Changing aggregators

How difficult is it to change mortgage aggregators?

Changing mortgage aggregators is rarely as simple as cancelling one service and starting another.

Last reviewed: October 2026

A broker may need to deal with lender accreditations, licensing arrangements, trail, client records, technology, compliance, commission processing and active applications.

That can create short-term disruption.

But the difficulty of switching should be considered alongside the longer-term question:

Is the current aggregation arrangement still right for the business?

A well-planned transition can make the process considerably more manageable.

The short answer

Changing aggregators usually involves some administration and coordination, and the process can temporarily affect normal business operations.

The main areas are commonly:

notice and contractual exit requirements;
credit-representative or licensing arrangements;
lender accreditation;
active applications and pipeline;
trail and commission arrangements;
client records and data;
technology migration;
compliance records;
new systems and onboarding; and
communication with relevant parties.

The process is easier when these issues are identified and planned before notice is given.

A typical transition sequence

01Review agreement
02Plan licensing and accreditation
03Protect pipeline
04Confirm trail and data
05Complete onboarding
06Transition

Each stage can involve several parties and may overlap with others. The order and timing will differ between brokers.

Why brokers hesitate to change aggregator

Even when a broker is dissatisfied with their current arrangement, changing can feel difficult because the existing setup is familiar.

Common concerns include:

losing lender access;
delays with accreditation;
disrupting active applications;
uncertainty about trail;
changing technology;
learning new systems;
moving client data;
leaving established relationships;
changing licensing arrangements;
and simply finding the time to manage the transition.

These concerns are legitimate.

The question is whether short-term inconvenience is a sufficient reason to remain in an aggregation relationship that may no longer suit the business.

Start with the existing agreement

Before making any move, review the current aggregation agreement.

Check

required notice period;
termination provisions;
exit fees;
trail arrangements;
client ownership;
data provisions;
restraints;
pending application treatment;
technology access after termination;
commission payment after departure;
professional indemnity requirements;
and any continuing obligations.

Do not rely on memory or verbal assurances.

The written agreement should be the starting point.

Who owns the client and trail book?

Understand your licensing position

A broker changing aggregator may also be changing the licensing arrangement under which they operate.

A broker may:

operate as a Credit Representative under an Australian Credit Licence;
operate under their own Australian Credit Licence;
or move between different structures.

If the broker is changing Credit Representative appointments, the outgoing and incoming licensees may have regulatory and administrative obligations that need to be completed.

Ask

when the existing appointment ends;
when the new appointment starts;
whether there can be any gap;
what AFCA or other membership implications apply;
what professional indemnity arrangements apply;
and what documents are required.

The broker should know under whose licence they are authorised to act at every stage of the transition.

Lender accreditation is often the biggest practical issue

For many established brokers, lender accreditation is one of the most important parts of changing aggregator.

A broker may already be accredited with numerous lenders and have an active pipeline.

Changing aggregator may require accreditations to be:

transferred;
re-established;
updated;
approved under the new aggregator;
or reviewed by individual lenders.

The process varies between lenders.

The Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia has developed a Lender Accreditation Transfer Form designed to help standardise and streamline residential lender accreditation transfers when a broker switches aggregators.

Even with a structured process, timing can vary.

A broker should ask the incoming aggregator:

which accreditations can be transferred;
which require a new application;
what documents are needed;
whether any lenders require additional approval;
how progress will be monitored;
who follows up delays;
and whether there are lenders that may temporarily be unavailable.

Do not assume every lender will move at the same speed

Lender accreditation processes are not identical.

Some lenders may process an aggregator change relatively quickly.

Others may require additional information, new declarations, training, references or internal approval.

The broker should therefore avoid planning the transition around an assumed universal timeframe.

A practical approach is to identify:

the lenders currently used most often;
lenders supporting active applications;
lenders critical to the broker’s niche;
and any accreditations likely to require more work.

Prioritise those first.

Protect the active pipeline

An established broker may have applications at many different stages when they decide to move.

These can include:

initial enquiries;
interviews completed;
research underway;
applications ready for submission;
submitted applications;
conditional approvals;
formal approvals;
and loans waiting for settlement.

Before switching, create a complete pipeline list.

For every matter, identify:

lender;
current stage;
expected settlement date;
responsible aggregator;
commission implications;
compliance-file location;
and any action required before the transition.

The objective is to avoid a client being disadvantaged because the broker changed aggregator.

Decide what happens to applications already submitted

Applications already lodged under the outgoing aggregation arrangement may need to remain there through approval or settlement.

The precise position depends on:

lender requirements;
aggregator processes;
licensing arrangements;
and the stage of the application.

Ask both the outgoing and incoming aggregator how pipeline applications will be treated.

Where necessary, document which applications will remain under the old arrangement and which future applications will be submitted under the new one.

Clarify trail before giving notice

Trail should be understood before the broker commits to leaving.

