Personal Loans

Name: Personal Loans
Creator: Savvy
Published: 2021-11-12T15:32:48+10:30

Home > Personal Loans

It won't affect your credit score.

Written by , updated on October 18th, 2024

Personal loan features and benefits

Compare rates and save

With competitive interest rates available through our trusted partners, you can save hundreds, if not thousands, on your personal loan over your term.

Borrow up to $75,000

You can borrow as little as $2,000 all the way up to $75,000, making your loan suitable for a wide range of purposes tailored to your needs.

Flexible loan terms

You’ll also have the option to dictate the cost of your repayments by selecting a loan term anywhere between one and seven years.

Fast approvals within 24 hours

Once you submit your application, you can receive a response within just 60 seconds and have the money transferred to your account inside 24 hours.

Useful extra features

We can match you with lenders who offer features such as flexible repayment schedules and no early repayment fees to enhance your finance experience.

Fixed or variable rates

You can choose between fixed or variable interest rates on your personal loan, giving you greater freedom of choice over shaping your loan.

Personalised interest rate

Each applicant is given their own unique interest rate for their personal loan based on the loan they’re looking for and their profile as a borrower.

No security needed

Our lending partners offer unsecured personal loans, meaning you won’t have to put forward a valuable asset like your car as collateral for the loan.

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.

Why compare personal loans through Savvy?

100% free

There's no need to worry about forking out to compare offers. Our service is free, so you can come back whenever you like.

Paperless applications

You won't need to worry about sifting through documents and visiting the post office, as they can all be submitted online.

Reputable lending partners

We've partnered with personal loan companies you can trust to ensure your comparison is a high-quality one.

Personal loan repayments calculator

It’s important to have an idea of what different loans might cost you overall before you apply. Fortunately, Savvy’s personal loan repayment calculator is simple to use and tells you everything you need to know about how much different offers might add up to overall based on a variety of different factors.

Loan amount?

How much you need to pay on your personal loan (not including interest or fees)

Loan term? Interest rate

The amount a lender will charge on top of the loan principal. Default rate is current personal loan average interest rate.

Your estimated repayments

$98.62

Weekly Fortnightly Monthly

Total interest paid:	$1233.43
Total amount to pay:	$5,143.99

What information do I need to apply for my personal loan?

Eligibility

Credit report

Documents

Review fees and charges

Eligibility

Credit report

Documents

Review fees and charges

Personal loans Australia

What are personal loans and how do they work?

Personal loans are one of the most common types of finance in Australia. They enable borrowers to be approved for a lump sum of money which can be used essentially for any purpose they wish, with some of the most common reasons listed above. They work in the same way as any other standard loan product: you’re given a lump sum which is to be repaid in either weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments over a set period of between one and seven years.

On top of your repayments, you’ll be required to pay interest, which is calculated daily based on your outstanding loan debt. This means the interest you pay will decrease with each instalment as your outstanding debt decreases. For instance, on a $30,000 at 7.5% p.a. paid monthly over five years, you would pay $187.50 in interest after the first month but approximately $184.91 the next month, due to the fact that your loan principal has decreased.

How much can I borrow with a personal loan?

Personal loans tend to come with a borrowing range of as little as $2,000 up to a maximum of $75,000, although some lenders will cap this at $50,000 instead. This only applies to unsecured finance, though, as secured loans can be taken out for as much as $100,000 (depending on the value of your attached asset). However, there’s a range of factors which can impact your individual borrowing power beyond the type of loan you take out. It’s important to be across these before diving into your application. The main variables to consider are:

Your income: of course, you’ll need to be earning enough to support your loan repayments. In most cases, higher income-earners will be capable of borrowing more than lower income-earners.
Your expenses: income can only get you so far, though, as your regular expenses will eat into your usable funds. Whether they be other loan repayments or costs such as utilities and shopping, these will have an impact on the amount you can afford each month and your approved loan amount as a result.
Your credit score: the better your score, the more likely you are to be approved for a larger sum. Lenders view credit scores as an indication of your reliability as a borrower, particularly if you’ve successfully repaid similar loans previously, so they’ll feel more confident in approving an application for a greater amount.

What types of personal loan can I choose from?

