Money on the Mic

Fundd
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Welcome to Money on the Mic - the finance podcast where we talk through the real conversations Australians are having about their mortgages, finances, and the economy. We give you clear, practical insights from experienced brokers. Listen as we break down what’s happening in the Australian property market, explain key lending concepts, and walk through real scenarios so you can see how it all works in practice. Because when you understand this stuff, you can use it to your advantage. From first home buyers and refinancing strategies to property investing and borrowing power, our goal is to help you feel more confident, informed, and in control of your financial future. We cover everything from: - Home loans in Australia - Mortgage broker insights - First home buyer tips - Property investment strategies - Refinancing and interest rates - Borrowing capacity and lending rules 📣 Want to get support in your home buying journey? Visit https://moneyonthemic.com/ to get in touch.

  1. THE BETTER BUDGET: How to ACTUALLY Fix the Aussie Housing Crisis

    Jul 1

    THE BETTER BUDGET: How to ACTUALLY Fix the Aussie Housing Crisis

    In this episode, Darren and Brodie walk through five alternative property and lending reforms the federal government could have implemented instead of the 2026 budget package. Cap negative gearing rather than abolishing it. Tax empty homes and land banking. Reward councils for hitting housing supply targets. Remove stamp duty for downsizers. Increase the tax-free threshold for young families. THE BREAKDOWN In this episode, we chat about: - Why a dollar-amount cap on negative gearing would have been more equitable than abolishing it. - The ATO data showing the average negative gearing claim is only $8,702 a year. - Why Australia's 1.04 million empty dwellings should attract a vacancy levy. - The "develop or sell" rule for urban land banking. - Why councils should be paid bonuses for hitting housing approval targets. - How removing stamp duty for downsizers unlocks family housing for the next generation. - The Nordic-style tax-free threshold framework for young families. - Why Australian economic policy is structured around sugar hits rather than long-term planning. CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro: Five Alternatives To The 2026 Budget 01:00 Cap Negative Gearing Instead Of Abolishing It 06:00 Why The Average Negative Gearing Claim Is Only $8,702 09:00 Tax Empty Homes And Land Banking 12:00 Why Margaret River Has Empty Houses And No Rentals 15:00 The Develop-Or-Sell Rule For Urban Land 20:00 Supercharge Housing Supply Through Council Incentives 24:00 Remove Stamp Duty For Downsizers 27:00 Increase Tax-Free Thresholds For Young Families 32:00 The Australian Economy Runs On Sugar Hits 35:00 Wrap CONNECT WITH A FINANCE BROKER AT FUNDD Got a question? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to the team via our website https://moneyonthemic.com/#contactfundd Follow us on Socials: @moneyonthemicpodcast on Instagram and TikTok This podcast provides general information only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and your full financial situation will need to be reviewed prior to acceptance of any offer or product. It does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice and you should always seek professional advice in relation to your individual circumstances. All information is correct at the time of filming. CREDITS Images Albanese and Hanson: Wikipedia SLIDE WHISTLE - 1 by SamuelGremaud -- https://freesound.org/s/517633/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Boat Horn by PearceWilsonKing -- https://freesound.org/s/346108/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 jackhammer vehicles and gennies.wav by thfc140491 -- https://freesound.org/s/90013/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Tropical Cruise by code_box -- https://freesound.org/s/573973/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Dialing 'freesound' (373376863).wav by CGEffex -- https://freesound.org/s/95112/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 dial_tone2 by Anonio82 -- https://freesound.org/s/800659/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 UI_POP_UP.mp3 by Marevnik -- https://freesound.org/s/708605/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Party Whistle being Blown by Janosch-JR -- https://freesound.org/s/477174/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Antique Clock Ticking then Strikes Once by iainmccurdy -- https://freesound.org/s/646411/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Quick Mouse Clicks by Cpfcfan10 -- https://freesound.org/s/635074/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

