I'm Tom — twenty years in institutional banking, now in your corner. If you can read a balance sheet but can't decode lender credit policy, you're exactly who I built Wombat for. First home, next move, SMSF — I translate the strange parallel universe of mortgage credit into a clear plan.
Twenty years across global banking · Access to 40+ Australian lenders
Forty seconds with Tom — what Wombat does, and how it works.
Most of my clients work in banking, tech, consulting or data. They understand finance perfectly well — just not the odd, opaque world of mortgage credit policy, where two lenders can look at the same payslip and reach opposite conclusions. That's the gap I fill. Deliberately few clients, done properly.
Base salary plus bonus. RSUs vesting next quarter. An ESS scheme HR never quite explained. Lenders treat each of these very differently — some count 80% of your bonus, some count none of it. I know which is which, and which government schemes you're actually eligible for, in plain English.
Buying property inside your super fund, or through a trust. The rules are precise, the lender panel is thin, and the penalty for getting the structure wrong is real. Done properly, it's a powerful long-term play. I work alongside your accountant to get both the structure and the loan right.
You bought the first place years ago; now it's the upgrade, the bridge between selling and buying, or releasing equity without wrecking your borrowing power for the move after this one. Structure today with the next five years in mind.
If your rate hasn't been reviewed in two years, you're almost certainly paying a loyalty tax. Quick health-check, honest answer on whether it's worth moving — including "no, stay put" when that's the truth.
Not everything is a mortgage. Car, caravan, business equipment — quick approvals, simple paperwork, sorted in days rather than weeks. Handy when life (or the business) can't wait for a settlement cycle.
Twenty-plus years across analytics, strategy, digital banking, and product leadership at some of the world's largest investment banks — and later Commonwealth Bank in Sydney. I've sat in the rooms where credit policy gets written, and seen exactly how banks decide who's a good risk and who isn't.
That insider view is the real value. Most of my clients are people like my former colleagues — sharp, financially literate, and still baffled by why a lender said no. Because most rejection letters aren't "you can't afford this" — they're "you applied to the wrong lender for your situation." Knowing the difference is most of the job.
"Wombat" comes from the Beecroft Wombats — our kids soccer team I used to coach. I'm originally from the UK, but Sydney's been home for around fifteen years, and Beecroft for most of those. I served as a volunteer non-executive director at the local primary school.
None of which is the reason to choose a broker. But it's the reason I built this business the way I did: people I'd want to bump into at Saturday parkrun deserve advice that holds up in daylight.
Most brokers move on once the loan settles — that's when they get paid. Wombat works on an annual review model: every year I check your loan against the market, run the numbers, and tell you whether it's still the right deal. Most years it is. Sometimes it isn't. Either way you'll know.
And it costs you nothing. Lenders pay brokers for introducing the loan; the borrower never sees a bill. Australia's Best Interests Duty makes that more than a vibe — it's a legal requirement that I act in your interests, not the bank's.
Most of the work is mine. Yours is mostly answering questions and signing things.
Twenty minutes on Zoom. You tell me the situation; I tell you whether it's actually achievable, and roughly with whom. No paperwork yet — just a strategy.
We collect documents, build the file properly, and pre-position the application with two or three lenders that fit. Most brokers send you to one. I want options.
I lodge, follow up daily, and translate banker-speak back to you in plain English. You don't need to chase anyone. That's literally my job.
Settlement happens. You get the keys. Then I check in every twelve months to see whether your loan is still the right one. For as long as you have it.
Even with our unique circumstances that made acquiring a home loan more complicated, Tom took the time to understand our specific needs and worked tirelessly to find us the best rates on a loan product that was perfectly suited to us. Throughout the process, Tom was incredibly easy to communicate with — always responsive, approachable, and willing to go above and beyond.
As a first-time homebuyer, the process was rather daunting, but Tom patiently walked me through every step, explained all my options, and guided me throughout the entire journey. He even referred me to a buyer's agent to get a second opinion on the property I was considering.
Tom went above and beyond in terms of his service and the advice he provided to us. He had created some very clear and detailed financial scenarios for us, so that it was easy for us to understand and make a decision. He provided very honest and transparent advice.
Tom delivered excellent advice. He took the time to understand our unique financial needs and patiently explained every available option in clear, straightforward terms. His commitment to transparency was evident from start to finish.
Tom's amazing! Very approachable, friendly and knows his stuff. He brought our home ownership ambition a few years forward with his advice in every step of the process.
