Australian mortgage brokers are being asked to help put hard data behind shifting borrower sentiment, with the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) opening its February 2026 Market Sentiment Survey and calling for a strong response from members nationwide.
Brokers now originate more than three quarters of new residential mortgages, facilitating 77.3% of new loans, and settling around $130.23 billion in the September 2025 quarter, underscoring how critical their front-line insights have become.
The survey runs from 2 February to 27 February and is open to all MFAA broker members.
Rather than focusing on broker confidence, it zeroes in on what brokers are seeing in their client files as households contend with cost‑of‑living pressures, stubborn inflation, and global economic uncertainty.
Previously known as the Member Sentiment Survey, the revamped Market Sentiment Survey captures front‑line trends in mortgage stress, loan serviceability, refinancing flows, first-home buyer activity, client retention, and broader market conditions, as well as how brokers are helping customers adapt to a tougher environment.
The results are used to back MFAA’s engagement with government, regulators, and industry bodies, and to fine‑tune the association’s policy and advocacy agenda.
MFAA CEO Anja Pannek (pictured) said broker input is particularly valuable given the changing macro landscape.
“Economic conditions have changed since the last survey,” Pannek said. “Inflation remains above the RBA’s target 2 to 3% range and cost-of-living and housing supply challenges persist. The data derived from the February survey will help us determine what impact these and other economic factors have had on borrower behaviour.”
The August 2025 survey found financial optimism among borrowers had lifted 1.5% compared to the previous round, largely off the back of interest rate movements and stronger property equity. At the same time, it highlighted growing anxiety around everyday expenses and job security – pressure points the MFAA now wants to re-test in light of ongoing economic volatility.
Insights from the MFAA’s previous surveys can be found here.
Pannek said the February Market Sentiment Survey takes just five minutes to complete.
“It’s a great opportunity for MFAA members to share insights that will help shape the future of our industry,” she said.
Responses are anonymous, and participants who choose to provide their details will go into the draw to win a $500 Visa gift card.
MFAA members can complete the February 2026 Market Sentiment Survey online.
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