If you are weighing virtual assistant vs employee mortgage broker models, you are not alone.
Brokerages across Australia, the UK, and North America are under pressure. Volumes fluctuate. Compliance increases. Margins tighten.
The real question is not cost alone. It is control, scalability, risk, and long-term enterprise value.
This guide breaks it down with data, regulatory context, and operational insight. By the end, you will know exactly which model fits your growth strategy.
Mortgage broking has changed.
According to the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) Industry Intelligence reports, compliance and documentation workload per loan has increased significantly since the Royal Commission reforms.
Meanwhile, wage pressure continues. In Australia, experienced mortgage support staff can cost AUD 65,000–90,000 annually plus superannuation, leave, and overhead.
The decision between:
…directly impacts your EBITDA and scalability.
A mortgage virtual assistant (VA) is a remote professional who supports brokers with:
They may work:
Many brokerages now operate hybrid teams combining onshore brokers with offshore mortgage assistants.
An employee mortgage assistant is:
This model provides direct supervision and internal cultural alignment.
But it also brings fixed cost exposure.
Let’s look at realistic cost structures.
| Cost Component | In-House Employee | Offshore Mortgage VA |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | AUD 75,000 | AUD 22,000–35,000 |
| Superannuation (11%) | AUD 8,250 | Included/Not Applicable |
| Payroll Tax | Yes | No |
| Office Space | AUD 5,000–10,000 | No |
| Equipment | AUD 2,000 | Included |
| Recruitment Fees | AUD 8,000–15,000 | Usually Included |
| Total Estimated Cost | AUD 90,000–110,000 | AUD 25,000–40,000 |
Savings range: 50–70%.
But cost alone should not drive the decision.
Employee Model
Virtual Assistant Model
Insight:
Control is process-driven, not geography-driven. Strong SOPs reduce risk in either model.
Mortgage broking in Australia is governed under:
Outsourcing does not remove compliance responsibility. The licensee remains accountable.
Best practice safeguards include:
A virtual assistant should never provide credit advice. They should support documentation only.
When structured properly, offshore models remain compliant.
Employees:
Virtual assistants:
If your loan volumes fluctuate seasonally, VAs provide agility.
Top brokerages track:
Offshore support typically increases broker capacity by 30–60%.
Brokers spend more time selling and less time chasing documents.
This is often the biggest objection.
However, structured offshore teams:
The key is integration, not isolation.
There are scenarios where hiring locally is preferable.
Startups with fewer than 10 loans per month often benefit from one strong local assistant.
The VA model excels when:
Many high-growth brokerages now operate with:
1 broker : 1 offshore assistant
or
1 broker : 2 offshore assistants
This dramatically increases revenue per broker.
Let’s model it.
If a broker:
Offshore VA cost: AUD 30,000
Net incremental value: ~AUD 100,000
That is enterprise value creation.
Here is a simple framework foreign companies use:
When implemented correctly, risk remains controlled.
With employees:
With VAs:
Success depends more on management maturity than geography.
Private equity buyers look at:
A structured offshore support model improves:
This is not just staffing. It is strategic positioning.
Avoid these, and the model works.
Yes. It is legal if structured correctly. The licensee remains responsible under the NCCP Act. Offshore staff must not provide credit advice.
Not always. Many brokerages disclose transparently. Clients care more about service speed and accuracy.
Savings typically range between 50–70% compared to an in-house employee.
No, if documented properly. Auditors focus on process quality, not location.
In many cases, yes for back-office roles. Sales and credit advice should remain onshore.
The virtual assistant vs employee mortgage broker decision is not emotional. It is structural.
If you want:
A well-governed offshore virtual assistant model often wins.
If you prioritize physical presence and direct HR control, the employee model may suit you.
Most modern brokerages now operate hybrid teams.
The smartest ones design systems first, then choose the staffing model.