How to Get a Free Copy of Your Credit Report in Australia (2024 Guide)

Getting knocked back for finance or a rental application often comes as a surprise, especially when you think your credit is fine.

The first step is checking what lenders actually see when they review your application. Your credit report contains your payment history, current accounts, credit enquiries and any defaults or court judgements that might be blocking your applications.

Every Australian has the right to access their credit file for free once every 12 months from each of the major credit reporting bodies. This guide explains exactly how to get your report, what to expect and what to check for errors.

Got a default on your credit file? Lodge it with Default Gone right here, or call us on (02) 5502 7025. $399 flat per consumer per default. We do not guarantee removal — outcomes depend on the facts of each case — but we will prepare and lodge the dispute properly.

Why check your credit report

Your credit report is what lenders see when they assess your application. It contains:

• Payment history — whether you pay bills on time
• Current credit accounts — loans, credit cards, buy-now-pay-later accounts
• Credit enquiries — every time someone checks your credit
• Defaults — unpaid debts over $150 that are at least 60 days overdue
• Court judgements — legal orders to pay debts
• Personal insolvency — bankruptcies or debt agreements
• Directorship information — if you run a company

Sometimes the information is wrong. Sometimes accounts show as open when they are closed, or defaults appear when the debt was paid. Sometimes there are duplicate listings or accounts that belong to someone else entirely.

The three credit reporting bodies in Australia

Australia has three major credit reporting bodies that collect and hold credit information:

Equifax (formerly Veda)

Equifax is the largest credit reporting body in Australia. Most major banks and lenders report to Equifax, so this report often contains the most comprehensive information.

How to get it: Visit equifax.com.au and look for “free credit report” or “my credit file”. You will need to verify your identity with personal details and answer security questions.

Experian

Experian is the second-largest credit reporting body. Some lenders report exclusively to Experian, so your Experian report might contain information not found elsewhere.

How to get it: Go to experian.com.au and select “free credit report”. The process involves identity verification and may take 1-2 business days to process.

illion (formerly Dun & Bradstreet)

illion is smaller but still used by many lenders, particularly for personal loans and some home loan assessments.

How to get it: Visit illion.com.au and request your “free consumer credit report”. Identity verification is required, and the report is usually available within 24 hours.

How to request your free report

The process is similar across all three credit reporting bodies:

Online (fast method)

1. Visit the official website of each credit reporting body
2. Look for “free credit report” or similar wording — avoid paid products
3. Complete identity verification using personal details, previous addresses and sometimes security questions
4. Download or view online — most reports are available immediately

By phone

You can call each credit reporting body directly:

• Equifax: 13 83 32
• Experian: 1300 783 684
• illion: 13 23 33

Phone requests may take longer to process and often require posting identity documents.

By mail

Each credit reporting body accepts written requests with certified copies of identity documents. This method takes 7-10 business days but may be necessary if online verification fails.

What to check in your credit report

Once you have your reports, review them carefully for:

Personal information

• Name variations — check for misspellings or different versions
• Date of birth — ensure it matches your records
• Current and previous addresses — outdated addresses can cause problems
• Employment information — verify current and past employers if listed

Credit accounts

• Open accounts — check all current loans, credit cards and payment plans
• Closed accounts — ensure old accounts show as “closed” or “paid”
• Account limits — verify credit limits and loan amounts are correct
• Payment history — look for any missed payments you dispute

Defaults and negative listings

• Default amounts — check the dollar figure matches your records
• Default dates — verify when the default was listed
• Payment status — paid defaults should show as “satisfied” or “paid”
• Duplicate defaults — the same debt listed multiple times

Credit enquiries

• Recent applications — every credit application creates an enquiry
• Unauthorised enquiries — applications you did not make
• Old enquiries — these should drop off after five years

Court judgements

• Judgement details — amount, date and court information
• Payment status — satisfied judgements should be marked as paid
• Duplicate judgements — the same matter listed multiple times

Common errors to watch for

Credit report errors are more common than many people realise. Look out for:

• Accounts belonging to someone else — particularly if you have a common name
• Defaults for debts you never owed — sometimes caused by identity mix-ups
• Paid defaults still showing as unpaid — this is surprisingly common
• Old information that should have been removed — defaults over five years old
• Incorrect payment history — missed payments you can prove were made on time
• Accounts still showing as open when they are closed

Free vs paid credit reports

All three credit reporting bodies offer paid services alongside the free annual report. Here’s the difference:

Free annual report includes:

• Complete credit file information
• All current accounts and payment history
• Defaults, judgements and enquiries
• Basic personal information

Paid services may include:

• Credit score — a number that summarises your credit risk
• Monthly monitoring — alerts when your file changes
• Identity monitoring — alerts for suspicious activity
• Credit recommendations — suggestions for improving your position

For most people, the free annual report contains everything needed to check for errors and understand what lenders see. Paid services are useful for ongoing monitoring but not essential for a one-off review.

