Women Building Momentum by Design in Broking: Gender Diversity, Career Strategy and AI in Australian Mortgage Broking

Women represent just 26.8% of mortgage brokers in Australia — a figure that has increased by only 1.2 percentage points over more than three years, according to the MFAA Industry Intelligence Service 19th Edition. Of brokers who entered the profession between April and September 2024, 68% were men and 32% were women, almost identical to the split recorded in 2021. The business case for change is well established. The question examined in this piece is how women already in the industry are building careers by design rather than by chance — and what the profession needs to do differently to shift the numbers.

What does the gender diversity data show for Australian mortgage broking?

According to the MFAA Industry Intelligence Service 19th Edition, women make up 26.8% of mortgage brokers in Australia. The proportion of female brokers has risen by just 1.2 percentage points over more than three years. The gender split among new entrants to the profession has remained almost unchanged since 2021, with approximately 68% men and 32% women entering broking between April and September 2024. The data indicates the industry has not yet found a structural solution to move the needle at the point of entry or retention.

Why does gender diversity matter in mortgage broking and lending?

Marie Mortimer, chief commercial officer at Firstmac, frames the cost of imbalance in direct terms: the finance industry serves a broad range of Australians, and leadership teams need a mix of perspectives when making decisions about risk, products, service, and customer outcomes. An industry that draws on a broader talent base and builds products that reflect the full picture of the customer will perform better. Jenny Ronald, chief product officer at Bluestone Home Loans, makes the same argument from a product perspective: more women in the rooms where credit, policy, and product decisions are made means those policies and products better reflect the needs of the other half of the population — and clients get better outcomes as a result.

What do high-performing women in Australian mortgage broking do differently?

Ronald identifies a consistent pattern among brokers who stand out: they think beyond the immediate transaction. The strongest performers structure solutions that hold up two or three years down the track — modelling scenarios, setting expectations early, and staying close to clients post-settlement. The result is cleaner applications, fewer surprises, and lending that lasts. Mortimer notes that in the current economic climate, clients need clear guidance more than ever, and women at all levels of lending are well placed to help borrowers slow down, understand their options, and make informed decisions — comparing practical trade-offs around rates, fees, flexibility, repayments, and longer-term affordability rather than simply being told what to do.

How should women early in their mortgage broking careers approach development?

Both Ronald and Mortimer point to the same starting position: get close to the core of the business, not the edges of it. Mortimer describes this as gaining exposure to credit, funding, compliance, and customer outcomes — understanding how decisions actually get made by sitting close to the work rather than around it. Ronald adds that curiosity needs to be paired with deliberate skill-building in the areas that earn credibility in a broker-facing environment: credit, policy, and how decisions actually get made. Her most consistent career advice is to treat a career like a strategy, not a hope — put your hand up for work that challenges you, build skills for the job you want in two or three years, and always plan for the role after the next one. Confidence follows from doing the work and taking responsibility; it does not precede it.

What is the impact of AI on women in Australian mortgage broking?

Ronald sees AI as a structural opportunity rather than a threat, particularly for women considering a move into broking from adjacent careers. AI will handle more of the administrative load, pushing the profession toward better judgement, sharper advice, and stronger client relationships. It will also lower barriers to entry by accelerating access to policy and lender knowledge — meaning new entrants can compete on capability rather than on tenure. What will not be automated is the human layer clients increasingly value: trust, clarity, and judgement when it matters most. Mortimer identifies digital lending, green finance, SMSF lending, and broker technology as growth areas over the next five years — all requiring the combination of technical understanding and sound judgement that women in the industry are well positioned to provide.

What can broking organisations do to accelerate gender equity?

Ronald identifies three concrete organisational levers: being clear about what readiness actually looks like for advancement, sponsoring women into visible roles, and building flexibility that supports long careers rather than short ones. When leadership is genuinely achievable — not theoretically available but structurally accessible — organisations unlock more talent and the whole sector benefits. Mortimer's prescription centres on consistency: progress requires not just getting more women into the industry but ensuring they stay, develop, and take on leadership roles over time. That only happens when businesses are clear on standards, give people meaningful responsibility, and back capability with real opportunity.

About Bluestone Home Loans

Since 2000, Bluestone Home Loans has been helping borrowers with complex or unique financial situations access the Australian property market, offering tailored lending solutions when others won't. Bluestone empowers brokers to serve a broader range of clients — from self-employed professionals to borrowers with past credit issues or those seeking niche lending options. With a 25-year legacy, Bluestone has become a trusted leader in the Australian lending market, known for flexible and straightforward solutions that go beyond traditional lending criteria.

About Firstmac

Brisbane-based Firstmac Limited is an independently owned Australian financial services provider with more than 47 years of experience in home and investment property loans. Firstmac has written more than 210,000 home loans and manages $21 billion in home loans. It also holds a $1 billion auto finance portfolio and is a premier sponsor and Charity Partner of the Brisbane Broncos.