There are several different types of loans you can choose from when considering your options with Savvy. It’s important to know the differences between each product before you apply, as one may be more suited to your needs than the others. These loans are:

	Fixed rate loan	Unsecured loans	Secured loans
Borrowing range:	$2,000 to $75,000	$2,000 to $75,000	$15,000 to $100,000
Key benefits:	Repayment stability, protected against rate rises	No need for asset collateral, rapid processing time	Lower interest rates, greater borrowing power
Key drawbacks:	Miss out on rate decreases	Slightly higher rates than secured, can come with higher fees	Eligible asset required, higher minimum amount
Useful if:	You’re looking for certainty and accurate budgeting around repayments	You need a loan approved fast without any risk of losing an asset if you default	You can use your car or another asset to reduce the cost of your loan

How much will different interest rates cost me?

Interest rates are crucial factor to consider when deciding on which loan is right for you. Even small differences in interest rates over the course of your loan term can result in a significant difference overall. The below table demonstrates the impact interest can have on a $30,000, five-year loan each month and overall:

Interest rate	Monthly repayments	Overall interest paid	Total saving
7% p.a.	$594.04	$5,642.16	N/A
6.5% p.a.	$586.98	$5,219.07	$423.09
6% p.a.	$579.98	$4,799.04	$843.12
5.5% p.a.	$573.03	$4,382.09	$1,260.07

*Calculations do not include fees. Example interest rates aren’t necessarily reflective of current market rates.

What fees will I have to pay on my personal loan?

On top of interest, most loans come with a set of fees which may apply. However, depending on the lender you choose, some (or all) of these can be waived, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars over the course of your loan. Here’s a breakdown of the fees to look for on personal loans:

Personal loan fee	Minimum cost	Maximum cost
Ongoing monthly fees	$0	$10
Application fee	$0	$595
Early repayment fee	$0	$600+*
Late payment fee	$15	$35

*Early repayment fees are based on factors such as the size of your loan, your interest rate and the portion of your term left to run. This fee is the most common to be waived by personal loan lenders.

A simple way to compare interest and fees all at once is by looking at loan comparison rates. These are percentage figures which are calculated by adding the cost of your loan’s fees onto its interest rate, giving you a more comprehensive and “truer” indication of the overall cost of your loan. Not all fees will be included in this figure, though, as charges such as early or late repayment fees are conditional on a particular set of circumstances taking place, whereas establishment and ongoing fees are charged (or not charged) regardless.

It's also important to note that personal loans aren’t like home or car loans in terms of your scope to negotiate fees with your lender. While fee waivers are common with larger types of finance on a case-by-case basis, they’re not as common with personal loans. However, by comparing loans and lenders, you may be able to find a loan with lower fees and reduce your overall loan cost.

What else can I use a personal loan for?

You aren’t limited when it comes to how you can make use of your personal loan funds. In addition to some of the reasons above, you might take a personal loan out to fulfil the following purposes:

alleviate the financial pressure brought on by unexpected or steep medical expenses
pay for optional procedures such as cosmetic surgeries
cover veterinary bills for your pet
cover expenses related to your studies, such as for textbooks or accommodation
helping you pay for expensive jewellery such as an engagement ring
ease the burden of pricey school fees

How do I apply for a personal loan?

While the personal loan application process will differ slightly between lenders, it’ll largely remain the same across the board. With more lenders investing in efficient online processing and application portals, there’s never been an easier time for you to submit your forms and get approved. Your application is likely to follow these key steps:

Compare your options with Savvy: Be safe in the knowledge that you’re choosing the right loan for your needs by comparing a range of offers right here with Savvy before you apply.
Fill out your lender’s application form: Click through and fill out an application form to let them know about you and the loan you need. You may need to supply initial and supporting documents here.
Receive approval and sign your contract: Once they’re satisfied with your application, you can sign your loan agreement digitally and return it to have your funds advanced to your account.

What are some of the benefits of online loans?

Comparing and applying for personal loans online can offer a number of benefits, including:

Faster, more convenient processes

Perhaps the most obvious benefit of applying online is the convenience which the overall process brings. This applies to all financiers offering loans in this manner, from the big banks to small private lenders. Having the ability to complete your application from the comfort of your home, either your computer or smartphone, saves you from having to take time out of your day to visit your local branch. With the busy lives that many of us lead, saving even a few hours can make a significant difference to your day or week.

