Making it personal at the 2025 MFAA conference

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‘The YOU Difference’ theme urges brokers to invest in their unique strengths to deliver better outcomes – for clients and for themselves

AT THIS year’s MFAA National Conference, brokers will be doing something unusual: focusing on themselves. Far from a navel-gazing exercise, the 2025 event will spotlight the people behind the expert guidance, the paperwork and the problem-solving. This year’s conference theme, ‘The YOU Difference’, underscores a shift in focus – from market mechanics to the human mechanics that drive broker success. It’s a call to examine what makes each broker distinctive in a crowded market and to invest in the skills and mindset needed to thrive. Through broker-led sessions, industry panels and the inaugural MFAA Education Summit, the event promises insights not just into how brokers can do more but how they can do it better, more sustainably and with greater personal impact.

The Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) is the leading professional association for the mortgage and finance broking industry, representing over 15,500 members. Our membership spans stakeholders from across the industry, with more than 97% comprising mortgage and finance brokers. We also represent aggregators, lenders, mortgage managers, mortgage insurers and other suppliers to the industry. Our purpose is to empower our members to prosper and thrive, ensuring Australians benefit from competition and choice. We support our members and the industry through advocacy, education and promotion of the broker value proposition to consumers.

Brokers helping clients in a range of ways

of brokers have helped their clients secure a discount

“The MFAA National Conference is where brokers go to learn how to be better for their clients – and better for themselves”

Anja Pannek, MFAA

there’s never been a more important time for brokers to gain an edge, Pannek says. “The MFAA National Conference is where brokers go to learn how to be better for their clients – and better for themselves. Every year the MFAA delivers a highly engaging and thought-provoking conference agenda designed to elevate broker performance and customer outcomes, unlike any other event across industry.” Taking place on Wednesday, 23 July 2025, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the National Conference offers a unique opportunity for brokers to step away from the ‘day to day’ and focus on their own development and growth. With a view to the future broker, those attending will hear from their broker peers, industry thought leaders and other keynote subject matter experts. The panel sessions, which are detailed below, will highlight the opportunities for brokers to excel, while also addressing pain points in process, people and business development.

“This year’s agenda, once again, highlights our ongoing commitment to supporting brokers through dynamic education, innovation and connection,” Pannek says. “It’s also about community. The conference provides a space for MFAA members to connect. “The MFAA National Conference brings brokers together from right across the country, from different aggregation groups, along with the broadest representation of lenders, industry representatives and leaders in one place to connect, collaborate and learn.”

The 2025 National Conference will feature four transformative broker-led sessions, each designed to elevate a different dimension of a broker’s professional performance: You, the Difference Maker – Exploring how leading brokers are building trust and client loyalty through authentic multifaceted communication and client education techniques You, the Experience Owner – Optimising the client experience. How brokers can find the right balance when it comes to technical efficiency, compliance, data security and communication, from enquiry to settlement and beyond You, the Business Driver – Structure breeds success. Explores how brokers are managing business growth through alternative team structures, recruitment, cash flow and revenue management and lead generation, while building the business asset You, the Sustainable Professional – Looks at broker strategies for sustaining high performance while maintaining work-life balance Pannek says each session delivers actionable takeaways for members, which can be implemented immediately, whether they’re building stronger client experiences, growing their teams or refining their businesses. “These sessions are designed to elevate member success.”

“The MFAA National Conference delivers industry-leading training that sharpens broker capability across compliance, communication, technology and customer service,” says Pannek. “In an increasingly competitive and complex market, brokers must stay ahead of client expectations, and this event equips them to do just that.” The MFAA February 2025 Member Sentiment Survey shows that 97% of MFAA brokers recently helped clients refinance, 98% helped clients secure a loan discount, while 87% assisted clients with budgeting strategies and 68% supported clients in navigating hardship options. These broker actions earn client loyalty and trust, but the ability to continue delivering that level of service depends on continual upskilling. “By attending the conference, brokers gain access to the latest insights,” Pannek says. “In doing so, they demonstrate their commitment to ethical service, continuous improvement and industry excellence – all critical drivers of consumer trust. “The immersive conference environment fosters learning from peers who are innovating and succeeding under real-world conditions. That collective learning and support lifts standards across the industry and helps set a new benchmark for broker professionalism.”

