Find and compare personal loans from $2,000 to $100,000 from a range of lenders
What type of loan are you looking for?
Personal Loan Finder™ is a 100% free and Australian-owned service that lets you find the right financing for you. Sort through your personal loan options from banks and different lenders. You can also read the guide for more information on personal loans.
Why is there an interest rate and a comparison rate?
Due to Australian laws and regulations companies must display an interest rate and a rate that is inclusive of fees and charges. This is called a comparison rate and is a crucial tool when comparing loans. For example, if a personal loan has the interest rate of 12.45% p.a but a comparison rate of 14.52% p.a. it would indicate there is a range of fees included in the loan. If the loan has an interest rate of 10.13% p.a and the exact same comparison rate, then this indicates that there are no fees included in the loan. For a detailed view, read our guide to personal loan comparison rates.What do you want to learn about?
Popular personal loan products
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HSBC Personal Loan:
9.06% p.a. Comparison rate. Risk based personal loan with the option to make extra repayments.
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Sydney CU Unsecured Personal Loan:
8.13% p.a. Comparison rate. Personal loan with a waived application fee and fee-free early repayments.
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Harmoney Unsecured Personal Loan:
7.69% p.a. Comparison rate. A competitive rate based on your credit score.
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SocietyOne Unsecured Personal Loan:
9.51% p.a. Comparison rate. Offer lower rates for good credit borrowers.
Finding the right personal loan
This section is about:
- How a personal loan works
- How to choose a personal loan
- What types of personal loans are available
What is a personal loan?
A personal loan is a secured or unsecured lump sum payment or line of credit between $2,000 and $100,000 over up to seven years. You can use the money for a range of purposes, such as buying a car, consolidating debt, paying for a wedding or even undertaking renovations. Personal loans are an agreement between you and a lender for you to have a certain amount of money and pay it back over time.
How do personal loans work?
Personal loans are a lump sum payment or a line of credit that you pay back over time. While these loans differ slightly between lenders, generally you can expect the following:
- Application and approval. You can apply for a personal loan from a bank, credit union or standalone lender online, over the phone or in-branch, depending on what application types the lender offers. The time it takes to be approved depends on the lender, but it can range from anywhere between 60 seconds to a week or two.
- Loan contract. When you are approved for a loan you will need to agree to a loan contract that sets out certain terms. These terms include long you'll have to repay the loan, what fees you'll need to cover, and the rate of interest you'll be charged on your loan amount.
- Loan terms. Your loan terms will be set out in your loan contract. Generally, loan terms range between one and seven years.
- Loan costs. Lenders agree to lend you money in exchange for interest, which is charged annually. This interest can be fixed or variable. Other loan costs include establishment fees, monthly fees and annual fees. You should also check if you will be charged fees for repaying your loan early or making additional repayments.
- Loan types. There is a wide variety of personal loans available in the market, with each one coming with a set of terms and restrictions. For instance, when you apply for a car loan the lender often requires that the entire loan amount be used for your car purchase. The car is also often required to be used as security in case you default on the loan. An unsecured personal loan, on the other hand, is less restrictive and you can use the loan amount in almost any way you choose.
How do I go about choosing a personal loan?
The types of personal loans that are available to you
There is a wide range of personal loans available in Australia. You can be eligible for any one of these loans depending on your income, employment situation, what you're taking out the loan for, how much you can afford to repay and how good your credit is. Find out what loan may work for you with the below options.
- Secured personal loans. This type of loan works by you offering an asset as security in exchange for lower rates and fees. Usually, this loan is used to purchase a car,, but other types of assets can be used as well.
- Car loans. Looking to purchase a new or used car? You can opt for a car loan through a bank, lender or even using dealer finance in order to help you make your purchase.
- Unsecured personal loans. If you don't want to put up an asset as security, or want to finance something unsuited to a secured personal loan, you might want to consider a loan that doesn't require a guarantee.
- Line of credit. You'll get access to a set credit limit, but only pay interest on the funds you've used. You can consolidate debts or even fund a range of purchases with this type of loan.
- Debt consolidation loan. Existing debt can be managed by taking out a debt consolidation loan. Consolidate separate loan accounts into one easy-to-manage loan with a potentially lower rate and with fewer fees.
- Overdrafts. An overdraft is a lot like an unsecured loan but it is generally attached to your everyday bank account. You are given a set amount that you can withdraw from your account, once your own funds have been exhausted.
- Bad credit loans. If you have bad credit but are in need of a loan, there are still options available to you. Either apply with a lender who doesn't perform a credit check, or who accepts applicants with negative listings on their file.
