Not a typical result or guarantee. The review still needs to check debts, equity, lender assessment, fees, rate, loan term and total interest.
Debt consolidation review
Too many repayments hitting at once?
Check whether eligible debts could be reviewed with your home loan, and what that may cost over time.
- Credit cards
- Car loans
- Personal loans
- Home loan review
Monthly relief versus long-term cost
Debt consolidation is a cash-flow review, not a shortcut.
It may involve reviewing eligible debts such as credit cards, car loans or personal loans alongside a refinanced home loan. The useful question is whether monthly relief still makes sense after fees, security risk, loan term and total interest are checked.
BeforeMortgage plus several separate debtsDifferent rates, limits, repayment dates and pressure points.
After reviewOne possible reviewed structureIf the monthly relief, risk and long-term cost stack up.
Monthly repayment
Could be lower, but only after the full setup is checked.
Total interest
May increase if short-term debts are spread over a longer term.
Security risk
Unsecured debt may become debt secured against the home.
Credit behaviour
Cleared card limits need a plan so debt does not return.
Worth a broker check
You have a home loan, other repayments and want to compare monthly relief with total cost.
Pause and get support first
Repayments are already urgent or behind. Hardship support may need to come before consolidation.
The useful review starts here.
Use this page to prepare the right questions before a broker checks policy, documents and lender options.
When repayments crowd the budget
A mortgage repayment can be manageable on its own. So can a car loan or card minimum. The pressure builds when several repayments land close together.
- List credit cards, personal loans, car loans and the home loan together.
- Check repayment dates, rates, limits and fees in one review.
- Compare current monthly outflow with a possible reviewed structure.
What a broker can check
Eligible debts may be reviewed alongside a refinanced home loan. The broker conversation should test lender policy, usable equity, fees, servicing and the plan after consolidation.
- Whether several repayments could become one reviewed structure.
- Whether the repayment changes because of rate, term, amount or structure.
- Whether cleared card limits need to be reduced or closed.
The trade-off is the decision
A smaller monthly repayment is not the same as a cheaper loan. If short-term debts are spread over a longer home loan term, total interest can increase.
- Compare monthly relief with total interest over time.
- Check whether unsecured debt would become secured against the home.
- Pause if repayments are already urgent or behind.
Consolidation review checklist
Use this as preparation only. A broker can check which items matter for your borrower and lender path.
Balances, rates, repayments and fees for each debt.
Credit card limits, not only balances.
Current home loan rate, balance, repayment and remaining term.
Estimated property value and usable equity position.
Proposed new loan amount, term and repayment.
Whether any lower repayment comes from stretching the debt out.
Total interest comparison over time.
Fees, break costs and possible LMI.
Plan for cleared card limits and future spending behaviour.
Whether hardship support should come first if repayments are urgent or behind.
Tools for the next check.
Use calculators for estimates, then check fees, policy and documents before relying on the result.
CalculatorHome loan repayment calculatorTest whether a loan amount, rate, term, and repayment type feel workable before taking the numbers further.Best forChecking repayment comfort across purchase, refinance, or rate-change scenarios.Estimate only. A broker still needs to check lender policy and fit.Open calculator CalculatorRefinance savings calculatorCompare the current loan with a new-rate scenario and see whether switching costs may be recovered.Best forDeciding whether a refinance is worth a broker review before starting lender work.Estimate only. A broker still needs to check lender policy and fit.Open calculator CalculatorHome equity calculatorEstimate total and usable equity before planning a refinance, investment property, renovation, or loan review.Best forChecking whether equity may support the next conversation without assuming it is available.Estimate only. A broker still needs to check lender policy and fit.Open calculator
General information only. Debt consolidation needs careful review because lower monthly repayments can increase total interest, fees, loan term and risk over time. This page is not credit advice or a loan recommendation.
Common questions
Common refinance questions.
Does consolidating debt always save money?
No. Monthly repayments may fall, but total interest can increase if short-term debt is spread over a longer home loan term. A useful review compares both.
Why would someone review debt consolidation?
Common reasons include too many repayment dates, credit card or personal loan pressure, a car loan crowding the budget, or wanting to understand whether usable equity could support a safer structure.
What debts can be reviewed for consolidation?
Common examples include credit cards, personal loans and car loans. Whether they can be included depends on the home loan, equity, lender policy, fees, servicing and the plan after consolidation.
Can I consolidate credit cards into my home loan?
It may be possible in some situations, but the review should include card limits, spending behaviour, total cost, fees and whether the debt would become secured against the home.
What if I am already behind on repayments?
If repayments are urgent or already in arrears, contact your lender's hardship team and consider free financial counselling through the National Debt Helpline. A broker review may still help, but hardship support may need to come first.
Start with the basics
Check whether consolidation deserves a broker conversation.
Share the debts being reviewed, how repayments feel now and whether your goal is lower monthly repayments, simpler repayments or a full loan review.