Options beyond the big banks

If you’re sticking to products offered by bank and credit union branches in your city or town, the quality of comparison won’t be nearly as great and you could end up costing yourself hundreds of dollars more overall. The online market is another story, though, with an incredibly wide range of lenders and loan offers open to borrowers no matter where you live. The sheer volume of deals available helps you maximise your chances of finding one which suits your individual needs.

Lower interest rates

The most important way that many online lenders can benefit you is through your hip pocket. Because of their higher overheads, physical institutions such as banks typically charge higher interest rates and fees. It’s a different story for online financiers, though. With no need to cover the cost of maintaining branches or paying a vast number of shareholders, online lenders often have the lowest rates on the market and regularly waive potentially costly fees so you can save on your loan.

Less stringent qualification criteria

In many cases, banks can enforce strict eligibility criteria which can rule out a wide range of people who perhaps don’t line up as the perfect applicants in their eyes. In these situations, you’re more likely to find luck applying for an online loan through a private lender who can accommodate your situation. Self-employed borrowers who don’t have the exact information a bigger lender requires or applicants who have struggled with credit in the past both have options through online financiers.

More personalised service

Finally, banks are built to service a vast range of products and employ efficient systems to ensure that they’re able to cope with extremely high demand. For smaller lenders who specialise in one product and don’t have the same workload, there’s a greater capacity to assess and approve applications on a case-by-case basis and interact with you as a borrower on a more personal level. Many applicants may prefer this when applying for their loan.

How do I choose the best personal loan for my needs?

When finding the best personal loan for you, it’s important to approach the process with a clear understanding of your needs. Applying blindly or without knowing how a personal loan truly works could leave you short on the funds you require or with a greater loan debt than you needed to take out. Consider the following steps to help you pick out your ideal personal loan.

Work out how much you need to borrow and what you can afford

Before all else, you should determine why you need your personal loan and the amount required to cover whatever costs need covering. You may wish to take out a loan to consolidate a range of outstanding debts, renovate your home or simply help you pay for your next family holiday.

The second step here is to crunch the numbers and work out what you can actually afford to take on as a borrower. This calculation can include factors such as your income, expenses, employment, credit score and more in coming up with an approximate number you should be able to comfortably support. You can use Savvy’s borrowing power calculator to give you an estimate of what lenders might be able to approve you for if you were to apply.

With this in mind, you’ll be able to enter the comparison process with more clarity on which lenders are suitable for you based on their potential borrowing ranges. For instance, if you were looking to take out a smaller loan of just $2,000, you’d be able to immediately rule out the lenders who set their minimum amounts at $5,000 or more. The same applies to borrowers who wish to borrow more than $50,000, as only some lenders allow applicants to access that much money.

Decide what type of personal loan you want

There are several types of personal loan, so you should always have a clear understanding of the differences between them. Knowing how they differ from one another will help you decide which is the most suitable for you. The main types to consider are:

Unsecured personal loans are the most basic and common type of personal finance. You can simply apply for a loan without the need to supply any assets or collateral and generally borrow up to as much as $75,000. Because of the lack of security, these loans are typically faster to be approved and financed, although they tend to come with higher interest rates and fees.
Secured personal loans do come with the requirement for an asset to be attached to the loan as collateral, meaning this will be acquired and sold to recoup funds in the event you become unable to pay off the loan. This is very much a last resort, though. These loans are characterised by cheaper rates and fees and expanded borrowing ranges up to $100,000, although the time taken to process them may be greater.
Personal lines of credit differ from standard loans in that you’re approved to withdraw funds up to a set limit whenever you like, rather than receiving and managing a lump sum. You’ll only be required to pay interest on the balance used, albeit often at a higher rate than usual and with other fees for maintaining the account. They also don’t tend to come on set terms, meaning they can be kept open on a revolving basis as long as they’re viable.

Think about the type of interest rate you’d like

There are two types of interest rate which can apply to personal loans: fixed and variable rates.

Fixed interest is the most common on personal loans, locking your rate in from the start and protecting you from any rises in your lender’s rate across your term. They also allow for more accurate and stable budgeting around your instalments.