How to compare personal loans
This section is about:
- What makes a personal loan competitive
- The interest rate and fees to expect
- Working out your borrowing power
Features of personal loans: What makes a loan competitive?
When comparing your personal loan options, it's helpful to keep in mind the range of features that are available with these loans. When comparing, here are some of the questions you'll need to ask.
- Does the loan have a competitive interest rate? Rates on personal loans will be either fixed or variable. Compare rates across similar loan products to ensure you're getting the best deal. If the loan is risk-based, meaning you receive a rate based on your credit history and your general risk profile, you're generally able to receive a rate estimate before you apply without it affecting your credit score. This way you can use the risk estimate to compare your options.
- What are the fees and charges? You'll need to consider both ongoing fees and fees charged at the onset of the loan. Common fees include an application fee or loan set-up fee, while monthly fees and annual fees are common ongoing fees. You may also be charged to use additional features of the loan.
- Is there repayment flexibility? How often are you able to make repayments? Are you able to make additional repayments or pay off the loan early without penalty?
- Do the loan terms match your needs? Personal loans are usually offered for terms of between one and seven years, with other loans on offer for shorter time periods. Some lenders are more restrictive than others when it comes to how long you have to repay your loan – for instance, only offering terms of one, three or five years. Make sure the loan terms on offer are what you need. Long term loans over seven years often see lower repayments but a greater amount of interest paid.
The interest rates and fees to expect on personal loans
The interest rate and fees you are charged depend on the loan you apply with (you can compare these on the table above), but each loan type comes with similar costs, and understanding these can help you compare personal loan options.
The interest rate
Your interest rate will either be fixed or variable. Car loans tend to come with fixed rates while unsecured loans offer both, but you will find a mix of variable and fixed rates within each loan type. Variable rate loans mean the loan is more flexible and comes with longer loan terms, but fixed rate loans usually come with restrictions, such as not allowing you to make extra repayments. Fixed rate loans also come with shorter terms, usually up to five years.
Personal loans can also come with set interest rates or risk-based interest rates. Set interest rates mean the loan comes with a single rate that all approved applicants receive. Risk-based rates mean the personal loan will come with an interest rate range and you will be approved for an interest rate within that range. The factors that influence what rate you get depend on your credit history, the amount you apply for and the loan term and the details you provide in your application.
The fees
There are three types of fees you should expect: Upfront fees (establishment fees, application fees), ongoing fees (monthly, annual or direct debit fees) and fees that are charged if you default on the loan or miss a repayment.
What will my monthly repayments be on my new personal loan?
To get an estimate of your borrowing power, input your loan amounts into the personal loan calculator in the comparison tables above and you'll see what monthly repayments will approximately be.
How to get the right personal loan for you
Applying and being approved for a personal loan
This section is about:
- Who is eligible for a personal loan?
- Documents you need for your application
- How to improve your chances of being approved
- The application process
Who is actually eligible for a personal loan?
Eligibility for personal loans depends on a few different things:
- If you have a low income. Applicants with low incomes can still be approved for personal loans. It's always a good idea to check the borrowing requirements and check your repayments with a calculator.
- If you receive Centrelink payments. If you're receiving the pension, Centrelink payments or other benefits, you can still be eligible. It's important to make sure you can meet the repayments before applying.
- If you have bad credit. You're still able to apply for certain personal loans if you have negative marks on your credit file. Bad credit loans are still possible. You might end up paying a higher interest rate on these loans, so it's important to compare a range of offers before applying.
- If you have existing credit card or personal loan debt. You may still be approved for a new personal loan if this is the case, but you should calculate your repayments and your debt levels before continuing.
- If you don't meet the minimum requirements. You still might be able to apply with a guarantor. This is where someone, usually a family member such as a parent, agrees to 'guarantee' your personal loan should you fail to meet your obligations.
But I'm a temporary resident on a 457 visa - can I still get a loan?
Did you know that you could still get your personal loan approved if you hold a visa but many of the big banks wont lend to you. If you are researching institutions that might lend to you on your temporary resident 457 visa, then it's best practice to go in armed with as much knowledge as possible. Find out what banks could offer you a loan, what the criteria is and how you can maximise your chance of being approved.What documents will I need when applying for a loan?
Each bank and institution have their own criteria that you will have to meet to finalise your loan application.
How do I know which type of personal loan I need?
Different type of personal loans suit different loan purposes. Here is how to find the right loan to suit your needs:
- If you're looking to buy a car: You can consider either a car loan or an unsecured personal loan. A car loan is preferable if the car you're looking to purchase is eligible to be used as security (not all used cars are) as the interest rates are lower. However, if you're buying a used car that is older, don't want to use the car as security for the loan or want to borrow extra funds for something else as well, you may want to consider an unsecured personal loan. You can compare both on the page above.