    44 min
  2. The Greens Just Killed SMSF Property Lending

    Jun 25 ·  Bonus

    The Greens Just Killed SMSF Property Lending

    The Greens have secured a commitment to ban Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements for residential property inside self-managed super funds, with a 45-day transition period. No industry consultation took place. LRBAs allowed SMSF trustees to borrow against residential property with limited liability - the fund's exposure was capped to the purchased asset only. Around 17.5% (from the information we have) of Australia's 653,000 SMSFs currently hold mortgage debt inside the fund. The structure had become increasingly attractive post-budget, as changes to capital gains tax treatment and negative gearing made personal-name investing comparatively less appealing. Inside an SMSF, CGT runs at 15% in accumulation, dropping to 10% after 12 months. That compares to up to 47% personally. Borrowing capacity is assessed entirely separately from personal debt. For investors whose individual borrowing was capped, the SMSF was the next logical step. The ban applies to residential property only. Commercial property inside SMSFs is untouched. If you have the cash to purchase residential property outright, nothing in the announcement prevents that. The most pressing concern is off-the-plan buyers. Contracts may be protected by the transition period, but if lenders pull the product before settlement, protection on paper doesn't guarantee funding in practice. Brodie and Darren were blunt about who this hits hardest: not the ultra-wealthy, who can buy without borrowing. It's the investors with one or two properties, mortgaged across their portfolio, who were using the SMSF as a legitimate next step. Nobody consulted them. Nobody warned them. Chapters00:00 Breaking: The Greens Just Banned SMSF Residential Property Lending01:10 What LRBAs Are and Why They Mattered for Property Investors05:15 Commercial is Safe - Residential Borrowing Inside Super is Gone09:05 The Off-the-Plan Risk: What Happens If Lenders Pull the Product14:35 Who Really Loses From This - and Why Nobody Asked ThemConnectCONNECT WITH A FINANCE BROKER AT FUNDD Got a question? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to the team via our website https://fundd.com.au/contact/ https://moneyonthemic.com/#contactfundd Follow us on Socials: @moneyonthemicpodcast on Instagram and Tik Tok This podcast provides general information only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and your full financial situation will need to be reviewed prior to acceptance of any offer or product. It does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice and you should always seek professional advice in relation to your individual circumstances. All information is correct at the time of filming. Antique Clock Ticking then Strikes Once by iainmccurdy https://freesound.org/s/646411/ License: Attribution 4.0 Light Metal Gate Close by qubodup https://freesound.org/s/219587/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Glitch Element 14.wav by Glitchedtones https://freesound.org/s/223316/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Article from SMSF Adviser - https://www.smsfadviser.com/govt-does-deal-with-greens-to-close-off-lrbas/

    16 min
  3. ONLY HELPS 7%: Why The Capital Gains Carve-Out Is Mostly Marketing

    Jun 24

    ONLY HELPS 7%: Why The Capital Gains Carve-Out Is Mostly Marketing

    In this episode of MOTM, Darren and Brodie unpack the Albanese and Chalmers backflip on parts of the 2026 federal budget. The capital gains tax carve-out for small business has been extended from a $2 million turnover threshold to $10 million, and the testamentary trust changes have been quietly wound back. The headline framing suggests a meaningful response to backlash. The numbers tell a different story. THE BREAKDOWN The carve-out extends the 50% capital gains tax discount to Australian businesses with turnover up to $10 million, up from the original $2 million threshold. Businesses with turnover up to $2 million already account for 91% of Australian businesses. The new $10 million threshold covers 98%. The carve-out therefore covers an additional 7% of businesses. Most of those businesses will not sell during the period the change applies, which narrows the effective impact further. The testamentary trust change is similarly narrow. The original budget proposed a 30% flat rate on trust distributions, which would have functioned as an effective death tax when property passed to beneficiaries. The wind-back applies specifically to testamentary trusts (trusts established through a will) where the deed specifies ownership transfer rules at death. The change does not apply to discretionary trusts or unit trusts more broadly. In this episode, we chat about: - What the CGT carve-out for businesses up to $10 million turnover actually changes. - What the testamentary trust wind-back does and who it affects. - Why $475 million over four years is small relative to the scale of the budget grab. - The argument that the government tried to do too much in one reform package. - The role of Pauline Hanson and public pressure in driving the backflip. CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro: The Government's Backflip On The Budget 01:00 What The CGT Carve-Out Actually Changes 03:00 Why The 7% Carve-Out Is Mostly Marketing 05:30 The Testamentary Trust Wind-Back Explained 08:00 Why $475 Million Is Small Change In Budget Terms 10:00 What The Government Should Have Done Instead 13:00 The Dollar-Amount Approach To Negative Gearing 15:30 Why Australian Income Tax Needs Household Splitting 18:00 What's Coming Next: Alternative Policy Ideas 20:00 Wrap SOURCES ABC Article:https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-18/capital-gains-tax-concessions-for-startups-and-small-business/106812782 Pauline Hanson National Press Club: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSYatJcVELU Karl Stefanovic Podcast Episode: https://youtu.be/vuXKinA9ToY?si=bW_7UsgxA6l5sn1R CONNECT WITH A FINANCE BROKER AT FUNDD Got a question? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to the team via our website https://moneyonthemic.com/#contactfundd Follow us on Socials: @moneyonthemicpodcast on Instagram and TikTok This podcast provides general information only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and your full financial situation will need to be reviewed prior to acceptance of any offer or product. It does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice and you should always seek professional advice in relation to your individual circumstances. All information is correct at the time of filming.