On the other hand, variable rates can change from month to month in line with the RBA cash rate and how your lender decides to respond to it. While they can allow for savings if rates fall, you may end up paying more and not have the ability to budget as well.

Consider the loan term

Choosing a longer period over which to repay your loan means you’ll be able to reduce the how much you pay for each instalment. This can be useful if you need a large personal loan but aren’t an especially high income-earner, and it can free up funds elsewhere to help you juggle your other expenses. However, be aware that a longer repayment period means more interest and fees. For instance, a $40,000, seven-year loan at 7.5% p.a. would cost over $11,500 in interest alone. Repaying the same loan over five years, will only result in an outlay of just under $8,100, representing a saving of more than $3,400 overall.

Understand different types of lenders

While it’s most important to invest time and effort comparing specific deals, you might also have a preference as to the lender you decide to go with for your loan. Some of the key differences between different types of lenders are as follows:

Banks: the biggest lenders on the market. Banks can provide a wide range of services across all sorts of product areas and some of the bigger ones have advanced, robust customer support systems. However, they can often be the most expensive in terms of personal loan rates and fees, which is one of the most important factors to consider.
Credit unions and building societies: customer-owned or mutual financial institutions often serve as a cheaper alternative to banks, as they come without any need to pass profits onto shareholders (given that they don’t have any). While you still may have branch access, it’s likely to be less than that of a bank and services are also more limited.
Online lenders: the newest entrants into the marketplace, online non-bank financiers have set out to make a difference and offer the most affordable deals to Australians. Because they exist wholly online, there’s never any need for you to visit any branches (which is a negative if you prefer physical locations) with advanced online infrastructures to rival banks in some cases and often come with less stringent lending criteria compared to the banks.

Compare loans with Savvy

Of course, perhaps the most effective way to boost your chances of finding the best loan for your needs is by comparing with Savvy. We’re partnered with reputable lenders from around the country to help you conduct high-quality comparisons and learn at a glance what each financier can offer you as a customer. It’s never ideal to dive into the application process blindly and not know which lender is the perfect option for you, as doing so could potentially save you hundreds of dollars, if not more.

What are non-conforming personal loans and how do they work?

Non-conforming personal loans are a type of personal finance specifically catered to applicants who, as the name suggests, don’t conform to the typical criteria requirements set by lenders as part of the loan process. You can usually find these types of loans through specialist online lenders that are able to cater to more diverse borrower profiles than larger lenders such as banks, which tend to limit their products to applicants with stronger financial positions. There are two main categories when it comes to non-conforming personal loans, which address the two main reasons for individuals seeking this type of finance:

Low doc personal loans

The first reason why you might seek a non-conforming personal loan is that you don’t have the required documentation to apply for a standard personal loan. This is typically the case for self-employed workers, as their income isn’t obtained via traditional means (e.g., PAYG payslips).

Low documentation (low doc) personal loans are designed to afford workers in this position the opportunity to supply alternative documents. In addition to identification documents like passports and driver’s licences, these typically include:

ABN or ACN: your Australian Business Number or Australian Company Number will be required by your lender to assess the nature of your business and how it operates
GST: some lenders will require that your business’ revenue has been registered for GST for a minimum of between 12 and 24 months
Business activity statements (BAS): BAS documents are required for businesses registered for GST, as it helps them record incoming and outgoing funds to determine their GST bill or refund
Profit and loss statements: a document that lays out your company’s income and expenses, of which your lender may require anything from a quarterly to annual statement
Bank statements: another method of displaying your company’s finances which your lender is likely to need at least the most recent few months’ worth of. This can be business or personal banking, or both
Income declaration: a declaration signed by your accountant confirming your income and that it’s true and accurate

These loans come with higher interest rates and fees than standard personal loans, as the lack of more “secure” documents like tax returns and payslips increases the lender’s sense of risk with the loan.

However, the borrowing range for these loans remain the same, with maximum amounts of around $50,000. They can also be turned around quickly because of the less complicated nature of their documents, allowing for fast and easy finance solutions for borrowers.

Bad credit personal loans

The second main purpose someone may require a non-conforming personal loan is due to a bad credit rating. Lenders look to credit scores as one of the most important indicators of your reliability as a borrower, so not having a great, good or fair score can sink a personal loan application before you’ve even started. Specialist bad credit lenders have entered the market in recent years to remedy that situation, affording individuals in need of financing access to funds.

