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.

As seen on TV

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Check Eligibility

★ Specialist Reverse Mortgage Broker · Since 2006

Get a broker
on your side.

For Australians over 55, a Reverse Mortgage is a major financial decision. The better question isn’t “Which bank has the cheapest rate?” — it’s “Who is fighting for me?”

Check eligibility in 1 min

Customers served! 10 Years Specialist experience

Customers served! 10 + Australians helped

Customers served! 10 + Lender differences mapped

4.9 / 5 on Google

600+ verified reviews

Our Role · Consumer Advocate

We help older Australians make more informed decisions — and we fight to help them get a better outcome.

A Reverse Mortgage can transform your lifestyle, improve cash flow, reduce financial stress and bring certainty to retirement. But it also affects the equity in your home over time. That’s why the question isn’t just the rate — it’s who is on your side.

“Who can compare the lenders for you?”

“Who can negotiate for you and structure the loan to preserve more equity?”

That is the value only a specialist Reverse Mortgage broker can deliver.

Why choose Seniors First?

A specialist on your side will:

Compare lenders and their hidden rules
Negotiate rate discounts that aren’t publicly advertised
Structure the loan to reduce compound interest
Help you avoid borrowing more than you need
Be transparent about costs and commissions

Certainty In An Uncertain World

For many, the money from a

Reverse Mortgage is life changing

Living costs are rising. Property markets shift. Downsizing isn’t always right. A Reverse Mortgage may help you access wealth tied up in your home — without selling, and without monthly repayments.

Retirement cash flow

Top up monthly income with regular instalments.

Home repairs & renovations

Stay in the home you love, longer.

Pay out existing debt

Replace high-cost debt and ease pressure.

Medical & aged care

Cover unexpected health or care expenses.

Help family

Assist children or family when it matters.

Delay downsizing

Move when the timing is right — not forced.

Safety buffer

Funds at call for life’s surprises.

Lifestyle goals

Travel, a new car, the things you’ve put off.

Our Role · Borrower Advocate

Borrowers assume the lender's advertised rate is the rate. It isn’t.

In 2026, nearly half of Seniors First customers received a special discounted rate that was not publicly advertised. With Reverse Mortgages, interest compounds — so even small savings matter.

0.40% average discount off the lender’s published rate

~$12,000 potential saving on a $150k loan over 10 years

~50% of our customers received a non-advertised discount

Average rate discount we negotiated

−0.40%

below the lender’s publicly advertised rate, for nearly half of our 2026 customers.

$150k loan · 10 yrs

Compound saving ≈ $12,000

Real outcome

More equity stays in your home, not the bank

Home EquiSaver™ · Smart Loan Structuring

The bigger saving often comes from how the loan is structured — not the rate.

$100,000 reverse mortgage facility · 8% rate · 10 years

Illustrative comparison — actual results will vary.

Drawn upfront

Home EquiSaver™ instalments

$121,000

Lump-sum upfront

Interest compounds from day one

$52,000

Drawn gradually

Pay interest only on funds drawn

Potential interest saving

≈ $69,000

We ask a different question.

Instead of “What’s the most you can borrow?”, we ask:

“What’s the smartest way to access the money you need — while protecting as much home equity as possible?”

20 years of structuring experience.

Thousands of loans. Probably millions in potential compound interest saved across our customer base.

Option 01

Money needed immediately

Funds for current expenses, debt payouts, or major one-off needs.

Option 02

Monthly cash-flow boost

Regular instalments that top up existing retirement income.

Option 03

Emergency funds at call

Stand by cash reserve to be drawn only if you need it. Interest-free until used.

From Enquiry To Settlement

We do the hard work for you.

You won’t be left to work it all out alone. Our role is to make the Reverse Mortgage process clearer, calmer and easier to understand.

Understand your goals

A no-obligation conversation about what you actually need.

Check eligibility

Confirm age, property, postcode and lender criteria.

Compare lenders

Rates, fees, features and policies — explained plainly.

Negotiate & structure

Push for discounts and apply the EquiSaver™ method.

Manage to settlement

Application, valuations, lender liaison — handled.

Why Trust Seniors First

Helping over-55s release home equity since 2006.

Australia’s #1 Reverse Mortgage specialist broker. The small details have a very big impact — and we’ve spent 20 years learning where they hide.

Customers served! 10 Years of specialist experience

Customers served! 10 + Australians assisted

Customers served! 10 ★ Google rating

Customers served! 10 + Verified reviews

Customers served! 10 + Lender differences mapped

What our customers say

Rated 4.9 stars on Google with over 600 reviews. Here's what some of our customers have to say about their experience with Seniors First Reverse Mortgage brokers.

Robert K.

2 months 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.

2 months ago

Thank you Seema

Bruce C.

2 months 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.

2 months ago

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

Karen J.

2 months 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.

4 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.

4 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.

4 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.

7 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.

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The Specialist Broker Difference

Why older Australians choose Seniors First.

People choose us because we’re specialists who advocate for better borrower outcomes — not just process applications.

Help comparing Reverse Mortgage lenders side-by-side
Smart loan structuring to minimise interest costs
Equity-preserving guidance over the long term
Plain-English explanations from experienced specialists
Transparent about costs and commissions

Rate discounts negotiated where available
Exclusive Home EquiSaver™ where suitable
150+ lender differences navigated for you
Enquiry to settlement support — every step
A team that is genuinely on your side

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Before You Go Direct To A Lender

Speak to a specialist who advocates for you.

We compare your options. We fight for rate discounts where possible. We structure the Reverse Mortgage loan to minimise interest costs. And we guide you through the 150+ differences between lenders that aren’t always advertised.

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The right guidance can save you money, protect your equity, and give you confidence in your decision.

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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.