What to expect
The Refinance Timeline
Most refinances move through four broad stages. Tap any stage to see what typically happens and what's needed from you.
Assessment & document gathering
We talk through your goals and current loan, then help you pull together the basics — recent payslips or income evidence, ID, your latest loan statement, and a rough idea of your property value. Nothing is submitted to a lender yet; this stage is about understanding your position.
From you: a short chat, and a few documents uploaded digitally.
Timeframes are typical estimates only and vary by lender, property type, and individual circumstances — some refinances settle faster, others take longer.
Ready to see how your own refinance could unfold? Start with a complimentary, no-obligation chat.
No obligation · No cost · No credit check to enquire.
Refinancing in Australia is a structured, four-to-six week process — not the multi-month ordeal most homeowners expect. Once you provide the paperwork, most of the wait is your new lender's own valuation and assessment turnaround, not you doing more work. Knowing the sequence in advance means you can time the switch around a fixed-rate rollover, a mortgage-repayment date, or a life event — and avoid the two most common causes of delay: a slow valuation booking and a discharge form your existing bank drags on.
When to use it
- You have a fixed-rate loan rolling to variable in the next 90 days and want to switch before that revert rate lands.
- You want to pay for a renovation, investment property deposit, or debt consolidation and need to time when the funds actually land.
- You've received a competing offer from another bank and want to know how quickly the switch could realistically settle.
What the result actually means
- Week 1 is entirely about paperwork and application submission — the fastest part if you're organised.
- Weeks 2–3 are the valuation + credit assessment window. This is where most delays happen; a proactive broker keeps the file moving.
- Weeks 4–6 are formal approval, loan documents, discharge coordination, and settlement — all handled by legals and the lender.
What it doesn't tell you
- Timelines assume clean documents, a straightforward property, and an existing lender that responds to a discharge request within the standard 14-day window.
- Complex situations — self-employed income, trust structures, non-standard properties — can add 1–2 weeks for extra verification.
- Fixed-rate break costs, if you're in a fixed period, are a separate consideration and should be modelled before you commit.
Sensible next steps
- Book a complimentary Equity Snapshot — the first 15 minutes tell you whether the timing makes sense for your situation.
- We coordinate every step (application, valuation, discharge, settlement) so you don't chase paperwork or wait on hold.
Important — General Information Only
This information is general in nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not personal advice, credit advice, tax advice or legal advice, and is not a recommendation to enter into, refinance, or remain in any particular credit contract. Any figures, calculations, or projections shown are simplified examples for illustration only — they are not guarantees or forecasts, and actual outcomes will vary based on your circumstances and the lender's assessment.
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