Compare Unsecured Personal Loans in Australia

Name: Unsecured Personal Loans
Creator: Savvy
Published: 2020-12-16T15:19:10+10:30

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Written by , updated on July 3rd, 2024

The features of an unsecured personal loan

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Compare from a variety of lenders in the personal finance space to find the most affordable low-rate option to suit your needs, as well as cheap fees.

No assets needed

Because your loan is unsecured, you don’t have to worry about putting up a valuable asset like your car or equity in your home as collateral.

Borrow what you need up to $75,000

You can apply for any amount from as little as $2,000 all the way up to $75,000, making it a suitable option for a wide range of needs.

Money transferred in 24 hours

The lack of security on your loan speeds up the already fast online process, with instant outcomes available in just 60 seconds prior to your formal application.

Choose your loan term and pay schedule

You can also decide how to pay your loan: select a term between one and seven years and either weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments.

Fixed or variable options

Unlike some other types of loans, you have your pick of fixed and variable rate options for your unsecured personal loan, affording you more freedom of choice.

Pay it off early at no extra cost

You can compare personal loans which come with free additional repayments and no fees associated with settling the amount early.

Use it how you like

There are essentially no restrictions on how you can use and distribute your personal loan funds: consolidate debt, upgrade your home, go on holiday or enjoy a combination.

Types of personal loan

Unsecured personal loans

With an unsecured personal loan, you can potentially borrow as much as $75,000 without the need to attach any valuable assets, such as your car, as security. These loans are the most widely available and often the quickest, with same-day approval possible.

Secured personal loans

Secured personal loans, on the other hand, make use of collateral. This lowers your risk profile in the eyes of a lender, potentially lowering your interest rate and expanding your borrowing power beyond what you may be able to get through an unsecured loan.

Variable rate personal loans

Variable interest rates remain open to fluctuation during your term. This means you can benefit from decreasing rates and save on your loan if the market heads in that direction, although you’ll also pay more if rates start rising.

Fixed rate personal loans

Fixed interest rates are locked at the beginning of your loan and remain constant throughout your repayments. This acts as a valuable protection against interest rate increases, as your loan will be unaffected, but you’ll miss out on potential drops as well.

Debt consolidation loans

If you’re paying off multiple debts at the moment, particularly those with high interest (such as credit card debts), consolidating them into one payment can not only make them more convenient to manage but also potentially save you money overall.

Travel loans

Looking to take off on a holiday with your family but want to pay it off at your own speed? Travelling can be expensive, so you can distribute the cost of your next trip over a period you’re more comfortable with by taking out a personal loan to pay for it.

Wedding loans

There are so many costs that go into making your dream wedding a reality, from venue hire to catering to dresses and suits and so much more. By taking out a personal loan, you can start planning the big day you want, even if you can’t pay for it upfront.

Renovation loans

Home improvements are desirable for a range of homeowners to help keep their living space fresh and interesting, not to mention increase its value. You can get past the financial hit of renovations with a personal loan paid in instalments.

Self-employed loans

Personal loans aren’t limited to PAYG employees, though. If you’re running your own business, you can still be approved for financing by submitting tax returns and other alternative documents instead of payslips and utilise your funds however you wish.

Student & education loans

There’s a variety of expenses which come with being a student, ranging from the cost of your courses, textbooks and computer to your accommodation. Taking out a personal loan can make these costs more manageable by spacing them out.

Green loans

Some lenders offer green personal loans, which are designed to be used for energy-efficient appliances and products such as solar panel and air conditioning installation in your home. You can qualify for lower interest rates and fees with this loan.

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Frequently asked unsecured personal loan questions

Will applying with my partner increase my borrowing power?

It can – having more than one borrower on a personal loan means that there are two incomes to be relied upon instead of one. The combined income of you and your partner may enable you to borrow more than you otherwise would on your own.

This will also depend on the policy of the lender you choose to go with. If their personal loans are capped at $50,000, for example, you won’t be able to exceed that amount regardless of what you and your partner earn. A joint application in this instance may only succeed in allowing you to borrow over a shorter term.

Can I get approved if I’m self-employed?

Yes – self-employed workers can use their last two years’ tax returns in place of payslips in the application process to qualify for a regular unsecured personal loan.

