How to pay your mortgage off in 10 years

Discover the proven strategies and key financial levers Australian homeowners can use to slash their mortgage term from 30 to just 10 years.

How to Pay Your Mortgage Off in 10 Years – Smart Plan

Ditch decades of debt! Discover smart, realistic steps to pay your mortgage off in just 10 years and save thousands in interest.

MORTGAGE YEARS

11/18/20254 min read

Optimize your payments to pay off your mortgage faster

Paying off your mortgage in 10 years is achievable with disciplined, structured repayment habits. The formula is simple: pay more and pay more often. High-impact tactics:

  • Switch to fortnightly payments: This creates the equivalent of one extra monthly repayment per year.

  • Round up repayments: Add $50-$100 to every payment and treat it as non-negotiable.

  • Use windfalls wisely: Direct tax refunds, bonuses and inheritance money straight to the principal.

  • Maximise your offset account: Keep as much cash as possible in your offset to reduce interest daily.

A HeyNest-connected broker can review your current loan and recommend the most effective changes to keep you on track for your 10-year goal.

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Financial strategies for a 10-year mortgage payoff

A fast payoff requires more than extra payments, it needs a full financial strategy focused on lowering interest and boosting available cash. Key moves:

  • Refinance for a lower rate: Even a 0.5% cut can shave years off your loan.

  • Increase income and reduce expenses: Funnel every spare dollar into repayments.

  • Clear high-interest debt first: Credit cards and personal loans slow your progress.

  • Choose the right loan product: Avoid fixed loans with strict caps on extra repayments.

With HeyNest, an independent broker compares dozens of lenders to help you secure a lower rate and a loan structure built for aggressive repayment.

Stop Stressing: Why a Broker is the 'Smart, Chill' Way

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The role of a broker in achieving a 10-year payoff

A broker is a powerful ally when you're aiming to clear your mortgage in a decade. They help you start with the right loan and optimise it as conditions change. What a broker provides:

  • Impartial market comparison: Access to a wide range of lenders and products.

  • Negotiation power: Ability to secure sharper rates and fee waivers.

  • Structural guidance: Tailored advice on offsets, redraws, and payment strategies.

  • Regular reviews: Ongoing check-ins every 18–24 months to ensure you avoid loyalty tax.

HeyNest connects you instantly with an independent Australian broker who understands your local market and supports your 10-year payoff journey from day one.

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Frequently asked questions

Is paying off a mortgage in 10 years realistic for an average Australian income?

Yes, it is realistic, but it requires significant discipline, often involving substantial extra payments or refinancing to a much lower interest rate and committing all disposable income to the loan.

What is the most critical factor for accelerating a mortgage payoff?

The most critical factor is the interest rate. A lower rate means less money paid to the bank and more money attacking the principal balance directly, making extra payments exponentially more effective.

Does a 10-year mortgage have a higher monthly repayment than a 30-year one?

Yes, spreading the principal repayment over 10 years instead of 30 means the required monthly minimum payment will be significantly higher.