How long does it take to refinance in Australia?

It varies from lender to lender but the average time is 4 to 6 weeks. Some lenders are known to take
ages to process loans while others are known to be much quicker. You also need your current lender
to discharge your current mortgage and they have little incentive to do this quickly. As such some
lenders can take 3 weeks just to release your current loan and mortgage.
We are aware of these delays and we make sure that we submit the discharge form upfront to avoid
your current lender delaying the process.
Some lenders offer a service called Fast refinance. If this option is selected the new lender will pay
out your current lender without arranging settlement. Once the loan is paid out the new lender will
then request the mortgage from the current lender. The new lender takes out insurance in case they
have a problem getting the mortgage as required.


The benefit of this service is twofold:

  • It is much faster as the new lender does not need to wait for the current lender to
    be ready to settle
  • By paying out the loan without telling the current lender there is no option for the
    current lender to try retain the client by offering the same deal

The downside of this service is:

  • The new lender requires the new loan to be larger than the current loan as the
    payout needs to cover any interest owing and any fees
  • There is usually a surplus of funds which gets paid to you a few weeks after
    settlement so you need to monitor this to make sure it gets paid
  • If the new lender has a slow application process the refinance will stay take long
    irrespective of using Fast refinance or not

Overview of Refinancing in Australia: 

Refinancing is a process whereby an individual or business takes out a new loan to pay off existing debt, often with the aim of reducing interest rates and/or monthly payments. In Australia, refinancing can be used for mortgages, personal loans, car loans and other types of consumer debt. It’s important to understand the eligibility requirements and process involved before deciding whether it’s right for you.

Eligibility Requirements for Refinancing: 

To be eligible for refinancing in Australia, applicants must meet certain criteria such as having good credit history and being able to demonstrate their ability to make regular repayments on time. Additionally, lenders may require proof of income or assets depending on the type of loan being applied for.

The Refinancing Process: 

The first step when considering refinancing is researching different lenders who offer competitive rates and terms that suit your needs best – this could include banks or non-bank lenders like peer-to-peer platforms or online marketplaces that compare products from multiple providers at once. Once you have chosen a lender you will need to complete an application form which typically requires details about your current financial situation including any debts owed and income earned each month; some lenders may also ask questions about your employment status or credit score if available. After submitting the application form it will then take several days (up to two weeks) before approval is granted by the lender so they can assess your eligibility based on their own criteria such as risk assessment tools used internally by banks/lenders etc..

How Long Does It Take To Refinance?: 

Generally speaking it takes between one week up until two months from start to finish when applying for refinance in Australia; however this timeframe can vary significantly depending on factors such as how quickly documents are submitted by both parties (applicant & lender), how long it takes them to review applications etc.. Additionally if there are any complications during processing times these too could add additional delays onto overall completion date so always factor this into consideration when planning ahead!

5 Tips For A Quicker Refinancing Process: 

There are several steps individuals can take towards speeding up their refinancing process – ensuring all paperwork required has been completed accurately prior submission should help reduce delays caused due incorrect information provided initially; additionally staying organised throughout entire duration helps keep track progress made thus far & allows easier access back into system should anything go wrong along way! Finally making sure contact details remain updated with relevant parties ensures communication lines stay open throughout entire period meaning queries raised get answered promptly without unnecessary waiting periods occurring unnecessarily either side.

Alternatives To Refinancing: 

If after reviewing all options available refinacing isn’t suitable then there are alternative solutions worth exploring – consolidating debts into one manageable payment plan might provide relief from high interest rates associated with multiple accounts held simultaneously whilst still allowing flexibility over repayment amounts & frequency tailored specifically around budget constraints faced currently! Alternatively negotiating directly with creditors themselves could result favourable outcomes where reduced payments accepted instead full amount originally agreed upon – although caution advised here since not every creditor willing accept offers presented them even though beneficial both sides financially speaking!

Ultimately taking time research what’s best suited individual circumstances key success when comes down refinance decisions made today impacting future tomorrow so always ensure fully informed decision taken before committing anything further than initial enquiry stage itself.

About the author 

Harold Simmons

Harold is the founder and creator of the Asset Owners Discussion Project. He creates quality resources so investors can get access to information they wouldn't normally be able to access. He has been investing in real estate for almost three decades and is particularly experienced with mortgages and refinancing.

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