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$3,000 loans
You can still take out a $3,000 loan if you're on Centrelink or have a bad credit score.
Types
We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
There are lenders on the market who offer loans specifically for borrowers with bad credit history. As long as you can show proof of a regular income and an ability to manage repayments, you can still get your loan application approved.
Having a bad credit history usually means you will have to pay more interest than people with a good credit history. You may also be offered shorter loan terms, which can mean higher repayments. This is because they pose more of a risk to lenders.
Are you struggling financially?
If you're struggling financially and would like to speak to someone for free financial advice, information and assistance you can call the Financial Counsellors hotline on 1800 007 007 (open from 9:30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday). If you are suffering financial problems related to the coronavirus pandemic you may be eligible for additional support. Find out more here: https://www.finder.com.au/coronavirus-financial-help
⚠️ Warning about Borrowing
Do you really need a loan today?*
It can be expensive to borrow small amounts of money and borrowing may not solve your money problems.
Check your options before you borrow:
- For information about other options for managing bills and debts, ring 1800 007 007 from anywhere in Australia to talk to a free and independent financial counsellor
- Talk to your electricity, gas, phone or water provider to see if you can work out a payment plan
- If you are on government benefits, ask if you can receive an advance from Centrelink: Phone: 13 17 94
The Government's MoneySmart website shows you how small amount loans work and suggests other options that may help you.
* This statement is an Australian Government requirement under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009.
Types of $3,000 loans
Swoosh Finance
Swoosh Finance
From
47 %
p.a.
variable rate
From
66.03 %
p.a.
comparison rate
- Borrow up to $4,584
- Loan term up to 1 years
- Instant online decision
100% confidential application
Swoosh Finance
Swoosh Finance offer fast, reliable, and hassle-free secured loans up to $4,584 for when you are in need of money.
- Loan amount: $4,584
- Loan term: 60 days -12 months
- Turnaround time: Next business day
- Fees: $416 + 47% p.a. of borrowed amount
Loans.com.au - New and Dealer Used Car Loan
Loans.com.au - New and Dealer Used Car Loan
From
4.67 %
p.a.
fixed rate
From
5.22 %
p.a.
comparison rate
- Early payout available
- No monthly ongoing fee
- Borrow up to $100,000
100% confidential application
Loans.com.au - New and Dealer Used Car Loan
A competitive fixed rate to purchase a car up to four years old. Option to add on-road costs into loan amount.
- Interest rate: 4.67% p.a.
- Comparison rate: 5.22% p.a.
- Interest rate type: Fixed
- Application fee: $400
- Minimum loan amount: $5,000
- Maximum loan amount: $100,000
Harmoney Unsecured Personal Loan
Harmoney Unsecured Personal Loan
From
5.35 %
p.a.
fixed rate
From
6.14 %
p.a.
comparison rate
- Borrow up to $50,000
- 3 and 5 years terms
- No hidden fees
100% confidential application
Harmoney Unsecured Personal Loan
An unsecured personal loan up to $50,000. You'll receive a tailored interest rate between 5.35% p.a. and 19.09% p.a. based on your risk profile.
- Interest rate from: 5.35% p.a.
- Comparison rate: 6.14% p.a.
- Interest rate type: Fixed
- Application fee: $575 ($275 for loans of below $5,000)
- Minimum loan amount: $2,000
- Maximum loan amount: $50,000
Heritage Bank Fully Drawn Business Loan
Heritage Bank Fully Drawn Business Loan
- Fixed and variable rate options
- Redraw facility upon request
- Penalty-free extra repayments
100% confidential application
Heritage Bank Fully Drawn Business Loan
Borrow from $20,000 and use to finance large business purchases and managing long-term cash flow. Secure with either a residential or non-residential property.
- Loan security: Secured
- Upfront fee: Application fee is available upon application
- Minimum loan amount: $20,000
- Maximum loan amount:
- Minimum loan term: 1 year
- Maximum loan term: 25 years
$3,000 loan eligibility
Eligibility criteria differs between lenders. As a general rule, to qualify for any sort of finance in Australia loan applicants must be:
- Over the age of 18
- An Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Employed
While lenders generally prefer applicants with good credit and in full-time employment, applicants can still be eligible if they:
- Have bad credit history. Short-term lenders offer loans of up to $3,000 and most will accept applicants that have bad credit history providing that they can also show proof of income. This can include customers who are bankrupt in some cases.
- Are on a low income. As long as someone has the means to repay the loan, they could be eligible for a loan. When someone applies, lenders will ask for their income and employment situation and will check the last 90 days of their bank statements.
- Receive Centrelink payments. Many lenders accept those receiving Centrelink as income, even sometimes if that is the only income that they receive. There may be further criteria that these applicants need to meet, however, such as 50% or more of their Centrelink payments not going towards their repayments.
- Work casually or part-time. Irregular income from casual employment doesn't disqualify people from applying for a loan, the same as a lower income from part-time employment wouldn't disqualify them. People may still be eligible to borrow up to $3,000 depending on how much they wish to borrow.
