Client Overview

A young family approached us to review their home loan. The couple had purchased their property around seven years earlier and now had two young children — a five-year-old and a newborn baby who was eight months old.

The father works as an engineer in a government role, while the mother was on maternity leave and planning to return to work within the next 12–14 months.

While they had built up savings, their mortgage had become increasingly difficult to manage due to the high interest rate they were paying and the financial changes that came with welcoming a new baby.

The Challenge

When the clients initially purchased their property, the loan included lenders mortgage insurance and a relatively high interest rate.

Over time, their circumstances changed and the property had increased in value. However, the clients believed they were unable to refinance because the mother was currently on maternity leave.

Their existing bank had advised them that the loan could not be reviewed until she returned to work.

This left the family feeling stuck. With private school fees for their older child and the financial responsibilities of a newborn, they were worried about continuing to manage their mortgage while living month-to-month.

Our Approach

After understanding their situation, we reviewed their financial position in detail, including their income, savings and the equity available in their property.

Because the mother remained employed full-time and intended to return to work after maternity leave, we explored lenders that have policies allowing refinancing during maternity leave when supported by an employer confirmation letter and evidence of sufficient savings.

We also reviewed the current market value of their property and compared several lenders to determine which options might provide the best outcome.

The Process

We gathered the required documentation, including payslips, savings statements and an employment letter confirming the mother’s maternity leave and expected return to work.

Multiple lender options were assessed and property valuations were ordered to confirm the updated value of the home.

Because the property had increased in value over time, the refinance allowed the loan to fall below the 80% loan-to-value ratio threshold, which opened up more competitive lending options.

After comparing lenders and negotiating pricing with the selected bank, we submitted the refinance application. The loan was approved and settled within approximately two weeks.

Financial Snapshot

Before working with us, the clients believed they were locked into a high-interest mortgage and would need to wait until the mother returned to work before refinancing could even be considered. Their existing lender had not offered a review of their rate and they felt stuck managing the mortgage while supporting a growing family.

After reviewing their situation, confirming the mother’s employment status and using their savings position alongside updated property valuations, we were able to refinance the loan to a significantly lower interest rate while the mother remained on maternity leave. The improved loan structure reduced their monthly repayments and provided greater financial stability during an important stage of family life.

Monthly Savings Highlight

Monthly repayment reduction:
$622 per month

Before vs After

Before

• Mortgage with a high interest rate
• Loan originally taken with lenders mortgage insurance
• Bank unwilling to review the loan while the mother was on maternity leave
• Financial pressure while supporting a young family

After

• Successfully refinanced during maternity leave• Lower interest rate secured through lender comparison and pricing negotiation• Monthly repayments reduced by $622• Greater financial breathing room for the family