When you request credit, like a bank loan or credit card, the lender evaluates if you can pay back what you borrow. They review your credit report, which includes your credit score and rating. These reflect how well you’ve handled credit previously. Before applying for a loan, it’s crucial to know what’s in your credit report and understand your score and rating.
You might also read:
- Can listening to music boost productivity? Which types of music to listen to and improve focus?
- What Is a Team Building and Why Is It Important?
In Australia, there are three main credit reporting organizations: Equifax, Experian, and illion. You can easily access your credit report by visiting their websites.
By law, you’re entitled to receive a free copy of your credit report from each organization once every three months. If you’ve been denied credit in the past three months, you can also request a free copy. At other times, you can still request your report, but there might be a fee involved.
Since each organization may hold different information about you, it’s a good idea to request your credit report from all of them to ensure you have a complete understanding of your creditworthiness.
These agencies provide credit reports and credit scores upon request. Here’s how you can check your credit score:
- Online: Visit the website of one of the credit reporting agencies mentioned above. They typically offer online services where you can request your credit report and score by providing some personal information and identification.
- Request by mail: You can also request your credit report and score by mail. Contact the credit reporting agency directly to inquire about the process and the information/documentation required.
- Through a credit monitoring service: Some financial institutions and third-party services offer credit monitoring services that include access to your credit score and report. Check with your bank or financial institution to see if they provide this service.
- Government website: In Australia, you’re entitled to one free credit report per year from each of the credit reporting agencies under the Privacy Act. You can request your free credit report online through the official government website: https://www.mycreditfile.com.au/
When checking your credit score, ensure that you’re using a reputable and authorized credit reporting agency to access your information securely. Additionally, it’s a good idea to regularly monitor your credit score to stay informed about your financial health and identify any potential errors or discrepancies.
In Australia, credit scores typically range from 0 to 1,200 or 0 to 1,000, depending on the credit reporting agency. Each agency has its own method of calculating credit scores, so the score range may vary slightly. However, generally speaking, a higher credit score indicates better creditworthiness.
While the specific definition of a “good” credit score can vary among lenders and financial institutions, here’s a general guideline:
- Excellent: A credit score above 800 (out of 1,200) or 700 (out of 1,000) is usually considered excellent. Individuals with excellent credit scores are likely to have a strong credit history and are usually offered the most favourable terms and interest rates on loans and credit products.
- Good: A credit score between 700 and 799 (out of 1,200) or between 600 and 699 (out of 1,000) is typically considered good. People with good credit scores are generally seen as low-risk borrowers and are likely to qualify for most credit products with competitive interest rates.
- Fair: A credit score between 500 and 699 (out of 1,200) or between 500 and 599 (out of 1,000) is considered fair. While individuals with fair credit scores may still qualify for credit, they may face higher interest rates or stricter terms.
- Poor: A credit score below 500 (out of 1,200) or below 500 (out of 1,000) is considered poor. People with poor credit scores may find it challenging to qualify for credit products, and if they do, they may face very high-interest rates or be required to provide additional security.
Here are the examples of credit ratings corresponding to the credit scores assigned by each of Australia’s credit reporting organizations:
Experian:
- Excellent: 800-1000
- Very good: 700-799
- Good: 625-699
- Fair: 550-624
- Below average: 0-549
illion:
- Excellent: 800-1000
- Great: 700-799
- Good: 500-699
- Room for improvement: 300-499
- Low: 1-299
Equifax:
- Excellent: 853-1200
- Very good: 735-852
- Good: 661-734
- Average: 460-660
- Below average: 0-459
What factors determine your credit score?
Your credit score is determined by several aspects of your credit history, all of which are condensed in your credit report. This usually encompasses:
- Your track record of repaying loans or credit cards.
- A summary of your past borrowing activities.
- An assessment of your punctuality in bill payments.
- Your current credit limits.
- The frequency and quantity of past credit applications.
- Any instances of bankruptcy, defaults, or court judgments associated with you.
How to boost my credit score?
- Check your credit report periodically to ensure its accuracy. If you spot any errors, notify the credit reporting agency or the lender involved to rectify them.
- If your credit report is error-free but your score isn’t as high as you’d like, there are steps you can take to improve it:
- Build a savings history with your bank.
- Ensure you consistently make timely repayments for any loans or credit cards you possess.
- Reduce the credit limits on your existing credit cards.
- Minimize the number of debts you owe and the frequency of credit applications.
