Refinancing when your Fixed Term Ends
Understand how much you could save by getting ready to refinance prior to your fixed term ending
Rated 5 from 83 Reviews
Rated 5 from 83 Reviews
A fixed rate expiry is one of the most important moments in your mortgage. If you do not take action, your lender will automatically roll you onto their standard variable rate, which is rarely the most competitive option available. With a little preparation, a fixed rate expiry is an opportunity rather than a problem. The tool above helps you understand what your new repayments are likely to look like so you are ready to act at the right time.
What Happens When Your Fixed Rate Expires?
When your fixed term ends, your loan reverts to your lender's standard variable rate. This rate is set by the lender and is typically higher than the discounted rates available to new customers or those who actively shop around. Many borrowers stay on this revert rate without realising it, paying more than they need to for months or even years simply because the change happened quietly in the background. Knowing when your fixed rate expires gives you the opportunity to get ahead of it.
Your Options at the End of a Fixed Term
You have several options when your fixed period ends. You can re-fix with your current lender for a new term, move to a variable rate with your current lender, or refinance to a new lender entirely. The right choice depends on where rates are sitting at the time, what your lender is offering versus what the broader market has available, and what your financial goals look like over the next few years. We help you assess all three options clearly so you can make an informed decision rather than simply accepting whatever your current lender puts in front of you.
Why Refinancing at Fixed Rate Expiry Often Makes Sense
Fixed rate expiry is one of the most common triggers for refinancing, and for good reason. Your lender knows your fixed period is ending and may offer a retention rate, but that rate is often still not as competitive as what a new lender will offer to win your business. By comparing across our lender panel at the point of expiry, we can identify whether your current lender's offer stacks up or whether there is a meaningfully better deal available elsewhere.
Importantly, there are no break costs to worry about when a fixed rate expires, unlike breaking a fixed rate mid-term. This makes it one of the cleanest windows to switch lenders if the numbers make sense. Whether you are looking at home loans or construction loans for a build you are planning alongside the refinance, we can help you think through the full picture.
When to Start the Conversation
We recommend starting the conversation at least 90 days before your fixed rate end date. That gives enough time to properly assess the market, work through any application requirements, and complete a refinance before the revert rate kicks in. Leaving it until the last moment limits your options and can mean weeks on an unfavourable rate while paperwork catches up.
If your fixed rate is expiring in the next few months, book a free consultation with Craft Financial now. We will assess what your current lender is offering, compare it against the market, and give you a straight answer on whether switching makes sense.
AR
Arif Rana
I can't recommend Tom highly enough. From the very beginning, he made the entire process incredibly easy and stress-free. He took the time to explain every step in detail, ensuring I understood everything along the way, and was always available to answer any questions I had, no matter how big or small. His professionalism, communication, and expertise made the whole process feel simple and straightforward. If you're looking for someone who genuinely cares about their clients and goes above and beyond, I would highly recommend working with Tom. Thanks again for all your help!
SA
Scott Avery
MW
Megan Wailes
We refinanced with Craft after moving from our previous broker. Tom and Dane kept on top of communication at each point, went above and beyond to find us the best rate for our situation and ensured all our options were laid out and clear. They were honestly a lifesaver when we were working against the clock after our previous fixed rate ended. Very impressed.






































We arrange finance for a wide range of investment property types across Australia. This includes residential houses, units, townhouses, and apartments in metropolitan and regional areas. We also have access to lenders who finance unique properties like student accommodation, dual occupancy properties, and houses with minor non-conforming features. Whether you're purchasing established properties or off-the-plan developments, we can structure appropriate finance solutions. Some lenders have restrictions on certain property types or locations, but our extensive panel ensures we can usually find suitable options. We also help with commercial property purchases when they form part of your investment strategy, connecting you with specialist commercial lenders when required.
