Australian Credit Statistics 2026
This page collects the most recent publicly reported figures on consumer credit and household debt in Australia — drawn from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Equifax. Every figure is attributed to its original source.
Household Debt in Australia
How much household debt do Australians hold in 2026?
Australian household debt reached a record $3.33 trillion in June 2025, a 6% increase on the $3.14 trillion recorded a year earlier, according to ABS data reported by Finder. Mortgages remain by far the largest component of household debt.
Source: ABS / Finder, Australian household debt statistics, November 2025
Debt rising in dollar terms does not automatically mean households are more stretched — asset values and incomes also matter. The ratio below gives a clearer picture of the burden.
What is Australia's household debt-to-income ratio?
Australia's household debt-to-disposable-income ratio was approximately 177% in December 2025, based on Reserve Bank of Australia figures compiled by CEIC. That means the average household owes around 1.8 times its annual disposable income, among the highest ratios in the OECD.
Source: Reserve Bank of Australia / CEIC, Household debt to disposable income, December 2025
The ratio has eased from its 2018 peak of about 188% but remains historically elevated, which is why credit history and serviceability are scrutinised so closely by lenders.
Credit Cards and Personal Loans
How many credit cards are active in Australia?
There were about 16.8 million active credit cards in Australia as of July 2025, down 1.87% on the previous year and down roughly 29% over the past decade, according to RBA data reported by Jacaranda Finance. Roughly 35% of Australians carry credit card debt.
Source: RBA / Jacaranda Finance, Australian household debt statistics, September 2025
Card numbers have fallen steadily as borrowers shift toward debit and Buy Now Pay Later, but balances still attract significant interest — around $20 billion in card debt accrues interest nationally.
How much are Australians borrowing in personal loans?
Australians took out about $9 billion in new personal loans in the June 2025 quarter, with $4.9 billion of that going to car loans, according to ABS data reported by Finder. The total value of new personal loans was 16.8% higher than a year earlier.
Source: ABS / Finder, personal loan statistics, November 2025
Rising personal-loan and car-loan demand is one reason credit enquiries and repayment history are appearing more often on consumer credit files.
Buy Now Pay Later and Credit Reporting
Is Buy Now Pay Later regulated in Australia?
Yes. From 10 June 2025, Buy Now Pay Later providers including Afterpay, Zip, Klarna and humm are regulated under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act in Australia. BNPL applications can now create credit enquiries, and missed payments can be reported to credit bureaus.
Source: National Consumer Credit Protection Act — BNPL reforms commenced 10 June 2025 (ASIC-regulated)
This change means BNPL activity now shows on credit files the way credit cards and personal loans do — affecting both scores and lender assessments. If a BNPL default has appeared on your file, see our guide to Afterpay, Zip & BNPL default removal.
Related Statistics & Guides
Sources & methodology
- ABS — Lending Indicators — abs.gov.au
- Reserve Bank of Australia — household finances — rba.gov.au
- Finder — Australian household debt statistics — finder.com.au
- Equifax Knowledge Hub — equifax.com.au
Credit Statistics Questions
How much household debt do Australians hold in 2026?
What is Australia's household debt-to-income ratio?
How many credit cards are active in Australia?
Is Buy Now Pay Later regulated in Australia?
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Australian Credit Solutions Pty Ltd holds Australian Credit Licence ACL 532003. Credit file correction services are subject to individual assessment and results may vary. This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Statistics are drawn from third-party sources current at the date of publication; figures are updated periodically and may change. Always check the original source for the latest data.
Last updated: 14 June 2026 · Reviewed by Elisa Rothschild BA/LLB · ASIC ACL 532003