Frequently asked questions
Plain-English answers about defaults, disputes, pricing and what Default Gone can and cannot do.
What is a default on my credit file?
A default is a record placed on your credit file by a credit provider when an account is overdue and certain steps have been followed. It can stay on your credit file for several years and can affect approvals for finance, rentals, phone plans, energy accounts and more.
Why does a default stop me getting finance?
Lenders, brokers, telcos, energy providers and landlords often run a credit check before approving an application. A default on your file can lead to a decline, a higher interest rate, a larger deposit, or extra questions before approval. A default can seriously damage your credit profile and may make approvals harder, slower or more expensive.
Can a default be challenged?
Yes — where there are grounds. Defaults can be challenged if proper notice was not given, the amount or details are wrong, the listing was made in error, hardship or payment arrangements were not properly considered, or the listing is incomplete or out of date. Whether your default can be challenged depends on the facts of your case.
Will Default Gone definitely remove my default?
No, and we will not promise that. We do not guarantee removal. No honest credit dispute service can. Outcomes depend on the facts of each case and how the credit provider responds. What we do is prepare and lodge your dispute carefully and track it to an outcome.
How much does it cost?
$399 per consumer, per default. Flat fee. No stage fees, no success fee, no percentage uplift, no surprise invoice. Each consumer’s credit file is their own, so a default on a joint account is a separate engagement per person.
What does the fee include?
Review of your listing, preparation of the dispute, formal lodgement with the credit provider and the credit reporting body, tracking through the response window, follow-up correspondence, the escalation pathway if needed, and updates throughout the process.
How do I pay?
By card via Stripe, or by Australian bank transfer. We send you an invoice with both options.
When does payment happen?
After you have signed the service agreement, completed identity verification, and uploaded your credit reports — but before we lodge your dispute. No work begins on the dispute itself until payment is received.
What if I change my mind?
You may cancel within 14 days of signing. If your dispute has not yet been lodged, you may receive a full refund. If work has already started or the dispute has already been lodged, reasonable charges may apply for work already performed. Your rights under Australian Consumer Law are not excluded.
How long does it take?
Credit providers have a defined window to respond to formal disputes. If a credit provider refuses or fails to respond, we escalate through the relevant pathways at no additional charge. Most matters reach an outcome within a few weeks; some take longer if escalation is required.
What if I don’t have a copy of my credit report?
You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each of the three Australian credit reporting bodies (Equifax, Experian and illion) every three months. We can point you to the right place to request one.
What if my default is older than five years?
A standard default is removed automatically from a credit file five years after the listing date — you would not need our service for that. If your listing is close to that date, we will tell you honestly that waiting may be the most sensible option.
Can I dispute multiple defaults at once?
Yes. Each listing is a separate engagement at $399 because each listing is judged on its own facts and gets its own dispute, lodgement and tracking.
What about a paid default — is there any point challenging it?
A paid default can still sit on your file for years. The status updates to “paid” but the entry stays. If the original listing was incorrect or improperly recorded, the fact that the underlying debt was later paid does not validate the listing. It may still be worth challenging.
What happens if my dispute is declined?
If the credit provider declines and grounds remain on the facts, we escalate — either back to the credit provider with reinforced grounds, or by referral to the relevant external pathway. Escalation is included in the $399. If the listing is confirmed lawful and accurate after escalation, we tell you that, and the engagement ends.
How do I know my default is worth disputing?
You do not need to know upfront — that is our work. Lodge it on /scan/ and we walk you through a short intake to capture the facts that matter for your specific listing. We will tell you straight whether there is something worth disputing or whether the listing looks correctly recorded.
Are you a law firm?
No. Default Gone is a credit dispute service, not a law firm. We do not provide legal or financial advice. We help Australians prepare and lodge default disputes within Australian credit reporting rules.
Who operates Default Gone?
Default Gone is operated by Austech Online, ABN 82 307 630 720, Office 903, 50 Clarence St, Sydney NSW 2000.