What are the risks of bad credit history loans?
- Unreputable lenders. Check the lender has a credit licence and is not charging you more than ASIC allows. The lender should be easily contactable.
- Unaffordable repayments. Consider the size of the regular repayments and ensure the loan is able to be repaid during the loan term. If not, extra fees apply to extend it. Be careful, since repayment periods for these kinds of loans tend to be shorter than regular loans.
- Multiple applications. Every loan application shows up on credit reports. While lenders might not consider credit history, several applications within a short period can have a negative impact on your credit score moving forward.
- Check rates and fees. Establishment and monthly fees are capped, so be wary of lenders quoting prices beyond the legal maximum amounts. Be crystal clear on what will be charged for late payments or a default on the loan. The total cost of the loan matters here - lenders can charge interest rates on top of everything else.
- Long-term repercussions and legal issues. Once the loan agreement is signed, the customer is bound to its conditions until the loan and any associated rates and fees have been paid. Typically these loans are unsecured, which means that the lender can initiate legal proceedings against the customer if they can't repay.
$3,000 loan options
Before clicking "Go to Site", find out more about various loan options.
- Bad credit history loans
For potential loan customers who have bad credit, they can consider applying for a $3,000 bad credit loan. Lenders who offer these loans may still look at an applicant's credit history, but focus instead on their current financial standing and their ability to repay the loan. These loans tend to attract higher than usual interest rates and fees. These fees are capped at a $400 establishment fee and an APR of 48%, but if offered these rates customers can expect high repayments and high loan costs.
- Secured personal loans
A secured personal loan requires that the borrower provide some form of collateral, which could come in the form of equity in their home, a term deposit, or a vehicle. Secured loans often have more competitive interest rates than unsecured loans, and for bad credit applicants, these types of loan may work out cheaper than an unsecured loan. Repayment terms can vary between one to seven years, and the interest rate can be variable or fixed.
- Unsecured personal loans
If a prospective borrower can't or doesn't want to provide any kind of security, they can consider applying for a variable rate or fixed rate unsecured personal loan. This type of loan will usually come with a higher rate, but may also require less paperwork than its secured counterpart. Applicants may also find fewer restrictions in the way they can use their loan funds.
- Short term loans
While these loans are generally for $2,000 and less, there are lenders offering larger loans for up to $3,000. Also known as payday loans, these are unsecured personal loans that come with fixed fees and rates. They have relatively short repayment periods, generally ranging from 16 days to one or two years. Repayment times of these loans depend on when the approved applicant gets paid, and in most instances, they have to set up direct deposits so the amount is deducted on the day of payment. Be aware that while fees and interest rates are capped for these loans, repayments are still usually very high.
How to compare loan options
- How much will the loan cost?
Prospective applicants should check to see whether a loan's rate is fixed or variable, and look at the upfront and ongoing fees associated with the loan. If they are applying with a non-Authorised Deposit-taking Institution (ADI), such as a payday lender or an online loan provider, the lender will be restricted as to how much they can charge. For a loan up to $2,000, fees are capped at a 20% establishment fee and a 4% monthly fee. For loans between $2,001 and $5,000, charges are capped at a $400 establishment fee and a 48% p.a. interest charge which includes all other fees and rates.
- Does the loan include flexible repayment options?
Can customers make extra payments or repay the entire amount ahead of time without attracting any penalties? Do approved applicants get to choose between making weekly, fortnightly, and monthly repayments? Do they have to set up direct debits or do you have other options when it comes to repayment methods? These are all good questions to ask to see how flexible repayment options are with a loan.
- How long do you have to repay?
Repayment terms differ between lenders but customers will usually have between 60 days and one year to repay their loan. Applicants should choose repayment terms that meet their needs and budget. Be aware that longer repayment terms will end up costing more over the life of the loan, but shorter terms will mean higher repayments.
- What kind of account access is available?
Some lenders offer mobile, online and phone banking options with their loans, so that customers can keep track of their repayments and manage their accounts more easily.
Tips for being approved
There are no set parameters that can guarantee the approval of any given $3,000 loan application, but prospective applicants can take certain measures to increase the likelihood of their application being approved.
- Go through the eligibility criteria. Customers can check the eligibility criteria for $3,000 loans on finder.com.au review pages. Applicants should check that they meet the minimum income, employment and credit history requirements before applying.
- Examine your credit file. While potential loan applicants might think they know what's on their credit file, there's always room for mistakes. Errors can creep into a person's file and it's only when they examine it can they spot them. If and when you spot any errors, you can take measures to fix them. Getting a free copy of your credit file is easy, and you can get it online.
- Don't apply indiscriminately. Loan applications show on your credit file and too many applications are usually a red flag to lenders. When people apply for multiple loans in quick succession, a prospective lender can view this as irresponsible borrowing behaviour and it can also negatively impact their credit score. To keep the possibility of approval more likely, limiting the number of loan applications and the frequency at which you apply for loans is important.
