Get exclusive money-saving offers and guides
Straight to your inbox
By signing up, you agree to the Finder Privacy & Cookies Policy and Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy.
Loans For 18 Year Olds
A guide to getting a personal loan if you’ve just entered adulthood.
Loan Types
I Want
We’re committed to our readers and editorial independence. We don’t compare all products in the market and may receive compensation when we refer you to our partners, but this does not influence our opinions or reviews. Learn more about Finder .
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 you 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.
IMB New Car Loan
IMB New Car Loan
4.99 %
p.a.
fixed rate
5.34 %
p.a.
comparison rate
- No monthly fees
- No early repayment fees
- Borrow up to $75,000
100% confidential application
IMB New Car Loan
A low rate loan to finance new vehicles or cars up to two years old. Borrow up to $75,000.
- Interest rate: 4.99% p.a.
- Comparison rate: 5.34% p.a.
- Interest rate type: Fixed
- Application fee: $275.12
- Minimum loan amount: $2,000
- Maximum loan amount: $75,000
Harmoney Unsecured Personal Loan
Harmoney Unsecured Personal Loan
From
6.99 %
p.a.
fixed rate
From
7.79 %
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 6.99% p.a. and 25.69% p.a. based on your risk profile.
- Interest rate from: 6.99% p.a.
- Comparison rate: 7.79% 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
Sunshine Short Term Loans
This is a short-term loan offer with a fast and easy online application for good or bad credit borrowers. You can apply today to get approved for up to $2,000. Get your loan funded in 30 minutes - conditions apply.
- Loan Amount: $2,000
- Loan Term: 9-14 weeks
- Turnaround Time: 30 minutes - conditions apply
- Fees: 20% of loan amount + 4% of loan amount each month
- Bad credit borrowers OK
- Quick & easy Approval
- Bad credit applicants considered
- Fast approval service
- Borrow up to $2,000
Short term loans comparison
These loans are designed as emergency stopgaps when you're caught short before payday.
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 can you 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
More guides on Finder
-
Financial Fitness Challenge Week 3: How to get the most out of a credit card
How to cut debt and make your credit card work for you.
-
Financial Fitness Challenge Week 2: Check and improve your credit score
Understand your credit score with the Finder Financial Fitness Challenge.
-
Brighte Personal Loan
Looking to renovate your home? Find out more about Brighte's personal loan for home improvements and ways in which it may be able to benefit you.
-
Sydney Mutual Bank Special Fixed Home Loan
The Special Fixed Home Loan from Sydney Mutual Bank is a fixed rate mortgage for owner-occupiers and investors. Available with a 5% deposit.
-
Online divorce application
What you'll need to know before you submit your online divorce application.
-
Life insurance for 35-year-olds
Compare life insurance policies for 35-year-olds
-
ebroker Business Loans review
Whatever your business loan requirement, ebroker may be able to help. With a range of loan options from over 70 bank and non-bank lenders compared on-site, could you find the right loan for your business?
-
Credit cards vs buy now pay later
Both buy now pay later plans and credit cards give you ways to pay off purchases over time – here's how they compare.
-
Now Finance Secured Personal Loan review
Get rewarded for an excellent credit score with a Now Finance personalised rate secured personal loan. Rates vary between 5.95% p.a. and 15.45% p.a. Apply today.
-
How to buy Plenti shares
Everything you need to know before Plenti lists on the ASX.
Personal Loan Offers
Important Information*
Ask an Expert
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