01/07/2026
Australians are searching for mortgage help in record numbers
Google Trends data shows searches for "mortgage broker" in Australia have reached an all-time high, surpassing even the peak recorded during the COVID lockdowns of 2020.
Searches for "mortgage stress" hit their highest point in May, while queries for "mortgage help" have exceeded levels seen during the 2008-09 Global Financial Crisis.
The surge comes with some homeowners feeling the financial pressure. Three rate hikes since the start of 2026 have reversed all of last year’s rate relief, pushing the cash rate back to 4.35 per cent. According to Canstar, those increases have added $272 per month to repayments on a $600,000 loan with 25 years remaining.
Roy Morgan research from March found 26.8 per cent of mortgage holders, around 1.45 million Australians, are now at risk of mortgage stress. That figure could climb further if rates rise again at upcoming RBA meetings.
If you're feeling stressed from your mortgage, a mortgage broker can review your current loan and help you compare your options across a range of lenders.