Debt Consolidation
Ready to consolidate your debt and save on interest and fees? Here’s how you can get your finances back in control.
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How does debt consolidation work?
Debt consolidation involves opening another credit account to pay off your existing debt. This can be done with a personal loan, a credit card or a home equity loan. By opting to pay off your other debts and maintain a single credit account, you can reduce how much fees and interest you're paying. This can help you save money and get out of debt faster.
Here's what you need to keep in mind when considering debt consolidation:
- Make sure you will actually end up paying less.
- Don't make too many sacrifices – protect your assets.
- Avoid debt consolidation companies that make promises too good to be true.
When is debt consolidation helpful?
When and why should I consider consolidating debts? Here's where you might consider consolidating debt:
- You have multiple debts with different fees. These could include debts from credit cards, personal loans, car loans or student loans.
- You're struggling to make repayments for the different debts you owe.
- You're looking for a cheaper way to pay off your debts.
- You find that keeping track of all your debts is confusing and/or overwhelming.
How can I consolidate my debt?
The best way to consolidate your debt will depend on a number of factors. These include how much you owe, the type of debt, your financial situation and eligibility for each option. The table below will guide you through the options available. We've also included what these loans are suitable for.
| Debt consolidation personal loan | Balance transfer credit card | Mortgage refinancing | |
| Summary | Take out a new loan with a lower rate and pay off your other debts. | Transfer loan or credit card debt to a new card with a 0% interest rate. | Use the equity in your home as a line of credit to pay off your debt. |
| Cost | Pay around 12% p.a. Up to 7 years. Some fees may apply. | Pay 0% for about 2 years. Some fees may apply. | Pay about 5% for as long as you need. Fees may apply. |
| Suited for debt amounts. | $2,000 to $50,000 | $500 to $8,000 | $40,000 + |
Option 1: Debt consolidation personal loans
- For personal loan debt. This is one of the most common ways people choose to consolidate or refinance their existing personal loan debt. It involves taking out a new personal loan, one with lower interest and fees than your current loan. By paying off the higher interest debt, you can bring down your total repayments and save money.
- For credit card debt. This may be an option if you don't mind paying interest. You will have to apply for a lump sum to cover your credit card debt and use that money to pay off your card's balance. In exchange, you receive a regular payment structure and longer payment terms. This is a good option if you have more than a few thousand dollars worth of debt and you're unlikely to move the full amount to a new credit card.
- For personal loan and credit card debt. You can apply to consolidate both personal loan and credit card debt at the same time with a new personal loan. You will first have to work out how much in fees you're paying across all your accounts. You also need to factor in any exit or early repayment fees.
Option 2: Balance transfer credit cards
- For personal loan debt. A handful of credit card providers (Citi, Virgin Money, Qantas Money and Coles) allow you to balance transfer personal loan debt. This allows you to apply for a new credit card and transfer the loan debt onto the card. You will then pay a promotional 0% p.a. rate for a limited period of time. After that, the standard rate (usually above 20% p.a.) will apply. Most credit cards only allow you to transfer about 80% of your approved credit limit. This means that even if you're approved for a $10,000 credit limit, you may only be able to transfer $8,000. Anything more than $8,000 will still be left on your loan. You should make sure you can transfer enough to make this option worthwhile.
- For credit card debt. This is the most common way to consolidate credit card debt. You basically have to apply for a new card and move what you already owe onto it. You can save with a low or 0% rate, and take advantage of the low or no interest to pay off your debt.
- For personal loan and credit card debt. You can apply to consolidate both personal loan and credit card debt at the same time on cards from the providers listed above. First make sure the balance transfer limit is high enough for this to work.
Option 3: Refinancing through your mortgage
- For personal loans, credit cards, and both. If you have a mortgage, you have the option of taking out a home equity loan to consolidate and pay off your other debts. Interest, upfront fees and ongoing fees may be applicable. It will function as a line of credit, where you'll pay for what you borrow, not the entire credit limit given to you. This option can seem cheaper as home loans offer lower rates. But it is risky, difficult to manage and has no end-date. This can offset any savings earned with higher interest in the long run. Make sure you do the calculations to see if this option is economical. This option should only be used if you can be disciplined with your repayments and can build back your equity relatively quickly.
What should I consider before consolidating debt?
Is it smart to get a personal loan to consolidate debts? Before you narrow down your options, you should ask yourself these questions:
- What do I owe? Make a list of all your debts and write down how much you owe. You can do this by signing into your online accounts or checking your current credit products on your credit report. You can check your credit report for free here.
- How much am I paying in interest and fees? The rationale of debt consolidation is to reduce what you're paying in interest and fees. Check what you're currently paying to ensure the new debt consolidation account is actually less.
