Key Takeaway
The average Equifax credit score in Australia in 2026 is approximately 760 — sitting in the "Very Good" band (735–852). This has trended upward over the past decade since Comprehensive Credit Reporting (CCR) was introduced in 2018, allowing positive repayment history to count toward your score. Australian averages by age: - Under 25: 550–650 (thin credit history) - 25–34: 680–740 - 35–44: 740–790 - 45–54: 770–820 - 55+: 790–860 If your score is well below your age group's average — particularly under 660 — the most common cause is one or more defaults, court judgements or excessive credit enquiries. These can often be removed under the Privacy Act 1988 in 30–90 days, restoring your score to (or above) average and unlocking mainstream lending. Free three-bureau assessment: [australiancreditsolutions.com.au/free-credit-assessment](https://www.australiancreditsolutions.com.au/free-credit-assessment) · Call 0489 265 737.
Quick Answer: The average Equifax credit score in Australia in 2026 is approximately 760 — sitting in the "Very Good" band (735–852). This has trended upward over the past decade since Comprehensive Credit Reporting (CCR) was introduced in 2018, allowing positive repayment history to count toward your score.
Australian averages by age:
- Under 25: 550–650 (thin credit history)
- 25–34: 680–740
- 35–44: 740–790
- 45–54: 770–820
- 55+: 790–860
If your score is well below your age group's average — particularly under 660 — the most common cause is one or more defaults, court judgements or excessive credit enquiries. These can often be removed under the Privacy Act 1988 in 30–90 days, restoring your score to (or above) average and unlocking mainstream lending.
Free three-bureau assessment: australiancreditsolutions.com.au/free-credit-assessment · Call 0489 265 737.
Knowing the Australian average tells you where you actually stand. If you're well above it, you're in good shape. If you're well below, something's suppressing your score — and the most common cause is a single removable listing.
This guide gives you the full 2026 average credit score data across all three Australian bureaus and by age group, plus exactly what lenders require at each tier — so you can see whether your score is the problem or whether something else on your file is.
If you'd rather just find out what's actually on your file: grab the free 60-second assessment. We pull your three bureau files within 48 hours and tell you honestly what's going on. No obligation.
National Average Equifax Credit Score in Australia (2026)
Equifax publishes aggregate credit score data for Australia. Based on the most recent published Equifax data:
National average Equifax credit score: approximately 760 — sitting in the "Very Good" band (735–852).
This has trended upward over the past decade. Pre-2018, the national average sat around 640–660. Comprehensive Credit Reporting (CCR), introduced in March 2018, allowed positive repayment history to count toward your score for the first time — and lifted the national average by 80–100 points across most age cohorts.
Equifax Score Band Distribution Across Australia
| Score Range | Band | % of Adult Australians (approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| 853–1,200 | Excellent | ~28% |
| 735–852 | Very Good | ~25% |
| 661–734 | Good | ~20% |
| 460–660 | Average | ~17% |
| 0–459 | Below Average | ~10% |
Roughly 10% of adult Australians have a Below Average credit score — that's still over 1.5 million people. A meaningful proportion of those scores are suppressed by negative entries listed in breach of the Privacy Act 1988 — and are removable.
📞 Call 0489 265 737 for a 60-second yes/no on whether your listing can be challenged. ASIC ACL 532003, no obligation.
