Why smart Aussies are dumping credit cards for personal loans

By Kirsty Timsans · · 2 min read
Fact Checked
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There's a quiet revolution going on in the otherwise boring world of banking: thousands of smart Aussies are cutting up their credit cards in favour of personal loans. And for very good reason, which we'll get to in a sec.

But first, back to the revolution. Personal loan borrowing is growing twice as fast in Australia as credit card debt, Mozo's analysis of the latest APRA data reveals. In fact, personal loans are fast becoming the borrowing tool of choice, particularly for those with good credit ratings.

So why are thousands of Aussies suddenly driving better borrowing deals?

1. Personal loans rates are the lowest they've been in years

While the average credit card rate is stubbornly stuck above 17%, personal loan rates are falling and have hit a new average low of 11%. Personal loans are now a vastly cheaper alternative to credit cards for big household expenses, holidays and other big ticket purchases. 

2. Personal loans come with repayment plans so you can avoid decades of debt

The reason it's so easy to rack up credit card debt is that the minimum repayment is typically so low it can take decades to pay off the average balance if you're only paying the minimum each month. By contrast personal loans are designed to be paid off over a set period of your choice, commonly one to five years.

3. Good credit borrowers are being rewarded with razor sharp rates

There's a new breed of online lenders in town who are taking on the banks with rates starting from under 5% for borrowers with good credit history. The likes of RateSetter, SocietyOne and MoneyPlace offer tailored loans based on your credit record, along with fast online approvals and no nasty exit fees.

Mozo compares 186 personal loans from 43 bank and non-bank lenders. Click here to compare rates and calculate repayments, or view today's Top 10 personal loans below.

Top 10 Personal Loans - September 2017 - last updated 4 December 2023

Search promoted personal loans below or do a full Mozo database search . Advertiser disclosure
  • Featured Product
    Low Rate Personal Loan

    Excellent Credit

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Monthly repayment
    6.57% p.a.to 8.48% p.a.
    7.19% p.a.to 8.84% p.a.based on $30,000
    over 5 years

    OurMoneyMarket 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 6.57% would cost $35,528.12 including fees.

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    Details
  • Mozo Expert Choice Badge
    Unsecured Personal Loan

    Fixed

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Monthly repayment
    6.75% p.a.to 26.95% p.a.
    6.75% p.a.to 26.95% p.a.based on $30,000
    over 5 years

    Borrow up to $50,000 unsecured. Perfect if you earn more than $22,100 p.a. and have good to excellent credit. Multi-year winner of Mozo’s Experts Choice Unsecured Personal Loan Award, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024^'

    Repayment terms from 2 years to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 6.75% would cost $35,430.23 including fees.

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    Details
  • Unsecured Personal Loan

    Fixed

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Monthly repayment
    5.76% p.a.to 24.03% p.a.
    6.55% p.a.to 24.98% p.a.based on $30,000
    over 5 years

    Fast, 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 5.76% would cost $35,173.52 including fees.

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    Details
  • Personal Loan

    Unsecured, Fixed, Exceptional Credit

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Monthly repayment
    6.57% p.a.
    6.57% p.a.based on $10,000
    over 3 years

    Borrow from $5,000 to $50,000 with a Plenti Unsecured Personal Loan. Flexible loan terms of 1 - 7 years. $0 Monthly, $0 Early Repayment Fees and $0 Exit Fees. Get a rate estimate without impacting your credit score. Once approved, you could receive your funds in as little as 24hrs.

    Repayment terms from 3 years to 7 years. Representative example: a 3 year $10,000 loan at 6.57% would cost $11,340.11 including fees.

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    Details
  • Debt Consolidation Loan

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Monthly repayment
    6.57% p.a.to 8.48% p.a.
    7.19% p.a.to 8.84% p.a.based on $30,000
    over 5 years

    Competitive fixed rates on loans up to $75,000 depending on your credit score. Zero monthly account keeping fees, no exit fees and no early repayment fees. Make weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments, over 1 to 7 years managed entirely online, at any time. Fast and easy, 100% online application.

    Repayment terms from 1 year to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 6.57% would cost $35,528.12 including fees.

    Go to site
    Details
  • Standard Personal Loan

    Fixed, Unsecured

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Monthly repayment
    8.99% p.a.
    9.35% p.a.based on $30,000
    over 5 years

    Heritage Bank discounted rates for borrowers with excellent credit. Available loans starting from $5,000 to $50,000. Your choice of loan terms up to five years. Extra repayments allowed, but may incur fees.

    Repayment terms from 1 year to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 8.99% would cost $37,606.30 including fees.

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    Details
  • Debt Consolidation Loan

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Monthly repayment
    5.86% p.a.
    6.67% p.a.based on $30,000
    over 5 years

    Roll multiple debts into one loan to streamline your finances with one set of repayments and one interest rate. Competitive fixed interest rates with no monthly or early repayment fees and flexible repayment options. Easy online application and funding in as little as 24 hours (subject to approval).

    Repayment terms from 3 years to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 5.86% would cost $35,256.99 including fees.

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    Details
  • Home Renovation Loan

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Monthly repayment
    6.57% p.a.to 8.48% p.a.
    7.19% p.a.to 8.84% p.a.based on $30,000
    over 5 years

    Competitive fixed rates on loans up to $75,000 depending on your credit score. No monthly account keeping fees, no exit fees and no early repayment fees. Simple weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments, over 1 to 7 years managed entirely online, at any time. Quick and easy, 100% online application.

    Repayment terms from 1 year to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 6.57% would cost $35,528.12 including fees.

    Go to site
    Details
  • Personal Loan

    Unsecured, Fixed, Excellent Credit

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Monthly repayment
    7.99% p.a.to 8.99% p.a.
    7.99% p.a.to 10.65% p.a.based on $10,000
    over 3 years

    Borrow from $5,000 to $50,000 with a Plenti Unsecured Personal Loan. Flexible loan terms of 1 - 7 years. $0 Monthly, $0 Early Repayment Fees and $0 Exit Fees. Get a rate estimate without impacting your credit score. Once approved, you could receive your funds in as little as 24hrs.

    Repayment terms from 3 years to 7 years. Representative example: a 3 year $10,000 loan at 7.99% would cost $11,574.43 including fees.

    Go to site
    Details
  • Secured Personal Loan

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Monthly repayment
    6.57% p.a.to 8.48% p.a.
    7.19% p.a.to 8.84% p.a.based on $30,000
    over 5 years

    Competitive fixed interest rates for eligible borrowers. Borrow up to $75,000, secured, over terms of 1 to 7 years with flexible repayment terms. Fast, 100% online application. No monthly account keeping fees.

    Repayment terms from 1 year to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 6.57% would cost $35,528.12 including fees.

    Go to site
    Details

More top money deals:

Still hooked on the plastic? Compare today's top credit card deals on Mozo >>

Looking to finance a new set of wheels? View our car loan comparisons >>

Saving money more your style? Compare today's top savings account rates >>

Calculate your personal loan repayments

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* 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

Mozo provides general product information. We don't consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and we aren't recommending any specific product to you. You should make your own decision after reading the PDS or offer documentation, or seeking independent advice.

While we pride ourselves on covering a wide range of products, we don't cover every product in the market. If you decide to apply for a product through our website, you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product and not with Mozo.