A guide to getting a personal loan if you’ve just entered adulthood.
If you've just turned 18 you may be excited at the prospect of many things becoming available to you – alcohol, voting and yes, loans. However, finding credit may be more difficult than simply applying and being approved. When you first turn 18 you will have little to no credit history and you may have little savings. So what are your options if you're an 18-year-old who needs a loan? Read our guide to find out.
I'm an 18-year-old who needs a loan. What are my options?
If you've just turned 18 you have various loan options that you can consider.
- A loan from your current bank. One of the problems 18-year-olds encounter when trying to be approved for loans is that they have limited or no credit history. One way to get around this is to apply with your current bank. You're likely to have a long history with your bank with transaction accounts, travel cards and any other products you've held, so they may be more willing to give you a loan.
- Unsecured loans for lower amounts. If your bank doesn't have a loan you want to apply for, you can consider personal loans for lower amounts. The standard minimum amount for loans is usually around $5,000, but you can find some lenders offering $3,000 or even as low as $1,000. Compare your options and only apply for as much as your need.
- Secured car loans. If you want to buy a car, secured loans are less risky for lenders because they will be able to recoup their losses if you default. New and used car loans are available and you can get a lower rate than with an unsecured loan.
- Getting a guarantor. If you find you are ineligible for a bank loan, you may consider asking your parents, another relative or even an older close friend to go guarantor for you. This person will be taking on a large responsibility because they are agreeing to take on the loan payments if you can no longer make them. You can compare loans that accept guarantors on this page and joint application personal loans on this page.
Compare your loan options
Click through the tabs below to compare loan options from a range of lenders.
Latitude Motor Vehicle Loan
Latitude Motor Vehicle Loan
From
fixed rate
From
comparison rate
- Competitive low rate
- Up to 7 years to repay
- New or used vehicles accepted
100% confidential application
Latitude Motor Vehicle Loan
A competitive fixed rate loan available for new and used vehicles.
- Interest rate from: 6.99% p.a.
- Comparison rate: 8.10% p.a.
- Interest rate type: Fixed
- Application fee: $295
- Minimum loan amount: $5,000
These loans can help you buy a new or used car.
Harmoney Unsecured Personal Loan
Harmoney Unsecured Personal Loan
From
fixed rate
From
comparison rate
- Borrow up to $70,000
- 3 and 5 years terms
- No hidden fees
100% confidential application
Harmoney Unsecured Personal Loan
An unsecured personal loan up to $70,000. You'll receive a tailored interest rate between 6.99% p.a. and 28.21% p.a. based on your risk profile.
- Interest rate from: 6.99% p.a.
- Comparison rate: 7.69% p.a.
- Interest rate type: Fixed
- Application fee: $500 (Upfront fee)
- Minimum loan amount: $5,000
- Maximum loan amount: $70,000
Use the funds from these loans however you need to.
Sunshine Short Term Offer
Sunshine Short Term Offer
- Bad credit applicants considered
- Fast approval service
- Borrow up to $2,000
100% confidential application
Sunshine Short Term Offer
A short term loan with a fast and easy application available to those with good or bad credit. You can apply today and get approved for up to $2,000.
- Loan amount: $2,000
- Loan term: 9-15 weeks
- Turnaround time: 30 minutes (conditions apply)
- Fees: 20% of borrowed amount + 4% of borrowed amount each month
- Income requirement: 50%+ of income cannot be from Centrelink
- Bad credit borrowers OK
- Quick and easy Approval
- No Credit Checks
Tips to be approved for a loan at 18
- Show that you have savings. If you can show the lender that you're good at saving it may be more willing to approve you. A steady savings history will work best with your current bank as they can view your account information when you apply.
- Offer a deposit. Having a deposit when you apply for a car loan shows you're in a good financial position. The larger the deposit the less you need to borrow, and the more likely an approval may be.
