What Is a Good Credit Score in Australia? (All 3 Bureaus)

Quick Answer: In Australia, "Good" means 661–734 on Equifax (0–1,200 scale), 625–699 on Experian (0–1,000 scale), and 700–799 on illion (0–1,000 scale). A Good score qualifies you for most mainstream loans at standard rates. Very Good (735+ on Equifax) unlocks the best rates and fastest approvals. If negative entries listed unlawfully under the Privacy Act 1988 are holding your score below the Good band, Australian Credit Solutions (ACL 532003) can investigate and dispute them — outcomes depend on your individual file.

"Is my credit score good enough?" That question comes up constantly — and the answer depends on which bureau you're checking, which lender you're approaching, and what you're trying to get approved for. Three bureaus, three scales, three different labels for what is essentially the same band. This guide gives you the exact numbers, side by side.

For background on how scores are calculated, see our guide on what a credit score is and how it works.

What Credit Score Is Considered "Good" in Australia?

A "Good" credit score in Australia sits at 661–734 on Equifax, 625–699 on Experian, and 700–799 on illion, based on each bureau's published band definitions current to October 2026. Because each bureau uses a different scoring algorithm and a different maximum scale, the same underlying creditworthiness produces different numbers on each file — which is why checking all three matters. Equifax is the most widely used by Australian lenders, particularly for home loans and personal loans; Experian and illion are increasingly checked for credit cards, BNPL products, and telecommunications.

Equifax Score Bands (0–1,200) — Australia's Most-Used Bureau

For a detailed breakdown of how the Equifax algorithm works and how to check your Equifax score for free, see our Equifax credit score in Australia guide.

Experian Score Bands (0–1,000)

illion Score Bands (0–1,000)

What Does a "Good" Score Actually Unlock With Lenders?

A Good credit score in Australia typically qualifies you for approval with mainstream lenders — major banks and most second-tier lenders — at their standard published rates, based on lender policies current to 2026. A Very Good score (735+ on Equifax) typically unlocks a better rate tier. Moving from the Average band into Good (461→661 on Equifax) often unlocks full approval where it previously wasn't available.

Here's where the numbers become stark. The rate difference between Average and Very Good on a home loan can be 1.5–3 percentage points. On a $500,000 loan over 30 years, that gap can mean $150,000–$300,000 in additional interest paid.

Indicative ranges only — actual rates depend on the lender, loan type, LVR, income, and liabilities.

📊 Try the numbers yourself: Use our free mortgage calculator to see exactly how different interest rates affect your total repayment over 30 years.

For minimum score requirements by lender type, see credit score for a home loan in Australia.

How Do Lenders Actually Use Your Credit Score?

Australian lenders don't rely on a credit score number alone — under Comprehensive Credit Reporting (CCR) provisions in Part IIIA of the Privacy Act 1988, they now see 24 months of repayment history across all your open credit accounts, alongside defaults, court judgements, enquiries, and the credit score itself. A major bank's internal scorecard typically treats the bureau score as one input among several, not the sole decision.

What this means practically:

• Defaults carry the most weight. A single default can significantly reduce your credit score under the Equifax scoring model, depending on the type of listing and your existing credit profile. If that default was listed without the required s 21D pre-listing notice under the Privacy Act 1988, or for the wrong amount, it may have grounds for removal — see default removal services for how the dispute process works.
• Positive repayment history matters more than before CCR. Two years of on-time payments builds a positive record that lenders can see. It doesn't remove a default but it shows the trajectory.
• Credit enquiries accumulate. Each credit application triggers a hard enquiry, costing your score points and staying on file for 5 years. Six applications in 12 months signals financial stress to lenders regardless of whether any resulted in new debt.
• Account age and mix add stability signals. Older accounts and a mix of credit types (card + loan + home loan) contribute positively. Closing your oldest account removes years of history you can't recover.

The OAIC confirms that under the Privacy Act 1988, every Australian has the right to access their credit file and dispute information that is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, or recorded without the required process. See what affects your credit score for a detailed breakdown of how each factor is weighted.

How to Move From Average to Good: The Most Direct Routes

The fastest legitimate path from Average to Good starts with identifying whether any negative entries on your credit file were listed in breach of the Privacy Act 1988 or the Privacy (Credit Reporting) Code 2025 — because a correctly-listed entry waits out its retention period, but an incorrectly-listed one can be removed now. The Code commenced 25 March 2025 and tightened the procedural requirements for default listings further.

Step 1 — Check all three files first. Not all creditors report to all three bureaus. Equifax, Experian, and illion each accept one free report request per year under the Privacy Act 1988. Download all three before you do anything else. The OAIC recommends this specifically because errors can appear on one bureau but not others.

Step 2 — Identify defaults with procedural errors. The most common removable grounds: the creditor didn't send the s 21D notice to your current address before listing, the amount listed differs from what was actually owed, or the listing was made before the 60-day minimum overdue period required by the Code. A free credit assessment from Australian Credit Solutions reviews your file for exactly these issues — no cost to find out what's on your file and whether anything can be challenged.

Step 3 — Stop new credit applications immediately. If you're preparing to improve your score, every new application works against you. Pause all applications until your file is cleaner.

Step 4 — Reduce card utilisation to below 30%. High balances relative to limits signal financial strain to scoring models. Paying down balances across all cards to under 30% of limits can produce a score improvement within one billing cycle.