Confirm

whether existing trail continues;
who will administer it;
whether it can be transferred;
whether lender approval is required;
whether any fee continues;
how trail statements will be provided;
whether trail can later be sold;
and what happens if the outgoing aggregator ceases administering the book.

Trail entitlement and trail portability are separate issues.

Do not assume that because trail continues to be paid it can automatically be transferred elsewhere.

Understand client and trail ownership

Work out what happens to upfront commission

Commission timing can mean that some commissions are received after the broker has changed aggregator.

A loan may settle before departure but the lender may pay the aggregator later.

Ask

who receives the commission;
when it will be remitted to the broker;
whether any deductions apply;
whether access to commission reports continues;
and how outstanding commission queries will be handled.

Keep records of settlements that may generate commission after departure.

Plan the client-data migration

Changing aggregator may also involve moving client and business information between systems.

That can include:

contact information;
fact finds;
supporting documents;
compliance records;
lender research;
notes;
tasks;
communication history;
referral-source information;
and marketing data.

Before migrating data, understand:

what can be exported;
in what format;
what must remain with the outgoing licensee;
what records must be retained;
what privacy obligations apply;
and what data can be imported into the new system.

Do not simply download large volumes of client information without considering privacy, security and contractual requirements.

Technology migration can take more work than expected

A broker who has used the same CRM or aggregation platform for years may have built processes around it.

Changing systems may affect:

workflows;
templates;
automations;
email sequences;
compliance processes;
document storage;
customer communications;
reporting;
integrations;
and staff access.

Create a list of the systems currently used and identify what needs to be:

migrated;
rebuilt;
replaced;
reconnected;
or retained separately.

The objective should be to prevent a technology change from disrupting client service.

Review business integrations

A broker’s aggregator platform may connect with other parts of the business.

Check integrations with:

email;
calendars;
accounting software;
document collection;
electronic signatures;
marketing systems;
websites;
lead-generation tools;
client portals;
phone systems;
and external CRM tools.

A system migration may require integrations to be reconfigured or replaced.

Compliance records must remain accessible

Changing aggregator does not remove existing regulatory or record-keeping obligations.

The broker should understand:

which files remain with the outgoing licensee;
which records must be retained by the broker;
how historical files can be accessed;
how audits relating to older files will be handled;
who responds to future complaints involving earlier transactions;
and what evidence of past compliance must remain available.

Do not treat historical compliance files as disposable simply because the aggregation relationship has ended.

Consider professional indemnity and run-off requirements

Depending on the broker’s licensing structure and insurance arrangements, Professional Indemnity cover may require attention when changing aggregator.

Ask

whether existing cover ends when the relationship ends;
whether run-off cover is required;
which entity is responsible for maintaining cover;
whether the incoming arrangement provides new cover;
and whether historical work remains protected.

This should be clarified before the previous arrangement is terminated.

Onboarding with the new aggregator

Joining the new aggregator may require:

agreement execution;
identity and business verification;
licensing documentation;
compliance induction;
technology setup;
lender-accreditation forms;
professional-indemnity information;
cybersecurity requirements;
commission-payment details;
training;
and platform access.

Completing these requirements early can reduce delays later.

Choose the transition date carefully

Timing can affect how disruptive the move feels.

Where possible, avoid creating unnecessary pressure during:

unusually busy settlement periods;
major holidays;
planned leave;
key staff absences;
or periods where a high proportion of the pipeline is approaching settlement.

There may never be a perfect time.

The aim is simply to choose a period where the transition can be managed deliberately rather than reactively.

How long does changing aggregator take?

There is no universal timeframe.

The duration depends on factors such as:

the outgoing agreement;
notice requirements;
licensing changes;
number of lender accreditations;
individual lender processes;
active pipeline;
technology migration;
compliance onboarding;
and the responsiveness of the parties involved.

A simple business may transition relatively quickly.

A broker with a large lender panel, mature trail book and substantial pipeline may require more planning.

Avoid choosing a new aggregator based on a promised transition date alone.

The quality of the transition plan is more important than an optimistic estimate.

Can you keep writing loans while changing aggregator?

Potentially, but this depends on the broker’s licensing status, lender accreditation and the timing of the transition.

A broker should not provide credit assistance or submit business unless they are appropriately authorised and accredited for the activity involved.

The transition plan should therefore identify:

when existing authority ends;
when new authority begins;
which lender accreditations are active;
and which applications can be submitted during each stage.

If there is uncertainty, obtain confirmation before proceeding.

What makes switching easier?

A transition is generally easier when the broker:

reviews the existing agreement early;
prepares a lender-accreditation list;
maps the active pipeline;
clarifies trail arrangements;
exports permitted data in advance;
understands compliance-record requirements;
completes incoming onboarding promptly;
identifies technology dependencies;
keeps written records of agreed arrangements;
and has one person coordinating the transition.

Planning reduces surprises.

What makes switching harder?

