Multiple Defaults and Duplicate Enquiries — A Common Perth Scenario
A general scenario we often see: a credit file carries more than one default plus a cluster of enquiries that look like the same application recorded more than once. This page explains what the law requires, what we check and what to do next. It describes a common situation, not a client, and no outcome is promised.
The Common Situation
After a difficult period, a person in Perth finds two defaults on their credit file, along with several enquiries from the same lender on the same day. They are not sure which items are correct and which are not.
When a file has several issues at once it can feel overwhelming. Each listing and each enquiry is a separate item, assessed on its own facts, so a file like this is worked through one item at a time.
What the Law Says
Each default must meet the conditions in section 6Q of the Privacy Act 1988 (at least 60 days overdue, $150 or more, and a written request for payment) and the notice requirement in section 21D before it is listed.
Credit enquiries are generally retained for 5 years. A genuine enquiry you applied for is correctly recorded, but an enquiry recorded more than once for the same application, or one you did not authorise, may not be accurate. Part IIIA of the Privacy Act and the Privacy (Credit Reporting) Code give you the right to ask for inaccurate information to be corrected.
A correctly listed default generally cannot be removed before its five-year term ends, and paying a default does not remove it.
What ACS Checks
Our solicitor reads the full credit file against the Privacy Act 1988 and the Privacy (Credit Reporting) Code. In a situation like this we look at:
- Each default separately: notices, amount, dates and any dispute at the time of listing
- Whether enquiries are duplicates of the same application or were not authorised
- What each credit reporting body holds, since files can differ between bureaus
- Which items, if any, appear to have grounds, and which were correctly listed
If a listing appears not to meet the requirements, the next step is a formal dispute to the credit provider or credit reporting body setting out the grounds. If a listing was made correctly, we will tell you so. Outcomes depend on the creditor's response and are never guaranteed.
Your Next Step
If this situation sounds familiar, start with a free, no-obligation assessment. We will look at what is listed on your file and explain whether there appear to be grounds to dispute any of it.
General scenario notice: This page describes a common situation for general information only. It is not a client story, does not describe any result, and is not legal or financial advice. Every matter is assessed individually under the Privacy Act 1988.
Related Reading
Sources
- OAIC — credit reporting — oaic.gov.au
- Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) — legislation.gov.au
- ASIC Moneysmart — credit repair — moneysmart.gov.au
Common Questions
Can several defaults be challenged at the same time?
Can duplicate credit enquiries be corrected?
How long does a default stay on a credit file in Australia?
Is this page about a real client?
Not Sure Whether a Listing Was Made Correctly?
A free, no-obligation assessment shows you what is listed on your file and whether any listing appears open to challenge under the Privacy Act 1988.
Australian Credit Solutions Pty Ltd holds Australian Credit Licence 532003. This page describes a general scenario for information only; it is not a client story and not a guarantee of any outcome. Credit file services are subject to individual assessment, and outcomes depend on the creditor's response and are never guaranteed.
Last updated: 1 October 2026 · Reviewed by Elisa Rothschild BA/LLB