Average Credit Score by Age Group in Australia — Quick Snapshot
Credit scores in Australia generally improve with age. Quick snapshot:
| Age Group | Typical Equifax Average | Band |
|---|---|---|
| Under 25 | ~620 | Average |
| 25–34 | ~670 | Good |
| 35–44 | ~700 | Good (national average) |
| 45–54 | ~720 | Good |
| 55–64 | ~740 | Very Good |
| 65+ | ~760 | Very Good |
This page covers the national-level Australian average and lender thresholds. For the full age-band deep-dive — including why younger Australians score lower, why older Australians score higher, and what's "good for your decade" — read our dedicated companion:
→ Average Credit Score by Age in Australia (2026) — Full Age-Band Reference
What the Average Score Means for Loan Approvals
Being at or above the Australian average of 760 doesn't guarantee loan approval — but it indicates you're well inside the mainstream lending zone. Here's what each major lender tier requires in 2026:
| Loan Type | Typical Minimum Equifax | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Home loan at major bank (CBA, ANZ, NAB, Westpac) | 700+ | Clean file required; no active defaults |
| Home loan at non-bank prime (Macquarie, Resimac) | 650+ | Some flexibility on aged paid defaults |
| Specialist mortgage (Pepper Easy, Liberty, Bluestone) | No strict minimum | Defaults considered; +2–4% rate loading |
| Standard car loan | 600+ | Clean file required |
| Specialist car loan | 450+ | Premium rates 14–22% p.a. |
| Credit card at major bank | 650+ | Clean file required |
| Personal loan at bank | 600+ | — |
| BNPL (Afterpay, Zip, Humm) | No minimum | But existing BNPL defaults block |
| Rental property application | Varies | Defaults a red flag regardless of score |
| Postpaid phone plan | 500+ | Telco defaults a major red flag |
The take-home: if your score is below these thresholds because of negative entries — not just a short credit history — those entries are typically what's blocking you. A score of 588 from a clean file is treated very differently to a score of 588 with two active defaults. Lenders see the file behind the score.
Why Your Score Might Be Below Average
The most common reasons an Australian's score falls below their age cohort's average — ranked by impact:
1. Defaults (immediate 80–250 point drop). Single largest factor. A $340 telco default drops most Equifax scores by 100–150 points the moment it's listed. Defaults stay 5 years from the listing date under the Privacy Act 1988.
2. Court judgements (150–300 point drop). Even more damaging. Triggers automatic decline at every major Australian bank for home loans. Stays 5 years.
3. Repayment history information (RHI). Under Comprehensive Credit Reporting, every late payment over 14 days is visible to lenders for 2 years rolling. A pattern of late payments — even without a formal default — is enough to cause home loan rejections.
4. Excessive credit enquiries. Four or more hard enquiries in 12 months is a red flag in lender automated decisioning systems. Each enquiry knocks 5–15 points off your score. Often results from being declined and reapplying elsewhere.
5. Thin file. Limited credit history — particularly common in under-25s and recent migrants. This isn't damage; it's data scarcity. The fix is time and responsible credit use, not removal.
6. Serious credit infringements (clearouts). The most damaging single listing type. Stays 7 years. Indicates the credit provider tried to contact you and couldn't.
7. Bankruptcy or Part IX debt agreement. Stays on file 5 years from the order date (or 2 years from discharge, whichever is longer for bankruptcy).
The critical distinction: thin file (no negative listings, just limited history) is different from damaged file (negative listings actively pulling your score down). The first needs time. The second has options.
How Much Does a Default Affect Your Score?
| Default Profile | Equifax Score Drop | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Small ($150–$500), recent | 50–120 points | Moves "Very Good" to "Good" |
| Medium ($500–$2,000), recent | 80–200 points | Moves "Good" to "Average" |
| Large ($2,000+), recent | 150–350 points | Moves "Good" to "Below Average" |
| Two defaults of any size | 200–400 points | Combined damage compounds |
| One default removed under Privacy Act 1988 | +80–250 point recovery | 30–90 days at ACS |
The recovery is immediate once the bureau processes the removal — typically within 14 days. There's no waiting period after removal. ACS clients regularly go from Below Average to Good or Very Good within 60 days of engagement.
Real Story: A Sydney Software Developer Went From 488 to 667 in 47 Days
A 29-year-old software developer from Chatswood in Sydney pulled his Equifax score before applying for a home loan and got 488 — well below the national average for his age group. His credit file showed:
- Two hard credit enquiries from a 2022 mortgage broker event, lodged without his specific authorisation for each individual lender access
- A $310 Vodafone default from 2021 listed with an incorrect amount (the actual debt was $290)
Australian Credit Solutions reviewed the file in the free 48-hour assessment. Both enquiries were challengeable — under the Privacy Act 1988, each enquiry requires specific authorisation for each individual credit provider, and the broker had aggregated authorisation. The Vodafone default was challengeable on the incorrect-amount ground (a $20 discrepancy invalidates the listing under the Credit Reporting Code).
