Back-book management is one way to generate additional revenue. Offering your existing clients services beyond home loans is another, and it doesn’t require you to write a single extra loan.
Your relationships can take your business further
You've spent years building a client book on trust, and those clients may need more than a home loan in the years ahead, whether that's a car loan, insurance, a conveyancer or a business loan. If they're not getting that help through you, the potential income stream from it may be going somewhere else.
Referring those needs to trusted partners gives you another potential income stream alongside lending, with very little extra time on your part. It can also help support more consistent cash flow, give you greater confidence to plan ahead and add to the value of your business.
Their needs don't stop at settlement
The hardest part of any referral is earning the client's trust, and you've already done that by guiding them through one of the largest financial decisions of their lives. Your fact find may also give you a picture of what they're likely to need next.
A broker with 400 active clients is looking at thousands of needs beyond a home loan. Self-employed clients may need equipment finance, purchasers may need a conveyancer before settlement, families moving house need their utilities connected, and investors may want their insurance cover reviewed.
With your client's consent, a referral connects them with a trusted partner who can help with each of those needs, while you could earn additional income from relationships you've already built.
Partner Connect: a referral program that's ready to go
You might already refer clients informally. Partner Connect, available to AFG brokers, turns that into a structured, paid program, without you having to find partners or chase referrals.
AFG's team will help you make the most of it from the start.
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The partner network's already in place, so once you’ve connected to a partner and completed any required accreditation, you can start referring straight away without spending months finding and vetting partners.
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AFG has set up the relationships and arrangements, so there's nothing for you to negotiate and your time can stay focused on your clients.
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AFG selects and reviews partners, and the client relationship stays with you, so you can refer with confidence.
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The process is ready to use once you have connected to a partner and completed any required accreditation, so you can add a new income stream without building new capability or taking on extra admin.
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If you use AFG's Smart marketing program, automated referral campaigns for selected partners can run to your clients on your behalf, keeping relevant opportunities in front of them at key milestones.
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You can refer to a growing range of partners in a few clicks through BrokerEngine Plus, so referring fits into the way you already work, and you can act in real time while the conversation's happening.
Through Partner Connect, you can refer clients to trusted specialists across asset and commercial finance, personal loans, insurance, legal and conveyancing, and utilities.
Brokers are already seeing the results
One of the top Partner Connect referrers earned more than $80,000 through the program in FY26 alone, and more than 1,000 AFG brokers made referrals during the year. Individual results vary.
One AFG broker who has experienced the benefits firsthand is Grant Arbuckle, Managing Director at Loan Studio:
"Partner Connect has been an invaluable resource. I can confidently assist clients in securing loans for everything from new cars to commercial property, while also ensuring they have the right insurance coverage. I highly recommend Partner Connect to brokers looking to deliver more value and expand their offering."
A referral program can also strengthen your client relationships. A client who came to you for a home loan has one reason to stay, while a client you've also connected with other services has several. That keeps you front of mind between loans and makes them more likely to come back.
For John MacMaster, Principal at Finance First, the value is clear:
"Our clients love that they can get advice and results from us not just for home loans, but also for car loans & personal loans, business loans, life insurance and health insurance, and financial planning. They tell us they know that they can trust us, and as a result are happy to deal with our referral partners."
Start with one more question
You don't need a new strategy or process to get started. Over your next ten client conversations, ask one more question, such as "Is there anything else coming up for you this year, like a new car, a renovation or an equipment purchase?" The clients are already in your book and the needs are already there, so the sooner you start, the sooner Partner Connect can work for you and your clients.
AFG is passionate about helping brokers grow their business, and they'll support you every step of the way.
Ready to explore Partner Connect? See the full partner network.
Thinking about joining AFG? Download AFG's information pack or talk to the AFG team.
Partner Connect is available only to brokers in the AFG network, subject to sign-up, partner connection and any accreditation a partner requires. Partners, referral methods and commissions vary and may change. Partner terms and conditions apply. Partners provide their products and services independently of AFG. Earnings and testimonials in this article are examples only and may not reflect the experience of all brokers. Individual results vary and are not guaranteed. Information is current as at 20/10/26.