- Am I eligible? Debt consolidation has its benefits, but there's no guarantee you'll be eligible. There is also no certainty that you'll be approved for the full amount needed to cover your debts. Check the minimum eligibility criteria, your credit report and the minimum and maximum borrowing limit of the option you're considering. If in doubt, ask the provider directly.
- Will an exit fee or penalty apply to any of my current credit accounts? Some personal loans may charge you a penalty to repay your loan early. This could offset any savings you make with a debt consolidation loan. If a fee applies to your loan, you need to ensure you're still able to save with the new loan.
- What is my credit history? Your credit score tells the lender what kind of borrower you are and whether you're likely to make your repayments on time. They will consider your score to assess whether you're a risky borrower. Check your credit score and make sure the information in it is accurate. It will also give you an idea of your financial position and likelihood of receiving another loan.
Say you have $20,000 worth of personal loan debt you wish to consolidate.
You're currently paying 19.99% p.a. in interest, with a loan term of 5 years. Your monthly payments will be $540 plus $10 monthly fees. At the end of the 5 years, you would have paid over $12,300 in fees and interest alone.Let's say you've found a debt consolidation loan for the $20,000 debt you owe.
The new loan charges 11.99% in interest over 5 years, and doesn't charge a monthly fee. This means your monthly payments work out to $455. You would have paid $6,687 in interest.
By consolidating your debt and choosing a product with a lower rate and fees, you could save $5,699 in total. How much you can save will depend on your risk profile and eligibility, so be sure to compare your options and read the fine print.
What are the benefits and what should I be aware of?
The benefits
- Save money. By rolling all your debts into one account, you'll be paying one fee and one interest rate. This will likely reduce how much you're paying for fees and interest.
- Simplify your debts. You will have one monthly repayment to make, one lender to deal with, one set of fees to track and one rate of interest to remember.
- Pay off your debts. Instead of multiple credit accounts, you maintain a single account. You get to pay off your debts, avoid defaulting and, in the worst case, bankruptcy.
Be aware of
- Confusing jargon. Watch out for certain "debt consolidation solutions" that are actually a Part 9 Debt Agreement. This is basically a form of bankruptcy and will have long term repercussions on your credit score.
- High rates and fees for bad credit borrowers. If you have a bad credit score, you're likely to be charged higher rates and fees.
How can I consolidate my debt if I have bad credit?
While having bad credit can limit your options, debt consolidation is still possible. It may involve entering into a Part 9 Debt Agreement. But there are other options available. It may involve higher interest rates and fees.
- An unsecured personal loan with a specialist lender. Some lenders offer large, unsecured personal loans for people with bad credit. Interest rates are higher than with standard personal loans, but you may still be able to reduce what you're currently paying.
- A Part 9 Debt Agreement. Debt Agreements are a form of bankruptcy. It is an option for people with large debts that they are unable to repay. The financier will negotiate with lenders on behalf of you, and your debts won't accrue more interest. However, this agreement will be listed on your credit file for 5 years from the date you enter into it. This can have long-term consequences for your credit score and ability to get credit in the future.
Can I use a payday loan to consolidate debt?
It is possible take a payday loan to consolidate debt. But seeing that these loans are expensive, they may not help you save any money. You can use a payday loan for whatever purpose you see fit, but it defeats the purpose if it costs more than your current debts. Additionally, you may get into further debt and it could make your debt problem worse.
Payday loans are generally last resort loans. They are not a long-term financial solution and can often exacerbate your financial problems. What you can do is work towards improving your credit score. Pay all your bills on time, build your savings and try to pay off all your small debts. The good news is that your credit score gets updated monthly. Anything you can do to improve your score now will help you in the long term. Once your score has improved, you can check if you're eligible to apply for other debt consolidation options.
What happens if my application is rejected?
If your application is rejected, you should wait before applying for another loan. Applying for multiple loans in a short period of time can affect your credit score. Wait for 3 to 6 months before trying again. This may lower your risk of rejection.
However, before you apply you should look into why your application was rejected. If your credit score played a role, you can work on improving your score. Paying your bills on time and building your savings can help. Your credit report gets updated every month, so good financial habits can help improve your score. Keep an eye on your credit report (you can access it for free) and once you're in the clear, you can consider applying again.
You should also consider paying off your small debts so that you won't have to apply for a large loan. It may be easier to get approved for smaller amounts.
Debt collectors: What you need to know
Having bad debts doesn't mean you don't have rights. There are laws that control what debt collectors can and cannot do.