As specialists in working with self-employed property investors, we understand the unique challenges you face when securing finance. Traditional lenders often struggle to assess self-employed income, which can make the mortgage application process more complex. Our team has extensive experience working with various income structures including sole traders, partnerships, companies, and trusts. We know which lenders are most receptive to self-employed borrowers and how to present your financial position in the most favourable light. This specialised knowledge means we can often secure finance when others cannot, helping you build your property portfolio without unnecessary delays or rejections.
The documentation requirements vary depending on your business structure and the lender's requirements. Generally, you'll need two years of tax returns including notices of assessment, recent business activity statements, and bank statements for both personal and business accounts. If you operate through a company or trust, we'll need financial statements and company documents. For your investment property, you'll need a contract of sale, rental appraisal, and property valuations. We provide you with a comprehensive checklist tailored to your specific situation and help you gather everything efficiently. Our team reviews your documents before submission to ensure they present your application in the strongest possible manner to lenders.
Our assessment process looks beyond traditional employment income to understand your complete financial picture. We examine your tax returns, business activity statements, bank statements, and cash flow patterns to determine your genuine borrowing capacity. For self-employed clients, we consider factors like business consistency, industry trends, and seasonal variations in income. We also look at your existing property portfolio, rental income potential, and investment strategy. This comprehensive approach often reveals borrowing capacity that traditional assessments might miss, allowing you to maximise your investment opportunities while ensuring the loans remain serviceable within your financial circumstances.
Our mortgage broking services are typically funded through commissions paid by lenders, which means most clients don't pay direct fees for our standard services. However, for complex applications requiring significant additional work, or for certain specialised services, we may charge professional fees. These are always discussed and agreed upon upfront before any work commences. We believe in complete transparency about costs, so you'll always know exactly what you're paying for any services. Our focus is on providing value through our expertise and securing finance outcomes that justify any costs involved. Most clients find that the benefits we deliver through loan structuring and lender selection far outweigh any fees charged.
A declined application doesn't mean the end of your property investment plans. Our extensive lender panel means we often have alternative options when one lender says no. Different lenders have varying appetite for self-employed borrowers and different assessment criteria, so a decline from one doesn't predict outcomes with others. We analyse the reasons for any decline and adjust our approach accordingly, whether that means presenting information differently, choosing alternative lenders, or addressing specific concerns raised. Sometimes a decline indicates we need to strengthen your application by improving documentation or waiting for better financial results. We work with you to understand what's needed and develop a plan to achieve your financing goals, even if it takes longer than initially expected.
Absolutely. Refinancing can be an excellent strategy for property investors to improve cash flow, access equity, or secure more favourable loan terms. We regularly help self-employed investors refinance their portfolios to take advantage of changing market conditions or their improved financial position. The process involves reviewing your current loans, assessing your financial situation, and identifying opportunities for improvement. This might include consolidating multiple loans, switching to interest-only payments, or accessing equity for your next purchase. We handle the entire refinancing process including valuations, legal documentation, and settlement coordination, ensuring minimal disruption to your investment strategy while maximising the financial benefits.
Portfolio structuring is one of our key strengths when working with property investors. We help you optimise your loan structure across multiple properties to maximise tax benefits, maintain flexibility, and prepare for future growth. This might involve using different loan products for different properties, structuring cross-collateralised facilities, or keeping properties in separate loan accounts for easier management. We consider factors like your entity structure, tax position, and future investment plans when recommending portfolio arrangements. Our approach ensures your finance structure supports your long-term investment strategy rather than creating limitations. We also review existing portfolios to identify restructuring opportunities that could improve your position or unlock additional borrowing capacity.
The timeframe varies depending on several factors including the complexity of your financial situation, the lender chosen, and how quickly documentation is provided. For self-employed borrowers, the process typically takes 4-6 weeks from application to approval, though this can be longer during busy periods or if additional information is requested. Pre-approval can often be obtained within 1-2 weeks, which is valuable when making property offers. We work to expedite the process wherever possible by ensuring applications are complete and accurate from the start. Our established relationships with lenders often help speed up the assessment process, and we keep you informed of progress throughout to manage expectations and ensure smooth settlements.