    25 min
  4. Small Business Pays When Wages Rise - The Winners And Losers of Minimum Wage Increase

    Jun 19 ·  Bonus

    Small Business Pays When Wages Rise - The Winners And Losers of Minimum Wage Increase

    Australia's minimum wage hits $1,000 a week. Brodie Gilbert breaks down who actually wins, who pays the price, and what it means for your mortgage. THE BREAKDOWNThe Fair Work Commission's latest minimum wage decision has pushed the floor to just over $1,000 a week gross - a milestone 52 years in the making. The net gain for workers is closer to $57 a week after tax. That's meaningful for the households receiving it, but the cost of the increase doesn't land equally. The government clips additional tax revenue without contributing to the wage bill. Major retailers benefit from increased discretionary spending. Unions secure a public win above inflation. But the businesses writing the pay rises directly are mostly small: local hospitality, cafes and independent retail already managing commercial rents that have escalated four to five percent annually for four consecutive years, alongside elevated lending costs and rising input prices. Entry-level jobs face pressure too. When labour costs rise and businesses can't negotiate below the mandated minimum, some simply don't hire. The workers meant to benefit can end up with fewer hours or no position at all. The least obvious risk is for borrowers. If the wage increase flows into consumer spending - and historically it does, even partially - inflation could rise. An inflationary signal makes rate cuts harder to justify and may push the RBA in the other direction. Brodie's framing is direct: most people would choose $57 a week over a 0.25% rate cut. The rate cut is probably worth more. CHAPTERS00:32 Australian Minimum Wage Crosses $1,000 a Week for the First Time01:30 Who Really Wins: Government, Unions and Big Retail03:30 Why Small Business Pays the Biggest Price09:00 The Entry-Level Job Freeze Nobody Talks About10:51 Why Borrowers Could Be the Surprise Losers SOURCES Minimum Wage and Inflation CONNECT WITH A FINANCE BROKER AT FUNDD Got a question? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to the team via our website https://moneyonthemic.com/ Follow us on Socials: @moneyonthemicpodcast on Instagram and Tik Tok This podcast provides general information only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and your full financial situation will need to be reviewed prior to acceptance of any offer or product. It does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice and you should always seek professional advice in relation to your individual circumstances. All information is correct at the time of filming.

    11 min
  5. RBA DECISION: Why The Big Four Can't Read Rates + Is Your Lending Strategy Working For You?

    Jun 15

    RBA DECISION: Why The Big Four Can't Read Rates + Is Your Lending Strategy Working For You?

    In this episode, Darren and Brodie unpack why economists at Australia's major banks have been changing their rate forecasts so often, what that means for property buyers and investors trying to make decisions, and what they actually expect from the RBA over the next several months. THE BREAKDOWN In the past twelve months, the big four have held several differing positions on the cash rate trajectory. The most recent NAB call (rate cuts to continue) is the opposite of their call a month earlier (rate rises coming). That kind of forecasting volatility from one of the largest banks in the country should make every property buyer wary of building a strategy around any single prediction. Darren and Brodie work through the risk-profile framework they use with clients. The framework is simple: what's your best case, your realistic case, and your worst case? Investment decisions made through that lens hold up regardless of which direction the RBA actually moves. The episode also covers what auction clearance rate data actually tells you. The state-by-state variability of clearance data is significant. Auction is the dominant sales channel in Sydney and Melbourne, marginal in Queensland, and almost irrelevant in Western Australia. National clearance figures therefore say more about the New South Wales and Victorian markets than about the rest of the country. In this episode, we chat about: - Why nine out of ten property headlines are fear-driven and how to read them anyway. - The risk-profile framework: best case, realistic case, worst case. - Why the RBA is likely to hold at today's meeting. - Why the next RBA move is more likely a cut than a rise. - What auction clearance rates actually tell you, and what they don't. - Why Sydney and Melbourne auction data does not generalise to the rest of Australia. - Why auctions don't suit first home buyers, and what that means for the market. SOURCES https://www.instagram.com/p/DXvC6lftI5t/  NAB - May 2025 NAB - May 2026 NAB (Yahoo Finance) - June 2026 CONNECT WITH FUNDD Got a question? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to the team via our website https://fundd.com.au/contact/. Follow us on Socials: Facebook Instagram Linkedin This podcast provides general information only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and your full financial situation will need to be reviewed prior to acceptance of any offer or product. It does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice and you should always seek professional advice in relation to your individual circumstances. All information is correct at the time of filming.

