Two decades in broking can teach you a lot about what it takes to build a lasting career. But for Donna Campbell, success has also been about what happens beyond the transaction.
As the franchise owner and mortgage broker behind Mortgage Choice South Morang in Melbourne, Campbell has spent more than 20 years working in Australia’s broking industry. Her career has given her a front-row seat to changing lending conditions, shifting borrower expectations and the many challenges that come with running a business in a competitive market.
It has also brought considerable industry recognition.
Campbell's latest achievements came in the 2026 Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) Excellence Awards, where her commitment to the community was recognised twice. In June, she received the "Community Champion" award at the Victoria and Tasmania State Excellence Awards. The recognition continued at the national awards a month later, when Campbell was one of two brokers to receive the same award at the national level.
But while awards provide one measure of professional success, Campbell’s experience offers a much broader perspective on what it takes to thrive in broking over the long term.
In this edition of Australian Broker's Spotlight Series — where we take a look at the people making their mark across Australia’s mortgage, finance and broking sectors — Campbell reflects on the experiences and strategies that have shaped her career, from building strong client relationships to creating a sustainable business. She also explores the role women are playing across the broking profession and the different perspectives they can bring to the industry.
Beyond her career journey, Campbell weighs in on one of the questions borrowers and brokers are constantly navigating: when is the right time to buy? She also shares her observations on the latest developments in the mortgage and property markets, including the trends she believes brokers should have on their radar.
The following interview has been edited for grammar and clarity.
DC: Listen to the client's needs now and in the future. Keep in regular contact with your clients. Be kind, polite and respectful to your lenders and partners. And treat others how you'd like to be treated.
DC: Look at your spending and see if there's anything that you can cut back on or do without completely. Also, avoid things like Afterpay, ZipPay. If you're a first-time homebuyer, understand what your borrowing power is and how your lifestyle might change once you've gotten loan repayments to manage. And try to make those changes before you buy your first property. My advice to brokers is to ensure that you have as much information as possible about your clients' needs and their goals before you advise them on their loan options.
DC: It is hard to answer this question without a crystal ball. But what I'd like to say to my customers is there is no such thing as a perfect time to buy. The perfect time is when you're ready. My view is that property is a long-term investment, and history tells us that prices tend to trend up over time.
DC: I believe what sets women brokers apart is that we approach our roles and customers with empathy and compassion. It's really important to me to spend the time listening to my clients' needs and objectives so they can feel confident making one of the biggest financial decisions a person can make. I would love to see more women join the broking industry. It's such a rewarding career.
DC: I am seeing first-time homebuyers come back into the market thanks to the government schemes. I'm also seeing more customers who are looking to consolidate debt and to refinance a bit, refinance to access a better rate.
