Credit Score Articles

What is the difference between your credit score, credit report and credit file?

Your credit score is an indicator of your creditworthiness. It is based on the information that goes on your credit report, which, in turn, is an organised view of the information contained in your credit file maintained by various credit bureaus.

What is a bad credit score and how does it affect you?

A bad credit score can make it challenging for you to be approved as a borrower, but you can work towards getting a better score.

Why does Equifax charge for checking my credit score?

You can usually check your Equifax credit score for free at least once a year. In some other circumstances, you may have to pay for getting your credit report.

Three new year's resolutions that could help boost your credit score

After a year (or two) of widespread uncertainty in the world, making new year’s resolutions might feel redundant for the most part. But when it comes to bettering your credit score, you may have more control than you think.

Do phone plans affect your credit score?

How do phone plans and non-payment of phone bills affect your credit score? Learn more about situations to avoid so your phone plan can affect your credit score positively.

How often should you check your credit score?

Whether you’re a young Australian looking to build your credit history, or you’ve recently seen your credit score drop and are working to boost it, there’s several reasons you may be monitoring your credit score. Let’s explore how often you may want to check your credit score and credit history.

How a car loan affects your credit score

If you’re in the market for new set of wheels and you’re looking to buy on finance, you might be wondering – does a car loan affect your credit score? It’s certainly something worth considering when taking out any kind of credit product.

Can you get a business loan with a bad credit history?

If you have a low or poor credit score, you may find getting a business loan tough. Find out how you can improve your chances of getting approved for the loan.

Does opening a savings account affect my credit score?

If you’ve struggled with poor credit history in the past, or if you’re curious about when credit checks may be performed, you may want to know if opening a savings account will impact your credit score.

Three great reasons checking your credit score can help you

Your credit score is an assessment of your financial responsibility. If you have a good credit score, lenders may feel more confident about lending you more money at lower interest rates. But if you have a bad credit score, you may find it harder to successfully apply for credit.

Will paying off a personal loan increase my credit score?

Reaching the end of your loan term and making your final repayment can be a satisfying feat. But will paying off your personal loan give your credit score a boost, or could it have the opposite effect?

When will my mortgage show up on my credit report?

If you’ve recently been given full approval for a mortgage and have settled on your property, you may want to know when your mortgage will show up on your credit report.

Will applying for a personal loan affect my credit score?

If you’re a diligent borrower and you consistently prioritise your credit score, you’ll likely have it front of mind when applying for new credit.

How to help your kids improve their credit score

Let’s skip the obvious advice of “don’t take on more debt than you can manage”. There are a range of practical steps you may want to consider taking to help develop a kid's credit history and improve their credit score.

Will multiple home loan applications affect my credit rating?

Making multiple home loan applications can have adverse effects on your credit history, credit score and your likelihood for approval from any one of the lenders.

How to get a perfect credit score

If you know a thing or two about personal finance, you’ll likely be aware that typically only those who have excellent credit scores are offered the most competitive credit products.

How identity theft can affect your credit score

Online scams, including identity theft, are some of the most common ways Australians experience financial scams each year. If you’ve been targeted by identity theft, it’s important to know how it may affect your credit score, and what you can do to repair any damage done.

Can Uber Eats & Deliveroo affect your credit score?

Food delivery services can feel like a life saver when the fridge is bare or you’re simply lacking motivation to cook, but can frequent use affect your credit score?