In terms of their structure, these loans are essentially the same as other personal loans. As part of the application process, your credit history will be assessed, which is primarily done to ascertain your current financial situation and any recent defaults to determine whether you’re capable of servicing the loan.

Like low doc loans, bad credit personal loans are seen as being riskier for the lender, which in turn leads to an increase in their rates and fees. Borrowing power is also decreased significantly: bad credit borrowers will only have access to a maximum of $10,000 in loan funds and can typically repay them over a maximum of two to three years.

Despite all of this, though, these loans present as one of the most viable options for people with bad credit looking for flexible finance solutions.

Apply for your personal loan online

Compare your options with Savvy

Assess the products on offer from our partnered lenders and choose the option that’s most affordable and suited to your needs.

Submit your application and documentation

Once you land on your lender’s site, you can gather up your required documents and submit digital copies of them alongside your lender’s form.

Receive an outcome and sign your agreement

After you’ve been approved, your lender will send through a copy of your loan agreement for you to sign electronically, from which point you can receive your funds.

The pros and cons of personal loans

PROS

Bring your financial goals within reach

You may not be able to achieve your financial goals on your own or save up enough in time, but a personal loan can help you do so and pay it off at a manageable pace.

Customise your ideal repayment schedule

With flexible available loan amounts, terms and schedules, you can tailor your loan’s repayments to suit your personal preferences for how to pay off your debt.

Use them how you like

Unlike other, more rigid types of finance, personal loans are designed to be highly versatile in how they can be used, meaning you can essentially distribute your funds how you wish.

Often cheaper than credit cards

Credit cards generally come with steep interest rates and fees which apply if you can’t pay them off within a month, so personal loans are often more suitable for larger purchases.

Can boost your credit score

If you’re able to keep up with your repayments without much trouble, or even pay off your debt ahead of schedule, you can improve your credit score further.

CONS

Potentially high rates and fees

You may find some personal loans come with high rates and fees, but it’s important to compare your options to lock in the cheapest deal available to you.

Impact your credit score if you can’t repay

In the event you’re unable to keep up with your required repayments, your credit score will be negatively affected and your asset could be repossessed and sold on a secured loan.

Lesser borrowing power than other loans

While you probably won't have any real cap on the maximum value of a car or home loan, personal loans are more restrictive in this regard (albeit still useful for large amounts).

Top tips for increasing your borrowing power

Improve your credit score

The higher your credit score, the more trustworthy you’ll be seen to be by your lender. Displaying a positive history of repaying similar loans will give them more confidence in your ability to service the loan you’re applying for. An increased score can not only lead to expanded borrowing power but also lower interest rates and fees.

Apply with your partner

Adding your partner or another family member as a co-borrower to your application will also boost your chances of approval. This is because it’s seen as a safer proposition to have two borrowers on an application compared to one, as there’s an in-built backup if one of the applicants loses their job which isn’t present on single applications.

Stick to a budget to reduce expenses

Laying out a clear budget before you apply can help you see where your money is going. By taking the time to consider this and determine where you can perhaps cut back on expenses or lower credit card limits, you’ll be able to free up more money each month to dedicate to the repayment of your personal loan, which then increases your borrowing power.

Try to avoid job changes and moving houses

Lenders always look for borrowers who can display a clear level of stability in their lives. Having long-term, permanent employment suggests that your income stream will be stable and less likely to run dry compared to recent casual or self-employed workers. Similarly, staying in the one location will reduce the risk of fluctuating rent or mortgage costs.

Frequently asked personal loan questions

Should I compare different types of personal loan lenders?

Yes – you can take out a personal loan through a bank, credit union, building society or a private online lender. In most cases, while boasting the widest range of products, banks offer the highest rates and fees, especially when compared to online lenders. However, the nature of the deal is more important than the lender you go with, so you should always compare offers with Savvy.

How do I get a cheap personal loan?

Looking for the lowest possible rates and fees is the best way to go about cutting down on the cost of your loan. In terms of how to achieve this, a good credit score, verifiable past borrowing history and a stable income with decent savings will all contribute to lowering your lender’s perceived risk, which will in turn lead to a lower rate. Aside from this, though, opting for a shorter loan term will raise the cost of your repayments but reduce the interest and fees you’ll pay over the life of the loan.

