Credit reporting changes will boost thousands of credit scores this February
Come Feb 14, getting a home loan, personal loan or even a business loan could become easier for thousands of Aussies, as amendments to credit reporting standards will see civil court filings no longer reflected in one’s credit scores.
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has approved the change to the Credit Reporting Code 2014. According to the new code, writs and summons will not be considered publicly available information and will be scrapped from individual’s credit reports.
Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk said the changes will balance the need for efficiency in credit reporting with the need for individual privacy.
“The amendments limit the types of information that can be included on credit reports, to the advantage of consumers, by ensuring that publicly available information which is not relevant to an individual’s creditworthiness is not included on credit reports,” she said.
Who stands to benefit?
Prior to these changes, anyone who had a claim filed against them would see their credit score take a hit, even if the claim didn’t make it to court, let alone result in a judgement (an order by a magistrate or assessor when deciding a case).
This was a major source of frustration for business owners in particular, with many finding themselves unable to negotiate on interest or outright rejected when applying for necessary business loans.
When the new legislation comes into effect mid-February, only judgements will be recorded on a person’s credit file, and they must be credit related in order to impact their credit score.
MyCRA Lawyers CEO Graham Doessel said the rules will also be appreciated by mortgage brokers, who would constantly find themselves on the backfoot when negotiating home loan deals for clients who had trivial court judgements to their name.
"Tens of thousands of Australians have had their credit rating destroyed, businesses and financial security put in jeopardy all because civil court actions treated defendants as guilty till proven innocent when it came to their credit rating,” Mr Doessel said.
Will I have to do anything?
If your credit score has been tainted by a non-credit related judgement, it should automatically be removed by February 14.
But if it remains past that date, you might have to get in contact with a credit reporting bureau and ask to have it removed directly. You'll likely be required to contact each credit reporting bureau individually.
If you’re looking for more ways to improve your standing in the eyes of lenders, check out our list of things that hurt your credit score and how to avoid them. And if you’re in the market for a home loan, browse our home loan comparison page for a look at what’s available.
Home loan comparisons on Mozo - last updated January 23, 2021
Smart Booster Home Loan
1 Year Discounted Variable Rate, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, <80% LVR
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
1.99% p.a.variable for 12 months and then 2.48% p.a. variable2.47% p.a.A super low introductory rate home loan with no monthly or ongoing fees. Unlimited free redraws and unlimited additional repayments to help you build your equity and own your home sooner. Multiple loan splits available. (Rates revert after introductory period ends). 20% minimum deposit required.
CompareCompareSmart Booster Home Loan
A super low introductory rate home loan with no monthly or ongoing fees. Unlimited free redraws and unlimited additional repayments to help you build your equity and own your home sooner. Multiple loan splits available. (Rates revert after introductory period ends). 20% minimum deposit required.
- interest rate
- 1.99% p.a.variable for 12 months and then 2.48% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 2.47% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $520
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- Optional - with 0.10% additional interest
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $1,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Smart Booster Home Loan
UHomeLoan - Discount Offer
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
2.34% p.a. variable2.34% p.a.Enjoy a super low rate, $0 fees and easy application with the Mozo Experts Choice Home Lender Bank of the Year.^ Free redraw with flexible repayments. Min 20% deposit.
CompareCompareUHomeLoan - Discount Offer
Enjoy a super low rate, $0 fees and easy application with the Mozo Experts Choice Home Lender Bank of the Year.^ Free redraw with flexible repayments. Min 20% deposit.
- interest rate
- 2.34% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 2.34% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $100,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- -
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the UHomeLoan - Discount Offer
Celebrate Variable Home Loan
<60% LVR, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
2.19% p.a. variable2.19% p.a.Fast online application with no fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Min 40% deposit. Crowned Best New Home Loan for 2020 by the Mozo Experts.^
CompareCompareCelebrate Variable Home Loan
Fast online application with no fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Min 40% deposit. Crowned Best New Home Loan for 2020 by the Mozo Experts.^
- interest rate
- 2.19% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 2.19% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $100,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $2,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Celebrate Variable Home Loan
Basic Home Loan
Fixed, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR 70-80%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
2.09% p.a.
fixed 2 years2.56% p.a.Flexible loan structure – create up to six loan accounts with different rate and repayment types. Free redraw from your loan using Macquarie Online.
CompareCompareBasic Home Loan
Flexible loan structure – create up to six loan accounts with different rate and repayment types. Free redraw from your loan using Macquarie Online.
- interest rate
- 2.09% p.a.
fixed 2 years
- comparison rate
- 2.56% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $400.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $750,000
- type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Basic Home Loan
Fixed Home Loan Special Offer
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, <80% LVR
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment
1.89% p.a.
fixed 2 years2.94% p.a.Competitive low rates starting from 1.89% (2.94% comparison rate) 2 years fixed for owner occupiers. No monthly account keeping fees & No loan establishment fee.
CompareCompareFixed Home Loan Special Offer
Competitive low rates starting from 1.89% (2.94% comparison rate) 2 years fixed for owner occupiers. No monthly account keeping fees & No loan establishment fee.
- interest rate
- 1.89% p.a.
fixed 2 years
- comparison rate
- 2.94% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $375.00 yearly
- Discharge Fee
- $350.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free up to $500 per month
- Redraw facility
- no
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- -
- type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Fixed Home Loan Special Offer
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Home Loans Awards
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