- Debt collectors cannot excessively harass, threaten or bully you. They are only supposed to contact you during certain hours of the day (7:30am–9:00pm on weekdays and 9:00am–9:00pm on weekends). Keep a log of the dates and times you were contacted, along with other specifics. This will come in handy if you have to file a complaint with a consumer protection agency like the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
- Check your bill records if you receive a call. Ask for a detailed statement of what they say you owe. If the debt is a loan, ask for a copy of the paperwork. A collector must always identify themselves and state why they are contacting you. They should be prepared to provide you with account information and should offer a repayment or settlement plan.
- Figure out what you must spend to get by. This includes food, rent, car, utilities, etc. It is good practice to set up an appointment with a non-profit debt counsellor before making any promises or commitments to a collector.
- Always make sure you're dealing with a licensed credit provider or broker. Some operate illegally without licences. You can check ASIC's Professional Registers to see if they're registered.
Frequently asked questions
1Debt fret - YouGov study commissioned by ING.
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Personal Loan Offers
Important Information*
Ask an Expert
Want to consolidate debt of around $50000
Can someone help us
Hi Cheryl,
Thank you for reaching out to finder.
It looks like we are on the correct page to check on a panel of lenders who could assist you on your query.You may choose, depending on the debt that you have on the three tabs located on the page for Debt consolidation loans, Balance transfer credit cards for personal loans or Home Equity refinance. Kindly review and compare your options on the table displaying the available providers. Once you have chosen a particular provider, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the provider’s website where you can proceed with the application or get in touch with their representatives for further inquiries you may have.
Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you.Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
Need help have bad credit and currently owe $50,000 in personal loans and credit cards. Need to consolidate loans into one payment not sure how this is done
Hi Darren,
Thanks for reaching out to Finder.
Even if you have bad credit, it’s not completely impossible to find lenders who can help you consolidate your debts.
You may compare lenders offering bad credit debt consolidation loans. You can click on the “Go to site” button of your preferred lender to be redirected to their website where you can learn more about their loan offer and start your loan application.
Before applying for any loan, please review the eligibility criteria and read through the terms and conditions to see if it best suits your needs.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Charisse
I am looking someone to help me get the low rate personal loan to pay off my credit cards and the money I borrowed from friends. So that I can have one fix repayment coming out every fortnight.
Hello Neil,
Thanks for reaching out to Finder.
This page provides a list of lenders that can help you consolidate your existing debt. You can use our comparison table above to help you find the right lender. While we don’t provide a specific product recommendation, you can use the table to narrow down your options. Simply, enter the amount you need to pay off your existing card and your friend followed by your repayment term then press “Calculate”.
You can click the name of the lender or the “More info” link to be redirected to our review page and learn more about the lender’s loan offer, rates, and requirements as well as the pros and cons of using their loan service. When you are ready, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the lender’s website where you can proceed with the application or get in touch with their representatives for further inquiries you may have.
Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you. You can also contact the provider if you have specific questions.
Cheers,
Gru
Hi Gru,
Thank you for reply. I understand these options. But I was looking for someone who helps me apply for loan. I don’t know which financial institution to choose to get guaranteed loan. Also I have few personal questions that are related to my current financial situation.
Is there anyone I can talk too?
Hello Neil,
Thanks for reaching out to Finder.
Finding a personal loan can indeed take a lot of time, effort, and stress.
If you prefer to speak to someone who can take your personal circumstance into account and offer you a range of borrowing options, you may consider using a personal loan broker. Personal loan brokers are handy for those with complicated situations or poor credit scores, who are typically rejected by traditional lenders.
Please also feel free to view these pages to guide you and check if something would be suitable for you:
To increase your chances of approval, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you. You can also contact the provider if you have specific questions.
Cheers,
Gru
I am trying to find out how I go about consolidating my credit card and personal loans into one payment but not sure how to go about it
Hi Kerrie,
Thank you for your inquiry.
It’s important to consider your options carefully. How much debt do you have and does it include loans and credit card accounts? Make sure you will be able to bring across all your accounts to consolidate. Please check our debt consolidation page for your available option.
I hope this information has helped.
Cheers,
Harold
recently discharged bankrupt 2 months ago.have 3 cash advances money3 total 520 p/week need a car and consolidate debt, 7000 owing on loans need about 8000 for car earning 1300 p/w permanent employment.
Hi Glenn,
Thanks for your question.
Please check the list of bankrupt loans featured on our website so you can explore what options might be available for you. Please review the criteria, details of the loan product and contact the lender directly to discuss your loan options and eligibility.
Cheers,
May
Hi Glenn, what is in page link?
Hello Rickky,
Thanks for your comment! :)
It is the list of lenders who can offer loans for bankrupts.
Hope this clarifies.
Cheers,
Jonathan