How to check your credit score and understand your financial history.
If you've ever applied for a loan or credit card or signed up for a mobile phone plan or utility contract, you should have a credit score and report. When you apply for credit, this is what lenders use to judge your ability to manage loans and repay them on time. By checking your credit report and credit score, you can keep an eye on your own credit position and see how likely it is that you may be approved for your next loan or credit card.
Finder lets you check your credit report and credit score for free and then track it in your account. To do this, click on the button below. This guide will then take you through what you need to know about your credit file, including tips to improve it.
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How can I get my credit report?
If you want to request a copy of your credit report and score, you have a few options:
- For free with finder. You can request your free credit report and score through Finder. The credit score is provided by Experian and contains a detailed report of your financial history. You can check back at any time and you'll also receive notifications whenever anything changes on your report, so you can stay on top of your finances.
- For free with a credit bureau. You can order your credit file once a year for free from one of the credit bureaus (including Equifax, Experian and Dun & Bradstreet or Tasmanian Collection Service if you live in Tasmania). The free report is delivered to you within 10 days. You can also order it if you've been rejected for credit in the previous 90 days.
- By paying a fee. Credit reporting bodies such as Equifax, Experian Tasmanian Collection Service and Dun and Bradstreet also offer credit monitoring services and other packages that can have your credit file and credit score delivered to you more regularly. For Equifax, the packages start at $79.95.
What is my credit score?
Your credit score is generated by the credit bureau that holds your credit file and it gives lenders an additional way to understand your credit behaviour. Your Experian Score, from credit reporting bureau Experian, is a number between 0 and 1,000. The higher your number is, the better your credit position is. Learn more about your credit score here.
What's on my credit report?
Your credit report contains information about your credit history, including any loan applications you've made, personal information and your repayment details. Here's a quick breakdown of the information you'll find on there:
- Personal information such as your name, address, where you work, your gender and your driver's licence details.
- Details of your consumer credit accounts. This could include a credit card, personal loan, home loan or phone plan. It also includes any applications made in the last five years, the type of accounts they were, the date those accounts were opened and closed, their credit limits, monthly repayment histories and any details of overdue accounts.
- Information regarding commercial credit, which includes credit enquiries and overdue credit accounts.
- If you're listed on a loan as a joint applicant, this will be on your credit file.
- Information on public records such as the National Personal Insolvency Index (NPII) such as bankruptcy notes, court writs and judgements, personal insolvency agreements and directorship or proprietorship information.
- If you have overdue debts or have missed payments on loans or utility bills or have any serious credit infringements it will be listed on your file.
How long does information stay on your credit file?
Will my credit file be the same with each bureau?
Credit reporting bureaus access different sources of information, so not all credit reports will be the same. If there is information missing in your report or information that is incorrect, you can contact either the bureau or the credit provider which is responsible to get your report up to date.
Why is it important to check my credit report?
- Limits risk of identity theft. People with your personal or financial information can apply for loans or credit cards in your name and damage your credit. If you check your credit file regularly, you can check for any irregularities and report these to your credit bureau, the financial service provider or the police as soon as possible.
- Fix incorrect negative listings. Sometimes, financial providers mistakenly put incorrect listings on credit reports. This may be an entire listing that is not yours, such as a default, or a listing that appears twice. By checking your file regularly you have the chance to fix it. You can see our guide to removing black marks for tips if you find any incorrect listings on your report.
- Improve your score. Checking your credit report and score gives you a greater understanding of your finances and what you can to do improve them. For example, you may realise you can consolidate multiple debts into one card with a 0% balance transfer offer or reduce your credit limit on one of your accounts to improve your score. You can either fix your credit report yourself or contact a credit repair company if you'd like professional help removing any incorrect negative listings.
Have more questions about checking your credit?
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Can i have a list of my credit history please?
Hi Maki,
Thank you for your inquiry.
If you wish to get a free credit report you may want to visit this page.
I hope this information has helped.
Cheers,
Harold
My credit history is bad , can I have a car worth of $30,000 under my name ?
Hi Mustafa,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Yes, you can still apply for a car loan under your name even if you have bad credit. You may want to speak to a lender featured on this page to discuss your options and eligibility for a car loan.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
May
Why was my car loan rejected n y i cant get a personal loan from my bank
Hi Debbie,
I’m unaware of your financial situation or which providers you applied with, but when you’re not approved for a loan it comes down to you not meeting the minimum eligibility criteria or the lender determining that you will not be able to afford the loan you applied for.
Hope this helps,
Elizabeth
I recently applied for a small NAB home loan of $25K. I have no outgoings (or mortgage) or outstanding credit cards or loans, and an income 14/15 of $70k which was part from my own company as a contractor and part as PAYG from another company.
The loan was rejected.
Can I find out why and will this be recorded on my credit file? If so, how can it get it removed.
Hi Mary,
Thanks for your enquiry.
finder.com.au is an online comparison service so the reason for your application rejection, and whether or not this will be recorded on your credit file, should be discussed with NAB directly.
I suggest that you review the eligibility requirements for the particular home loan in which you applied for. You might be able to find this information on our NAB home loans comparison page.
Apologies that I can’t be of more assistance.
Thanks,
Belinda
What is my credit rating?
Hi Tina,
You can click through to MyCreditFile’s website to find out your credit score.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
Dear Tina,
Thank you for your comment.
Just to confirm, you have come through to finder.com.au. As a financial comparison service, we don’t have access to your credit file information.
Please read our guide to discover how to get a copy of your credit file online.
I hope this has helped.
Thanks,
Sally
Find out what is my credit score.
Hi Jade,
Thanks for your question.
To find out what your credit score is you’ll need to order a free copy of your credit report. You can do so by following the link to Veda’s website on this page.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
Why my personal lone application was reject by HDFC bank ?
Hi Shailesh,
Thanks for your question.
If you decide to apply for a product or service you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product or service and not with us. It’s advisable for you to speak to HDFC bank directly regarding your enquiry.
Cheers,
Shirley