A Pilot’s Guide to Property: How New Pilots and Crew Are Building Their Portfolio
A practical property guide for pilots and aviation crew. Learn how to use DTAs, EBAs and allowances to build your portfolio early and avoid lender mistakes.
Meet Christine Ong: Head of Credit and Lending at Specialist Broking
From Occupational Therapist to Head of Credit and Lending, Christine Ong’s path into finance is anything but typical. Her background gives her a unique empathy for clients and a sharp eye for detail. Here, she talks through the unseen work behind credit, what really shapes a loan approval and what she’s watching in 2026.
Relocation Checklist: Moving With Ease
A practical guide for Australians relocating for work or lifestyle; covering the six key factors that shape finance, property decisions and timing when moving home.
Staying Connected: A Year of Relationships, Not Transactions
A reflection on why long term relationships matter more than transactions in finance, and what staying connected really looks like beyond settlement.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY:
“When I’m flying, it makes a huge difference knowing I have a broker who understands that my schedule and circumstances aren’t always straightforward.
Daniel and his team did a wonderful job of securing the best home loan for us. Dan’s communication and accessibility when we needed him was so appreciated during a stressful time.
We could not recommend Daniel and Specialist Broking highly enough to anyone seeking a professional and reliable broker!”
Trevor Elkin — Check and Training Captain, Jetstar
Frequently Asked Questions
We know finance can feel overwhelming. That is why we have pulled together answers to the questions we hear most often from pilots, medical professionals, business owners and families.
Working with a Broker
Here’s what people usually ask when they’re weighing up whether to work with a broker or go it alone.
-
Think of us as translators between you and the banks. We take your situation, whether that is flying rosters, shift work in a hospital, or running your own business, and work out which lender is most likely to say yes. We also consider which option makes sense for you in terms of serviceability, interest rates and ease of use.
Instead of knocking on ten different bank doors and getting ten different answers, you can come to us once and we will do the legwork. We are not here to push one product over another. Our job is to help you find the right fit and guide you through from start to finish.
-
A bank can only offer their own products, while we can compare across a panel of over 70 lenders.
Brokers are legally bound by the Best Interest Duty, which requires us to recommend loans that genuinely suit your needs and circumstances. Banks are not held to the same obligation.
Our support continues long after your loan is approved. Every year we run a Specialist Broking Health Check, where we review your interest rate, look at your property’s value, and set up a call if changes are needed to make sure your setup still works for you. A year goes by fast, and your finances should never be left on autopilot.
-
We get paid by the lender once your loan settles. You do not pay us a fee for the work we do in finding and structuring your loan, and this does not increase your interest rate or change your terms. In fact, we often negotiate better deals than what is advertised.
If your loan is refinanced or repaid in the first couple of years, the lender may claw back some of that commission. Some brokers see this as an inconvenience. For us, it reinforces what we already believe: broking is about building long-term relationships. Just like you value a doctor who knows your health history or a financial adviser who understands your goals, you deserve a broker who knows your story and stays with you for the journey.
Home Loans
These are the questions that come up most often when people are looking to buy or refinance a home.
-
You might have heard about the hallmark 20% deposit, which is the gold standard because it usually avoids Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). Do not be put off by this. Many of our clients do not start there, and that is perfectly fine.
Some industries such as medicine (including allied health) or aviation (including flight crew) can access loans with as little as 5% down, sometimes even without LMI. There are also government schemes and state-based grants designed to reduce how much you need upfront.
We also work with clients who are not ready to buy today but want to put a plan in place for the future. Whether you are looking at your first home, consolidating debt, navigating a separation, or buying as a single parent, our role is to make the process clear and manageable. Whatever your starting point, we will take the load off and show you the options available.
-
Pre-approval is the bank’s way of saying, “we are comfortable with you as a borrower,” before you have chosen a property. It shows agents and vendors you are serious and gives you confidence about your price range.
Most pre-approvals last for 90 days. They can usually be extended if nothing major has changed in your situation and you provide updated documents. It is not a guarantee, but it is a useful step if you are house-hunting or want to move quickly when the right place comes up.
-
Our record is one hour from application to approval. Some solutions are quick, others take longer.
Think of it this way: you would not expect a pilot to rush a landing or a cardiologist to race through surgery. The same principle applies here. The time it takes depends on the complexity of your situation and how fast the lender is moving.
If you are a PAYG employee with payslips ready to go, things can happen fast. If you are self-employed, juggling trusts, or have multiple properties or businesses, it naturally takes more time. Our job is to keep the process moving, manage the back and forth, and keep you updated so you are never left wondering.
-
You might be surprised by the answer. Some banks want a few months of payslips, while others are comfortable from day one in a new job if you have a solid track record. For contractors, casuals, or self-employed clients, the rules can be more complex. That is where we step in. We know which banks are flexible and which ones will dig in their heels.
Commercial, Asset and SMSF
Questions from business owners, investors and people looking at self-managed super funds.
-
Commercial lending works differently to home loans. Most lenders will want you to contribute at least 20 to 30% of the property’s value as a deposit. Some may consider smaller deposits depending on the type of property, the strength of your business, and whether additional security is available.
Every business is unique, so it is worth having a conversation early. We will help you understand the options, compare lenders, and set up a structure that supports your growth.
-
Yes. Asset finance can cover vehicles, fleets, machinery, or equipment for your business. We structure loans to match your cash flow and make sure you get the right terms for growth.
-
Yes, but the rules are strict. SMSF loans require careful structuring to comply with regulations. We work with lenders who specialise in SMSF lending and can coordinate with your accountant or adviser to get it right.
Specialist Clients
This is where we stand out. These are the clients who trust us because we know their world inside out.
-
Before becoming a commercial pilot, Daniel worked with Medfin Finance, helping doctors, dentists and allied health professionals secure the finance they needed to grow their practices. He then spent years flying for Jetstar and Regional Express, gaining first-hand insight into how rosters, allowances and overseas income affect borrowing power.
Alongside Daniel, Fouad brings more than 16 years of commercial banking experience, guiding business owners, investors, and professionals through complex lending structures with a steady hand and strategic eye.
Together, this blend of medical finance, aviation and deep commercial expertise means we understand the unique challenges specialist clients face, and how to turn them into opportunities.
-
Absolutely. We work with many single parents who are also busy professionals, like Skye, a nurse and mum who trusted us to get her finance sorted while juggling family life.
The shape of your household should not stop you from buying, investing, or refinancing. What matters is your income, your goals, and having someone to structure the finance properly for you.
Other Questions We Hear
Not everything fits in a neat box. Here are some other questions people often ask.
-
Yes. This is probably the most common question we get asked. Over the years we have built strong relationships with accountants, conveyancers, and advisers who understand the industries we specialise in. If you need a recommendation, we can point you in the right direction and introduce you to people we trust.
-
If you want to buy but do not have time for the rigmarole, we can connect you with excellent buyer’s agents in capital cities and regional centres across Australia.
A great buyer’s agent is your property wingwoman. They bring strategy and calm to the high-pressure process of finding and negotiating the right property. We only recommend trusted professionals we have worked with for our own clients and family.
Community and Values
The numbers matter, but this is the part of our work that means the most to us.
-
Yes. This is probably the most common question we get asked. Over the years we have built strong relationships with accountants, conveyancers, and advisers who understand the industries we specialise in. If you need a recommendation, we can point you in the right direction and introduce you to people we trust.