Step 5 — Build 12 months of clean repayment history. Under CCR, every on-time payment goes on your file. You can't skip this — it takes time — but consistent on-time payments over 12–24 months produce meaningful improvement on their own.

If you're also managing debt pressure alongside your credit concerns, the National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007) offers free financial counselling — it's a useful first step before taking on any further obligations.

For the complete action plan, see how to fix your credit score in Australia.

How Long Does It Take to Reach a Good Credit Score in Australia?

The timeline depends entirely on what's holding your score down — professionally disputed entries under the Privacy Act 1988 typically take 30–90 days to resolve where grounds exist, while rebuilding through on-time payments alone takes 12–24 months for meaningful movement. There is no single answer, but there is a logical order.

A correctly-listed entry cannot be removed by anyone — the rules are the rules. But where the procedure was breached, an investigation under Part IIIA of the Privacy Act 1988 is often the most direct available lever. Australian Credit Solutions (ACL 532003) assesses each file individually — whether a dispute has merit depends on your specific circumstances, and outcomes are never guaranteed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good credit score for a home loan in Australia? Most mainstream Australian lenders want at least 660–680 on Equifax (0–1,200 scale) for a standard home loan at competitive rates. A score of 735+ (Very Good band) typically unlocks the best available rate tier. Non-conforming lenders consider lower scores but charge significantly higher rates, increasing your total cost substantially. See our guide on credit score for a home loan in Australia for minimum score requirements by lender type.

Is 700 a good credit score in Australia? On Equifax (0–1,200 scale), a score of 700 sits in the Good band (661–734) — eligible for most standard products, though not yet at the Very Good threshold of 735. On Experian (0–1,000), 700 sits at the very top of the Good band or the bottom of Very Good, depending on the exact model version. On illion (0–1,000), 700 is the minimum of the Good band (700–799). Overall, 700 is a solid score that most mainstream Australian lenders will consider.

What is a good credit score for a car loan in Australia? For most Australian car loan lenders, a Good score on Equifax — 661 or above — is generally sufficient for approval at standard rates on a secured loan (the car as security). Scores below 460 on Equifax typically limit you to specialist finance at higher rates. The exact threshold varies by lender, loan size, and whether the loan is secured or unsecured.

How do I check my credit score for free in Australia? Under the Privacy Act 1988, you're entitled to a free credit report from each bureau at least once a year — Equifax (equifax.com.au), Experian (experian.com.au), and illion (creditreport.com.au). Free score checks with regular updates are also available through Equifax's consumer portal and through services like CreditSavvy (Experian). Checking your own score is a soft enquiry and does not affect it in any way.

Can a default stop me from reaching a Good credit score? Yes — a single default can hold your Equifax score in the Average or Below Average band even if everything else on your file is clean. Under the Privacy Act 1988 (Part IIIA), a default stays on your file for 5 years if correctly listed. Where a default was listed without the required s 21D notice, for the wrong amount, or before the 60-day overdue period, it may have grounds for removal. Australian Credit Solutions (ACL 532003) can assess whether those grounds apply to your file.

What affects a credit score the most in Australia? Under Comprehensive Credit Reporting provisions in the Privacy Act 1988, repayment history — whether you pay every account on time, every month — carries significant weight alongside defaults and court judgements. A single default has the most negative individual impact. Credit enquiries, card utilisation, and account age are secondary factors that accumulate over time. See what affects your credit score in Australia for a complete weighted breakdown.

Do all three bureaus give me the same credit score? No. Equifax, Experian, and illion each receive data from different credit providers — not all lenders report to all three bureaus — and each uses a different algorithm and scale. Your scores can legitimately differ across the three files. A default recorded by a creditor that only reports to Equifax won't appear on your illion file. The OAIC advises checking all three files, because inaccuracies can appear on one but not others.

What's the average credit score in Australia? The average varies by age group, credit history length, and income level. Our dedicated average credit score in Australia guide covers how the national distribution breaks down. Generally, borrowers with several years of active credit history and no defaults tend to score within the Good-to-Very Good range on Equifax, while those with shorter histories or past defaults tend to score lower.

Does paying off a debt remove a default from my credit file? No. Paying a debt changes its status from "unpaid default" to "paid default" on your credit file, but the listing itself stays for the full 5-year retention period under the Privacy Act 1988. The score impact of a paid default is somewhat lower than an unpaid one, but the entry remains. Removal is only possible where the original listing breached the required process — not simply because the debt has been paid.

Not Sure Where Your Score Stands? Find Out for Free.

If your credit score is sitting in the Average or Below Average band — or you suspect a default or enquiry is incorrectly listed — the most useful first step is a free assessment to understand exactly what's on your file and whether anything can be challenged under the Privacy Act 1988.

Australian Credit Solutions is ASIC-licensed (ACL 532003) and lawyer-led by Principal Solicitor Elisa Rothschild. We investigate whether listings were recorded lawfully and dispute the ones that were not. Where a listing can't be challenged, we'll tell you that too — along with a realistic timeline for rebuilding. No Win No Fee.

Get My Free Assessment → 📞 0480 031 704 🛡️ ASIC Licensed ACL 532003 | ⭐ 5.0/5 from 987+ Reviews | 🏆 ProductReview Best 2026

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.

Related reading: What Is a Credit Score? → | How to Fix Your Credit Score → | Default Removal Services →