Mistakes cost more than salary savings.
Hiring locally takes weeks or months.
Outsourcing partners can scale within days.
Foreign companies must maintain:
Outsourcing does not remove accountability.
You remain responsible under the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
Choose vendors with:
Outsourcing is not always superior.
Local employment works best when:
In boutique brokerages, cultural alignment may outweigh cost savings.
Outsourcing is optimal when:
Many growth-focused brokers adopt hybrid models.
One local operations manager.
Multiple offshore processing staff.
Before deciding, ask:
If brokers earn $300+ per hour, reallocating admin work significantly increases profitability.
Assume:
If admin consumes 20 hours weekly, and outsourcing frees 15 hours:
15 hours × 4 weeks × $300 hourly broker value
= $18,000 productivity opportunity monthly.
The math becomes compelling.
To protect operations:
Data security should follow ISO-aligned protocols.
The global business process outsourcing market exceeded USD 300 billion, according to Statista.
Financial services outsourcing continues expanding due to:
Mortgage processing is increasingly remote-enabled.
The true annual cost ranges from AUD $95,000 to $105,000 including superannuation, payroll tax, leave, and overheads.
Yes. However, brokers remain responsible for compliance under ASIC regulations and must ensure proper oversight.
Savings typically range from 50% to 65% compared to local employment.
Not necessarily. With proper SOPs and audit processes, quality can match or exceed local standards.
Most providers onboard within 2 to 4 weeks, depending on system access and training requirements.
The cost of hiring mortgage assistant staff is far higher than base salary.
Local employment can exceed AUD $100,000 annually when fully calculated.
Outsourcing reduces that to approximately $30,000 – $40,000.
The real question is not cost alone.
It is strategic leverage.
Do you want fixed overhead?
Or scalable support aligned to growth?
The right answer depends on your expansion strategy.