Why this matters
A mortgage broker who doesn't understand DHOAS will cost you money. So will one who can't read MSBS or DFRDB pension statements, and one who assumes shift-work loading is "casual income" that lenders will discount.
If you're a current or former ADF member — or a first responder — these mistakes happen more often than they should. The fix is simple: use a broker who's already been through it, or who specialises in clients who have.
This is the M1R Alliance directory of veteran-owned and first responder–owned mortgage brokers across Australia in 2026.
What "veteran-friendly" actually means in mortgage broking
Three concrete things to look for:
1. DHOAS literacy. The Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme can subsidise interest on an eligible loan for up to 25 years for serving and former ADF members. The maths is non-trivial and the broker has to structure your loan correctly to qualify. A broker who hasn't placed a DHOAS loan before will guess; you don't want that.
2. Super and pension reading. MSBS, DFRDB, ADF Super, CSCri — most brokers see these as alphabet soup. The right broker reads your statement, understands which components count as serviceable income for lenders, and presents your application accordingly.
3. Shift-work and overtime income. Lenders treat overtime, allowances and shift loadings differently. A broker who works with current serving ADF, paramedics, police and firefighters knows which lenders count them in full and which discount them, and structures the application around that.
The listings
South Australia
Grayridge Finance — first responder–owned mortgage brokerage based in Adelaide. Strong on shift-work income across police and fire.
Goodrich Homes Loans - first responder and family-owned mortgage brokerage in the Adelaide Hills. Karen knows the ins and outs of first responder life and can apply that to your loan application.
Queensland
Cube Home Loans — veteran-owned brokerage in Loganholme (south Brisbane). Active across DHOAS, first home, refinance and investment lending.
Veteran Financial Connect — Brisbane-based veteran-owned financial services covering broking alongside the broader financial planning piece.
National (financial planning that includes broking)
Scout Private Wealth — veteran-owned, Adelaide-based, working with clients nationally. Strong on the integrated picture: super, pension, investment lending and home loans in one conversation rather than four.
How to choose between them
Ask three questions when you first ring or email:
1. "How many DHOAS loans have you settled in the last 12 months?" 2. "Which lenders do you have on panel that count my type of income at 100%?" 3. "What's your fee structure, and who pays you?"
If they fumble any of those answers, keep looking. If they nail them, book the meeting.
What it costs
Mortgage brokers in Australia are typically paid by the lender — upfront commission at settlement plus a trail. That means most veteran-friendly brokers cost you nothing out of pocket. Confirm this in the initial conversation; if the broker charges a fee on top, get it in writing and weigh it against the value of the strategy.
What about insurance, super and the rest?
Broking is one part of the picture. The full Financial Services category on M1R Alliance lists every veteran and first responder–verified financial business — broker or otherwise — that we've onboarded. Worth a look if you're rebuilding the whole stack post-service.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a mortgage broker if I'm still serving?
Yes. Current serving ADF members use mortgage brokers all the time, often specifically to navigate DHOAS while still in uniform. The broker doesn't need you to be discharged; they just need accurate income and service documentation.
What if I have a DVA pension as part of my income?
A DVA pension counts as income for lender serviceability — but how much of it counts varies by lender. A broker who's done veteran-specific lending will know which lenders take 100% of a DVA pension at face value and which discount it.
Is DHOAS only for first home buyers?
No. DHOAS can apply to a subsequent home as long as you meet the service threshold and the property qualifies. Eligible service years determine the subsidy amount.
Where do I find more veteran and first responder–owned businesses?
Browse the full M1R Alliance directory by category or by state.