- If you want to consolidate debt: You can consider an unsecured personal loan or a balance transfer credit card. The right option for you will depend on the type of debt you want to consolidate, how much debt you have and what products you are eligible for. For example, if you have loan and credit card debt you may need to consider an unsecured loan or a Citi or Virgin balance transfer credit card. That's because they are the only two providers that let you balance transfer personal loan debt. You can compare unsecured loans for debt consolidation on the page above or head here to compare balance transfer cards.
- If you want to pay for a wedding, take a holiday or pay for home renovations. You may want to consider an unsecured loan. These can come as either a lump sum payment or a convenient line of credit that you can draw on when you need to.
- If you need to borrow less than $3,000. You won't have many options from banks for loans of this amount, so you may need to consider a personal overdraft, a line of credit or a credit card. You can also consider a short term loan (there is a comparison on the page above) but keep in mind these are very high-cost forms of credit and should only be taken out if you have no alternatives.
- If you have an asset, such as a vehicle, to offer as security. You can consider a secured personal loan. This involves you attaching an asset you already own to take advantage of a more competitive interest rate. You can then use the funds for any purpose.
I need a loan for debt consolidation
Debt consolidation loans work by letting you bring debts from different credit accounts together so you can pay them off with one rate and one set of fees.
When you're comparing loans for debt consolidation:
- Consider whether the new loan will save you money. Work out your new monthly repayment and if this will be lower than what you are currently paying.
- Think about your eligibility for the loan. If you have a lot of debt from several accounts you may not be able to consolidate all of it, or if you have bad credit you may need to consider your bad credit debt consolidation options.
How can I improve my chances of the loan being approved?
There is no way to guarantee you're approved for a personal loan, but giving yourself the best chance at being approved starts with meeting the eligibility criteria set by the lender. To further your chances of being approved, keep the following in mind:
- Establish your borrowing capacity. What repayments can you afford? Lenders will use a variety of criteria to decide how much you're eligible to borrow, but you need to know how much you can afford to repay.
- Building a good banking history. Keep your account in good standing to build a positive relationship with your bank, even if you don't plan on borrowing from them.
- Keep your credit rating in good standing. Make sure you keep track of all your payments, from credit cards to utility bills, because any arrears, debts, or missed payments will affect your ability to access credit.
- Keep track of your saving goals. If you manage to contribute to your savings regularly, it shows lenders that you are likely to manage ongoing loan repayments.
How to apply for a personal loan
- Get ready to make your purchase. Make sure you know how much you want to borrow and have worked out that you can meet the repayments.
- Choose a secured or unsecured loan. If you already own an asset or are looking to buy one, then a secured loan may be an option. If not, you may want to consider your unsecured personal loan options.
- Decide between a fixed or variable rate. A fixed rate loan means your repayments are set for the life of the loan and can't fluctuate, whereas a variable rate loan can increase or decrease your repayments over the life of the loan.
- Choose your terms. A calculator can help you work out your repayments.
- Start your personal loan research and comparison. This is an important step to finding the best loan option for you.
- Click through and apply. Once you find the loan you want to apply for, simply click 'Go to Site' to apply.
Popular Searches on finder
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The offers compared on this page are chosen from a range of products finder.com.au has access to and are not representative of all the products available in the market. Products are displayed in no particular order or ranking. The use of the terms "popular", "best" and "top" are not product ratings and are subject to our disclaimer. You should consider seeking independent financial advice and consider your personal financial circumstances when comparing products.
Help me get cash fast??
Hi Elika,
Thank you for leaving a question.
I understand your situation in needing cash fast. You are on the correct page to make a selection on where you could apply for a personal loan. 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
If I apply for a personal loan and it is declined does this affect my credit rating?
Hi Martin,
Thank you for getting in touch with finder.
Declined application will not affect your credit rating. However, every time you make an application for credit it’s listed on your credit file as a “credit enquiry”. It will be listed regardless of whether the application is approved or not.
You may know more about credit enquiries by going through this PAGE. On that page, you’d learn how long do credit enquiries remain on your credit file, how do credit enquiries look like on your credit report and other related pages on credit file/report.
I hope this helps.
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other enquiries.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
please a friend of mine introduced me to this lender jacksonbenloanfirm@outlook .com and i tried them and got a loan of 45,000$ but i still need more for a project am working on i don’t know if it right to ask them for more?
