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The robust result, reported in REA’s 2026 financial year (FY26) report, was buoyed by REA Group’s extensive investment in technology and the acquisition of commercial brokerage Simplicity Loans.
Mortgage Choice’s settlements reached $27 billion by the end of FY26, up 13 per cent from $23.7 billion in FY25, supported by a 15 per cent YoY increase in loan submissions and continued growth in average loan sizes.
Revenue increased by 10 per cent to $89 million during FY26, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) climbed from $23 million to $28 million.
Financial services revenue, which includes Mortgage Choice and PropTrack, increased 11 per cent to $114 million during the year.
The network also expanded modestly, with broker numbers rising 2 per cent year on year from 1,119 to 1,140, while its loan book grew 4 per cent YoY to $95.6 billion.
The result also included the initial contribution from commercial brokerage Simplicity Loans following REA Group’s acquisition of a 70 per cent stake in the business in June.
AI investment ramps up
In the end-of-year posting, technology was tipped as a major focus of Mortgage Choice throughout this year, with REA Group rolling out a suite of AI-powered tools aimed at helping brokers improve productivity and deepen customer engagement.
Over half of Mortgage Choice’s brokers are now using AI agents powered by REA’s proprietary property and customer data, according to the company’s results.
REA said its new AI-powered policy search tool is saving brokers up to four hours on complex lender policy queries, while the business also expanded its AI capabilities across the network through new broker tools and training.
REA added that the group’s ecosystem was also contributing to broker success, with settlements coming from realestate.com.au leads rising 30 per cent YoY.
In May, Mortgage Choice introduced a new AI‑driven intent signal for its broker network, tapping data to highlight which clients are most likely preparing for their next move.
Within Mortgage Choice’s CRM, each matched customer would carry a “low”, “medium”, or “high” intent rating, so brokers can see at a glance who is more likely to be in market to buy or sell.
The brokerage has also continued its broader technology push, expanding its integration with Quickli, embedding NextGen’s Frollo open banking solution into its loan application platform, providing brokers with secure access to Google’s Gemini AI and launching the Mortgage Choice AI Academy.
“REA’s unparalleled audience and proprietary data firmly position the business as a leading beneficiary of AI,” REA Group CEO Cameron McIntyre said.
“In FY26 this translated into real commercial value for the business, customers, consumers and brokers.”
Simplicity acquisition fuels expansion
Mortgage Choice’s FY26 result also reflected the first contribution from Simplicity Loans and Advisory after REA Group completed its acquisition of a 70 per cent controlling stake in the commercial brokerage for $47 million back in February 2026.
A boutique brokerage specialising in commercial lending, Simplicity’s financial performance was consolidated into REA Group’s results from 1 June.
REA said the acquisition would add immediate “new capabilities and revenue streams” to the group and allow it to provide a wider set of services across both residential and complex commercial assets.
REA profit up
Across the broader business, REA Group reported revenue of $1.79 billion, up 7 per cent from the previous year and up 11 per cent when just looking at Australia. Net profit increased 15 per cent to $650 million.
Operating EBITDA rose 12 per cent to $1.09 billion, with the Australian business delivering a 66 per cent EBITDA margin.
McIntyre said: “Market fundamentals remain sound as we look further into the new year. Softening levels of buyer demand will see customers and vendors continue to turn to REA as they seek to differentiate their properties with our products and ensure their properties reach the largest and most engaged audience of Australian property seekers.
“As the rapid pace of technological advancement continues, we are increasing our speed to market and embracing opportunities for new value creation.
“The business is well positioned for future growth with a strong foundation and balance sheet, growing audience and engagement, and an exciting product pipeline accelerated and supported by new AI applications.”
[Related: AFG sets record $31bn in broker lodgements]
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