Where to Get Credit Repair Help in Australia (2026 Guide)

Quick Answer: Credit repair help in Australia is available through multiple channels depending on your situation. Free resources include the National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007), ASIC's MoneySmart website, and direct dispute lodgement with credit bureaus. For professional credit repair — removing defaults and other negative entries through formal legal disputes — you need an ASIC-licensed credit repair company operating under a No Win No Fee model. Verify any firm's licence at asic.gov.au before engaging. ACS holds ASIC ACL 532003 and provides free initial credit assessments.

When your credit file is damaged, it can feel overwhelming. You're not sure who to trust, whether the information online is accurate, or whether spending money on help will actually produce results.

This guide maps every legitimate source of credit repair help available in Australia — free and paid — so you can make an informed decision about which path suits your situation.

Free Credit Repair Help in Australia

National Debt Helpline — 1800 007 007 Free financial counselling from qualified professionals. They can provide advice on your credit rights, help you understand your options, and in some cases assist with basic dispute lodgement. Not a credit repair service — focused more on debt and budgeting — but the right first call if you're in genuine financial difficulty. Available Monday–Friday.

ASIC MoneySmart — moneysmart.gov.au ASIC's consumer financial guidance website. Provides clear, accurate information on credit scores, credit reports, and your rights. Excellent for education. Does not provide hands-on credit repair assistance.

Credit bureau dispute portals — free You can lodge disputes directly with:

• Equifax — online dispute portal
• Experian — online dispute form
• Illion / creditreport.com.au — dispute submission

Bureaus are obligated to investigate disputes. Success rates are lower than professional representation because bureaus typically defer to the creditor's position unless the breach is undeniable.

AFCA — Australian Financial Complaints Authority — afca.org.au Free external dispute resolution for financial firms. If a bank, lender, or other financial firm won't resolve your complaint, AFCA's determination is binding. Free to consumers.

TIO — Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman — tio.com.au Free external dispute resolution specifically for telco complaints. If a Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone default was listed while your complaint was active with the TIO, this is direct evidence of a breach.

Professional Credit Repair Help (ASIC-Licensed)

Professional credit repair involves legal expertise applied to your specific credit file. It's appropriate when:

• You have one or more defaults and need them removed efficiently
• DIY attempts have stalled or failed
• You have a time-sensitive loan application or rental
• The grounds for removal are technical and require statutory knowledge
• You want professional representation without upfront cost risk

What to expect from a legitimate professional:

Australian Credit Solutions (ACS)

ACS holds ASIC Australian Credit Licence ACL 532003. All work is conducted under the legal supervision of Principal Solicitor Elisa Rothschild, BA/LLB (Monash University). ACS operates on a strict No Win No Fee basis — you only pay if a listing is successfully removed. ACS has helped over 5,000 Australians repair their credit files since 2014, with a 98% success rate on accepted cases and a 4.9/5 rating from 976+ independent reviews.

How to Choose the Right Help for Your Situation

Real Case Study: Fatima, Canberra — Found the Right Help After Two Wrong Turns

Fatima was a 38-year-old pharmacist. She had a $650 Optus default that had been on her file for 16 months, blocking a home loan application for a property she'd found with her partner.

Her first attempt at help: a company she found online that charged $1,800 upfront and promised removal in 2 weeks. After 6 weeks of excuses and no removal, she requested a refund. They stopped returning her calls.

Her second attempt: she lodged a dispute herself directly with Equifax. Equifax referred it to Optus. Optus said the listing was valid. The dispute was closed.

At month 18, she contacted Australian Credit Solutions after reading our reviews on Product Review. We assessed her case at no cost. We identified that the Section 21D notice Optus had issued was sent to an email address Fatima had cancelled and notified Optus of — 3 months before the notice would have been required. The notice was sent to a known-cancelled contact channel. A clear breach.

We lodged a formal dispute. Optus removed the listing in 22 days.

Fatima's Equifax score moved from 521 to 689. Her home loan application — $540,000 — was approved at 6.28%.

She only paid when we succeeded.

Get a free assessment from Australian Credit Solutions →

Warning Signs of Credit Repair Scams

Avoid any company that:

• Charges a large upfront fee before reviewing your file or starting work
• Claims to be able to remove any listing regardless of circumstances
• Suggests creating a "new credit identity" (this is identity fraud and illegal)
• Cannot provide a verifiable ASIC ACL number
• Has no named, qualified individual responsible for the legal work
• Makes verbal promises that aren't confirmed in writing
• Disappears after taking payment

Check ASIC's MoneySmart scam alerts and verify any firm's licence at asic.gov.au before paying anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can legally help me with credit repair in Australia? Any company or individual that, for payment, assists you in challenging credit file entries must hold an ASIC Australian Credit Licence (ACL). Verify the licence at asic.gov.au before engaging. Free assistance — from financial counsellors, AFCA, or your own dispute lodgement — does not require a licence.

Is there free credit repair help in Australia? Yes — the National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007), ASIC MoneySmart, direct bureau dispute lodgement, and external bodies like AFCA and the TIO are all free. Professional credit repair services — which provide legal expertise and formal representation — legitimately charge fees, but the No Win No Fee model means payment only occurs on success.

How do I know if a credit repair company is legitimate? Check their ASIC ACL number at asic.gov.au. A legitimate firm provides this number proactively. Ask for the name of the qualified professional responsible for the credit repair work. Ask for a written fee agreement before signing anything. Avoid firms that charge large upfront fees or make guaranteed removal promises.

Can a financial counsellor fix my credit file? Financial counsellors can provide advice on your credit rights and may assist with basic dispute processes, but credit repair — formal dispute of specific credit entries under the Privacy Act 1988 — requires specialist expertise. Financial counsellors are better equipped to assist with debt management, hardship arrangements, and budgeting. Both services have their role; they are different.

What questions should I ask a credit repair company before engaging? Ask: What is your ASIC ACL number? Who is the qualified professional responsible for this work? What are your fees and when are they payable? What happens if you're not successful — do I pay anything? How long will the process take? Can you give me honest advice about whether my specific entries have grounds for removal? A legitimate firm will answer all of these directly.

Start With a Free Assessment

If you're not sure whether you need professional help or DIY will suffice, our free assessment tells you honestly — no obligation, no pressure.

Get My Free Assessment → 📞 0489 265 737 🛡️ ASIC Licensed ACL 532003 | ⭐ 4.9/5 from 976+ Reviews | 🏆 Award Winner 2022–2024

Related Reading:

• Credit repair Australia — how it works
• Default removal services Australia
• How to remove a default from your credit file

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.