However, if you can’t manage this, you can instead opt for a low doc personal loan. These utilise alternative documentation such as BAS, bank and profit and loss statements, your ABN and GST registration and an income declaration. These loans come with higher interest rates and lower caps on borrowing at around $10,000.

How can I cut down on interest?

There are several ways that you can look to reduce your interest spend across your loan. Choosing a shorter term, making additional repayments and paying it off early are all safe ways to save money on interest throughout your loan repayments.

In terms of reducing the rate itself, improving your credit rating by paying off any outstanding debts and continuing to pay your bills on time is one key way to access lower interest. Having repaid a similar loan in the past will also help you here.

Can I use an unsecured personal loan for my business?

Yes – however, you might be better off accessing an unsecured business loan instead. These can provide business owners with access to funds of up to $300,000 without needing to provide any security. Additionally, these can be repaid over terms as little as three months up to five years.

These loans are more restrictive than personal loans, though, in that you’re required to use the funds for business purposes only. However, you can get approved just as quickly for far greater sums, which makes them appealing for borrowers.

What do I need to know about my credit score?

Because unsecured personal loans don’t have any underlying assets, lenders will rely heavily on your credit report to assess your application. Your report contains your credit history, including whether you pay bills and credit cards on time and whether you’ve overdrawn on transaction accounts. If you apply for too many loans at the same time, it will also raise a red flag, so make sure you fill out your application carefully and only submit it once.

It’s important to note that though these agencies have a lot of paid reports on their websites, according to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, you are entitled to one free credit report per year, and an extra free report if you have been refused credit in the last 90 days.

Unsecured personal loans explained further

What are unsecured personal loans and how do they work?

An unsecured personal loan, as the name suggests, is a type of personal finance product which enables you to borrow a lump sum without the need for any security. Once you apply and are approved for the amount you need, you’ll repay your loan over a pre-determined period in either weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments with interest and any applicable fees.

In this respect, these loans aren’t dissimilar from any other type of finance, but they’re more flexible in terms of how they can be used. For instance, while home loans can only be used to purchase property and car loans are designed to be put towards a single vehicle, unsecured personal finance can be used for a wide variety of purposes.

What’s the difference between secured and unsecured personal loans?

Unsecured personal loans aren’t the only option borrowers have when it comes to seeking out financing, though, as you can also select a secured loan.

The main difference between unsecured and secured personal loans is that while unsecured finance doesn’t require collateral, secured loans do. This means that a valuable asset will be affixed to your loan throughout its duration to serve as added security in the unlikely event that you become unable to complete your loan repayments and further measures to recoup funds have been unsuccessful. In most cases, this asset will be your car, but some lenders will allow you to utilise other vehicles such as motorcycles or leisure craft like boats, as well as savings, as collateral.

There are a few advantages that security brings to your loan. Because of the additional safety blanket, interest rates and fees are usually noticeably lower than those of unsecured loans, while borrowing power can be expanded to upwards of $100,000, compared to unsecured loans capping out at $75,000. They take longer to process, though, and are often limited in terms of usage thanks to being secured by the purchase itself.

The main benefit which unsecured loans bring is that they’re more widely accessible and obtainable. There are more lenders operating in the market who offer unsecured finance compared to those who only secured loans. Additionally, the requirements for security are often stringent, meaning even if you own a car in reasonable condition, it may not be able to be used as collateral.

How else should I compare unsecured personal loans?

There are a variety of ways to compare different personal loans to help you pick out the best ones for your needs. Fortunately, you can do just that right here with Savvy. We’re partnered with a range of lenders from around Australia to help deliver you decide which offer is the best for your needs. Some of the key areas to consider include:

Interest rate

One of the most crucial (and simplest) areas to compare is in the interest rate department. The higher your rate, the more you’ll end up paying for your loan, so comparing to ensure you’re able to take out an affordable loan which suits your needs is highly important. Even a small difference of 0.5% p.a. to 1% p.a. in the context of a $20,000 loan over three years could be several hundred dollars (depending on what your rate is).

What’s also worth thinking about, though, is the type of rate which is charged on your loan. Fixed interest is the most common with personal loans and works by locking your rate at a set point at the beginning of the loan. It remains at that figure throughout your agreement, protecting you from potential rate rises and providing you with a more consistent set of repayments which enable more accurate budgeting. Variable interest doesn’t lock in your rate, instead leaving it open across the loan. This is ideal for when rates fall during your term, potentially saving you money across your term, but they could end up costing you more in equal measure if they increase.