Common causes of difficulty include:

giving notice before understanding the agreement;
assuming accreditations transfer automatically;
leaving data migration until the last minute;
failing to map the active pipeline;
uncertainty about trail;
relying on verbal assurances;
poor communication between parties;
incomplete onboarding documents;
attempting to change too many business systems at once;
and choosing a transition date without considering workload.

Most of these risks can be reduced with preparation.

Is changing aggregator worth the disruption?

That depends on why the broker is considering the move.

Short-term disruption may be justified if the existing arrangement no longer aligns with the broker’s:

economics;
ownership expectations;
support needs;
technology;
lender requirements;
business direction;
compliance needs;
culture;
or long-term plans.

Conversely, switching simply because another aggregator appears cheaper may not justify the operational cost if the overall offering is weaker.

The decision should be based on long-term business fit rather than the inconvenience of the transition alone.

Use a transition checklist

A written transition plan reduces the likelihood that an important task will be missed.

Morbanx has created a practical Aggregator Transition Checklist covering the key areas brokers should consider when preparing to move.

Download or review the Aggregator Transition Checklist

Where Morbanx Aggregation fits

Morbanx Aggregation recognises that changing aggregator can create short-term disruption, particularly for an established broker with active lender accreditations, a pipeline and an existing trail book.

The approach is therefore to work through the transition practically and identify the issues that need to be managed before the move.

Morbanx is designed primarily for experienced independent mortgage brokers who value:

ownership of clients and trail;
retaining 100% of their commissions;
direct access to Andrew Larcombe;
practical business support;
compliance support;
professional development;
broker community;
and access to the lender panel, technology and infrastructure available through Specialist Finance Group.

Morbanx does not position switching as effortless.

The aim is to make the process structured, transparent and manageable.

Why Morbanx Switching to Morbanx

Before you decide to move

Changing aggregator should usually be the result of a considered business decision rather than frustration with a single issue.

Before acting, ask:

01Why am I considering leaving?
02Can the problem be resolved with my current aggregator?
03What will improve if I move?
04What will I give up?
05What will the transition cost in time and disruption?
06What happens to my trail?
07How will lender accreditation be handled?
08What happens to my active pipeline?
09Does the new agreement genuinely suit the business I want to build?
10Am I moving toward something better rather than simply away from something frustrating?

Continue your research

Frequently asked questions

Is it difficult to change mortgage aggregators?

It can involve significant administration, particularly around lender accreditation, licensing, active applications, trail, technology and client data. The process is usually more manageable when these issues are planned before notice is given.

Do lender accreditations automatically transfer when I change aggregator?

No. Processes vary between lenders. Some accreditations may be transferred or updated, while others may require additional information or approval under the new aggregator.

How long does it take to change mortgage aggregators?

There is no universal timeframe. It depends on the existing agreement, licensing arrangements, lender accreditations, active pipeline, technology migration and onboarding requirements.

Can I keep writing loans while changing aggregator?

Potentially, but the broker must remain appropriately authorised and accredited for the activities being undertaken. The timing of the old and new licensing and lender-accreditation arrangements should be confirmed.

What happens to my trail when I change aggregator?

That depends on the aggregation agreement and relevant lender arrangements. Trail may continue through the former aggregator, be transferred under certain conditions or be subject to other contractual provisions.

What happens to applications already in progress?

The treatment of existing applications depends on their stage, the lender, licensing arrangements and aggregator processes. Brokers should map the pipeline and agree how each application will be handled before transitioning.

Can I take my client data with me?

That depends on the agreement, licensing arrangement, privacy obligations and record-keeping requirements. Brokers should confirm what data may be exported and what records must remain with the outgoing licensee or aggregator.

Should I change aggregators just to reduce costs?

Not necessarily. Cost should be considered alongside support, lender access, technology, compliance, ownership, culture, agreement terms and the disruption involved in switching.

What is the best time to change aggregator?

There is no perfect time. Where possible, choose a period that avoids unnecessary pressure from peak settlements, holidays, planned leave or major business changes, while allowing adequate time for accreditation and onboarding.

Does Morbanx help brokers manage the transition?

Yes. Morbanx works with prospective brokers to identify the practical transition requirements, including onboarding, accreditation, systems, pipeline and other issues that need to be managed before and during the move.

Next step

A change of aggregator should be planned, not rushed

If you are considering a move, understand the practical steps before making the decision. A confidential discussion can help you identify the issues that would need to be managed in your particular situation.

Review the transition checklist

Call Andrew directly: 0417 512 306

Prefer to speak with Mia, our AI assistant: 0468 009 746

Private · Practical · No obligation

This information is general in nature and is provided for educational purposes only. Aggregation agreements, licensing arrangements, lender accreditation processes, commission arrangements, trail rights and transition requirements vary. Brokers should make their own enquiries, review the relevant agreements and obtain appropriate professional advice before making business decisions.