What Is A Good Credit Score In Australia?

If you're planning to apply for a loan in Australia, one of the things that lenders will assess is your credit score. Having a good credit score is so important these days. It's almost like having your own superpower -- one that can help you to save money and get better deals over time. But what constitutes a good credit score in Australia? Read on to find out.

What does a good credit score mean?

A good credit score means you're a low-risk borrower, which can lead to lower interest rates on loans and credit cards. In Australia, there are three credit reporting agencies:

You may contact one or more of these agencies to obtain your free credit score. Each agency uses different criteria to calculate it, but typically a good credit score ranges between 650 and 800 (with anything between 800 to 1000 considered excellent).

Good credit history begins with borrowing responsibly. By staying on top of your loan or credit card payments as well as other debts, you'll be able to build a solid credit history and ensure that you have a good credit score. And this could lead to more attractive interest rates when you're looking for loans or credit cards in the future. Lower interest rates mean less money down the line, so having a great credit score really is worth its weight in gold!  

Plus, it feels great having lenders recognize your commitment to financial responsibility and entrust you with greater levels of borrowing power!

With this in mind, we've set out to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about credit scores:

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    What can a high credit score get you?

    Good credit reports give lenders an indication of how reliable you are when it comes to making payments and indicates that you’re more likely to repay the money on time. As a result, if you have a strong credit history, you can generally get approved for loans or mortgages with lower interest rates than someone with weaker credit. 

    This means that you’ll be able to save money over the life of the loan, as most mortgages and car loans can last for many years. Of course, increasing your credit score takes time and effort – there’s no quick way to make it happen – but it could mean the difference between paying more in interest fees or saving thousands of dollars in the long run. 

    So take some time to boost your credit rating, and reap the rewards later!

    When buying a car on finance what is a good credit score?

    A good credit score is important when you are buying a car on finance, as it can help to ensure that you receive favourable interest rates and favourable terms. Typically, lenders will look for a credit score of at least 500 to determine whether you are a good risk and eligible for car loans or leases.

    Is a credit score of 600 good or bad?

    A credit score of 600 out of 1000 is considered below average and would likely lead to higher interest rates on loans or a decline in loan applications. While you may still be able to secure credit at this level; however, it is probably best to take steps to improve your credit score first so as to get better deals and save money over time. 

    Besides paying your bills on time and keeping your credit card balances low, you may also wish to consider a debt consolidation loan to improve your credit utilisation ratio (the amount of credit you’re using versus your credit limit amount). Taking these steps can help you to build a stronger financial foundation and safeguard your credit score for the future!

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    What is a normal credit score?

    In Australia, an average credit score usually falls somewhere between 650 and 750 out of 1000. A credit score calculated between this range is generally considered to be good, with lenders seeing you as a reliable borrower who is likely to repay debts on time.

    What is a good credit score for my age?

    Generally speaking, people in their twenties tend to have lower credit scores than those in their thirties and beyond. This may seem unfair since being young doesn't automatically equal financial irresponsibility. But the truth is, there are several reasons why people in their twenties end up with lower credit scores than older adults. One of these reasons is that as you get older, you build more wealth and a better credit score rating; both of which contribute to higher credit scores. 

    Young adults are also more likely to move around, take out loans for educational expenses, and find themselves living paycheck-to-paycheck during periods of low employment. All of this can make it difficult to establish good financial habits at a young age and make high credit scores hard (though not impossible) to achieve.

    While age may be something that you have no control over, there are still things that everyone can do regardless of age to help achieve a higher credit score - such as regularly assessing your spending habits and paying any outstanding credit accounts on time. So while being young doesn't necessarily mean having a low credit score, it's still important to start off your financial journey on the right foot by educating yourself on how to maximize your chances of getting a good score no matter what your age is!

    A bad credit score can make it difficult to get approved for loans or lines of credit

    Having bad credit doesn't have to be the end of the world, but it can certainly make life a lot harder if you have plans that involve getting loans or opening up lines of credit. Having a low credit score means that lenders may not trust you and they may hesitate to extend you an offer. On those occasions when you are approved for something, such as a car loan or a mortgage, you can expect to pay much higher interest rates than someone with better credit. 

    It's a good idea to use free credit score services to get your credit checked regularly so that you will know what kind of shape it's in and how your score is trending over time. Additionally, establishing some discipline when it comes to paying bills and always seeking to pay more than just the minimum will help to improve and maintain your credit score.

    Final thoughts

    At the end of the day, having a good credit report is essential for anyone who wants to access credit or loans in today's financial climate. At Driva, we're passionate about making borrowing easy, fast, and accessible to all. Whether you're looking for car financing or a debt consolidation loan, we can help! With our access to multiple lenders, we can help you find the best deals that suit your needs and give you the financial support that you need. So why wait? Visit our website today to learn more!​

    Declan Flaherty

    As the Digital Marketing Manager at Driva you can find Declan during the day transfixed by a flurry of spreadsheets, mar-tech, Slack emojis and graphs all pointing in the right direction and keeping up to date with the latest car finance trends.

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