Personal Loans Australia
Australian Personal Loan Resources
Personal Loans Australia :: Articles

5 Credit Killers

What are the top factors that can damage your credit score?

5 Credit Killers

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

A good credit score speaks volumes about your financial habits. It's the evidence most creditors need to evaluate your credit worthiness.
Interestingly, there are some credit killers that even people maintaining good credit scores would unwittingly be a part of, which will be their undoing when applying for credit facilities in the future.
These mistakes may seem to be insignificant, but when the time comes, you may face more problems than you expect.

Avoiding Debt

Creditors need to evaluate your financial history to approve any credit facilities.
If you have no previous or existing debts, it might adversely affect your case, as creditors have no way of checking out how you'll handle the credit you get from them.

Shopping For Rates

Looking around for the best rate may actually turn out to be bad.
Too many inquiries within a short period could damage your credit score.
Usually, if you do more than 3 or 4 inquiries within a single month, you are likely to scare the lenders. For the same reasons, transferring the balances on your credit cards could be a bad idea as well.

Assuming There's a Grace Period

If you are late on a payment by even one day, you are late, period.
Never assume there's a grace period for late payments, because it only affects your credit score negatively.

Closing Old Accounts

Because your relevant transaction history also gets erased when you close your old accounts, your credit history is shortened and it may lower your credit score.
If you want to close your old accounts, close everything except the oldest account, which will leave a longer history.

Co-signing Loans

The obvious problem here is that the primary borrower's mistakes will end up on your credit report as well.

Published: Sunday, 1st Aug 2021
Author: Paige Estritori

Rate this article

Sign in with Google to rate

0 Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.


Personal Loans Articles

Strategies for Managing Your Loans During Economic Uncertainty
Strategies for Managing Your Loans During Economic Uncertainty
Economic uncertainty refers to a period of unpredictability and instability in the financial markets and economy. It can be caused by various factors such as global events, political climates, or shifts in market dynamics. During these times, individuals and businesses alike may struggle to predict what will happen next, leading to widespread concern and caution. - read more
A Credit-Savvy Approach to Loan Comparison: What Every Australian Borrower Needs to Know
A Credit-Savvy Approach to Loan Comparison: What Every Australian Borrower Needs to Know
Welcome to your essential guide on how to navigate the complex world of personal loans in Australia. Whether you're seeking to finance a major purchase, consolidate debt, or cover unexpected costs, understanding the nuts and bolts of personal loans is crucial. In this conversation, we'll shed light on why being credit-savvy is not just smart, but necessary for anyone considering a loan. - read more
The Ultimate Budgeting Checklist for First-Time Loan Applicants
The Ultimate Budgeting Checklist for First-Time Loan Applicants
Before diving into the world of loans, it's essential to understand why budgeting is crucial. Budgeting provides a clear picture of your financial status, helping to ensure you can meet future loan repayments without undue stress. - read more

Finance News

Card Spending Trends Keep Personal Loan Planning in Focus
Card Spending Trends Keep Personal Loan Planning in Focus
17 Sep 2026: Paige Estritori
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s latest retail payments update offers another useful snapshot of how households are managing everyday spending, card use and short-term credit. While payment data is not the same as loan approval data, it can still tell borrowers something important: the way money moves through a household each month can affect how comfortable a lender feels about future repayments. - read more
RBA Lending Rate Update Highlights the Real Cost of Personal Borrowing
RBA Lending Rate Update Highlights the Real Cost of Personal Borrowing
10 Sep 2026: Paige Estritori
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s latest lending rate statistics are a useful reminder that personal borrowing costs can vary widely, even when the broader cash rate outlook appears steady. For households considering a car loan, debt consolidation loan or unsecured personal loan, the key issue is not simply whether rates are rising or falling. It is whether the loan being offered is affordable, suitable and competitive for the borrower’s circumstances. - read more
Latest Credit Signals Reinforce the Need for Careful Loan Planning
Latest Credit Signals Reinforce the Need for Careful Loan Planning
03 Sep 2026: Paige Estritori
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s latest financial aggregates add another layer to an ongoing story for personal loan borrowers: consumer credit remains an important pressure point for household budgets, even as interest rate settings stay under close watch. - read more
Click for more Finance News

Need Help Finding a Loan?
Find out now if you qualify and compare rates, offers and options from multiple lenders - without a credit check!

Personal Loan Repayment Calculator

Personal Loan Repayment Calculator
Calculate

Personal Loans Australia: The Weekly News Wrap

Personal Loans Australia: The Weekly News Wrap
Listen

Stay informed with MoneyTips

Get practical financial information, news, guides and resources.

Subscribe
All finance quotes are provided free (via our secure server) and without obligation. We respect your privacy.

Knowledgebase
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E):
A valuation ratio of a company's current share price compared to its per-share earnings.


This website is owned and operated by Clark Family Pty Ltd (ACN 010 281 008) as Trustee for the Clark Family Trust (ABN 35 957 893 714), 43 Larch Street Tallebudgera QLD 4228. Personal Loans Australia publishes general educational information, tools and resources about personal loans and related financial topics. The website may display third-party advertising.
IMPORTANT: This website provides general information and tools that do not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. We do not provide personalised financial, credit or insurance advice or credit assistance. We do not accept loan or insurance applications, quote requests or borrowing enquiries for referral, or match visitors with brokers, lenders or insurers. References to products and providers are informational, not personal recommendations. Consider seeking advice from an appropriately licensed professional before making financial decisions. You should independently verify the credentials and licensing of any adviser or provider you engage. Visit the ASIC website for further information.