Fees

There are several fees which can be charged on your personal loan, including:

Establishment fees: these can vary in cost widely depending on the applicant and their preferred loan. Some lenders will offer no application fees, while you could incur a charge up to $595.
Ongoing service fees: these won’t set you back as much, though. Some of our lending partners offer no ongoing fees, but you may be charged as much as $10 per month with others.
Early repayment fees: these are commonly excluded from personal loans. You can compare lenders who charge no early repayment fees with Savvy.
Late repayment fees: these will apply should you submit an instalment five or more days late, with charges ranging from $15 to $35.

Loan terms

You should always make sure your loan can be repaid over a term which suits your preferences. For instance, if you need the full seven years to pay back your debt, you’ll need to pick a lender who offers loans up to that term length and cancel out any who cap their terms at five years. Similarly, if the amount you need is only small and you want to pay it back quickly, choose a lender who allows for short, one-year loans instead of those who enforce two- or three-year minimums.

Loan amounts

Of course, you’ll also have to make sure the lenders you’re considering can actually approve you for the amount you need. Not all lenders offer the same borrowing range in a similar way to varying term lengths. It’s common for financiers to offer loans up to a maximum of $50,000 instead of $75,000 and from a minimum of $5,000 instead of $2,000, so if you fall on the higher or lower end of the scale it’s worth contrasting loans and lenders in this area.

Additional features

Loans can also come with several important added features which may enhance the repayment experience for you. One such example is a redraw facility, which grants you access to any extra payments made during your loan term and enables you to withdraw them should you need the funds for any reason. This flexibility allows you to access money without having to apply for another loan, which many borrowers prefer. Also, having the ability to make extra repayments and pay off your loan early without having to worry about being charged a fee for doing so is a luxury which can help you save a significant amount.

Eligibility criteria

It’s also important to know ahead of time whether you meet the eligibility criteria set by our lenders to qualify for a personal loan. The boxes you’ll generally have to tick off include:

You must be at least 18 years of age
You must hold Australian citizenship or permanent residency
You must be earning a total of at least $20,000 annually from stable employment income (Centrelink income can be included)
You must have a credit file clear of defaults and bankruptcies at the time of applying

How will I be able to use my unsecured personal loan?

There are many potential uses for an unsecured personal loan. Because of their lack of attached collateral and the flexibility of personal finance in itself, you can essentially use your loan for whatever purpose you like. This is within reason, of course, with some lenders providing a list of suitable uses for funds under their loan agreements. Some of the most common reasons people take out a loan include:

To consolidate outstanding debts (particularly those with high interest rates) and turn them into one manageable payment each month
To fund renovations or other improvements around your home, ranging from low-key landscaping to redoing your kitchen
To cover the cost of sudden medical expenses if you find yourself short on the funds you need to pay them upfront
To allow you to organise your dream wedding rather than settle for something you’re not as happy with
To pay for your family’s next holiday and treat them to an enjoyable travel experience
To purchase a car which you may not be able to buy with a standard car loan (typically due to its age or condition)
To help you buy expensive jewellery, such as the right engagement ring for your partner
To ease the financial burden of ongoing bills, school fees and any other regular expenses around the home which put a strain on your finances

What is the unsecured personal loan application process?

The process of applying for your personal loan won’t be the same between each lender, but it’s important to note that they’re likely to be very similar. It’s also a very fast and simple process, with approval and funding available in as little as 24 hours in most cases. The key steps to follow here are:

Compare personal loans right here with Savvy and decide on the best one for your needs based on all the most important factors. If you decide to apply with one of Savvy’s partnered lenders, you can click straight through from our site to theirs.
Make sure you’re eligible for the loan and don’t leave anything to chance. There’s little point in applying for something you won’t be able to qualify for from the outset.
Gather all the required documentation you’ll need, such as your photo ID, payslips and bank statements.
Fill out your lender’s online application form to tell them more about you as a borrower and the type of loan you’re after.
If they’re satisfied, they’ll be in touch with you to provide any further supplementary documents and eventually send through your loan agreement to sign. Once you’ve done this and returned it, you’ll be free to use the funds you’ve borrowed.