    26 min
  6. NO PROPERTY CRASH? Why Rising Unemployment Could Push Property Prices Higher

    Jun 10

    NO PROPERTY CRASH? Why Rising Unemployment Could Push Property Prices Higher

    This week on MOTM, we unpack two of the biggest economic headlines of the week, the 5.97% minimum wage increase that lifts the minimum above inflation for the first time in several years, and the shock 4.5% Australian unemployment rate. Together, these two data points point clearly toward the next move from the Reserve Bank of Australia, and what that move means for property prices. THE BREAKDOWN The RBA has two inputs that materially affect its rate decisions: inflation and unemployment. Inflation is broadly tracking near target. Unemployment surprised on the upside, climbing to 4.5%. Most major bank economists had forecast 4.3%. Layered over that is the federal minimum wage increase of 5.97%, taking the minimum wage above $1,000 a week and $52,000 a year for the first time. The increase is welcomed at the household level. At the macro level, the same increase adds friction to entry-level hiring decisions and reduces employer willingness to take a risk on new staff. That dynamic will likely push the unemployment rate higher rather than lower over the coming months. The combination points to a rate cut from the RBA before the end of the year. A cut would reduce mortgage repayments, lift borrowing capacity, and re-enter cohorts of buyers who have been on the sidelines for most of 2025 and 2026. The structural undersupply of Australian housing remains intact, so the most likely outcome of a rate cut is support for existing property values rather than a fall. Brodie and Darren also unpack the wealth divide implication, namely that minimum wage earners are not the cohort entering the property market. In this episode, we chat about: - What the 5.97% minimum wage rise actually changes in practice. - Why the 4.5% unemployment figure was a shock to most forecasters. - Why a $57 a week pay rise is worth less to most borrowers than a 0.25% rate cut. - Why minimum wage earners are not the cohort buying property. - How a rate cut later this year would change buyer activity. - Why property prices themselves do not trigger RBA decisions. - The forecast: where unemployment, inflation, and rates land by the end of 2026. CHAPTERS 00:00 Wage Rises Meet 4.5% Unemployment 00:30 What the Minimum Wage Increase Actually Means 02:00 Why $57 a Week Versus a Rate Cut Is the Real Question 03:30 Youth Unemployment and Entry-Level Hiring Pressure 05:00 Why the RBA's Next Move Is Likely a Cut 06:30 Why a Bad Employment Headline Could Be Good for Property 08:00 Who Actually Benefits From a Rate Cut 10:00 Why Property Prices Don't Trigger RBA Decisions CONNECT WITH FUNDD Got a question? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to the team via our website https://fundd.com.au/contact/. Follow us on Socials: Facebook Instagram Linkedin This podcast provides general information only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and your full financial situation will need to be reviewed prior to acceptance of any offer or product. It does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice and you should always seek professional advice in relation to your individual circumstances. All information is correct at the time of filming.

    15 min
  7. THE SILENT KILLER: How Bracket Creep Quietly Eats Your Pay Rise AND Your Tax Offset

    Jun 3

    THE SILENT KILLER: How Bracket Creep Quietly Eats Your Pay Rise AND Your Tax Offset

    In this episode of Money on the Mic, Darren and Brodie go deep on bracket creep, the hidden tax inside the Australian tax system that quietly eats every pay rise and effectively cancels most of what was sold as the working person’s budget. THE BREAKDOWNWhen your wages move up in line with inflation, your buying power stays the same. But the Australian tax brackets don’t move with you. You cross into a higher marginal rate, pay a slightly bigger share of your income in tax, and end up worse off in real terms. That’s bracket creep. It’s the tax increase nobody votes on, because they don’t have to. Over the last ten years, the buying power loss for lower income Australians has been roughly 30%. The tax free threshold today should sit at $25,844 if it had been indexed to inflation. It’s still $18,200. The mid-tier brackets were partly addressed by the stage three reforms, but the top and bottom of the income range have been hit hardest. If those brackets had been indexed against inflation across the decade, federal tax revenue would have been roughly $200 billion lower. That gap is now baked into every Australian budget. The most concrete example is this year’s headline "working person’s budget" offset. After bracket creep is factored in, the average Australian worker walks away with around $111 of the $250 they were promised. The headline survived. The numbers didn’t. CHAPTERS00:00   Intro: The Hidden Tax in Every Budget 01:00   What Bracket Creep Actually Is and Why It Costs You 02:30   Why governments never need a vote to raise this kind of revenue. 05:00   The Stage Three Reforms and What They Didn’t Fix 05:50   Who gets hit hardest, and why lower income earners have lost the most. 07:00   The Tax Free Threshold That Should Be $25,800 10:00   The $200 billion in federal revenue that bracket creep has quietly collected over the decade. 16:30   Why a $250 Tax Offset Becomes $111 for the Average Worker 17:00   Why This Wasn’t Actually the Working Person’s Budget 20:00   Final Thoughts On Bracket Creep RESOURCESAFR - No escape from bracket creep under Labor or Coalition ABS - Taxation Revenue Australia CONNECT WITH FUNDDGot a question? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to the team via our website https://fundd.com.au/contact/. Facebook Instagram Linkedin This podcast provides general information only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and your full financial situation will need to be reviewed prior to acceptance of any offer or product. It does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice and you should always seek professional advice in relation to your individual circumstances. All information is correct at the time of filming.