Two enquiries and the default removed in 47 days. His Equifax score moved from 488 to 667 — Below Average to Good, slightly above the average for his age group. The home loan was approved.
How to Move Above Average — The Fastest Path
If your score is below your age cohort's average, the fastest improvement levers — in order of impact:
1. Remove any removable negative listings (immediate 80–300+ points). A single default, court judgement or serious credit infringement is almost always the largest factor. Under the Privacy Act 1988, listings recorded in breach of the law can be removed in 30–90 days. The audit is free.
2. Build CCR repayment history (slow but compounding). 24 months of perfect on-time payments across all credit accounts is the strongest positive signal under Comprehensive Credit Reporting.
3. Reduce credit utilisation (modest, fast). Keep credit card balances below 30% of the limit at statement date. A $10,000 limit with a $2,500 balance scores better than the same limit with a $7,000 balance — even if you pay it off in full each month.
4. Avoid unnecessary credit applications (preventive). Each hard enquiry knocks 5–15 points. Four or more in 12 months is a red flag.
5. Keep old accounts open (preventive). Closing your oldest credit card reduces your average account age, which slowly hurts your score.
6. Diversify your credit mix (small positive). One credit card plus a small personal loan you're paying down on time scores better than one credit card alone.
For most Australians below the average, steps 1 and 2 together produce the bulk of the improvement. The slow build (step 2) is fighting against a much bigger force if step 1 is still in play.
📞 Want to know honestly if your file has a removable listing? Call 0489 265 737 for a 60-second yes/no, or book the free 48-hour assessment. ASIC ACL 532003. Lawyer-led. 98% success rate on accepted cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average credit score in Australia in 2026? The average Equifax credit score in Australia in 2026 is approximately 760, sitting in the "Very Good" band (735–852). This represents a significant improvement from pre-2018 levels (around 640–660), driven by Comprehensive Credit Reporting (CCR) introduced in March 2018 which allowed positive repayment history to count toward scores for the first time. On the Experian and Illion 0–1,000 scales, the Australian averages are approximately 620 and 580 respectively.
What's a good credit score in Australia? A good credit score in Australia is 661+ on Equifax (0–1,200), 625+ on Experian (0–1,000), and 500+ on Illion (0–1,000). For mainstream home loan approval at the big four banks, you generally want Equifax 700+ combined with a clean file (no active defaults or court judgements). Scores above 853 on Equifax are "Excellent" and unlock the best lending rates available.
What's the Equifax national average credit score for Australia in 2025? The Equifax national average credit score for Australia is approximately 760 — placing the average Australian in the "Very Good" band (735–852). This figure has been trending upward over the past decade. Pre-2018 the national average sat around 640–660. The introduction of Comprehensive Credit Reporting in March 2018 lifted the average by 80–100 points across most age cohorts.
What's a bad credit score in Australia? On the Equifax scale (0–1,200), Below Average is 0–459. This is the zone where most mainstream lending is impossible — major banks decline home loan applications automatically, mid-tier lenders decline most products, and only specialist (high-cost) finance options remain available. Average (460–660) is the zone where approvals are possible but at higher rates. The good news: scores in this zone are typically suppressed by one or two specific negative listings — and removal under the Privacy Act 1988 can lift the score back to Good or Very Good in 30–90 days.
What's the average credit score by age in Australia? Average Equifax scores by age cohort in Australia (2026 data): Under 25: 550–650 (thin credit history). 25–34: 680–740. 35–44: 740–790. 45–54: 770–820. 55–64: 790–840. 65+: 800–860. Scores generally improve with age because Equifax weights length of credit history, longer payment track records and aged-off historical issues all compound positively.
What's a good credit score out of 1,000 (Experian and Illion)? On the Experian and Illion scales (both 0–1,000), a Good score is 625–699 (Experian) and 500–699 (Illion). Very Good is 700–799. Excellent is 800–1,000. A score of 700+ on these bureaus is roughly equivalent to 735+ on Equifax. Each bureau uses a different scoring formula, so your three scores will almost always differ — sometimes by hundreds of points.
