Understanding loan costs
How loan costs are shown, and how to compare them fairly.
What is a comparison rate?
What a comparison rate is, what it includes and leaves out, and how to use it with the total repayable to compare Australian loans.
Read the guideLoan terms glossary
A plain-English glossary of Australian loan terms: establishment fee, comparison rate, amount financed, default, hardship variation, AFCA and more.
Read the guidePaying for unexpected costs
Ways to lower, spread or pay for a one-off cost you didn't plan for.
Paying for car repairs
How to pay for an unexpected car repair in Australia: what to ask your mechanic, insurance and warranty checks, payment plans and No Interest Loans.
Read the guidePaying vet bills
Practical ways to manage an unexpected vet bill in Australia: written estimates, treatment options, payment plans, pet insurance and lower-cost clinics.
Read the guidePaying for dental work
How to pay for dental work in Australia: public dental, the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, payment plans, No Interest Loans and early super release risks.
Read the guideHelp with a rental bond
Need help paying a rental bond? A guide to state bond loan schemes, No Interest Loans for bonds and other ways to manage moving costs in Australia.
Read the guideFree and lower-cost help
Government support, no interest loans and budgeting help worth checking first.
No Interest Loans and alternatives
How No Interest Loans (NILs) work in Australia: who's eligible, how much you can borrow, how to apply and other low-cost options to check first.
Read the guideCentrelink advance payments
How Centrelink advance payments work: who can apply, how repayments come out of future payments, how to apply online and what to check first.
Read the guideBudgeting on an irregular income
A step-by-step way to budget on casual, gig or self-employed income: work out a baseline, build a buffer, smooth bills and handle lean weeks.
Read the guideCan't make a loan repayment?
Can't make a loan repayment? How to ask for financial hardship help in Australia, what your lender must do, credit report effects and free support.
Read the guideApplying and your credit
What lenders check, how bank data is shared and how to see your credit report.
What lenders check
What Australian lenders check in a responsible lending assessment: income, expenses, debts, credit history and your reasons for borrowing, explained.
Read the guideBank statement and open banking checks
How lenders use bank statements and open banking (Consumer Data Right) to check income and spending, what they can't do and how to manage your consent.
Read the guideYour free credit report
How to get your free credit report in Australia from Equifax and Experian, what it shows, how long information stays and how to fix errors for free.
Read the guide