Helen Avis, Director of Finance at Specialist Mortgage, is a well-known name in Australia’s specialist lending sector. With more than 30 years of experience and a reputation built on trust, results, and knowledge, she is recognised as one of the country’s top mortgage brokers for expats and non-residents.
Helen’s career covers both the UK and Australian financial industries, giving her a broad, international view. Since joining Specialist Mortgage in 2003, she has helped grow the company into the leading brokerage for Australians living overseas and foreign investors looking to buy property in Australia.
Her own time living abroad has given her a clear understanding of the challenges expats face. Helen has built a loyal international following by expertly securing competitive terms for complex non-conforming mortgage solutions.
Specialist Mortgage, part of the SMATS Group, now has offices in Australia, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America. This global reach means Helen and her team can support clients in any time zone, offering advice whenever it’s needed.
Helen’s success has been recognised with many awards, including:
- MFAA State Finalist Award Business
- MFAA State Finalist Award Residential Broker
- MFAA State Finalist Award Diversified Business
- Advisor Better Business Awards Best Finance Broker WA Winner
- Advisor Australian Broking Awards Residential Broker of the Year Winner
- AMA Broker of the Year (Specialist Lending)
- MFAA Residential Finance Broker State Winner
- SFG Awards WA/NT Broker of the Year Winner
- SFG Awards Mentor of the Year Finalist
- Women in Finance 2024 Mortgage Broker of the Year Finalist
She was also named one of “the best and brightest in the mortgage industry” by the Australian Mortgage Awards.
Tell Us About Yourself, Your Background, and How You Became a Broker.
I began my finance career in the UK in the late 1980s, first in fund management and then as a financial planner. I became licensed under the UK’s Financial Services Authority and later moved into mortgage broking. When I moved to Singapore, I joined Specialist Mortgage to help expats and foreign investors access Australian home loans from overseas.
Since 2003, I’ve focused on helping Australians living abroad and non-residents secure finance. Being an expat myself, I understood the difficulties and worked to build the skills, contacts, and systems needed to guide clients through the process.
Why Did You Decide to Run Your Own Firm?
Since 2003, I have proudly served as Director and licensee of Specialist Mortgage under the ASIC Australian Credit Licence. Leading Specialist Mortgage has allowed me to dedicate my efforts exclusively to the expat and foreign investor market, avoiding competition in the broader home loan sector. Today, we are recognised as one of the few truly specialised brokerages in this niche.
What Is the Secret to Your Success as a Broker and Company Director?
For me, success comes from focus, trust, and delivering results. We specialise only in expats and non-residents, so clients know they’re working with a team that understands their unique needs.
Trust is especially important with clients who live overseas and may never meet us in person. I make sure I’m always available, clear in my explanations, and open in my communication. My team works with the same values: we’re quick, accurate, and committed to getting the best outcomes.
What Best Practices Are You Following with Clients That Others Are Not?
We keep things clear, fast, and educational. Many expats and non-residents find the process confusing. Because we’re part of the SMATS Group, clients can also get help with tax, property, and financial planning. This means they get complete, tailored advice all in one place, giving them confidence in their decisions.
How Is Perth’s Property Market Different from the Rest of Australia?
Perth’s housing market is unique and closely tied to Western Australia’s resource-driven economy and is often more cyclical. In recent years, population growth, a tight rental market, and relatively affordable prices compared to Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane have driven demand.
The main issue is limited supply, creating fierce competition. Buyers need finance pre-approval and certainty early on. At the same time, many expats are choosing Perth, often with plans to return or to take advantage of current affordability.
What Movements and Activity Are You Seeing in Australia’s Loan and Property Markets in Late 2025?
We’ve noticed increased activity, particularly from expats. The recent interest rate cuts have boosted borrowing capacity and confidence, reflected in a rise in pre-approval applications.
Investor demand remains strong in Brisbane and Perth, while Sydney continues to attract owner-occupiers. Melbourne, however, is still approached with some caution.
With Recent Rate Cuts, Political Shifts, and U.S. Tariff Concerns, What Advice Do You Have for Clients?
My advice is simple: don’t try to time the market perfectly. Instead, focus on securing strong finance, quality properties with long-term potential, and a strategy that remains flexible. While rate cuts offer relief now, conditions can change quickly, as we all saw during COVID. If you’re ready to buy, now is the time, because property generally becomes more expensive over the long run.
What Other Trends Are You Currently Seeing in the Market?
We’re noticing more buyers looking for lifestyle-friendly properties. Investors today are better informed and understand that long-term value depends on a property’s appeal to both tenants and homeowners.
Non-resident buyers are also showing interest in new builds to avoid FIRB (Foreign Investment Review Board) issues.
Another big trend is parents helping their children buy homes by gifting deposits or co-signing loans. On top of that, digital tools are now standard, with clients expecting fast, smooth service no matter where they live.
As Specialist Mortgage marks over 30 years of success under the SMATS Group, Helen Avis and her team remain committed to delivering exceptional results and are well-positioned for continued growth.