Will paying off my personal loan improve my credit score?

Yes – each timely loan repayment will be recorded on your credit report as positive behaviour and building up plenty of these over time will help your score grow. You may find you qualify for a better loan in the future if you’re able to pay your loan off on time or ahead of schedule.

How many personal loans can I have at once?

There’s no one answer to how many personal loans you can have at one time, as it entirely depends on what you can afford to repay each month. Someone who’s earning a higher income can, in theory, take out several smaller loans (provided they keep up with the repayments on each of them), while lower income-earners may only be eligible for one loan (or even fewer).

What is a guarantor and how can it help me borrow more?

Applying for a personal loan with a guarantor means you'll be submitting your application with a third-party individual in a relatively strong financial position, usually a parent or close relation, who essentially agrees to pay off your loan if you become unable to do so. Because of the fact that another layer of security is added to your loan, this is another way of expanding your borrowing power. These are typically more useful for bad credit customers but can also be utilised for younger borrowers with limited or no previous repayment experience. Speak to your lender about a guarantor if you’re looking to add one to your loan.

Can I use a personal loan to pay off another personal loan?

No – while you can use this type of finance to consolidate debts under one loan, you can’t take out one personal loan for the sole purpose of directly paying off another (unless you're refinancing existing personal loan debts).

Can I get a personal loan with bad credit history?

Bad credit as a borrower comes with far greater restrictions on the types of loans you’re eligible to apply for. This primarily manifests itself in three ways: capping your borrowing power at $10,000 to $12,000, restricting the maximum loan length to two to three years and setting your interest at a much higher rate. Personal loans are still a viable option for bad credit borrowers with a partner who need funds, but they’re not as flexible as standard loans.

What are green loans and are they worth applying for?

A green loan is a type of loan designed for the purchase or installation of environmentally friendly goods and systems. They typically offer a rate discount as part of the deal to encourage people to improve their “green” habits to help the environment. This may include energy-efficient appliances, solar panels, water conservation systems or even bicycles. Not all lenders offer green loans, though, so you should look to compare those who do if you need a loan for this purpose.

Can I get a personal loan with a redraw facility?

Yes – many personal loan financiers offer deals which come with redraw facilities. This is a feature which enables borrowers to withdraw additional funds which have been paid towards their loan debt, meaning they won’t be required to apply for another loan to access the funds they need. It’s important to note, though, that redrawing your funds can lengthen your loan term and result in you paying more overall.

Is my information safe if I apply for a personal loan online?

Yes – your data will be safe when you apply for financing via your lender’s website. Lenders are required to have highly effective and strong security features for maintaining the privacy of their customers, which is no different from our partnered online lenders. If you’re still unsure, you can reach out to your lender and find out more about the ways that they house and protect your information.

Can I get an instant online personal loan?

You can't get funded instantly, but applying for your online personal loan through Savvy is a great way to get a rapid outcome. Generally, the smaller the loan, the faster it is to process. We can help you get an instant online personal loan to suit your needs by enabling you to compare from our range of reputable online lending partners from around the country.

Is the loan with the lowest rate always the cheapest?

No – there are several additional costs which may also be charged as part of your personal loan, such as establishment and ongoing fees. Many lenders don’t charge either one or both of these fees, which makes them especially crucial to compare. If you wish to compare loans based both on interest and fees, which is always recommended, you should consider a loan’s comparison rate. This is a figure which incorporates both interest and fees to give you a more representative indication of the cost of the loan.

Will applying with a co-borrower improve my interest rate?

Yes – adding a second income to your loan agreement instils a greater sense of confidence in your lender that your financing will be comfortably repaid. This is known as a joint personal loan and is most commonly sought by partners, as they tend to share expenses if they’re living together. Shifting the reliance onto two income streams instead of one is particularly useful if one borrower receives Centrelink income or is newly self-employed, as these situations will ordinarily raise interest rates.

Do all lenders offer loan terms up to seven years?

No – different lenders offer different maximum and minimum terms when it comes to personal loans in Australia. While the range is one to seven years overall, some lenders will only offer loan terms up to five years. As such, it’s important that you choose a right type of personal loan suitable to fulfil your requirements.