KNOW YOUR RIGHTS · AUSTRALIA

Your credit reporting rights in Australia

Understand access, correction and complaint rights under Australia’s consumer credit-reporting framework.

Last reviewed: 20 October 2026

Access and the rules that apply

Part IIIA of the Privacy Act regulates consumer credit reporting. The applicable credit reporting code adds requirements. You can get a free report from each credit reporting body once every three months, with additional free access in specified circumstances.

Official sources: OAIC: laws that govern credit reporting (opens in a new tab) · OAIC: access your credit report (opens in a new tab)

How long can information stay?

Different information has different retention periods. The OAIC lists credit enquiries and defaults at five years, repayment history at two years and financial hardship information at one year. Other records have their own rules. Check the relevant event and starting date in the official table.

Official sources: OAIC: what stays on a credit report (opens in a new tab)

Ask for a correction

Contact the relevant credit provider or credit reporting body and identify the error. If satisfied information is wrong, it must take reasonable steps to correct it within 30 days, or a longer period you agree to. Keep the request, evidence and response.

Official sources: OAIC: correct your credit report (opens in a new tab)

If the problem is not resolved

Complain to the provider or reporting body first. It generally must acknowledge your complaint within seven days and deal with it within 30 days unless an extension is agreed. The OAIC explains the recognized external dispute resolution and privacy complaint routes; correction requests and complaints are separate processes.

Official sources: OAIC: make a credit reporting complaint (opens in a new tab)

Use the rule for your situation

These are consumer credit-reporting rules. Commercial credit, court proceedings and debt enforcement can involve different requirements. A record leaving a credit report does not, by itself, decide whether a debt is owed.

Official sources: OAIC: laws that govern credit reporting (opens in a new tab)

Use these rights with your own evidence

Save the report page, account details, relevant dates, supporting records and correspondence. A possible error needs evidence; this guide does not decide whether a particular entry breaks the law.

CRP explains supported issues in your uploaded report and helps you prepare a packet you review and approve. The rights described here are broader than the checks CRP currently supports. Check the available country, bureau and report options in your workspace. No correction, deletion or score increase is guaranteed.