Am I eligible for a Reverse Mortgage?

In Australia, reverse mortgages are generally available to homeowners aged 55 or over. You must own your home, meet lender property criteria, and be able to maintain rates, insurance and upkeep. The amount available depends on your age, property value and lender policy. Seniors First assesses eligibility across multiple specialist lenders.

Is a Reverse Mortgage safe for older Australians?

Yes. Reverse mortgages are heavily regulated in Australia and include safeguards such as the No Negative Equity Guarantee, mandatory legal advice, full disclosure, responsible lending obligations and broker Best Interest Duty. You retain the right to live in your home for life provided conditions are met.

How much can I borrow with a Reverse Mortgage?

Borrowing depends on your age, property value, lender LVR limits and existing mortgages. As a guide, borrowing may start around 15–20% at age 60 and increase with age. Seniors First compares multiple lenders and provides calculator estimates before personalised advice.

What can a Reverse Mortgage be used for?

Funds can be used flexibly, including retirement income, living expenses, debt consolidation, medical costs, home repairs, vehicles, family support or travel. Access options include lump sums, income streams or cash reserves depending on the lender.

Do I keep ownership of my home?

Yes. You remain the legal owner of your home. The loan is repaid when you sell, permanently move out or pass away. The No Negative Equity Guarantee ensures you or your estate never owe more than the property value.

Why choose a specialist Reverse Mortgage broker?

Specialist brokers provide access to niche lenders, broker-only rates, deep product comparisons, Centrelink expertise, regulatory compliance, loan structuring strategies and coordination of mandatory legal and financial advice. Seniors First has specialised exclusively in reverse mortgages since 2006.

What are Reverse Mortgage interest rates?

Reverse mortgage interest rates are generally higher than standard home loans due to the absence of repayments and compounding interest. Rates vary by lender, structure and market conditions. A specialist broker helps compare options and explain long-term impacts.

Will a reverse mortgage affect my Age Pension?

Usually not, but it depends on how funds are used. Money spent on exempt assets often has no impact, while cash or investments may affect Centrelink assessments. Seniors First explains general considerations and recommends confirming with Centrelink or an FIS officer.

SERAH™ - "Seniors Equity Release Access Hub" by Seniors First

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1300 745 745

Check Eligibility

What is SERAH™?

SERAH™ stands for "Seniors Equity Release Access Hub". It's a secure portal for Australians 55yrs+ who want to learn about home equity release options. It includes 6+ hours of informational videos about downsizing, the Government HEAS, and Reverse Mortgages.

Why Australians Use SERAH™

Learn at your own pace

Take your time to understand the different home equity release options, without feeling rushed or pressured.

Explore privately

Ask questions about Reverse Mortgages and access educational content from the comfort of your home.

Understand what may be possible

Use calculators and tools to explore potential options based on your situation. Compare different options.

Get support when you need it

Book a meeting with a Seniors First specialist whenever you feel ready.

Feel more confident

Understand the process step-by-step before making important financial decisions.

What You Get Access To

Discover the tools, education and support designed to help you explore Reverse Mortgages with greater clarity and confidence.

Learning Centre

Over six and a half hours of easy-to-follow educational videos designed to explain the pros and cons between the Government's Home Equity Access Scheme (HEAS), downsizing, and Reverse Mortgages - all in plain English.

Perfect for:

Retirees researching their options
Families helping parents understand finance options
Homeowners comparing alternatives
Anyone wanting to learn before speaking to a broker

"Ask SERAH"

"Ask SERAH" is a your private AI assistant available to discuss equity release, day or night.

Ask questions such as:

How does a Reverse Mortgage work?
Will I still own my home?
What are the risks?
How much could I access?
What alternatives are available?

Get simple explanations in a safe and supportive environment.

Reverse Mortgage Calculator

Get a general estimate of what may be possible based on your age and property value.

This helps you understand whether a Reverse Mortgage may be worth exploring further.

Express Broker Access

Direct connection to expert brokers. Get loan application help when you need it. Book a meeting with a Seniors First specialist at a time that suits you.

No waiting for callbacks or complicated scheduling.

Personalised Dashboard

Everyone who signs up to SERAH™ gets a secure, personalised dashboard. You can download the app to your phone to explore equity release options 24/7, without getting hassled.

If you decide to proceed with a loan application, SERAH™ helps you track every step of your journey with clear updates and guidance.

How it Works

Step 1

Complete Eligibility Check

Step 2

Access SERAH™

Step 3

Learn & Explore Your Options

Step 4

Speak With a Specialist If Ready

GET ACCESS NOW

Who’s Behind SERAH™?

SERAH™ was created by Seniors First, a trusted Australian reverse mortgage specialist helping Australians aged 55+ explore later-life finance with greater clarity and confidence.

Built on over 20 years of experience, SERAH™ combines education, support and guidance in one secure platform.

