If you’ve ever taken out a loan, signed up for a credit card, or borrowed money in any form, you might assume there’s nothing to see. But in Australia, that’s not quite how it works. You still have a credit report, and you absolutely have the right to access it.
Under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), every Australian consumer is entitled to request a free copy of their credit report from each of the country’s credit reporting bodies, regardless of borrowing history. The real question is not whether you can access your credit report, but what it will actually contain.
What Is A Credit Report?
A credit report is a detailed record of your credit history, compiled by credit reporting bodies. It includes personal information such as your name, date of birth, driver’s licence number, employer, and addresses.
Your report also lists credit products you have held, your repayment history, any defaults, credit applications you have made, and public record information such as bankruptcies, debt agreements, and court judgments.
Australia currently has two main credit reporting bodies — Equifax and Experian. MoneySmart notes that there used to be three; some older resources may still refer to illion. Each body may hold different information about you, so it is worth requesting your report from both.
Can You Have A Credit Report With No Loans or Credit Cards?
Yes, you can. MoneySmart is clear on this point: “If you’ve ever applied for credit or a loan, there will be a credit report about you”.
The key word is “applied.” In Australia, a credit file may be created when a credit provider makes or records an enquiry — even if the application is never approved or you change your mind. So if you have ever applied for a credit card, a personal loan, a store card, or even a post-paid mobile phone plan, a credit reporting body may already hold a file in your name.
This matters because many Australians do not realise that phone plans and utility accounts can also generate credit report entries. Defaults on utility bills, phone bills, credit cards, and loans can all be listed if the amount owed is $150 or more and the payment is 60 or more days overdue.
What Might Appear On Your Report If You’ve Never Borrowed?
If you have never formally borrowed money through a bank or lender, your credit report may still contain entries. Here is what could appear:
- Personal information: Your name, date of birth, driver’s licence number, employer, and address history are typically listed regardless of borrowing history.
- Credit enquiries: Any application for credit — including a post-paid mobile plan or interest-free finance — is recorded as an enquiry, even if it was not approved.
- Defaults: Unpaid utility or phone bills of $150 or more, overdue by 60 days or more, can be listed as defaults and remain on your report for five years.
- Court judgments and public record items: Bankruptcies, debt agreements, and court judgments are recorded if applicable.
What will likely be absent is a credit score. Credit reporting bodies calculate your score from borrowing and repayment activity. If there is insufficient information on your file, a score may not be generated at all. This is known as having a “thin credit file.”
A thin file is not the same as a bad credit history. It simply means there is not enough data for a reporting body to calculate a score. This can happen if you have never held a credit product, have only recently turned 18, or are new to Australia.
How To Check Your Credit Report For Free In Australia
Under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), you have the right to request a free copy of your credit report every three months from each of Australia’s credit reporting bodies. You are also entitled to a free copy within 90 days if you have been refused credit.
To request your free report, contact the two main credit reporting bodies directly:
- Equifax — phone 138 332, or visit the Equifax website to request your free credit report online.
- Experian — phone 1300 783 684, or visit the Experian website to request your free credit report online.
You will need to provide identification, such as your driver’s licence, to verify your identity. The credit reporting body must provide your report within 10 days of your request at no charge.
Avoid any service that asks for payment or credit card details to access your free report. Free credit score providers are available through the CreditSmart website, but these services may use your personal information for marketing — you can opt out after signing up.
What If No Credit Report Can Be Found?
If you have never applied for any form of credit, a credit reporting body may not hold a file for you at all. This is perfectly normal. Not having a credit report is not a negative mark. It simply means you have not yet entered the credit system. However, it also means you will not have a credit score, which can make it harder to obtain credit when you eventually need it.
Building Credit From Scratch
If you have a thin or non-existent credit file and want to start building a credit history, consider these steps:
- Open a low-limit credit card and use it for small purchases, paying the balance in full each month.
- Consider a post-paid mobile phone plan — applying for one creates a credit enquiry, though do not take out a plan solely to build credit.
- Pay all utility bills on time — unpaid bills of $150 or more can be listed as defaults after 60 days
- Avoid multiple credit applications in a short period — several enquiries in quick succession can signal risk to lenders.
Building credit takes time. Repayment history is retained on your report for two years, so consistent, on-time payments will gradually strengthen your file.