- Making on-time repayments. Lenders try to establish if their customers can manage their repayments through the entire course of the loan, but they don't have any foolproof way of doing this. So, it is up to the customer as well to ensure that they can meet their repayments comfortably. Using a loan repayment calculator can tell you what to expect in the form of repayments. A calculator will require you to enter the loan amount, loan term, and interest rate. Customers can also choose between weekly, fortnightly, and monthly repayments.
Weigh up the pros and cons of $3,000 loans
- Repayment flexibility
A number of lenders allow their customers to make repayments according to how frequently they get paid, which can be once a month, twice a month, or even four times a month. Loans that offer penalty free extra or early repayments can also save potential borrowers money on interest over the life of the loan. - Account access
Most lenders give customers the ability to access their account online, and almost all offer access to phone banking as well. - Apply with bad credit
Suffering from poor credit doesn't mean someone can't get a loan. Most payday lenders will consider borrowers with bad credit history for a loan. Some lenders also do not perform credit checks, but as it is a requirement that all bad credit lenders lend responsibly, it shouldn't be of consequence whether or not a bad credit lender performs a check.
- Higher interest rates and fees than standard loans
Interest rates for bad credit loans are noticeably higher than most other loan types, so applying for such a loan should ideally be a last resort. If prospective applicants have time to wait and improve their credit score prior to applying, this will usually qualify them for a better loan deal. Payday loans or cash advance loans also tend to attract higher interest rates than more traditional secured and unsecured personal loans. - Higher repayments on the loan principal
If someone is offered a higher than average loan rate and their lender has offered them a shorter term, they can expect their repayments to be high as well. Applicants should make sure these repayments will be manageable on their budget. - Less than reputable lenders
If any offering seems too good to be true, it probably is. Applicants should ensure the lender they're applying with has a solid reputation by reading independent reviews and even customer experiences.
Frequently asked questions
If you still have questions about $3,000 loans, see if you can find the answer below. You can also use the form at the end of the page to submit a question to our team.
How do I begin the application process?
The first step is to compare your options, and after you find a loan you wish to learn more about or apply for, click on the "Go to Site" button. Once on the lender's website you can begin the application process.
What happens after I apply?
Some lenders inform you of their decision in minutes, while others can take up to two business days. Expect to hear from the lender about its decision irrespective of whether it grants the loan to you or not.
Can I be approved for a loan if I receive Centrelink payments?
There are lenders who will consider you for a loan if you receive Centrelink payments. Read our guide on Centrelink loans and see who may consider you for a loan.
Can I borrow more than $3,000 with bad credit?
While it might be inadvisable to apply for larger amounts of credit when your credit needs improving, some lenders do offer bad credit history loans.
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Ask an Expert
Need $3,000 for real estate transaction which will close on August 3, 2016. Will be repaid on August 4, 2016. Can you do it?
Hi Henry,
Thanks for your comment.
Please note that finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a lender.
If you want to apply for a particular loan product listed above, you can do so by clicking the “go to site” button. Before submitting an application, it would be good to check the eligibility criteria first.
Cheers,
Anndy
Can I get $5000 with bad credit?
Hi Raymond,
As long as you meet the minimum criteria set by the lender, you may be able to be approved for a loan even if you have bad credit. You can compare your bad credit $5,000 loan options through our website.
Hope this helps,
Elizabeth
I need a 1k loan now.family emergency.where can I go to get it.fico 580.
Hi Sandi,
You’ve come through to the Australian section of our website – you compare your options for US small loans and see if any will be right for you. Please make sure to read through the terms and conditions prior to any application.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
Please I need to apply for a loan $3000 and I need it today how can I get it plz
I need a loan of 3000 over 24 months
I don’t have bad credit I jus want a 3000 loan over 24 months so repayments are no pressure
Hi Nadine,
Thanks for reaching out. To discuss your eligibility or options for a loan, please compare your loan options via our page about personal loans. Review the requirements and then get in touch with a lender featured on this page.
Best Regards,
Joanne
Hi Nadine,
Thank you for your inquiry.
As per checking you are already on the correct page. If you have a bad credit and looking for a loan $3,000 over 24 months. Please review the offers listed above.
I hope this information has helped.
Cheers,
Harold
Hi Serafi,
To apply for any of the lenders on this page please click ‘Go to Site’. Many of them can transfer funds to you, if you are approved, on the same day.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
My credit score is 270 got full time job i earn over 1k weekly. I have3 small loans paying about 400 weekly to pay till late october. Im looking for 6k loan to pay off all these small loans n keep whatever is left on my account. Can any1 help me here so i can start fresh im too stressed at the moment.
Hi Rajesh,
Thanks for your question.
You might want to check your eligibility and see your loan options for up to $10,000 if you have bad credit. You can read through our review page and apply through the lender’s website. Please ensure to read through the relevant product disclosure statement and terms and conditions to ensure that you got everything covered before you apply.
I hope this will help.
Thanks,
Elizabeth