What credit score do I need for a home loan in Australia? For a home loan at a major Australian bank (CBA, ANZ, NAB, Westpac) in 2026, you generally want Equifax 700+ combined with a clean file — no active defaults, court judgements or paid defaults less than 12 months old. Non-bank prime lenders (Macquarie, Resimac) consider scores from 650+. Specialist lenders accept lower scores with rate loadings of 2–4% above standard — which over 30 years on a $500,000 loan can cost $100,000–$250,000 in extra interest.
Is my credit score average if it's 666 in Australia? A score of 666 on the Equifax scale (0–1,200) sits at the lower edge of the "Good" band (661–734) — it's actually below the current Australian average of 760. If you're at 666, you're approved for most credit products but not at the best rates. The most common cause of a score in this zone is one minor default or a recent string of enquiries. Removing one removable listing typically lifts the score by 80–200 points — pushing into "Very Good" and unlocking better rates.
Does the Australian average credit score change over time? Yes. The Australian average Equifax score has risen from approximately 640–660 in 2017 (pre-CCR) to approximately 760 in 2026 — driven primarily by the introduction of Comprehensive Credit Reporting in March 2018, which allowed positive repayment history to count toward scores. The trend continues to be upward as more years of CCR data accumulate. Score averages also shift modestly with economic conditions — during the 2020 COVID hardship period, late payment volumes increased and average scores briefly dipped.
How does my credit score compare to other Australians? If you want to know exactly where you sit relative to other Australians, pull your Equifax score for free at ClearScore (clearscoring.com.au) or GetCreditScore (getcreditscore.com.au), then compare to your age cohort's average above. If you're within 50 points of your age cohort's average, you're in normal range. If you're 100+ points below, something specific on your file is suppressing your score — typically a default, court judgement or excessive enquiries — and is worth investigating for removal under the Privacy Act 1988.
Does checking my own credit score hurt it? No. Checking your own credit score is a "soft enquiry" and has zero impact on your score or file. Only credit applications (hard enquiries from lenders) affect your score. You can check your score as often as you like through free services like ClearScore, Credit Savvy or GetCreditScore without any consequence. Most Australians who track their score monthly do so without any score impact.
How long does it take to reach the Australian average if I'm below it? If your file is clean (no negative listings) and you're just below the average due to a thin file or recent enquiries, 6–12 months of disciplined credit use typically gets you within 50 points of your age cohort's average. If your file has a default, court judgement or serious credit infringement suppressing your score, the slow build won't help much while that listing is active — removing the listing under the Privacy Act 1988 (typically 30–90 days at ACS where legal grounds exist) is the fastest path back to average.
Below Average? Find Out If You Can Be Fixed in 90 Days
If your score is well below your age cohort's average — and particularly if it's under 660 — the most likely cause is one or more removable negative listings on your file. The audit costs you nothing.
Australian Credit Solutions provides a free, no-obligation credit file assessment within 48 hours. We pull your file across all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, Illion), identify every negative listing, and tell you honestly which ones can be challenged under the Privacy Act 1988 and which can't. No commitment. No obligation. No impact on your score.
Why over 5,000 Australians have used ACS
- ASIC Licensed — Australian Credit Licence ACL 532003. Verify at connectonline.asic.gov.au.
- Lawyer-led — Principal Solicitor Elisa Rothschild BA/LLB (Monash University), operating through Fogarty Oliver and Rothschild law firm.
- 98% success rate on accepted cases.
- 4.9 out of 5 from 976+ verified reviews on ProductReview.com.au.
- Industry Excellence Award winner 2022, 2023, 2024.
- No Win No Fee — success fees only payable when a listing is actually removed.
Available Across Australia
We help clients in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart, Darwin, Canberra, Newcastle and every Australian city.
Get My Free Assessment → 📞 Call 0489 265 737 — 60-second yes/no on whether your listing can be removed.
Australian Credit Solutions Pty Ltd holds Australian Credit Licence ACL 532003. Credit repair services are subject to individual assessment. Results may vary. This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Always seek professional advice before making financial decisions.
Related reading: Average Credit Score by Age in Australia → | Credit Score Ranges Australia → | Equifax vs Experian vs Illion → | Highest Credit Score in Australia → | Default Removal Services →
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