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.
Re-order results by comparison rate, monthly repayment, fees, or features. You set the lens that matters to your situation.
Any featured or sponsored placement carries a clear label so paid placements are always distinguishable from organic rankings.
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 - every charge that affects the total cost of the loan.
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 Australian Credit Licensed broker partner.
- 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. You pay nothing extra, and your interest rate is the same as going to the lender directly.
Sponsored & featured content
From time to time we run sponsored or featured placements - for example, a panel highlighting a specific lender or product. These placements are always clearly labelled as sponsored so you can distinguish them from organically ranked results.
Sponsored status never changes a product’s position in the default rate-sorted list, and editorial assessments remain independent of commercial relationships.
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, how products are ranked, and when content is sponsored. 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.