The 30-Second Test

If you can answer "yes" to any of these, you should consider refinancing:

  • ✅ You haven't reviewed your rate in 2+ years
  • ✅ Your current rate is above 6.50%
  • ✅ Your fixed rate is expiring in the next 12 months
  • ✅ Your circumstances changed (better salary, paid off debts)
  • ✅ You're feeling the squeeze from rate rises

Most Australians are paying 0.5%-1% more than they need to. On a $600,000 loan, that's $250-$500 per month — or $90,000-$180,000 over 30 years.

The 4 Questions to Ask Your Bank

Before you refinance, call your bank's retention team and ask:

1. "What's the lowest rate you can offer me as an existing customer?"

Banks have a "loyalty tax" — new customers get lower rates. Your bank often has 0.3-0.5% lower available if you ask.

2. "What new-customer rates are you advertising right now?"

You're entitled to know. Many banks will match this if you push.

3. "What would I pay if I refinanced away — break costs, discharge fees?"

  • Variable loan: $300-$500 discharge fee
  • Fixed loan: Break costs can be $5,000-$30,000 (do the math!)

4. "Can you waive my annual package fee?"

$395-$400/year fees can usually be waived if you ask.

When Refinancing Makes Financial Sense

Refinance if:

  • Your new rate is at least 0.25% lower than current
  • You're not in a fixed rate (or about to come off one)
  • You're staying in the property for 2+ more years
  • You're a strong borrower (good credit, stable income)

Don't refinance if:

  • You're 6-12 months from selling
  • Your fixed rate has 2+ years left with massive break costs
  • Your financial situation has weakened (job loss, bad credit)
  • The savings are under $200/month (often not worth the paperwork)

The Cashback Bonus Most People Miss

Many lenders offer $2,000-$4,000 cashback for refinancing to them.

Current market (early 2025):

  • Big-4 banks: up to $3,000
  • Other major lenders: up to $4,000
  • Non-major lenders: varies by loan size

Important: Cashback offers change weekly. The right broker tracks every offer and matches you to the best one.

Real Client Example

Sarah, age 34, Bulimba

  • Original loan: $580,000 with Big 4 bank at 6.94%
  • Monthly repayment: $3,837
  • We refinanced to: 5.99% with another major lender
  • New monthly repayment: $3,475
  • Saving: $362/month = $130,320 over 30 years
  • Plus $3,000 cashback received at settlement

The Refinancing Process (Step-by-Step)

  1. Day 1: Free assessment — I check your eligibility & savings potential
  2. Day 2-5: Submit application with chosen lender
  3. Day 6-14: Lender assesses, valuation done
  4. Day 15-21: Formal approval, contracts signed
  5. Day 22-35: Settlement — old loan paid off, new loan starts

Total time: About 4-6 weeks (you don't have to do much)

Bottom Line

If you haven't reviewed your rate in 2 years, you're almost certainly paying too much. The good news: refinancing is free to investigate — book a free consultation and I'll show you exactly how much you could save (or tell you to stay put if it's not worth it).

30 秒自测

下面任何一条只要有一个"是"，你都应该考虑转贷：

  • ✅ 已经超过 2 年没审视过自己的利率
  • ✅ 当前利率高于 6.50%
  • ✅ 固定利率即将在 12 个月内到期
  • ✅ 你的财务状况改善了（涨薪、还清其他债务）
  • ✅ 利率上涨让你压力倍增

大多数澳洲人多付了 0.5%-1% 的利息。$60 万贷款来算，每月多付 $250-$500，30 年下来就是 $9 万-$18 万。

4 个该问银行的关键问题

转贷前，先打电话给银行的客户挽留部门问：

1. "作为老客户，你们能给我的最低利率是多少？"

银行有"忠诚税" —— 新客户拿到的利率更低。你的银行通常能再降 0.3-0.5%，前提是你开口问。

2. "你们现在打广告给新客户的利率是多少？"

你有权知道。很多银行会主动匹配。

3. "如果我转贷走，违约金和手续费是多少？"

  • 浮动利率：$300-$500 解约费
  • 固定利率：违约金可能高达 $5,000-$30,000（要算清楚！）

4. "年度套餐费能免掉吗？"

$395-$400/年的费用，主动问就能免。

什么时候转贷才划算

值得转贷：

  • 新利率比当前低至少 0.25%
  • 不在固定期内（或固定期即将结束）
  • 接下来至少还会住 2 年以上
  • 你是优质借款人（信用好、收入稳定）

不建议转贷：

  • 6-12 个月内打算卖房
  • 固定期还剩 2 年以上且违约金很高
  • 财务状况变差（失业、信用受损）
  • 月省不到 $200（不值得折腾文件）

大多数人忽略的现金返还

很多银行提供$2,000-$4,000 现金返还来吸引转贷客户。

当前市场（2025 年初）：

  • 四大行：最高 $3,000
  • 其他主流银行：最高 $4,000
  • 非四大行：视贷款金额而定

重要： 现金返还活动每周都在变。专业中介会实时跟踪所有优惠，帮你匹配到最好的。

真实客户案例

Sarah，34 岁，Bulimba

  • 原贷款：$58 万，四大行之一，利率 6.94%
  • 月供：$3,837
  • 我们转贷到：另一家大银行，利率 5.99%
  • 新月供：$3,475
  • 每月省 $362 = 30 年省 $130,320
  • 交割时还拿到 $3,000 现金返还

转贷流程（一步步看）

  1. 第 1 天：免费评估 —— 我帮你检查资格和能省多少
  2. 第 2-5 天：提交申请给选定的银行
  3. 第 6-14 天：银行评估，房产估价
  4. 第 15-21 天：正式批贷，签合同
  5. 第 22-35 天：交割 —— 旧贷款结清，新贷款开始

总时长： 大约 4-6 周（你基本不用做什么）

结论

如果你已经 2 年没看过自己的利率，几乎可以肯定你在多付钱。好消息是：转贷评估完全免费 —— 预约一次免费咨询，我会准确告诉你能省多少钱（如果不值得转，我也会直说让你别动）。