When to get all three reports

Not every lender reports to all three credit reporting bodies. Some lenders use only Equifax, others might use Experian or illion exclusively. This means:

• Different information — your Equifax report might show accounts not listed on Experian
• Different payment history — some lenders report positive payment history to one body but not others
• Different credit enquiries — depending on which body the lender checked

Get all three reports if:

• You are planning a major application like a home loan
• You have been declined and want to understand why
• You suspect there might be errors on your file
• You have not checked your credit in over 12 months

One report might be enough if:

• You check your credit regularly
• You have a simple credit history with major banks only
• You are just doing a routine annual check

What happens after you spot an error

If you find incorrect information on your credit report:

1. Document the error — take screenshots and note specific details
2. Gather supporting evidence — payment receipts, bank statements, correspondence
3. Contact the credit reporting body — each has a dispute process for incorrect information
4. Contact the credit provider — if it’s their information that is wrong
5. Follow up — disputes can take 30-45 days to resolve

For defaults specifically, the dispute process can be more complex. If you believe a default was incorrectly listed, you may need to challenge both the listing process and the underlying debt.

How often should you check your credit report

Most credit experts recommend checking your credit report:

• At least once a year — to catch errors early
• Before major applications — 3-6 months before applying for a home loan
• After paying off debts — to ensure accounts show as closed
• After identity theft — to monitor for fraudulent accounts
• When moving house — to update address information

You can request your free report from each credit reporting body once every 12 months, so you could check one every four months if you want regular monitoring.

What to do if you find a default

Defaults are the most serious negative listing on most credit reports. If you find a default:

Check if it’s correct

• Was the debt real? — Do you remember owing this money?
• Was the amount correct? — Check against your records
• Was it properly served? — Did you receive the required notices?
• Was it listed on time? — Defaults must be listed within certain timeframes

Check if it should still be there

• Is it over five years old? — Defaults should be automatically removed
• Was it paid? — Paid defaults should show as “satisfied”
• Was it resolved? — Settlement or payment plan completion

Some defaults are worth challenging even when they appear correct, particularly if the required legal process was not followed properly.

Free credit monitoring vs free reports

Some services offer “free credit monitoring” which sounds similar to free credit reports but works differently:

Free annual credit report:

• Complete snapshot of your credit file
• All historical information included
• No ongoing commitment
• Available from all three credit reporting bodies

Free credit monitoring:

• Usually shows credit score only
• May have limited file information
• Often requires ongoing signup
• May involve upselling to paid services

For checking errors and understanding what lenders see, the official free annual report is more comprehensive than most free monitoring services.

What if online verification fails

Sometimes the automated identity verification fails, particularly if:

• You have moved recently
• You have a common name
• You have limited credit history
• Your personal details have changed

If online verification fails:

1. Try by phone — speak to customer service for manual verification
2. Submit by mail — send certified copies of identity documents
3. Visit in person — some credit reporting bodies have offices in major cities
4. Try again later — sometimes the system has temporary issues

How Default Gone helps

Default Gone helps Australians challenge unfair, incorrect or unlawfully listed defaults. We collect the relevant information, prepare the dispute, lodge it with the credit provider and/or credit reporting body, track the response and explain the outcome in plain English.

The standard Default Gone service is $399 per consumer, per default (limited launch pricing — normally $399). There are no stage fees, no success fees and no surprise invoices. The fee covers the work performed, not a sought outcome.

Getting your free credit report is the first step in understanding what might be blocking your applications. If you find defaults that may be worth challenging, we can help review the listing and dispute process.

Disclaimer

Default Gone is not a law firm and does not provide legal or financial advice. We do not undertaking that a default or judgement will be removed. Outcomes depend on the facts, documents and response from the credit provider, credit reporting body or relevant legal pathway.

What to do next

Start by requesting your free credit report from all three credit reporting bodies. Review the information carefully, particularly any defaults, court judgements or negative payment history.

If you find errors or defaults that may be worth challenging, don’t just accept them without investigation. Many defaults contain procedural errors or incorrect information that may be open to dispute.

Ready to check what lenders see? Start with a free credit scan to identify potential issues, then request your full reports from each credit reporting body. If you find defaults that are holding up your applications, consider whether they are worth challenging through a structured dispute process.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a credit report cost in Australia?

Every Australian is entitled to one free credit report every 12 months from each of the three major credit reporting bodies (Equifax, Experian, illion). Paid reports with additional features like credit scores and monitoring typically cost $10-30 per month.

Which credit report is most accurate in Australia?

All three credit reporting bodies (Equifax, Experian, illion) can have different information because not every lender reports to all three. Equifax tends to have the most comprehensive information as most major lenders report there, but checking all three gives you the complete picture.

How long does it take to get a free credit report?

Online requests are usually processed immediately or within 24 hours. Phone requests may take 1-2 business days. Postal requests typically take 7-10 business days to process after they receive your identity documents.

Can I get more than one free credit report per year?

You can get one free report every 12 months from each credit reporting body, which means up to three free reports per year total. Some circumstances like identity theft may entitle you to additional free reports.

What should I do if I find errors on my credit report?

Contact the credit reporting body first to dispute incorrect information. You may also need to contact the credit provider who supplied the wrong information. Keep records of all correspondence and follow up if the dispute is not resolved within 30-45 days.

Do free credit reports include credit scores?

The official free annual reports from Equifax, Experian and illion typically do not include credit scores. Credit scores are usually part of paid services, though some free monitoring services do provide basic score information.

Can I check someone else’s credit report?

No, you can only access your own credit report unless you have written authority to act on someone else’s behalf. Checking another person’s credit report without permission is illegal and can result in significant penalties.

What’s the difference between a credit report and credit file?

These terms are often used interchangeably. Your credit file is the complete record held by credit reporting bodies, while a credit report is the document you receive that summarises this information. The free annual report should include your complete credit file information.