Brighten has accelerated the national rollout of its reverse mortgage product suite after what it describes as overwhelming broker interest during a three‑month pilot programme.
The non‑bank lender said the decision reflects strong early take‑up from experienced reverse mortgage brokers and rising demand for specialist retirement‑equity solutions as Australia’s population ages.
Jason Azzopardi (pictured), CEO of Brighten, said the pilot confirmed appetite among brokers for a lender focused on the nuances of the reverse mortgage market.
“Many of our pilot brokers have specialised in this market for years. They are not only looking for competitive products; they want a lender that understands the sector, their customers, and the importance of providing clarity, consistency, and better service,” Azzopardi said.
He added that broker feedback on the pilot had been “overwhelmingly positive”, underscoring Brighten’s emphasis on being easy to deal with throughout the application and post‑settlement process.
Brighten has been expanding its presence across aggregator panels, positioning the reverse mortgage offer as part of a broader growth strategy in specialist lending.
The lender last year appointed industry figure Sharon Yardley as head of reverse mortgages and has since built a specialist team to work with brokers from initial enquiry through to post‑settlement support.
“With Brighten, brokers deal directly with a specialist team that understands the demographic, the credit nuances of the product and how these loans are used day‑to‑day,” Yardley said.
The product range – Brighten Life and Brighten Life Plus – allows eligible homeowners aged 55 and over to access home equity via flexible facilities, with no regular monthly repayments and progressive drawdown options. Yardley said that combination of structure, pricing, and service aligns with what brokers are seeking in the segment.
Brighten pointed to industry research indicating a substantial pool of untapped home equity among older Australians. Deloitte’s 2026 Australian Reverse Mortgage Survey estimate Australians aged 60 and over hold about $3 trillion in home equity, of which around $600bn could realistically be accessed through equity‑release products, yet reverse mortgages currently tap only about 1% of that capacity – highlighting a large, under‑served opportunity for brokers.
Another analysis has also highlighted a shift in demand, with younger retirees in their 60s increasingly driving reverse mortgage growth as they look to supplement retirement income or consolidate existing debt.
Ageing in place is also a key preference, with research cited by the Actuaries Institute showing more than 80% of Australians aged 65 to 74 continue to live in their own home.
“For many older Australians, the family home is their largest asset. Reverse mortgages can provide a practical way to access that equity while continuing to live in the home and community they know,” Yardley said.
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