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

As seen on TV

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 Over 55's 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 various scenarios. Compare the pros and cons of different equity release options such as downsizing, the Home Equity Access Scheme (HEAS) & Reverse Mortgage.

Get support when you need it

Book a meeting with a Seniors First specialist whenever you feel ready. Or chat online with our team.

Feel more confident

Understand the Reverse Mortgage application 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, Australia's leading Reverse Mortgage broker. We specialise in helping homeowners 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.

Lorette S.

3 days ago

I cannot speak highly enough of my experience with Cheryl Maclean her patience and guidance from my tentative inquiries to a result I am more than happy with. There was never a question I had that Cheryl couldn't answer confidently which in turn helped me make I believe the right decisions going forward.
Thank you Cheryl

Sue H.

3 days ago

Cheryl has been an absolute godsend since day one.
Nothing was too difficult.
Always there to answer any questions or to give advice through this whole journey.
I would recommend Cheryl to anyone contemplating a reverse mortgage
Many thanks
Sue

Jenni A.

6 days ago

Our consultant Cheryl Maclean was at all times very professional. She answered all our questions and took us through the process smoothly and we felt very confident. We highly recommend her services.

Dorothy M.

1 week ago

I can not speak more highly about the way I was looked after and by Senior first / Reverse mortgage Broker I would and will recommend them to anyone else who needs help . Your's Faithfully Dorothy Mattsson .Thank you once again for their help.

Kathleen H.

1 week ago

My husband and I had a wonderful experience with Seniors First for our reverse mortgage especially the great help with our stock broker Cheryl Maclean from Seniors First she could not do enough for us in helping us get the best reverse mortgage loan for us in Inviva and making sure we understood the whole process
Much appreciated Cheryl thank you 😊

sandra T.

2 months ago

My reverse mortgage has just been settled and I am very grateful to my broker Richard Chapman for all his help and advice. Richard guided me through the process providing all information in a timely manner and was always available to clarify any questions which arose. His professional approach together with his warm and engaging manner made working with Richard a positive experience from start to finish. My heartfelt thanks to Seniors First and Richard for their valuable service.

Denise C.

2 months ago

My experience with my broker, Angela Giokaris, was excellent; she kept me fully informed about the process (providing clear instructions and a numbered checklist of the timeline) and the expected duration of the entire process, which in my case was 6 weeks.
There was an issue with my own mortgagee which threatened to delay the settlement but in the end it was completed in time to suit my own needs.
Throughout this relationship, Angela was always available and encouraging. We communicated and worked well together so I would recommend Angela to anyone seeking to engage Seniors First to provide a Reverse Mortgage.

Eric B.

2 months ago

I recently had dealings with Adam Oakley from Seniors First & cannot recommend him highly enough. From start to finish he was a total professional. All my enquiries were promptly answered & he made the process very smooth & uncomplicated
5 stars all the way!

Judy H.

3 months ago

We have had an excellent experience with Seniors First. Cheryl McLean helped us from our first phone call through to finalization. She explained the process in detail, she was efficient and friendly, and always answered our queries quickly.
Highly recommend Cheryl

roland L.

3 months ago

I must say that five stars does not seem enough to value the service we received from Palka Kumar of Seniors First. What a painless process she made of securing a reverse mortgage for us. We had been a little worried about the details involved in the process, but Palka took all the stress out of it. She was quick to respond to queries and anxious concerns and was always available. What is more she was so personable and friendly that we felt we had known her for ages. We could not possibly have achieved the positive result we have attained without her knowledgeable and insightful assistance. In short she was just marvellous and we highly recommend her expertise and her enthusiastic service from Seniors First.
Roland and Shirley Lindenmayer
Tamborine Mountain, Queensland.

Ann R.

3 months ago

I had been considering a reverse mortgage for some time and had read information from various companies about how it worked. After about five months, I decided to explore it more seriously and attended an online presentation by Seniors First, which clearly explained the process and who it might suit.
I chose Seniors First because they focus on everyday seniors, and I felt more comfortable reaching out to them.
I am very glad I made contact and was introduced to Angela. From our first phone call, she explained the ins and outs of reverse mortgages in a clear and reassuring way. She made sure I felt comfortable with everything we discussed before moving on to the next steps.
Once I confirmed that I wanted to proceed, Angela arranged for all the information to be emailed to me and then followed up to make sure I understood everything. At times, the process felt complicated and stressful, and I called her several times to check that everything was correct. Her friendly manner, patience, and ability to answer questions clearly made the experience much easier and helped ensure all the paperwork was ready for processing.
Angela was professional, knowledgeable, and extremely helpful. I particularly appreciated the breakdown she provided of the different banks’ interest rates and turnaround times. Once I decided which lender to go with, she shared examples of how easy they were to work with—and she was absolutely right.
An Inviva representative also contacted me to explain how the reverse mortgage worked and to ensure that I fully understood everything before moving forward. After that call, settlement was scheduled for two days later. Although one party was not ready and this could have delayed the process by a week or more, Angela worked closely with the solicitors and helped make sure the loan still settled within the original two-day timeframe.
The loan did settle, and I now know I made the right decision. I feel as though I can breathe again, knowing I have funds available if anything happens in the future.
Thank you, Angela. Speaking with you felt like speaking with an old friend, and I truly appreciated your support.

Robert K.

4 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.

4 months ago

Thank you Seema

Bruce C.

4 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.

4 months ago

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

Karen J.

4 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.

Rick D.

5 months ago

We I cannot speak highly enough of Palka Kumar at Seniors First. From our very first interaction, she went above and beyond to understand our needs and find the best possible solution in the marketplace.

What truly sets Palka apart is her extraordinary depth of knowledge. She understands the full range of reverse mortgage products available better than virtually anyone — including, in our experience, the staff at the financial institutions offering those products themselves. She matched our specific circumstances to exactly the right option with confidence and precision.

On top of that, Palka is supremely organised, remarkably efficient, and an absolute pleasure to deal with. Her warm, personable manner made what can be a daunting process feel completely comfortable and straightforward.

If you or if a friend is considering a reverse mortgage, look no further than Palka Kumar at Seniors First. She is simply outstanding.

Lesley W.

6 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.

6 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.

7 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.

7 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

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.