Finance Specialist: A year in review and what to expect in 2026

The year 2025 has been one of significant changes for brokers, with demand-side housing initiatives dominating the landscape. Liam Garman and Trent Carter unpack policies such as 5 per cent Deposit Scheme, Help to Buy, and changes to HECS-HELP serviceability, exploring whether these measures are genuinely improving affordability or simply adding pressure to already competitive property markets. The hosts also delve into trust lending and the introduction of debt-to-income (DTI) caps, explaining why borrowing through trusts doesn't automatically increase capacity and why DTI limits are about responsible lending rather than dramatic market disruption. Tune in to discover how lender behaviour and the growing role of AI in broking are reshaping the industry and why brokers who combine relationship-driven advice with efficiency tools are set to remain a central part of Australia's lending ecosystem well into 2026.