What is the difference between a broker and a funder?

Moneysmart describes a mortgage broker as an intermediary dealing with lenders to arrange a home loan. The business you speak to may therefore differ from the entity named in the finance agreement. A manager, adviser, representative and issuer can also have different responsibilities.

Start with the legal names, then map the roles. Identify who introduces or arranges the transaction, who supplies the funds, who services payments and who handles complaints. Do not treat a brand logo or group relationship as proof that one company performs every role.

Mizan records roles only where sources establish them. An unknown funder is an information gap to resolve, not proof that the broker is itself the lender.

Questions to consider

• Which legal entity is my agreement with?
• In what licensed or representative capacity are you acting?
• Who pays you, and what fees might I pay?

What this does not establish

A brokerage label does not establish the full lender panel, commission arrangements or authority for every service.

Sources and scope

• ASIC Moneysmart: Using a mortgage broker · checked 2026-10-01

Last checked 2026-10-01. Review due 2026-10-08. Provider-specific examples are not industry standards.