Tom has been absolutely awesome in guiding me through my first home loan and getting me the best rates possible that was unmatched by others. He's followed up on every little thing which is a blessing as I am quite new to all this and didn't know what to expect.
Tom is very professional, friendly, and always quick to respond to every query. He followed up on every detail diligently, making the whole process smooth and reducing the stress involved. Highly recommended!
Very professional service by Tom. Highly recommend.
Tom was very helpful as it was my first time working with a mortgage broker and buying a rentvest property. He went above and beyond providing sage counsel through the process. We experienced a few hiccoughs along the journey but Tom was very diligent in finding alternative solutions.
Absolutely genuine and trustworthy person. He has excellent knowledge of the market and took the time to clearly understand our long-term goals from the very beginning. Even though he could have earned more by pushing us towards an investment property, he genuinely put our best interests first and helped us buy our first home in Australia.
Thank you so much for your support throughout our entire journey. We are truly grateful for your professionalism and exceptional services. We highly recommend Tom's services to anyone looking for a dedicated professional.
Great working with Tom for our first SMSF property. Always available to provide advice on the steps required and kept great communication in regards to progress. Would definitely recommend for anyone looking for a home loan, in particular SMSF type.
Sarah Pyke · Accountant
Sarah Pyke on leaving the corporate world, building an accounting practice, and the financial foundations that matter when buying property.
Episode 02 · Real estateJanet Chiang · Real Estate Agent
Janet Chiang on the realities of buying and selling in the Australian market — and what first-time buyers often get wrong.
Episode 03 · Property lawWilson Tran · Property Lawyer
Wilson Tran on the legal side of property — what buyers need to know before contracts are signed, and common mistakes to avoid.
Episode 04 · Buyer's agentRohit Gehlot · Buyer's Agent
Rohit on going from corporate employee to buyer's agent, building a property portfolio, and what's happening in the Melbourne market.
Episode 05 · Financial planningScott Palmer · Financial Planner
Scott Palmer on the nuances of financial planning across borders, early investment habits, and navigating pensions and wealth management.
Episode 06 · Accounting & techAlesha Masaud · Founder, TaxApp
Alesha on her journey from Pakistan to Sydney, the challenges of building a digital-first accounting platform, and property investment insights.
Episode 07 · Buyer's agentTim Watson · Buyer's Agent, Bricks to Wealth
Tim Watson on his move from corporate life to founding a buyer's agency, and what strategic property investment really looks like.
Episode 08 · PropTechHeshan Jayawardena · Co-Founder, PiFi Property
Heshan Jayawardena on building a platform that uncovers hidden potential in properties — and where AI is taking property search next.
Episode 09 · Wealth buildingRoger Sousa · Financial Adviser, Asperum
Roger Sousa on the underrated role of financial defence alongside accumulation — protecting assets and planning for a secure retirement.
Episode 10 · Tax & structureMolly Lim · Accountant, Above Advisory
Molly Lim on the trust myth, the hidden renovation tax trap, and how ambitious professionals should structure property ownership in Australia.
Episode 11 · Buyer's agentMark Horvat · Buyer's Agent, The Acquiry
Mark Horvat on why the 'best' investment isn't always the one with the highest yield — and how to evaluate property like an insider.
Episode 12 · AccountantJoy Ford · Accountant & SMSF Specialist, Beyond Taxation
Joy Ford on why tax planning — not tax minimisation — is the foundation of every smart property and business decision.
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Read article →No. Wombat Home Loans is paid by the lender when your loan settles — there's no cost to you. And under Australia's Best Interests Duty, brokers are legally required to act in your interests, not the bank's.
Some will, some won't, and the haircuts vary wildly — one lender takes 80% of a two-year bonus average, another ignores it entirely. Matching your income profile to the right credit policy is the single biggest lever in your application, and it's exactly what I do.
Often, yes — via a limited recourse borrowing arrangement. The rules are strict and only a handful of lenders play in this space. I work with your accountant or financial adviser to make sure the structure stacks up before any application goes in.
Home loans are the core, but I also arrange asset and equipment finance — cars, caravans, business equipment. Quick, simple deals that settle in days rather than weeks.
40+, covering the big four, second-tier banks, non-bank lenders, and specialists for non-standard situations — including the thin panel that does SMSF lending properly.
Australia-wide via Zoom — I'm in Sydney, but most meetings are remote. And yes, foreign and expat income is something I've handled plenty of; different lenders treat it very differently, which is rather the theme around here.
Tell me your situation. I'll tell you what's possible — even if the answer is "not yet," and even if the answer is "use someone else." Zero cost, zero pressure, zero salesy follow-up sequences.
