Free resource
Your Free Credit File Guide
Everything you need to know about your credit file, what's on it, how to get it free — and how our audit and investigation process can identify listings that may be eligible for removal.
What is a credit file?
Your Financial Reputation — In One Document
Your credit file (also called a credit report) is a detailed record of your borrowing and repayment history. Every time you apply for a loan, credit card, phone plan, or utility account, it gets recorded. Lenders use this file to decide whether to approve or reject your application.
In Australia, your credit file is held by credit reporting bureaus. The two main bureaus are Equifax (formerly Veda) and Experian, which now also incorporates illion (formerly Dun & Bradstreet) following their merger.
You are legally entitled to a free copy of your credit file from each bureau once every three months — or sooner if you have been declined credit in the past 90 days.
You are entitled to a free credit report every 3 months.
It is your legal right under the Privacy Act 1988.
Where to get your free report
Australia's Two Credit Bureaus
Each bureau may hold different information. Check both to get the complete picture of your credit file.
Equifax
Formerly Veda
Australia's largest credit reporting bureau. Most lenders and banks report to Equifax. Your Equifax file is the most commonly checked by Australian lenders and is the first place to start.
Get your free Equifax reportExperian
Now includes illion (formerly Dun & Bradstreet)
Experian is a global credit bureau with a strong Australian presence, and now incorporates illion following their merger. Some lenders check Experian in addition to or instead of Equifax — it is important to check both.
Get your free Experian reportAlways select the free report option — not the paid subscription. You are legally entitled to one free report from each bureau every three months under the Privacy Act 1988. If you have been declined credit in the past 90 days, you may request a free report immediately.
Equifax scores range from 0 to 1,200
Experian scores range from 0 to 1,000
What's on your credit file?
Every Section Explained
Personal Information
Your full name, date of birth, current and previous addresses, employer details, and driver's licence number. Errors here can cause mismatches when lenders check your file.
Credit Enquiries
Every time you apply for credit — a loan, credit card, phone plan, or even some rental applications — a credit enquiry is recorded. Too many enquiries in a short period signals financial stress to lenders and can lower your score.
Defaults
A default is recorded when you miss a payment by 60 days or more and the creditor has notified you. Defaults stay on your file for 5 years and are the single biggest reason Australians are declined for loans, mortgages, and car finance.
Court Judgments
If a creditor has taken you to court and won, the judgment is listed on your credit file. Court judgments remain for 5 years and are treated very seriously by lenders.
Serious Infringements
A serious infringement (also called a clearout) is recorded when a creditor believes you have left your address without paying and cannot be located. These are extremely damaging and remain for 7 years.
Repayment History
Under Comprehensive Credit Reporting (CCR), lenders now report your monthly repayment history — whether you paid on time, late, or missed payments. This works both ways: good history helps, bad history hurts.
Credit Accounts
All open and closed credit accounts — mortgages, personal loans, credit cards, car loans, and buy-now-pay-later accounts. Includes credit limits, account open dates, and current balances.
Credit Score
A number (typically 0–1,200 on Equifax, 0–1,000 on Experian) that summarises your creditworthiness. The higher the score, the better. Defaults, enquiries, and court judgments all drag your score down significantly.
Understanding your score
What Does Your Credit Score Actually Mean?
Equifax scores range from 0 to 1,200. The five bands below are Equifax’s current score classifications, so you can see where your result sits at a glance.
An excellent score signals a strong credit profile to lenders.
A very good score reflects a healthy credit history and strong lending prospects.
A good score can support approval, while lenders still consider your full credit file.
An average score may mean lenders take a closer look at your credit history.
A below average score can make it harder to access credit and may point to issues worth reviewing.
The biggest myth in credit repair
Paying a Default Does NOT Remove It
This is the most common and costly misconception we see. Thousands of Australians pay off old debts believing it will clear their credit file — but it does not. When you pay a default, the listing simply changes from 'unpaid' to 'paid'. It remains on your credit file for the full 5 years from the date it was first listed.
Lenders can still see the default. They can still decline your application. Your credit score does not automatically improve. You have paid the debt but the damage to your credit file remains.
The only way to remove a default from your credit file is through the formal credit repair process — disputing the listing with the credit bureau and the original creditor on legal and procedural grounds. This is exactly what we do.
Paying a default without a removal strategy means you pay the debt AND keep the bad credit. We help you remove the listing AND manage the debt — so you get both outcomes.
We specialise in more than just credit repair
We Also Assist With the Debt Itself
Every case is different. Depending on your circumstances, the creditor, the age of the debt, and the legislation that applies — there may be options available beyond simply removing the listing from your file.
In some cases, debts may be written off
Under certain legislation — including statute of limitations provisions and where creditors have failed to follow correct procedures — there may be grounds to challenge whether a debt is legally enforceable at all. We assess this on a case-by-case basis.
There may be options to reduce what is owed
Where a debt is confirmed as payable, we specialise in negotiating with creditors on your behalf. In many situations this has resulted in clients paying significantly less than the original amount — though outcomes vary.
We assist in structuring manageable arrangements
Where a debt is rightfully owed, we can assist in negotiating structured payment arrangements and formal agreements — working to make repayment manageable while simultaneously pursuing removal of the credit listing.
Hardship provisions may apply to your situation
Australian consumer credit law includes strong hardship protections. If you experienced genuine financial hardship, we assess whether the original creditor followed the correct process — and where they did not, there may be grounds to challenge the debt and the listing.
Not every outcome is achievable in every case. We assess each situation individually and will always give you an honest picture of what may be possible for your specific circumstances.
Clear options. Practical next steps.
Get the guidance you need to move forward with confidence.
Step by step
How to Get Your Free Credit File
Choose your bureau
Start with Equifax as it is the most commonly checked by Australian lenders. Then request your Experian report as well — each bureau may hold different information and it is worth checking both.
Verify your identity
You will need to provide your full name, date of birth, current address, and a form of ID (driver's licence or passport). This is required by law to protect your privacy.
Request your free report
Select the free report option (not the paid subscription). You are legally entitled to one free report every three months. The report is typically delivered within a few business days.
Review every section
Check your personal details, all credit enquiries, any defaults or court judgments, and your repayment history. Look for anything that is incorrect, outdated, or that you do not recognise.
Contact us for a free assessment
If you find anything negative on your file — or even if you are unsure — send us your credit report for a free assessment. We will conduct a full audit and investigation and give you an honest picture of what we find and your options.
Remove the bad credit. Reduce the debt. Rebuild your future.
Found Something on Your Credit File?
Send us your credit report for a free, no-obligation assessment. We will conduct a full audit and investigation of your file and explain exactly what we find — and what it means for you.