Alongside the National Convention, the MFAA Education Summit is a pivotal new initiative designed to shape the future of professional education in the industry. This invite-only, industry-first event will bring together mentor program managers, mentors, registered training organisations, industry education suppliers and aggregator learning and development leads from across Australia. The aim is to explore opportunities to continuously improve new-entrant broker education to ensure that brokers benefit from the best possible competency development at the start of their broking careers. The summit will focus on improving the Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management experience to further its fit-for-purpose status in the industry.

A key remit of the MFAA is to encourage Australians to use broker services. “We will be in the media actively promoting the value a consumer receives as a result of choosing an MFAA Accredited Broker,” Pannek says. “MFAA brokers are the most professional and educated in Australia – our campaign aims to highlight MFAA member professionalism, education, ethics and their high-quality service. The National Conference is an opportunity for MFAA members to evolve and deepen these qualities.” By participating in The YOU Difference, members are showing they are proactive, future-focused and aligned with best practice. Pannek says this matters now more than ever. “With cost of living pressures, rate volatility and economic uncertainty, clients are seeking brokers for guidance and support.” The Value of Mortgage and Finance Broking 2025 report found that 45% of Australians have low financial literacy. Pannek says MFAA members are bridging that gap every day, and when they invest in professional growth, they enhance their ability to support clients with clarity and care. “This shows that choosing an MFAA Accredited Broker means choosing a trusted professional.” Secure your ticket to the 2025 MFAA National Conference today, and join hundreds of professionals committed to excellence.

Businessman looking at a magnifying glass over a network of small people.

A theme with a difference

Steering more Australians to use brokers

Published 9 June 2025

“The immersive conference environment fosters learning from peers who are innovating and succeeding under real-world conditions. That collective learning and support lifts standards across the industry and helps set a new benchmark for broker professionalism”

Anja Pannek, MFAA

Over the last six months:

98%

of brokers have helped clients refinance to a new lender

97%

have helped clients with budgeting strategies

87%

have helped clients understand hardship options

68%

Source: MFAA February 2025 Member Sentiment Survey

Source: MFAA December 2024 Quarterly Market Share survey and Comparator analysis

Share of new residential loans settled by mortgage brokers keeps rising

20%

40%

60%

80%

Jan–Mar 2021

Apr–Jun 2021

Jul–Sep 2021

Oct–Dec 2021

Jan–Mar 2022

Apr–Jun 2022

Jul–Sep 2022

Oct–Dec 2022

Jan–Mar 2023

Apr–Jun 2023

Jul–Sep 2023

Oct–Dec 2023

Jan–Mar 2024

Apr–Jun 2024

Jul–Sep 2024

Oct–Dec 2024

MFAA chief executive Anja Pannek is uniquely positioned to understand what’s at stake – and what can be lost – if the human side of broking is swept under the carpet, and this is a major driver behind the conference theme. “It’s about recognising and empowering the unique strengths and personal touch each broker brings, to drive exceptional client outcomes and business success,” she says. “Broking as an industry is increasingly competitive, so continuing to differentiate yourself and your business is key.” With broker market share at its highest level yet – 76% –

Sessions to focus on the many hats brokers wear

Skills to pay the bills  

“As an industry built on trust, education and commitments to high professional standards and continuous improvement are key,” says Pannek. Over the last two years, the MFAA has introduced greater rigour to mentoring standards and annual compliance training – clear examples of lifting standards. “The Education Summit is now about us working with industry on continuing to improve how new brokers are supported to ensure their success over the longer term.” The summit will commence with a presentation form Lisa Bale, director VET + Innovation at the Future Skills Organisation (FSO). Bale will share insights into learner requirements in the finance industry and the work the FSO will be doing to reviewing broker qualifications and ensure their currency and alignment with industry needs. The FSO is a Jobs and Skills Council sponsored by the federal government. It is focused on developing the skills needed for the finance, technology and business sectors. As a member of the FSO, the MFAA has been highlighting opportunities to improve the diploma and enhance new entrants’ learning journeys.

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