Helen Avis
Director of Finance
Helen Avis has held the position of Director of Finance for Specialist Mortgage since 2003.
She is one of Australia’s leading Finance Brokers, having been recognised as National Broker of Year – Specialist Lending in the Australian Mortgage Awards 2023, the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia’s Residential Finance Broker National Winner and State Winner for 2022, in addition to numerous state and national awards.
Helen is responsible for managing her own client portfolio, in addition to supervising her mortgage broking and processing team and managing Specialist Mortgage’s international business operations.
Helen has successfully completed her Diploma of Financial Services (Finance/ Mortgage Broking Management) and is a member of the MFAA as well as being the Licence Holder under the ASIC Australian Credit Licence for Specialist Mortgage.
Helen holds formal accreditation with most of Australia’s leading lending institutions in addition to specialist lenders providing mortgage solutions for expatriates and non-residents.
Helen has extensive lending experience and has been involved in the Mortgage industry since 1989 when she became licenced under the UK FSA, as a Mortgage Broker and Financial Planner. Prior to this she was a Fund Manager for UK Equities for John Hancock International.
She successfully operated her own business working throughout Europe, advising clients on Finance and Mortgages, until 2002 when she was recruited to relocate to Singapore. Soon after, she decided to concentrate on the mortgage aspect of her profession and took up a position with Specialist Mortgage where she remains today.
Helen Avis did a really outstanding job pushing our formal approval through in 4 days. She was also very helpful in advising me of the risks around unconditional vs conditional exchange which was much appreciated.
Dom & Yvette, Singapore
We have now used Helen Avis twice in procuring suitable Home Loans for our two investment properties. Helen and the team at SMATS have a deep understanding of the nuances of being an Australian Expat and we have always had great advice, high value offers and top notch service from her and the team.
Jacqui, Dubai
Helen’s intimate knowledge of the market and pricing of various loans (investment, owner occupier, interest only etc) has made loan selection a breeze and enabled us to have confidence in our decision making.
Greg, Queensland
Awards
Specialist Finance Group Awards.
2024 WA/NT Broker of the Year Winner - Helen Avis
2024 Mentor of the Year Finalist - Helen Avis
2024 Best Administrator Finalist - Gino Lugto
2024 WA/NT Brokerage Of The Year Finalist
2024 National Brokerage Of The Year (Volume Based) Finalist
2023 WA Broker of the Year Winner – Helen Avis
2023 Group Excellence Award Finalist
2023 National Residential Broker of the Year Finalist
2023 WA Brokerage of the Year Finalist
2022 WA Brokerage of the Year Finalist
2022 WA Broker of the Year Winner – Helen Avis
2022 WA Broker of the Year Finalist – Bridget Bowman
2022 Top 50 Loan Writers Nationally – Bridget Bowman
2021 WA Broker of the Year Winner – Helen Avis
2021 National Broker of the Year for Residential Lending – Helen Avis
2019 International Brokerage of the Year
2019 International Broker of the Year – Helen Avis
2018 International Brokerage of the Year
2018 International Broker of the Year – Helen Avis
2017 International Brokerage of the Year
2017 International Broker of the Year – Helen Avis
2016 International Brokerage of the Year
2016 International Broker of the Year – Helen Avis
Mortgage & Finance Association Of Australia.
2025 Finance Broker Business Award Finalist
2025 Residential Finance Broker Award Finalist - Helen Avis
2025 Diversified Business Award Finalist
2024 Residential Finance Broker State Winner – Helen Avis
2023 Finance Broker Business Award National Finalist
2023 Finance Broker Business Award WA Winner
2023 Best Customer Service (Individual) WA Finalist – Helen Avis
2022 Residential Finance Broker National Winner – Helen Avis
2022 Residential Finance Broker State Winner – Helen Avis
2022 Finance Broker Business Award Finalist
Australian Mortgage Awards.
2024 Broker of the Year (Specialist Lending) – Helen Avis
2024 Brokerage of the Year (Diversification)
2023 National Brokerage of the Year (6-20 staff)
2023 Pepper Money Broker of the Year, Specialist Lending – Helen Avis
2022 Brokerage of the Year (6-20 staff)
2022 Broker of the Year – Helen Avis
Mortgage Professionals Australia Awards.
2023 Elite Women – Helen Avis
2022 Top 100 Mortgage Broker Award – Helen Avis
2021 Top 100 Mortgage Broker Award – Helen Avis
The Advisor Better Business Awards.
2024 Best Finance Broker WA Winner – Helen Avis
2023 Best Residential Broker WA Finalist – Helen Avis
2023 Best Customer Service (Individual) WA – Helen Avis
2023 Best Customer Service (Office) WA Finalist
2022 Best Residential Broker WA Finalist – Helen Avis
The Advisor Australian Broking Awards.
2024 Residential Broker of the Year – Helen Avis
2022 Residential Broker of the Year – Helen Avis
2022 Finance Broker of the Year – Helen Avis
Women In Finance Awards.
2024 Mortgage Broker of the Year Finalist – Helen Avis
2023 Mortgage Broker of the Year Finalist – Helen Avis
2022 Mortgage Broker of the Year Finalist – Helen Avis
Additional Accolades.
2013 Top Flame Broker St George Bank – Helen Avis
Flame Foundation Member St George Bank – Helen Avis
ANZ Premium Broker – Helen Avis
