Online searches for reverse mortgage information have jumped 62% in six months. Government data shows HEAS demand has grown 21% in a year. And now Australia's leading reverse mortgage specialist has launched a tool to help retirees make sense of it all.
Seniors First, which marks its 20th anniversary this year, has built the Seniors Equity Release Access Hub (SERAH) for Australians aged 55 and over. The platform brings together independent information, a reverse mortgage calculator, and an online application pathway — designed to address what CEO Darren Moffatt (pictured) describes as a growing gap between rising consumer interest and the quality of decision-making that follows.
"For many older Australians, their home is their biggest asset, and a reverse mortgage can be a practical way to access some of its value without needing to sell or downsize," Moffatt said.
Moffatt said SERAH was designed specifically to address the most common mistakes he has seen over two decades: failing to understand all available lender options, focusing on short-term needs at the expense of estate planning, making rushed decisions under financial or emotional stress, skipping specialist advice, and missing loan structuring opportunities that could reduce long-term interest costs.
That demand for specialist guidance is only growing. Younger retirees are emerging as a key cohort, with rising living costs pushing asset-rich Australians to consider tapping home equity earlier in retirement than previous generations. Deloitte's 2026 Reverse Mortgage Survey puts the broader gap in sharp relief: only 1% of an estimated $600 billion in reverse mortgage capacity is currently being used — suggesting the surge in enquiry is only the beginning.
"What we've learned over two decades is that the best outcomes happen when people take their time, understand their options, and get specialist advice early. That's why we designed the SERAH tool," Moffatt said.
The vast majority of older Australians — up to 93% — now use the internet as a research tool, and AustralianSuper data shows 81% access financial products online at least once a week — meaning clients are arriving at conversations already primed with questions.
Seniors First, which has facilitated more than 6,500 reverse mortgage loans nationwide, built SERAH as a consumer-facing education resource. The platform may serve as a useful starting point for brokers to direct clients to before formal advice begins.
"We want all Australians to be able to feel confident in their options and how home equity can be used in a way that supports a more comfortable retirement," Moffatt said.
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