Experian Credit Score Australia: What It Is and How to Improve It

Quick Answer: Your Experian credit score in Australia runs from 0 to 1,000. A score of 625–699 is Good, 700–799 is Very Good, and 800+ is Excellent. Experian is used by many non-bank lenders, fintechs, and some major banks. If a default on your Experian file was listed in breach of the Privacy Act 1988 or Credit Reporting Code, it can be removed professionally in 30–90 days — often delivering 100–300 point improvements immediately.

Most Australians know they have a credit score — fewer know they have three, one from each bureau, potentially all different. Experian is one of those three, and depending on which lender you apply with, it might be the only one they check.

This guide covers everything specific to your Experian score: what the ranges mean, who uses it, how it differs from Equifax and Illion, and what you can do when your Experian score is lower than it should be.

Experian Credit Score Ranges in Australia

These bands are Experian's own classifications. Different lenders may set their own internal thresholds, so a score of 640 might be accepted by one lender and declined by another — always get a pre-assessment before applying formally.

Who Uses Experian in Australia?

Experian is used extensively by non-bank lenders, fintech platforms, and comparison services. Some of the major banks also use Experian as a secondary check. It tends to be the bureau of choice for:

• Personal loan providers (online and non-bank)
• Buy-now-pay-later providers (some report here)
• Fintech lending platforms
• Broker-sourced finance applications
• Some credit card issuers

Because different lenders check different bureaus, a default that appears on your Experian file might not be on your Equifax or Illion file — and vice versa. This is why checking all three separately is essential, not just one.

How Your Experian Score Is Calculated

Experian uses the same broad data inputs as Equifax and Illion, but weights them differently in its proprietary model. The key factors are:

Since Comprehensive Credit Reporting (CCR) was introduced in 2018, on-time payment history across all participating accounts is now actively reflected in your Experian score. This is a meaningful change — good behaviour actively lifts the score rather than just preventing damage.

Real Case Study: Diana, Perth — Experian Score 397 to 659 in 43 Days

Diana, 38, a dental hygienist from Perth, had been approved for a personal loan to fund a small home renovation through her bank — until the final credit check came back. Her bank used Experian. Her Experian score was 397.

What was on the file: a $615 default from an internet provider, listed eighteen months earlier. Her Equifax score was 681 — squarely in the Good range, with no defaults showing. The internet provider only reported to Experian, which is why the discrepancy existed across bureaus.

Diana had disputed the final invoice with the provider in writing at the time it was issued. The provider had listed the default anyway — while her written dispute was still formally open and unresolved. That's a direct breach of the Credit Reporting Code, which prohibits listing a default while a genuine dispute remains active.

ACS reviewed her Experian file, confirmed the breach, and lodged a formal challenge with the provider and Experian. The provider's compliance team investigated and acknowledged the error within 17 days. The default was removed on day 43.

Result: Diana's Experian score moved from 397 to 659 in 43 days — a 262-point improvement. Her bank reprocessed her loan application and approved it at the same rate they'd originally quoted: 10.9% p.a. The default that had nearly derailed her renovation no longer existed. She only paid when we succeeded. Subject to individual assessment; results may vary.

How to Check Your Experian Credit Score for Free

You can access your Experian credit report and score for free at experian.com.au. Under the Privacy Act 1988, you're entitled to one free report per year, plus additional free reports within 90 days of a credit application being declined.

Also check Equifax and Illion — each holds a separate file. What's on one isn't necessarily on the others.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good Experian credit score in Australia? A good Experian credit score in Australia starts at 625. Scores of 700–799 are Very Good, and 800+ is Excellent. Below 550 is considered Below Average and will result in most mainstream lenders declining. Different lenders set their own internal thresholds, so a score of 640 may be accepted by some and declined by others.

How do I improve my Experian credit score in Australia? The fastest way to improve your Experian score is to remove any entries listed unlawfully under the Privacy Act 1988 or Credit Reporting Code — defaults challenged on procedural grounds can deliver 100–300 point improvements in 30–90 days. Longer-term improvement comes from on-time payment history, reduced credit enquiries, and lower credit card utilisation.

Is my Experian score different from my Equifax score? Yes — often significantly. Equifax and Experian hold separate files built from the lenders and creditors who report to each bureau. A default can appear on one file and not the other. Your Experian score uses a different scale (0–1,000 vs Equifax's 0–1,200) and a different weighting algorithm. Always check both separately.

Does Experian use the same information as Equifax and Illion? They draw on the same types of information — defaults, enquiries, repayment history, court judgements — but not necessarily the same specific data. A creditor who only reports to Experian won't appear on your Equifax or Illion file. This is why all three files can look different.

Can a default on my Experian file be removed? Yes — if the default was listed in breach of the Privacy Act 1988 or Credit Reporting Code. Common grounds include no Section 21D pre-listing notice, listing during an active dispute, or an incorrect amount. Successful challenges are typically resolved in 30–90 days. ACS offers a free assessment to determine whether your specific entry qualifies.

If Your Experian Score Is Holding You Back, Get It Assessed

A free assessment from Australian Credit Solutions reviews your Experian file for anything that can be challenged — defaults, enquiries, or inaccuracies listed in breach of Australian credit law.

Australian Credit Solutions is ASIC-licensed (ACL 532003), lawyer-led by Principal Solicitor Elisa Rothschild, and has helped over 5,000 Australians improve their credit files across all three bureaus since 2014. No Win No Fee. 98% success rate on accepted cases.

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

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.

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