Credit repair · Australia-wide
Credit repair in Australia, done lawfully.
A poor credit file can stop you being approved for finance and push up the interest rate on the loans you do get. This guide explains what credit repair can and cannot do in Australia, how the process works, what it costs and the free options available to you.
What credit repair actually is
Credit repair is the process of having information on your consumer credit report corrected or removed where it is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, irrelevant or misleading, or listed in breach of the law. Your rights come from the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Privacy (Credit Reporting) Code — the same rules every credit provider and credit reporting body in Australia must follow.
It is not a way to erase debts you owe. Information that is accurate, complete, current and lawfully recorded stays on your file for its full retention period — five years for most defaults, seven for serious credit infringements. Any service that promises otherwise is not being straight with you. You can see the full schedule on our guide to how long each listing stays on your credit file.
What we review on your file
- Defaults listed by banks, telcos, utilities and debt buyers
- Court judgements, writs and enforcement listings
- Repayment history information (late payment markers)
- Credit enquiries you did not authorise
- Duplicate listings and identity mix-ups
- Commercial listings reported through CreditorWatch
What credit repair cannot change
- Accurate defaults that were listed correctly and lawfully
- Debts you genuinely owe (correcting a listing does not clear a debt)
- Repayment history that reflects payments you actually missed
- Your credit score itself - scores follow the information on the file
- Bankruptcy records held on the National Personal Insolvency Index
How a listing gets removed
Every credit provider has obligations before and after they list you: correct notices sent to your current address, correct amounts and dates, correct account holder details, and a genuine right to list at all. When one of those obligations has not been met, the listing may not be compliant and can be disputed with the credit provider and the credit reporting body. That is the work we do — evidence, correspondence and follow-up, in writing.
You can also do this yourself, for free
You can dispute a listing directly with the credit provider or the credit reporting body at no charge, get free help from a financial counsellor on the National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007), and escalate free of charge to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority. A OK Credit Repair is a paid, optional service for people who would rather have it handled for them.
How the credit repair process works
Four stages, all in writing. Most matters are resolved within 30 to 90 days from the date a dispute is lodged.
01
Free credit file assessment
We obtain your Equifax, Experian and illion reports, read them line by line and tell you in writing what we believe can and cannot be challenged. No cost, no obligation.
02
Evidence and grounds
Where a listing looks non-compliant, we gather the supporting material: notices, statements, correspondence, dates, amounts and account details.
03
Written dispute
We raise a formal correction request with the credit provider and the credit reporting body, setting out the grounds and the evidence.
04
Response and escalation
Credit reporting bodies generally must respond within 30 days. If a response is unreasonable, the matter can be escalated to AFCA at no charge to you.
See our full step-by-step process or read our fees and costs.
Doing it yourself, free help, or a licensed credit repairer
There is no single right answer. Compare the three routes and choose the one that suits your situation.
| Do it yourself | Free financial counsellor | A OK Credit Repair | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free | Free assessment, then agreed fees |
| Who does the work | You | A financial counsellor | A licensed credit representative |
| Best suited to | A single, clear-cut error | Financial hardship and debt stress | Complex or contested listings |
| Time you spend | Significant | Moderate | Minimal - we handle the correspondence |
| Escalation to AFCA | Yes, free | Yes, free | Yes, we manage it |
How to choose a credit repair provider
- Check they hold, or are authorised under, an Australian Credit Licence and ask for the number.
- Ask for their fees in writing before any fee-bearing work begins.
- Be wary of guaranteed outcomes - no one can promise a listing will be removed.
- Confirm they are a member of an external dispute resolution scheme (AFCA).
- Ask what happens if the dispute is unsuccessful.
A OK Credit Repair | ABN 32 672 842 318 | Authorised Credit Representative CRN 580699 of Edward Griffith t/a Debt Management Services, Australian Credit Licence 533933. Details of our services and fees are set out in our Credit Guide and important information.
Explore credit repair by listing type and location
Default removal
Read about default removalCourt judgement removal
Read about court judgement removalLate payment corrections
Read about late payment correctionsCredit enquiry corrections
Read about credit enquiry correctionsHow to fix your credit file
Read about how to fix your credit fileWhat is a default?
Read about what is a default?Commercial credit repair
Read about commercial credit repairFees and costs
Read about fees and costsCommon questions
- What is credit repair in Australia?