Hi Marie,
Thanks for leaving a question on our page.
Please know that we’re a product comparison website and we don’t stand as a representation to any individual or any company featured on our site.
You can browse through the personal loan options we have above.
If you need to increase your loan amount, all you need to do is ask them to give you an increase in your loan amount. Goodluck!
Hope this was helpful. Don’t hesitate to message us back if you have more questions.
Cheers,
Nikki
I recently applied for a 26k personal loan and was rejected. Not because of my credit rating but because My credit card was maxed out at 4500 and my bank statements showed I was spending all of my pay (on un nessasry things) every week
I want to re apply for a personal loan again through another bank. My aim is to allocate 600 a week on building savings and paying off the card, for 8 weeks before I apply. But I dont know if it would be best to show a record of savings on my bank statement or show I have a lower debt on my credit card. What has a bigger impact on the lenders?
Hi Henry,
Thanks for your inquiry. Please note that we are not affiliated with any company we feature on our site and so we can only offer you general advice.
There are a few different ways you can pay down credit card debt. You could continue making repayments on your current credit card or you could apply for a new product to save interest, such as a personal loan or a balance transfer credit card.
You can get helpful information on these pages and compare your options for loans:
https://www.finder.com.au/personal-loan-credit-card-debt
https://www.finder.com.au/personal-loans/debt-consolidation
Before applying for any loan, please ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria and requirements of the loan option or lender and make sure to read the details, as well as the relevant PDS/ T&Cs of the loan option before making a decision and consider whether the product or option is right for you.
Best regards,
Rench
Hi My partners house settlement is going through but could take a year to get his money. He has a bad credit record due to his ex wife. He has changed jobs a week ago to a part time job so no payslips. We need $10K for a partner visa in a few weeks time otherwise we have to give up our lives and move to the UK. I am unable to work on my Visa but when I apply for the visa I have a job lined up so I can pay a repayment of $1000 a month. He knows his ex wife won’t agree to any loan against the house. Can you recommend a loan please ?
Many Many thanks
Hello Jacci,
Thank you for your query.
Please note that finder is a comparison website and general information service.
As we do not represent any of the companies featured on our pages, I can only offer you general advice. You would still have to make that decision yourself.
This page may be helpful:
Low-Doc Loans
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Gru
I need a personal loan of$26,000 lm on a carers pension and I am 65years old and I have very good credit how much a month would l have to pay and I be able to get the loan and who would be good to get the loan from.
Hi Liz,
Thanks for your question.
Please note that we are a financial comparison and information service. We are unable to make recommendations to our users.
If you are on a pension, the lenders on this page may consider you for a loan. Once you have selected a particular lender, please click on its name to view its review page. From there, you can check the loan products that are available to you including their feature and eligibility criteria to apply.
The monthly repayment will depend on your interest rate and loan term.
Cheers,
Anndy
$16,000 unsecured loan.
Is there a cooling off period or 1 – 2 days?
hi Julie,
This depends on the lender you apply with. Lenders usually do not offer cooling off periods but you can find some lenders, for example car lenders, that offer a 30-day back guarantee with your loan. For example, RACQ offers a 21-day guarantee on its loans.
You’ll need to confirm with the lender you’re applying with to see if such an agreement exists.
Hope this helps,
Elizabeth
I own a house divided into 2 flats with an income from one of $330 per week . can I get a line of credit and if so how much.
Thank you
Hi Rene,
Thanks for your comment. Each lender will set out their criteria separately and it’s always important to make sure you meet the eligibility before apply.
You can check out a comparison of line of credit loans here.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers
Matt
I’m from Papua New Guinea and I like to get a loan to start my business. Will it be possible to loan me the money? I will repay you back as in time using my Visa debit card.
Hi Silas,
Unfortunately as an Australian financial comparison service the lenders on this page can only consider you for a loan if you’re currently residing in Australia. You’ll need to find a lender in Papua New Guinea to find a business loan.
Sorry I couldn’t be of more assistance,
Elizabeth
When using a motor vehicle for a secure loan, who and how decide on the value?
I paid $25k for it 2yrs brand new and spent another $12k on modified improvements. It’s got very low km’s for it age too. Is all that considered?
Hi Toby,
Thanks for your question.
The lender determines this value based on the market value of the vehicle – the lender needs to be sure it can get its money back should it need to sell the vehicle if you default on the loan. This valuation comes down to the lenders discretion and could be a mix of factors, it’s up to the lender’s discretion. The vehicle’s age and kilometres travelled, however, are likely to be considered as these contribute to the value of the car.
Hope this has helped.
Elizabeth