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Payday loans for cash pay

If you get paid in cash, you’ll need to prove your income by supplying 2 or 3 recent payslips.

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Elizabeth Barry

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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.

⚠️ Warning about Borrowing

payday-warningDo 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.

1 - 6 of 6
Updated regularly
Name Product Maximum loan amount Term of Loan Turnaround time Arrears Fee Costs Fortnightly Repayment (for $1500 Loan)
Sunshine Short Term Loans
Sunshine Short Term Loans
$2,500
9-20 weeks
30 minutes - conditions apply
$35
20% of loan amount + 4% of loan amount each month
$396
A small loan up to $2,500 that you repay over 9-20 weeks. Loans approved and funded in as little as 30 minutes. Centrelink must not be your primary income
Go to site
More Info
Fair Go Finance Small Loan
Fair Go Finance Small Loan
$2,000
3 to 12 months
24 to 48 hours
$35
Establishment Fee of $60 – $400
$354
A small loan between $500 and $2,000 that can be funded in 24 hours.
Go to site
More Info
Nimble Small Loan
Nimble Small Loan
$2,000
62 days to 9 months
1 hour - conditions apply
$15
20% of loan amount + 4% of loan amount each month
$396
A loan up to $2,000 with terms up to 62 days to 9 months. Centrelink cannot be your primary source of income.
Go to site
More Info
Credit24 Short Term Loan
Credit24 Short Term Loan
$2,000
4 to 12 months
Same day - conditions apply
$10
20% of loan amount establishment fee + 4% of loan amount monthly.
$396
Credit24 offers this loan up to $2,000 and gives you 12 months to repay. Centrelink borrowers are considered as long as Centrelink payments are not more than 50% of income.
Go to site
More Info
Credit24 Medium Term Loan (Good Credit)
Credit24 Medium Term Loan (Good Credit)
$5,000
12 to 24 months
Same day
$10
$400 establishment fee + 48% p.a. interest
A small loan with long terms: Apply for up to $5,000 and have up to 2 years to repay.
Go to site
More Info
Fair Go Finance Medium Personal Loan
Fair Go Finance Medium Personal Loan
$5,000
7 to 19 months
Within 24 hours
$35
Establishment fee of $437 to $771
A larger loan up to $5,000 you can apply for even with bad credit. Fast turnaround within 1 business day. Note: You must earn more than $500 per week.
Go to site
More Info
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If you're planning on applying for a payday loan, you will need to show your bank statements for the last 90 days. If you get paid in cash, you'll also need to provide 2 to 3 recent payslips to prove your income to lenders. You may be able to take out a short term or payday loan between $2,000 and $5,000. However, payday loans are expensive and come with short terms and high fees. Given how expensive these loans are, you should only apply in case of a financial emergency. They are not a long-term financial solution.

What do I need to apply for a payday loan?

To apply for a payday loan, you'll need the following in hand:

  • Identification documents. This can include your driver's licence and other photo identification.
  • 90 days of banking history. If you receive pay in 2 accounts, you'll need to provide statements for both accounts. You must earn regular income, usually at least $350 a week. If you receive income from Centrelink, it cannot be more than 50% of your total income. If you have bad credit, you need to prove your financial situation is stable and that you're able to repay the loan. Lenders may also ask for Centrelink statements, copies of bills, other account statements or rental statements.
  • If you're paid in cash, you'll also need to provide 2 or 3 recent payslips. If you don't have payslips, you could approach your employer for some kind of proof of income. You could also start depositing your pay regularly into your bank account. This will add to your banking history and help you build a good relationship with your bank.
  • Your Internet banking login details. This is so that the lender can access a read-only copy of your bank statements. It's standard practice for short term lenders; it enables them to process your application quickly. The process is encrypted and you can read more about it here. If you're uncomfortable handing over your login details, you could provide copies of your bank statements instead.

What are the risks of payday loans?

  • High fees and charges. Payday loans are more expensive than other forms of personal loans. While short term loans of $2,000 or less don't include interest, they charge a hefty fee instead. Loans up to $5,000 can charge up to 48% in interest. These fees are regulated by ASIC and it's illegal for lenders to charge more. You should ensure you can repay the loan with ease before applying.
  • Short terms. As the name implies, these loans come with short terms of up to 12 months. If you don't repay the loan within this period, you could incur default fees, which can be up to 200% of what you borrowed.
  • Disreputable lenders. Check the lender's website and make sure it's a reputable company. You should ensure it is registered with ASIC. It should also be easy to contact.
  • Long-term repercussions and legal issues. Once you sign a loan agreement, you are bound to its conditions. You will have to pay the loan and all the fees and payments. Typically, these are unsecured loans. This means that the lender can initiate legal proceedings against you if you do not repay the loan. It can also report the debt to a credit reporting body like Equifax and use the services of a debt collector.
  • Multiple applications. Every loan application shows up on credit reports. Some short term lenders may not consider your credit history. But several applications within a short period can have a negative impact on your credit score. This can make it harder for you to get a loan in the future.

What can I use a payday loan for?

