Our Methodology
How find.deals™ ranks, compares and presents loan products - and how the referral fee model fits within our role as a comparison and referral service.
How products are ranked
Four principles shape every ranking on the site.
Products are sorted from lowest to highest advertised interest rate by default - a clear, neutral starting point.
Everyone sees the same lowest-rate-first order. Tabs switch between product types (variable, fixed terms, secured, unsecured); there is no personalised ranking and no re-sorting by fees or features.
Lenders cannot pay to appear, rank higher or be featured. Tables are sorted by the live rate and nothing else.
The referral fee find.deals™ may receive - and the broker partner's commission from the lender - never influence the default sort.
What we compare
We surface multiple dimensions of every product so you can see the full shape of the loan.
Interest rates
Both advertised rates and comparison rates, so you see the headline number and the true cost including standard fees.
Fees
Application, ongoing, discharge and break fees - the main charges that affect the total cost of the loan, where the lender publishes them.
Features
Offset accounts, redraw, extra repayments, splits, and other features that can save or cost you over the life of the loan.
Loan structures
Variable, fixed, split, interest-only - across the full range of structures available in Australia.
Eligibility criteria
Borrowing limits, LVR, income and residency conditions so you can focus on products you’re likely to qualify for.
Lender profile
Major banks, credit unions, mutuals and specialist non-bank lenders - covered through CDR and direct data feeds.
Data sources & accuracy
Where rate data comes from and how we keep it fresh.
Lender rate sheets
Rates are sourced from lenders' publicly published rate sheets and updated as lenders make changes.
Consumer Data Right (CDR)
For Australian ADIs, we read the Government-mandated CDR Product Reference Data APIs - the same source banks expose to all comparison services.
Last-updated timestamps
Every comparison page shows a 'Last updated' date so you know when the data was last refreshed.
Always verify before applying
Rates are indicative and can change without notice. Confirm the current rate, fees and terms with the lender or broker partner before applying.
How we’re funded
A step-by-step look at how money flows through the referral model - so you can see exactly where find.deals™ sits.
- 1
You compare on find.deals™
All product information on the site is general - interest rates, comparison rates, fees, features, savings estimates. It's not personal credit advice.
- 2
You submit an enquiry
When you click 'Find Deals', 'Compare', or 'Add to Comparison', we refer your enquiry to our accredited broker partner (an authorised credit representative under an Australian Credit Licence).
- 3
The broker provides advice
The broker partner reviews your situation, performs their own compliance and suitability checks, and provides credit assistance under the NCCP Act.
- 4
Lender pays a commission
If a loan settles, the lender pays the broker partner a commission. This is industry-standard and applies whether the customer was referred or not.
- 5
find.deals™ may receive a referral fee
In order to keep our service free for consumers, we may receive a referral fee from the broker partner out of their commission. This fee is paid by the broker - never by you - and never influences default rankings on the site.
In plain English: the lender pays the broker a commission. In order to keep our service free for consumers, the broker may pay find.deals™ a referral fee out of that commission. find.deals™ charges you nothing; if any broker fee could apply in your circumstances, the broker will tell you before you proceed.
No sponsored or paid placement
Lenders cannot pay to appear on find.deals™, to rank higher, or to be featured, and we do not publish paid content or commentary. Every rate table is sorted lowest rate first. Most rows come from the Consumer Data Right feed; hand-curated rows are badged with their verification date.
Our only revenue is the referral fee described in our Commercial Disclosure, paid by the broker partner out of their commission - never by you - and it has no bearing on what appears or where.
Our commitment
The principles behind everything we publish.
Accuracy
We work to keep our data accurate and current - sourcing from lender rate sheets, CDR APIs, and showing clear update timestamps.
Transparency
We disclose how we make money and how products are ranked. No sponsored content, no hidden agendas.
Independence
Editorial assessments and default rankings are independent of commercial relationships. Referral fees never influence sort order.
User-first
Every decision starts with what's best for you. We only succeed when you find a better deal - through us or otherwise.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about our methodology and how we operate.