- Get a letter from your employer. If you're only employed casually or have not been employed for long, a letter from your employer stating the security of your employment may help your application.
- Apply for a lower amount. Applying for too much when you have little credit history or don't earn a high income can be a red flag to lenders and result in an automatic rejection, instead of an offer for a lower amount.
- Apply for a secured loan. Secured loans, such as car loans, are less risky for banks because they will be able to recoup their losses.
How you can compare your loan options
- The interest rate the loan comes with.
Check whether the interest rate is fixed or variable and how competitive it is compared to other similar products. - How much you're able to borrow.
Lenders offer varying minimum and maximum loan amounts, but what you're offered ultimately depends on what you can afford to repay. This is determined by the criteria set by the lender. - The features on offer.
Have a look at the different features on offer, which you can find out more about by reading the reviews on finder.com.au. It’s important to familiarise yourself with the value-adding features of a loan. These can include the ability to make extra repayments, an offset facility or extended warranty on a car loan. - The fees you will be charged.
There are different types of fees you can be charged, ranging from establishment fees to monthly fees and early repayment fees. Find out what charges are associated with your loan before signing on the dotted line.
Weighing up the benefits and drawbacks of applying for your first loan
- Get access to funds. This is an obvious ‘pro’. Get access to the funds you want to make the purchase or investment you need.
- Build up your credit history. Acquiring a loan allows you to establish and build your credit history. This ultimately affects your eligibility for other types of loans and access to better interest rates as well.
- Limited loan amounts. If you have no or limited credit history you may only be eligible for a small loan, which may not be enough for what you need.
- Risk of getting into debt. Taking on any loan comes with risk, so make sure to budget your repayments and don't apply for a higher loan amount than you can afford.
Questions 18-year-olds may have about loans
What do I need to apply for a loan?
Lenders will have different application processes. Generally, you will need to provide a form of documentation, such as a driver's licence or proof of age card, some personal and contact details, information about where you work and your income and other financial details.
How can I get the lowest rates?
Compare the rates offered by different lenders and find the loan you are eligible for with the lowest rates. Remember to check the comparison rate as this includes fees and is more representative of the true cost of the loan.
I applied for a loan but was rejected. How quickly can I apply for another one?
Every application you make for any form of credit will appear on your credit file and affect your credit score. Applying for too many loans at once will not only negatively affect your credit score but be a red flag to lenders, who may reject you for further loans. You may want to wait to make another loan application, especially if you have limited to no credit history.
Hi,
I’m looking at applying for finance to buy a car, I’ve only been in my current job for 2 months as a casual but my employer is happy to write a letter of job security is there anything that he can write that will increase my chances of getting a loan??
Thank-you
Hi Ocyahn,
Thanks for reaching out to us. Please note that we are not affiliated with any company we feature on our site and so we can only offer you general advice.
You’re actually already on the correct page on where you can compare your options if you are 18 years old. You can also check this page for helpful info and will give you an idea on how much you can borrow by using our loan repayment calculator.
Please click the name of your preferred lender to find out the details and the minimum eligibility. You may then click the green “Go to Site” button to submit your loan application online.
Best regards,
Rench
When can I maybe get the money if not the hole 5,000 then maybe 2,000
Hi Brianna,
If you’d like to apply for a loan you can find out about some of your options above. Your eligibility depends on your financial situation so check the eligibility criteria before you apply.
Hope this helps,
Elizabeth
How can i get a loan of $2000 at the age of 18.
Hi Prateek,
You can have a read of the guide on the page above to find out how may be able to be approved. You can also compare some of your loan options – make sure you read the eligibility criteria on the review pages to check you are eligible.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
I am 18 can I get a loan
Hi Chanice,
Thanks for your questions.
Yes, the lenders on this page may consider you for a loan if you are 18 years old. However, please note that other eligibility criteria apply.
Please do click the name of the loan product you are interested in to know the requirements and criteria to apply.
Cheers,
Anndy