Payday loans are an expensive form of finance. As such, they're not a long-term financial solution and can exacerbate your financial problems, if any. Ideally, you should only take a payday loan for:

  • Unexpected or forgotten bills or payments. If you have an urgent utility bill to pay, you should contact your service provider first. It may be able to work out a plan to pay bills or fines in instalments. If you have no other alternative to cover a forgotten bill, a short term loan may be an option.
  • Financial emergencies. This can include emergency medical expenses or emergency car repairs.
  • Unavoidable home repairs or purchases
  • Unexpected expenses before payday. If you have no other alternative and you're short on funds due to an unexpected expense, this might be an option. However, it's important to remember that this is not a long-term strategy.
  • Income bridge. If you're waiting on guaranteed funds to come through on a large payment, a short term loan may be an option.

Given how costly these loans are, you should avoid taking them to pay for:

  • Everyday necessities. If this is the case, you should consider a longer-term solution for your credit needs.
  • Repayments for existing debts. Taking a loan to pay for another loan may make your debt problem worse. You may end up paying more in fees and charges and get into further debt. Short term loans are not a long-term financial solution.
  • Holidays
  • Big-ticket items like cars
  • Other non-essential expenses and purchases that can wait

What if my pay isn't deposited into a bank account?

Some lenders will only approve a loan if the applicant's pay is automatically deposited into a bank account. These lenders usually process loans based on bank account data. They may not accept other information, such as payslips, when considering the application.

If you're paid cash-in-hand, you'll need to be able to prove your income. You can do this by supplying 2 or 3 recent payslips. The lender may also verify your income by calling your payroll officer. They won't disclose you're applying for a payday loan, but will confirm your employment and the income listed on your application.

What are my alternatives to a payday loan?

If you're looking for an alternative to payday loans, we've listed a few options below. If you need financial help, there are several options available.

  • Loans from neobanks and P2P lenders. These lenders operate online and, unlike traditional lenders, have a flexible lending criteria. They may be more open to borrowers from different financial backgrounds.
  • Pay on demand apps. If you're out of pocket, you could look into pay on demand. This is a type of short term loan where you can borrow a portion of your pay cheque before your payday. You are technically borrowing your own money in exchange for a small fee. These fees can be between $2 and $10 or up to 5% of the total borrowed money. The idea of these loans is to tide you over until payday.
  • StepUP personal loan. If your income is small, you could be eligible for a StepUP personal loan. This program is managed by Good Shepherd Microfinance in partnership with NAB. With this loan, you could borrow between $800 and $3,000, with a loan term of up to 3 years. The interest rate is fixed at 5.99% p.a.
  • No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS). This loan is for low-income earners. It is offered by 170 local community organisations across 600 locations in Australia. You can borrow up to $1,500 to pay for bills and essentials, with terms ranging from 12 to 18 months. As the name implies, no interest is charged. You will only pay for what you borrow.
  • Centrelink Advance Payment. This allows you to receive an advance payment on your Centrelink benefits. This is not an additional payment, but a part of your existing allowance paid in advance. You may be eligible depending on how long you have been with Centrelink and how much you receive. There are also other loans you can apply for if you're on Centrelink.

How can I apply for a payday loan?

👁 Compare lenders. Look at the fees, terms and eligibility criteria and find a loan that suits you.

🔍 Once you've settled on a lender from the table above, click "Go to site" to visit the lender's website.

✍ You can submit an online application. Keep all the documents required handy. This will speed up the process.

Frequently asked questions

Picture: Shutterstock

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    Receiving Centrelink payments doesn’t cut off access to credit. People receiving DSP, Newstart, parenting payments or other government payments may be eligible for a range of loan options.
  • Loans for pensioners

    Many pensioners think it's not possible for them to take out loans to access much-needed funds. However, there are finance options available to those receiving the pension. Read our guide to find out what financing is available.

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6 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    AnaNovember 13, 2018

    Hi
    I’m from India Goa I’m looking for a personal loan I get payed cash in my had my salary and I have salary slips how to get a loan

    Reply
      Default Gravatar
      JoelNovember 13, 2018

      Hi Ana,

      Thanks for leaving a question on finder.

      The lenders featured on finder only caters to residents in Australia, US, UK, Canada and New Zealand. You will have to check with your local lenders for now. Thanks for the feedback and we might consider lenders from other countries in the future.

      Please send me a message if you need anything else. :)

      Cheers,
      Joel

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    jabulisiweSeptember 19, 2018

    woud i get the loan today can you repliy via sms on my phone

    Reply
      AvatarFinder
      JohnSeptember 19, 2018Finder

      Hi Jabulisiwe,

      Thank you for leaving a question.

      If you are looking to take out a payday loan, you can use our comparison table for a list of short-term loans. 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

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    UrsulaSeptember 12, 2017

    Good day! I want to make a small loan and I’m getting paid monthly in cash and don’t have a bank account or statement. It is because I never made a loan before in my life but I am a loyal person and will pay my loan instantly full amount back. What can I do?

    Reply
      Default Gravatar
      JonathanSeptember 12, 2017

      Hello Ursula,

      Thank you for your inquiry.

      I’m afraid you cannot get a loan without a bank account. The simple reason is that a bank account is required in order to deposit funds into your account. You may consider opening a bank account first before you apply for a small personal loan.

      The links above provide a list of bank accounts and lenders you may compare. You can use our comparison table to help narrow down your options. Once you have chosen a particular account and lender, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to their website where you can proceed with your application or get in touch with their representatives for further assistance.

      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.

      Hope this helps.

      Cheers,
      Jonathan

      Reply
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