“Shopping around” for a personal loan WITHOUT hurting your credit score: The do’s & don’ts

When making a big purchase or financial commitment, the most common advice you’ll hear is to always “shop around” before deciding. However, when it comes to applying for a personal loan, if you go about this the wrong way, “shopping around” could be detrimental to your credit score, and potentially prevent you from being approved for the loan.
This means it’s super important to know how to avoid any negative strikes against your credit score and keep it in good shape. To make it simple for you, we’ve compiled a list of loan application ‘dos and don’t’s’ to ensure your credit score remains intact.
DO some window shopping to find the right loan for you
First and foremost, you should spend some time searching for the right personal loan which has all the features you want and need. With so much variety on offer, it can be a real challenge knowing what to look for and finding a personal loan that ticks all the boxes for you. To get an idea of what’s out there and to find a loan that suits your needs, start with a quick personal loan comparison.
You should look for personal loans that offer low interest rates, minimal fees and flexible features like free extra repayments to help you pay your loan off quicker, and a free redraw facility just in case you need access to additional funds in an emergency.
Personal loan comparison - last updated 21 May 2022
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Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Unsecured Personal Loan - 2022
Unsecured Personal Loan
Fixed
interest rate
comparison rate
Monthly repayment5.95% p.a.to 19.95% p.a.5.95% p.a.to 19.95% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 yearsBorrow up to $50,000 unsecured. Perfect if you earn more than $22,100 p.a. and have good to excellent credit. Back to back winner of Mozo’s Experts Choice Unsecured Personal Loan Award, 2021 & 2022^.
Repayment terms from 2 years to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 5.95% would cost $34,757.21 including fees.
CompareCompare- interest rate
- 5.95% p.a.to 19.95% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 5.95% p.a.to 19.95% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- interest rate
- 5.95% p.a.to 19.95% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 5.95% p.a.to 19.95% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- Upfront fee
- $0
- Monthly fee
- $0.00
- Exit fee
- $0.00
- Late payment fee
- $0.00
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly
- Early repayment penalty
- 0
- Minimum loan amount
- $5,000.00
- Maximum loan amount
- $50,000.00
- Minimum loan term
- 2 Years
- Maximum loan term
- 7 Years
- Security required
- Unsecured
- Other benefits
- Other restrictions
- Rates based on borrower with excellent credit score. Maximum 3 year term for loan amounts $8,000 or less.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the NOW Finance Unsecured Personal Loan
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Featured Product Hot Deal A special low rate starting from 5.45% (6.07% comparison rate)
Low Rate Personal Loan
Excellent Credit
interest rate
comparison rate
Monthly repayment5.45% p.a.to 8.48% p.a.6.07% p.a.to 8.84% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 yearsOurMoneyMarket offer competitive low rates for borrowers with excellent credit on loans up to $75,000, plus free extra repayments and fee-free redraw facility. Winner of Mozo's Experts Choice Unsecured Personal Loan 2021 award^.
Repayment terms from 1 year to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 5.45% would cost $34,590.57 including fees.
CompareCompare- interest rate
- 5.45% p.a.to 8.48% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.07% p.a.to 8.84% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- interest rate
- 5.45% p.a.to 8.48% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.07% p.a.to 8.84% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- Upfront fee
- $250
- Monthly fee
- $0.00
- Exit fee
- $0.00
- Late payment fee
- $35.00
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Early repayment penalty
- $0.00
- Minimum loan amount
- $2,001.00
- Maximum loan amount
- $75,000.00
- Minimum loan term
- 1 Year
- Maximum loan term
- 7 Years
- Security required
- Unsecured
- Other benefits
- Other restrictions
- Rate for Excellent Credit. Establishment fee varies from $250 and is based on your OurMoneyMarket loan grade and total loan amount. The fee is added to the principal amount and paid over the loan term.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the OurMoneyMarket Low Rate Personal Loan
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Unsecured Personal Loan
Fixed
interest rate
comparison rate
Monthly repayment5.35% p.a.to 19.09% p.a.6.14% p.a.to 19.99% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 yearsFast, easy and 100% online, this is a low cost loan with no ongoing fees or extra repayment penalties. It's perfect for savvy borrowers with great credit. If you’re over 18 and earn above $30,000, you could qualify (other eligibility criteria may apply).
Repayment terms from 3 years to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 5.35% would cost $34,832.61 including fees.
CompareCompare- interest rate
- 5.35% p.a.to 19.09% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.14% p.a.to 19.99% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- interest rate
- 5.35% p.a.to 19.09% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.14% p.a.to 19.99% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- Upfront fee
- $575
- Monthly fee
- $0.00
- Exit fee
- $0.00
- Late payment fee
- $15.00
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Early repayment penalty
- $0.00
- Minimum loan amount
- $2,000.00
- Maximum loan amount
- $70,000.00
- Minimum loan term
- 3 Years
- Maximum loan term
- 7 Years
- Security required
- Unsecured
- Other benefits
- Establishment fee is $275 for loans under $5,000.
- Other restrictions
- Establishment fee is added to the loan amount and interest is charged on the total amount.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Harmoney Unsecured Personal Loan
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Featured Product
Personal Loan
Unsecured, Fixed, Excellent Credit
interest rate
comparison rate
Monthly repayment6.39% p.a.to 7.89% p.a.6.39% p.a.to 8.49% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 yearsWith low rates for borrowers with excellent credit, a quick 1 minute rate estimate and simple online application, there’s a lot to love about this loan! You’ll not only benefit from no exit fees, there are also no early repayment fees. You could qualify by simply earning above $25,000 and you’ll be on the way to start spending (other eligibility criteria may apply).
