How Much Does It Cost to Fix Your Credit in Australia? (2026)

Quick Answer: Fixing your credit in Australia costs nothing through the DIY route — you can dispute inaccurate entries directly with credit providers and bureaus at no charge under the Privacy Act 1988. Professional credit repair under a No Win No Fee model means you only pay if results are achieved. Beware any company charging large upfront fees before delivering any results — this is the primary hallmark of disreputable operators in this industry.

"How much does it cost?" is often the first question people ask when considering credit repair. It's the right question — but the answer depends entirely on which path you take and which provider you use. Let's make it completely clear.

The Three Ways to Fix Your Credit in Australia

The critical distinction is between No Win No Fee operators and upfront fee operators. These are not the same product.

What "No Win No Fee" Actually Means in Credit Repair

A genuine No Win No Fee model in credit repair means: if the company does not successfully remove or correct the target credit file entries, you do not pay for that removal work. The only payment is upon verified success.

Some operators include a modest administration fee to cover credit report retrieval and initial assessment. This is reasonable — check the amount and what it covers. What is not reasonable is charging hundreds or thousands of dollars for work that hasn't been done yet with no result guarantee.

Under Australian Credit Solutions' model: the initial assessment is free. A modest admin fee covers file retrieval. Removal fees are charged only after removals are confirmed in writing. No result means no removal fee.

The Cost of Doing Nothing vs Fixing It

The real cost conversation isn't about what credit repair charges — it's about what bad credit costs you every year it stays on your file.

Compared to these ongoing costs, a professional credit repair success fee is almost always a small fraction of the first year's saving alone.

Real Case Study: Paul, Perth — $800 Fee, $148,000 Saving

Paul, 44, an electrician from Perth, had a $660 default from a credit card company listed 22 months earlier. His Equifax score was 468. He'd been declined for a home refinance twice. His existing loan was at 9.8% p.a. — a non-conforming product he'd taken out three years earlier when his credit had been worse.

The credit card default had been listed 3 days after the Section 21D notice was sent — but the notice should have been sent 14 days before listing, not 3. The timing was a clear procedural breach of the Privacy Act 1988.

ACS challenged the listing. Removed in 23 days. Paul's Equifax score moved from 468 to 699. He refinanced to a major bank at 6.28% p.a.

Result: Paul's Equifax score moved from 468 to 699 in 23 days. On his $430,000 refinance, the difference between 9.8% and 6.28% over the remaining 23 years of his loan term saved approximately $148,000 in total interest. ACS's success fee was a small fraction of that first year's saving. Paul only paid when we succeeded. Subject to individual assessment; results may vary.

How to Get Your Credit Fixed for Free (DIY Guide)

If your credit issue is a clear error — wrong personal details, a debt that isn't yours, or an expired entry that hasn't been removed — the DIY path is entirely viable:

1. Get your credit reports from equifax.com.au, experian.com.au, and creditreport.com.au — all three, for free
2. Identify the error — wrong amount, wrong name, wrong date, not your debt, expired entry
3. Write to the credit provider — set out the error clearly, include your evidence, request correction under the Privacy Act 1988
4. Escalate if refused — lodge a complaint with AFCA (Australian Financial Complaints Authority) at afca.org.au
5. Contact the credit bureau — Equifax, Experian, and Illion all have dispute processes if the provider is unresponsive

For legally complex cases — where grounds involve procedural breaches, Section 21D timing analysis, statute of limitations arguments, or credit provider disputes — professional legal expertise typically produces faster and more reliable outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fix my credit score for free in Australia? Yes — you can dispute inaccurate credit file entries directly with credit providers and bureaus at no cost under the Privacy Act 1988. The DIY process works well for clear errors. For cases requiring legal analysis and persistent escalation, professional credit repair under a No Win No Fee model means you only pay if results are achieved — making the professional path effectively free if no result is produced.

How much do credit repair companies charge in Australia? Legitimate No Win No Fee operators charge a success fee after results are confirmed — only on successful cases. Disreputable operators demand large upfront fees (hundreds to thousands of dollars) before doing any work. Always ask what you pay if no result is achieved, and get the answer in writing before signing anything.

Is it worth paying for professional credit repair in Australia? For cases involving legally complex grounds — Section 21D timing breaches, listings during active disputes, incorrect amounts — professional credit repair typically produces faster and more reliable outcomes than DIY. Given that the financial benefit of removing a single default can run into tens of thousands of dollars over a loan term, the professional fee is almost always a small fraction of the saving achieved.

What is included in a credit repair service fee in Australia? This varies by operator. ACS's fees cover: the formal challenge to the credit provider, all written correspondence, escalation to AFCA if required, liaison with credit bureaus, and confirmation of removal. Get a written scope of service from any provider before engaging.

Can credit repair companies charge for unsuccessful cases? Under a genuine No Win No Fee model, no. However, some operators include clauses that define "success" differently from the client's expectation — for example, receiving an acknowledgment from the credit provider rather than actual removal. Always read the engagement agreement carefully and confirm exactly what constitutes a chargeable result.

Does the Australian government provide free credit repair services? No — but the government-funded National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007) provides free financial counselling, including guidance on credit disputes. AFCA provides free independent dispute resolution for complaints against credit providers. These resources are valuable for DIY disputes and should be used before paying any private provider.

Find Out What Your Result Could Be Worth — Free

A free ACS assessment tells you within 24 hours whether any entries on your file have grounds for challenge, and gives you an honest indication of the realistic outcome. No obligation, no upfront cost, no pressure.

Australian Credit Solutions — ASIC-licensed (ACL 532003), lawyer-led by Principal Solicitor Elisa Rothschild. No Win No Fee. 98% success rate on accepted cases. Award winner 2022, 2023, 2024.

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

This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Australian Credit Solutions Pty Ltd holds ASIC ACL 532003. Results may vary.

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