The 2025 Australian Mortgage Awards wrapped up in spectacular style, with more than 850 brokers, BDMs, lenders, aggregators and industry heavy hitters gathering at the Fullerton Sydney for a night of celebration, networking and standout achievements.
"This is the greatest night of the year," Ian Rakhit, general manager of the third party at Bankwest, and whose firm sponsored the "Bankwest New Brokerage of the Year" award, told Australian Broker. "These are the pinnacle of all the awards we have across our glorious industry. They have a really good range of recognition, for individuals, teams, brokerages, lenders and product providers.
"It's a real pleasure to be part of this awards event," he added. "It's great to see new talent continue to come through the industry. We've been proud to be sponsors of this event for a number of years, because we recognize the importance of recognizing new brokerages coming through, designing great solutions, and bringing new customers to the market."
Mortgage broking professionals were high energy during the 2025 Australian Mortgage Awards.
Australia’s top mortgage broking professionals went head-to-head across 28 categories, all vying for one of the industry’s most coveted awards.
In addition, the celebration included a stand-out performance by Aussie rock icon Daryl Braithwaite, while TV personality Dave Hughes acted as the evening’s MC.
Australian musician Daryl Braithwaite performed during the 2025 Australian Mortgage Awards.
Australian Broker rounded up the best of the best: who came, who won and what the industry's power players had to say about the evening – and the sector as a whole.
Lendi Group's Karen Sorrenti, accepting the "MSA National Aggregator of the Year" award on behalf of the company.
"I'm thrilled to accept this award on behalf of our company. It feels amazing [to win]. We accept this on behalf of our whole network. Our brokers choose us, to partner with them and grow their businesses. We're so proud of that."
"The AMAs are a great event where we recognize and award brokers for their excellence in what they're doing."
"It's great to come together, celebrate success, celebrate excellence. Everyone works pretty hard in this industry. And it's great to recognize and give a little back."
"We love the Australian Mortgage Awards. We've sponsored it for many years. It really acknowledges the people who are making roads in the industry. Some of these people are trailblazers. And recognizing the best players in the industry helps lift the credibility of brokers and the industry as a whole."
"It's a fabulous thrill and great recognition of the whole team. We focused on two things: it was all about developing the best relationships in the industry and delivering on the best service. We were relentless about doing that. And the entire team woke up every day and thought about achieving that. So to pick up one of these [awards] is a great thrill."
The Bankwest team after finding out they had won the "Infinity Capital Financial Group Bank of the Year" award. Ian Rakhit, far right, accepted the award on behalf of the firm.
"It feels fantastic. This is 12 months of hard effort. I'm absolutely delighted. We continue to innovate based on our broker feedback. What our brokers feel are necessary to them, are exactly the kinds of things that Bankwest looks to build."
Sara Cox of Two Broker Girls took home the "Bluestone Home Loans Best Customer Service from an Individual Office" award
"It feels amazing [to win]. This was very unexpected. We're up against a lot of other offices that were very high caliber. So we're just so, so thrilled."
NAB's Nick Notaras presenting the award for "NAB Best Industry Service."
"It's important to sponsor events like this because we need to recognize the great work that brokers do. As we know, they're getting [nearly] 78% of the home loan business. And they offer consumers a choice. The AMAs allow everyone to come together and recognize that excellence. It also allows people to network and catch up, because they're always busy."
"It feels amazing. And thanks to Westpac for all the support and mentoring me throughout the year. I care about my customers and the brokers and their success is my success."
"This is a fantastic recognition of all the hard work of dedicated and professional mortgage brokers. It's fantastic to recognize their achievements, and it shows how important mortgage brokers are for the industry and our community."
Kristina Kanaris of REA Group, left, sponsor of the "Mortgage Choice Best Non-Bank BDM" award, posed with Craig Meale of Orde Financial, winner of the award.
"It feels absolutely fabulous [to win]. I'm very proud and very proud of our business. Everyone around me makes me shine. So, my job is easy; I just show up with a great bunch of professionals around me."
"I am absolutely gobsmacked. I had no idea. I only just decided I was coming last minute. I didn't even think there was remotely a chance I would win. This is a really prestigious big deal. I am so excited. I can't even explain it."
Suzanne Hemsworth of La Trobe Financial presents the "La Trobe Financial Broker of the Year - Commercial" award.
"The key is to recognize the hard work and the effort that actually goes into everything that a broker does for their client. Effectively, a client trusts a broker, often more than they do their family. I think it's always important to stop for a few moments and be able to reflect on just how far the industry has come."
"The AMAs are an amazing event. It's great to recognize brokers who are doing amazing work in their communities for their customers. It's great to come together. We work in a busy industry; it's very, very busy. Taking some time to celebrate the success that we get is very, very important."
Helen Avis of Specialist Mortgage, left, accepts the "Pepper Money Broker of the Year - Specialist Lending" award from Pepper Money's Drew Clegg, right.
"It feels amazing. I'm pretty shocked actually. It feels great to win because I've worked hard and I've been dedicated to my clients."
"The AMAs are such a fantastic way to see the talent that's in the industry. It's a room full of amazing brokers supporting customers, and the whole ecosystem and the channel getting together behind some amazing people and talent that we have."
Sara Willsallen of Westpac, left, with Baber Zaka, of CBA.
"We're very proud of celebrating the excellence that our industry has. It's really important that we inspire our colleagues, our friends and those seeking to enter the industry. And there's nothing better than being in a room with [more than] 800 people at the very, very top of their craft. It's an absolute privilege for Westpac to be associated with the AMAs."