Repayment terms from 3 years to 5 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 6.39% would cost $35,126.40 including fees.
CompareCompare- interest rate
- 6.39% p.a.to 7.89% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.39% p.a.to 8.49% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- interest rate
- 6.39% p.a.to 7.89% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.39% p.a.to 8.49% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- Upfront fee
- $0
- Monthly fee
- $0.00
- Exit fee
- $0.00
- Late payment fee
- $30.00
- Repayment options
- Monthly
- Early repayment penalty
- $0.00
- Minimum loan amount
- $5,000.00
- Maximum loan amount
- $50,000.00
- Minimum loan term
- 3 Years
- Maximum loan term
- 5 Years
- Security required
- Unsecured
- Other benefits
- Up front fee may be higher than shown depending on your application.
- Other restrictions
- Displayed interest rate is for customers with an excellent credit history. Application fees may be higher depending on loan amount.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Plenti Personal Loan
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Home Improvement Loan
Fixed, Unsecured
interest rate
comparison rate
Monthly repayment5.75% p.a.5.96% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 yearsHandypay offers flexible home improvement loans for Excellent Credit or better. Handypay is a specialist home improvement plan provider and offers loans up to $75,000.
Repayment terms from 1 year to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 5.75% would cost $34,840.18 including fees.
CompareCompare- interest rate
- 5.75% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 5.96% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- interest rate
- 5.75% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 5.96% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- Upfront fee
- $250
- Monthly fee
- $0.00
- Exit fee
- $0.00
- Late payment fee
- $35.00
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Early repayment penalty
- 0
- Minimum loan amount
- $2,000.00
- Maximum loan amount
- $75,000.00
- Minimum loan term
- 1 Year
- Maximum loan term
- 7 Years
- Security required
- Unsecured
- Other benefits
- Other restrictions
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Handypay Home Improvement Loan
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Personal Loan
Variable
interest rate
comparison rate
Monthly repayment5.75% p.a.to 25.99% p.a.6.68% p.a.to 29.2% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 yearsRepayment terms from 2 years to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 5.75% would cost $35,370.18 including fees.
CompareCompare- interest rate
- 5.75% p.a.to 25.99% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.68% p.a.to 29.2% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- interest rate
- 5.75% p.a.to 25.99% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.68% p.a.to 29.2% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- Upfront fee
- $0
- Monthly fee
- $13.00
- Exit fee
- $0.00
- Late payment fee
- $40.00
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Early repayment penalty
- 0
- Minimum loan amount
- $5,000.00
- Maximum loan amount
- -
- Minimum loan term
- 2 Years
- Maximum loan term
- 7 Years
- Security required
- Unsecured, Vehicle
- Other benefits
- Other restrictions
- Establishment fee added to your loan amount ranging from 0-5% based on our credit rating.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Latitude Personal Loan
DO check that you’re eligible for the loan BEFORE applying
Once you’ve gone through and eliminated the loans that you don’t want and are left with just your top potential personal loan picks, before you even consider filling out an application, you’ll need to make sure you’re actually eligible for the loan. It’s vital to check the loans’ eligibility requirements before you apply for a loan to get a better indication of whether or not you’ll be approved.
How to check if you’ll be eligible:
Each time you get rejected for a loan application, your credit score cops a beating in the process. If you want to protect your credit score, always remember to check that you’re eligible before applying! Various factors can determine whether or not you’ll qualify for a personal loan, such as the loan amount, your age and residency, and your credit score.
You can use our personal loan rate matcher tool to find personal loans that you’re eligible for, rather than taking a wild guess which runs the risk of applying for a loan that you’re not eligible for, which is a great way to avoid being rejected for a loan application which will ultimately hurt your credit score.
Don’t let your existing debt get out of hand
Whether you’re looking for a loan to consolidate debt, or you’re after a new credit option to add to your financial setup, don’t ignore any current bills or repayments you have while shopping around for a new personal loan. Missing repayments can be damaging to your credit score, and if you want to be approved for a new loan application, a poor rating is the last thing you need! Now’s the time to focus on keeping on top of any financial obligations to avoid accumulating any unwanted debt, and to show a potential lender that you can manage your money responsibly.
DON’T apply for heaps of different loans
What many people don’t know is that each time you submit a new loan application its recorded on your credit report. To a lender, applying for multiple loans could be a sign that you're frantically scrambling for money, making you an unattractive loan candidate. Plus, if you get rejected for numerous loans, your credit score will be dragged down in the process. All of these factors can spoil an otherwise good credit score. The key lesson here is to nail your options down to one final loan of choice. Don't just go and apply for loans willy-nilly!
Use our new personal loan rate matcher tool to run a free credit check that won’t show up on your credit report and to find tailored rates on eligible loans. Or, find out more about how to improve your credit score.
* WARNING: The Comparison Rate combines the lender's interest rate, fees and charges into a single rate to show the true cost of a personal loan. The comparison rates displayed are calculated based on a loan of $30,000 for a term of 5 years or a loan of $10,000 for a term of 3 years as indicated, based on monthly principal and interest repayments, on a secured basis for secured loans and an unsecured basis for unsecured loans. This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan.
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Personal Loan Awards
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