Quick Quote
One simple enquiry form gives you fast access to quotes and rate comparisons from Australia's leading and best known debt consolidation specialists.
All quotes are provided free and without obligation by a specialist from our national broker referral panel. See our privacy statement for more details.
Knowledgebase
Second Mortgage:
A type of subordinate mortgage made while an original mortgage is still in effect.
Debt Consolidation Australia :: Articles

Tackle Bad Credit With These Simple Ideas!

How can I improve my bad credit with simple strategies?

Tackle Bad Credit With These Simple Ideas!

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.

Bad credit can make it difficult to do business with certain types of companies. Poor credit impacts your ability to move forward with your life. However, there is hope -- you can repair your credit with a few steps and re-open those doors to access lower borrowing rates and other benefits once more. Use the following advice to help you improve your credit rating.

Poor credit impacts your ability to move forward with your life.

However, there is hope -- you can repair your credit with a few steps and re-open those doors to access lower borrowing rates and other benefits once more.

Use the following advice to help you improve your credit rating.

Look into credit counseling if your credit is a wreck.

If you are willing to learn, you will walk away capable of paying your bills each month and still keeping a bit in your pocket for fun.

This will involve eliminating all credit cards and paying each of your creditors on a monthly basis.

You may want to seek out

Debt Stressed?
Image for Debt Stressed?If you're struggling to pay your debts and covering living expenses, we're here to help. Through our national panel of Debt Management specialists, we can help customers with $10k or more in debt by consolidating your existing loans, stopping Debt collectors from contacting you and re-negotiating repayments on your terms!
credit consolidation programs if you find improving your credit scores difficult.

Consolidate and Save

If you consolidate your debts into one payment, it makes it much simpler to budget and track your expenses.

This makes it easier to meet your repayment commitments on time and will help get your credit score up.

Lower Your Limits

Call your credit card provider and request that they lower your limit on your cards.

Not only can this tactic prevent you from getting yourself in over your head with debt, but it can also imply that you are responsible to those companies and to any future companies.

Paying your bills is something you need to do to repair your credit.

On Time Every Time

To help your credit, you should be paying the full amount owed within the time allowed.

Your credit score will begin to increase immediately after you pay the bills that are past due.

Check the Detail

When attempting to improve your credit, you should go over any negative marks with a fine tooth comb.

You could find mistakes in dates and other factors which can cause the whole item to be removed from the report.

A Quick Fix

If you need to build up your credit score quickly, try buying something on credit and then paying it back fast.

This way, you show that you know how to handle money and that you're committed to doing it properly.

Live Within Your Means

Don't spend more than you make. You you need to rewire your thought process.

If you're buying flashy items to boost your reputation, consider that a smart person who isn't being chased by collectors will have an even better reputation!

You should look at what you can afford to spend, before using credit for purchases.

Communicate

If you are having trouble making payments, then you should contact the creditors to work out an alternate plan.

A creditor will often times work in conjunction with you to find a plan that they do not report to a credit score if you get a hold of them.

As a bonus, this will relieve a bit of financial stress, letting you target accounts where backup repayment programs are not obtainable.

You should be truthful with debt collectors and see if they can work with you. Tell them the amount you are able to pay, and when you are able to make the payments. Remember that they will negotiate.

Wipe out your debt

Creditors will look at your debt to income ratio. High debt-to-income ratio indicates a borrower that is high risk.

There are many people who are unable to immediately pay off their debts; in this scenario, make a payment plan and closely follow it.

Avoid Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy should be a last resort and will reflect on your credit report for the next 10 years.

It can be tempting to just go ahead and file bankruptcy to get out from under the debt, but the detrimental effects can be long lasting.

Filing bankruptcy makes it difficult if not impossible to get anything involving credit, like credit cards and loans, in the future.

Prepaid Cards

Build your credit back up if your current credit scores are low.

Prepaid credit cards can be a good way to raise your FICO score, away from the dangers of late fees or charges for exceeding your credit limit.

By doing this you will be proving to potential lenders you are credit worthy and capable of paying money when you are required.

Talk Directly

Talk to creditors directly to figure out a different way to pay your bill if you cannot afford your monthly payments.

In many situations, a creditor is going to be willing to work with you. By doing this, you will now be able to focus on debt accounts that don't give you the freedom of establishing a payment plan.

Explore the possibility of consolidating debt in order to simplify your repayment process.

Many times, consolidation is one of the best and fastest ways you can bring down your debt and improve your credit. This lets you put all your debt under one monthly payment.

Find out more about consolidation and how it could be applied to your situation.

Credit Counselors

Make sure you do your research before deciding to go with a particular credit counselor.

Some counselors truly want to help you, while others are untrustworthy and have other motives.

Some are just people trying to scam you.

Wise consumers always verify that credit counselors are legitimate before dealing with them.

The most obvious way to get your credit repair journey going is to pay down those pesky credit card balances.

Always pay off the card with the highest interest rate first and then work you way down.