What our customers say

Rated 4.9 stars on Google with over 560 reviews. Here's what some of our customers have to say about their experience with Seniors First reverse mortgage brokers.

Robert K.

1 month ago

Seema was extremely helpful and explain the process with us every step of the way.
Anyone thinking of a Reverse Mortgage to use Seema from Seniors First would find it advantageous to do.

Paul V.

1 month ago

Thank you Seema

Bruce C.

1 month ago

Hi Angela

Thank you for all the help that you provided in this matter.

Your service was exemplary. You guided us in what could be a complicated and stressful process at our stage of life. Your assistance relieved us of those pressures.

We would recommend your service to anybody.

Thank you

Bruce & Judith

Colin B.

1 month ago

totally friendly and helpful through the whole process, thank you Angela

Karen J.

1 month ago

What initially felt like a daunting process, was made seamless and easy. My broker Palka ensured that I was well informed at every step of the application process and was always readily available to respond to my questions. I feel excited to be able to move forward with my plans now.

Lesley W.

3 months ago

We were very happy with the speedy and professional service from Seniors First. They helped us navigate all the options available and sorted out the paper work, making it a simple operation to find and apply for the most suitable reverse mortgage for our needs. Highly recommend!

David B.

3 months ago

I was very happy with Seniors First to organize my affairs. Seema was a nice person to deal with and great at getting my application approved, she persisted with my lack of Technology and sending documents. Her experience and knowledge will guarantee success.

barry T.

3 months ago

Understanding, deciding, facilitating and processing an application for a reverse mortgage is not a simple process, however having a Broker who works closely with you step by step is an absolute must have. We choose Seniors First based on peer and industry reviews coupled with the explanatory telecasts they provided explaining what was involved. Having decided to explore further we linked up with our Broker, Angela Giokaris via a lengthy phone discussion. Throughout the following weeks as the application process progressed we were confident that we were in good hands. Angela remained in contact every step of the way, openly ensuring we understood the pros and cons of a reverse mortgage and facilitated every step of the journey. Importantly, there were a couple of conditions from Heartland, our chosen bank, that we had issues with. Angela negotiated with Heartland on our behalf and secured the conditions we were chasing. We found Angela to be highly professional, very knowledgeable of the reverse mortgage product and banking generally. Importantly also, friendly, patient, considerate of our needs, thorough in detail and overall an absolute pleasure to work with. We are very happy with the end result and being able to convert our asset value to a cash value and opening the door to the rest of our lives. We would wholeheartedly recommend Seniors First, and in particular Angela to anyone who is considering going down this track. Barry.

Bobby Y.

4 months ago

I found the consultant from Senior first Richard Chapman, was extremely helpful and also very knowledgeable regarding reverse mortgages. He was always available to assist with any of out questions and or concerns. We found this process very smooth and seamless. My wife and I had many questions during this process, which were always handled with patience and understanding. I would recommend Senior First for anyone thinking about a reverse mortgage they make it easy.
Thanks guys.
Bobby Yarbrough

Ray and Carolyn D.

6 months ago

We were/are clients of Palka Kumar. We were impressed with her friendly nature and boundless knowledge of the industry. We had a number of Tele-conferences with her as she guided us through the process and let us know from the outset that she was with us the whole way through to conclusion. Palka was always available to answer any questions and kept us informed as the process went through the various stages. We have nothing but praise and appreciation for Palkas commitment to her clients. She always made us feel assured and relaxed about a sometimes daunting process. Outstanding.

Frequently asked questions

Is SERAH free?

Yes. SERAH is provided 100% free to eligible Seniors First clients.You can also read a blog post about why we launched SERAH.

How do I get access to SERAH?

The first step is to check your eligibilty for a Reverse Mortgage with Seniors First. If eligible, you will then automatically receive an email invitation with a link to join on SERAH. Once you activate the link you will then get full access to SERAH

How secure is the SERAH portal?

SERAH is built on 256-bit TLS Encryption, which means it enjoys bank-grade security. The technology powering SERAH is SOC 2 Type 2 Certified, the highest grade compliance. It's also important to note that no personal documents or financial data is ever stored on SERAH. It contains only educational information, and basic loan tracking data related to the status of a loan application (should you wish to proceeed).

Does checking eligibility affect my credit score?

No, it is only a preliminary check based on initial criteria. There is no reference to your credit score at all - that will only come if you wish to later apply for a Reverse Mortgage loan, and then only after you sign application forms giving express consent for the chosen lender to conduct credit checks.

Does SERAH change or replace contact with a Seniors First broker?

No, it does not replace contact with your Seniors First broker. You would still have full access to your specialist Broker. SERAH is an additional resource, available 24/7 that can accelerate your understanding of Reverse Mortgages, and further enhance your journey from application to loan settlement.

Industry Awards & Recognition

Senior's First has developed a reputation as an award-winning Reverse Mortgage broker, and a trusted name among public policy organisations, the aged care industry, senior’s groups, older borrowers and their families.