- Credit repair is the process of having information on your consumer credit report corrected or removed where it is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, irrelevant, misleading or recorded in breach of the law. Your rights come from the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Privacy (Credit Reporting) Code. Information that is accurate and lawfully listed stays on your file for its full retention period.
- How does credit repair work?
- We obtain and review your credit reports, identify listings that may not comply with the credit reporting rules, gather supporting evidence, then raise a written correction request or dispute with the credit provider and the credit reporting body. Credit reporting bodies generally must respond to a correction request within 30 days, though complex matters can take longer.
- How long does credit repair take?
- Most matters are resolved within 30 to 90 days from the date a dispute is lodged. Matters that require additional information from a credit provider, or escalation to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, can take longer.
- How much does credit repair cost in Australia?
- Your initial credit file assessment is free. If we take the matter on, any potential fees are set out in writing before any fee-bearing work begins, and success fees are payable only when an agreed successful outcome is achieved. Default matters typically start from $1,200 and vary with complexity.
- Can credit repair remove accurate defaults or late payments?
- No. Accurate, complete, current and lawfully recorded information stays on your credit file for its retention period - generally five years for most defaults and repayment history, and seven years for serious credit infringements. Any service that promises removal regardless of the facts is not being straight with you.
- Can I repair my own credit file for free?
- Yes. You can request a correction directly with the credit provider or credit reporting body at no charge, get free help from a financial counsellor on the National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007), and complain free of charge to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority. A OK Credit Repair is an optional paid service for people who would rather have the work handled for them.
- Is credit repair legal in Australia?
- Yes, and providers that carry out credit repair activities are regulated. A OK Credit Repair operates as an Authorised Credit Representative (CRN 580699) of Edward Griffith t/a Debt Management Services, Australian Credit Licence 533933, and is covered by external dispute resolution through AFCA.
More reading on credit repair in Australia
- Is Credit Repair Legit in Australia? What's Legal and What Isn'tCredit repair is lawful and regulated in Australia. Here is what a legitimate provider can and cannot do, the warning signs of a bad operator, and the free options to try first.Read the article
- What Is a Good Credit Score in Australia? Score Ranges ExplainedCredit score ranges differ between the credit reporting bodies. Here is what each band means in Australia, why your scores differ, and what actually moves the number.Read the article
- How Long Does Credit Repair Take in Australia?Realistic timeframes for a credit file dispute, the 30-day response rule, and what makes a matter take longer.Read the article
- How Does Credit Repair Work in Australia?The credit repair process explained step by step: what is reviewed, what the rules require, how long it takes and what it costs.Read the article
- How to Repair Your Credit Score in Australia: A Step-by-Step GuidePractical steps you can take yourself to improve your credit position in Australia, and when a listing may be worth challenging.Read the article
- Free Credit Report Australia: How to Get YoursYou are entitled to free copies of your credit report. Here is where to get them and what to check when they arrive.Read the article
- Can Credit Repair Companies Remove Late Payments?What repayment history information is, when a late payment marker may be corrected, and what no provider can do.Read the article
- How Defaults Work on Your Credit Report in AustraliaFind out when a credit default may be removed in Australia, how long defaults stay on your credit report and what to check if you believe a listing is incorrect.Read the article
Step one · Get your credit reports
Before we can help, you'll need to order your own credit files.
You are entitled to a free copy of your credit file from the Australian credit reporting bodies. Order them directly below, then send them to A OK Credit Repair for a free, no-obligation assessment.
Consumer credit file
Equifax
Australia's most widely used consumer credit bureau. Free file available once every 3 months, or if you've been refused credit in the last 90 days.
Consumer credit file
Experian
Order a free copy of your Experian credit report online. Useful to cross-check listings that may only appear with one bureau.
Commercial credit file
CreditorWatch
For business owners, sole traders and company directors. Free commercial credit report reveals defaults or judgements affecting your ABN or ACN.
Please request your own reports. A OK Credit Repair does not pull credit files on your behalf. Once you have them, forward them to us and we will complete a free assessment identifying any listings that may be inaccurate, outdated or unlawfully recorded.
Get started
A free, confidential assessment of your credit file.
A OK Credit Repair reviews your file, tells you what we can help with, and gives you an honest plan — before you commit to anything.
No obligation · Strictly confidential