Beginning to pay your credit card balances off will show creditors that you are making a valiant effort and are credit worthy.

Addressing a bad credit report might seem daunting at first, but if you learn the tricks and stick to the process, you can improve your credit dramatically.

With the tips above, you are better prepared to take action and get your credit situation back where it should be

Published: Tuesday, 17th Aug 2021
Author: 261


Debt Consolidation Articles

Consolidating Debt: Choosing the Right Strategy for Your Financial Future
Consolidating Debt: Choosing the Right Strategy for Your Financial Future
Debt consolidation is a financial strategy that has gained widespread attention, especially within the diverse economic landscape of Australia. It involves combining multiple debts into a single, more manageable loan, with the aim of simplifying the repayment process and potentially securing a lower interest rate. This approach can be particularly relevant for Australians juggling various forms of credit, from personal loans to high-interest credit card debt. - read more
The Beginner's Blueprint to Creating an Effective Family Budget
The Beginner's Blueprint to Creating an Effective Family Budget
In a world marked by economic uncertainties and the ever-mounting cost of living, the importance of a sound family budget cannot be overstated. Today's economic climate necessitates not just prudent but strategic financial planning. With the right budget in place, families can navigate the choppy waters of their finances, avoiding the all-too-common pitfalls of overspending and under-saving. - read more
Debt Negotiation 101: How to Lower Interest Rates and Reduce Payments
Debt Negotiation 101: How to Lower Interest Rates and Reduce Payments
High-interest debt can feel like a relentless cycle for many in Australia, often making it challenging to gain financial ground. Whether it's credit card debt, personal loans, or other forms of borrowing, the compounded interest can quickly become overwhelming. Fortunately, debt negotiation presents a viable solution for those caught in this dilemma, offering a ray of hope to reduce financial burden. - read more
Smart Budgeting: Building a Financially Stable Future
Smart Budgeting: Building a Financially Stable Future
Many Australians today find themselves navigating the choppy waters of financial instability. The burden of debt weighs heavily, affecting everything from daily stress levels to long-term planning. High interest rates, unexpected expenses, and the seductive ease of credit cards contribute to a culture of borrowing that can lead to a precarious financial situation for many. In this introduction, we explore how smart budgeting is not just about scraping by, but laying the foundations for a financially stable future. - read more
Monitoring Your Progress: Tracking Financial Goals Post-Debt Consolidation
Monitoring Your Progress: Tracking Financial Goals Post-Debt Consolidation
Welcome to our blog, where we're dedicated to helping you make the most of your financial journey. Today, we're going to delve into an important aspect of financial health: tracking your progress after debt consolidation. - read more
Finance News

APRA's New Cap on High Debt-to-Income Home Loans: What Borrowers Need to Know
APRA's New Cap on High Debt-to-Income Home Loans: What Borrowers Need to Know
20 Dec 2025: Paige Estritori
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has announced a significant policy change aimed at mitigating risks in the housing market. Effective February 2026, APRA will impose a cap on high debt-to-income (DTI) home loans, limiting such loans to 20% of new home lending. This measure applies to both owner-occupiers and investors, with an exemption for new housing developments. - read more
ASIC's Review of Debt Management Firms: Ensuring Consumer Protection
ASIC's Review of Debt Management Firms: Ensuring Consumer Protection
20 Dec 2025: Paige Estritori
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has announced a comprehensive review of the debt management and credit repair sector, citing concerns about consumer protection, particularly for those facing financial difficulties. This initiative aims to assess how approximately 100 licensed businesses in the sector comply with legal requirements and to examine the range of business models used by these firms. - read more
Australia's AAA Credit Rating: A Testament to Economic Resilience
Australia's AAA Credit Rating: A Testament to Economic Resilience
20 Dec 2025: Paige Estritori
Australia has successfully retained its AAA credit rating, as affirmed by global ratings agency Fitch. This decision underscores the nation's strong institutions, effective policy framework, sound medium-term growth prospects, and high income per capita, even amid prevailing global economic uncertainties. - read more
APRA Implements Cap on High Debt-to-Income Home Loans
APRA Implements Cap on High Debt-to-Income Home Loans
12 Dec 2025: Paige Estritori
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has announced a significant policy change aimed at mitigating risks in the housing market. Effective February 2026, APRA will impose a cap on high debt-to-income (DTI) home loans, limiting such loans to 20% of new home lending. This measure applies to both owner-occupiers and investors, with an exemption for new housing developments. - read more
Commonwealth Bank Highlights Concerns Over Surging Home Loan Demand
Commonwealth Bank Highlights Concerns Over Surging Home Loan Demand
12 Dec 2025: Paige Estritori
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), the nation's largest lender, has raised concerns about the current high demand for home loans, which is contributing to escalating property prices. CEO Matt Comyn acknowledged that while the bank has benefited from the surge in housing credit, such high levels are unsustainable and could undermine long-term financial stability, housing equality, and market accessibility. He suggested that a more moderate pace of credit growth would be beneficial. - read more