    22 min
  8. MONEY FIGHTS: 9 Property Debates Most Investors Get Stuck On

    May 27

    MONEY FIGHTS: 9 Property Debates Most Investors Get Stuck On

    Darren and Brodie go head to head on 9 of the most heavily debated questions in property and Australian lending - buy or rent, offset or invest, property or shares, fixed or variable, broker or bank, and the biggest one of all: should negative gearing exist? THE BREAKDOWNRound by round, no easy answers. Brodie picks his side on each topic and explains why - Darren takes the other side. Some picks land where you’d expect, others don’t. Brodie picks apartment over house for the first time, citing higher yields and a low-growth stretch ahead, plus an immigration-led shift toward high-density living. He defends negative gearing in a limited form, while Darren argues the other side as devil’s advocate, naming the impact on renters most coverage isn’t talking about. A free post-budget investment report is still in the works for a 2–4 week drop. In this episode, we chat about:Buy vs rent: Why capital growth makes buying the obvious play for most.Offset vs invest: Why a risk-taker chooses growth assets over a cash buffer.Property vs shares: Why Australia’s biggest asset class still wins.Interest only vs P&I: How to structure investment debt against good debt and bad debt.Broker vs bank: Why nearly 4 in 5 loans now skip the bank entirely.House vs apartment: Brodie’s surprise apartment pick and the regional yield case.Fixed vs variable: Why a fixed rate is a bet against the economist.SMSF property: Why super has no living expenses and what that does to your borrowing capacity.Should negative gearing exist: Brodie’s "yes for mum and dad," Darren’s "no" for renters.CHAPTERS00:00   Intro: A 9-Round Money Fight 01:00   Buy vs Rent: Capital Growth Settles It 03:30   Offset vs Invest: Why Risk Wins Over Cash 06:30   Property vs Shares: Why Australia Still Picks Property 08:30   The "Economists Always Get It Wrong" Take 11:00   Interest Only vs P&I: How Investment Debt Should Work 14:30   Broker vs Bank: Why Nearly 4 In 5 Loans Skip the Bank 17:00   Best Interest Duty Explained 20:30   House vs Apartment: Brodie’s Surprise Pick 27:30   Fixed vs Variable: A Bet Against the Economist 31:00   SMSF Property: Why It’s a Good Idea (And When It Isn’t) 39:00   Should Negative Gearing Exist? The Mum-and-Dad Case 43:00   The Impact On Renters Most People Aren’t Talking About CONNECT WITH FUNDDGot a question? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to the team via our website https://fundd.com.au/contact/. Follow us on Socials: Facebook Instagram Linkedin This podcast provides general information only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and your full financial situation will need to be reviewed prior to acceptance of any offer or product. It does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice and you should always seek professional advice in relation to your individual circumstances. All information is correct at the time of filming.

    49 min
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About

Welcome to Money on the Mic - the finance podcast where we talk through the real conversations Australians are having about their mortgages, finances, and the economy. We give you clear, practical insights from experienced brokers. Listen as we break down what’s happening in the Australian property market, explain key lending concepts, and walk through real scenarios so you can see how it all works in practice. Because when you understand this stuff, you can use it to your advantage. From first home buyers and refinancing strategies to property investing and borrowing power, our goal is to help you feel more confident, informed, and in control of your financial future. We cover everything from: - Home loans in Australia - Mortgage broker insights - First home buyer tips - Property investment strategies - Refinancing and interest rates - Borrowing capacity and lending rules 📣 Want to get support in your home buying journey? Visit https://moneyonthemic.com/ to get in touch.

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  • Creator
    Fundd
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Fundd
  • Show Website
    Money on the Mic