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How long do credit enquiries stay on your credit report?

Credit enquiries can stay on your report for 5 years but other details could be listed for longer. Here’s how to request their removal.

Amy Bradney-George's headshot

By

Amy Bradney-George

Edited by

Jason Loewenthal

Updated

Fact checked

If you find incorrect details on your credit report, such as unfamiliar credit enquiries, you can ask for them to be removed. Doing so will make your credit report more accurate and can help improve your credit score.

However, it's not possible to remove correct enquiries and listings from your credit report and the details on your credit report will typically be listed for between 1 and 7 years in Australia.

For example, normal credit enquiries (like applying for a credit card) will remain on your report for 5 years, while serious infringements can stay there for 7 years.

How long do certain enquiries stay on your credit report?

Type of enquiryHow long it stays on your credit report
Serious credit infringement7 years
Bankruptcy5 years*
Court judgement5 years
Credit enquiry5 years
Debt agreement5 years**
Default5 years
Current credit obligation2 years
Repayment history2 years
Financial hardship information1 year

*Bankruptcies will remain on your credit report for 5 years, but will disappear after 2 years from the point you are no longer bankrupt.

**Debt agreements will be removed from your credit report 2 years after they have been terminated, declared void or ended.

Finder survey: How many Australians have been rejected for a financial product?

ResponseMaleFemale
None of the above84.55%82.79%
Loan6.71%11.28%
Credit card10.77%9.18%
Phone plan2.03%2.29%
Other1.02%0.76%
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1016 Australians, December 2023

Do you know what's on your credit report?

See what's on your credit file by checking your free detailed credit report with Finder. You can confirm what enquiries are still on your report and the date they were added.

Can I remove any enquiry from my credit report?

You can't remove a legitimate enquiry from your credit report. In most cases, credit enquiries will be listed for 5 years before they are automatically removed from your report.

You can only get incorrect or inaccurate details removed from your credit report at a different time. Some examples of when you could request a correction include:

  • Enquiries you have not authorised
  • Credit accounts you never opened
  • If your name is still listed on a joint account that you have been removed from
  • Accounts that are incorrectly listed as "in default"
  • Late payment details when you have proof of making payments on time

How to remove incorrect details and enquiries from your credit report

1. Check your credit report

You can get a free copy of your credit report and score through Finder every month. You can also request a copy of your credit report directly with each of the credit reporting bodies in Australia (Finder gets its details from Experian).

Go through the details on your report and note down any that are incorrect or unfamiliar. This includes soft and hard credit enquiries for loans, credit card applications and utilities that you're not aware of or haven't approved.

2. Follow up on unfamiliar enquiries

Contact the lender listed for an unfamiliar credit inquiry and ask it for details of the enquiry. This will help you determine if you authorised it or not.

If the lender agrees it has made a mistake, it should correct the error on your credit report.

Tip: Keep in mind that sometimes ticking a box means you've given approval for a credit check. For example, if you agree to terms and conditions for a product without reading them to see if a credit check is included.

3. Submit a request for incorrect details to be removed

You need to do this directly through the credit reporting body that issued your credit report. For example, if you checked your report through Finder, you'd contact Experian. Or, if you requested a copy from Equifax, you'd contact it.

What happens after I've made the request?

The credit reporting body will review your request for a correction and contact you with an outcome.

If you are successful, the details will be removed from your credit report.

If you are unsuccessful, the listing will remain on your credit report for the required time (e.g. 5 years from when a credit enquiry was made).

What is a credit enquiry?

A credit enquiry is a record that shows when your credit report has been accessed by you or a third party. There are 2 main types of credit enquiries:

"Soft" enquiries are recorded any time you request a copy of your credit file. This includes when your file is accessed through a separate platform, like the Finder app, and doesn't really have an impact on your credit score.

A "hard" enquiry refers to any request for your credit file that's made by a third party, such as a lender. For instance, every time you apply for a line of credit, such as a card or personal loan, the lender you've applied with will submit a request for your credit file.

This request is recorded on your credit history as a "hard credit enquiry". Too many hard enquiries can lower your credit score and your chance of approval.

Both soft and hard enquiries stay on your credit report for 5 years.

How credit enquiries impact your credit score

Lenders use information from your credit history to help them determine your eligibility for loan products like credit cards and personal loans.

This includes the number of credit enquiries you've made. These enquiries stay on your credit report for 5 years and are then removed automatically.

If you have too many credit enquiries on your file in a short amount of time, it can negatively impact your credit score and your ability to get a credit card or loan.

Tips to avoid too many credit enquiries on your credit report

  • Limit new applications. You can keep the number of credit enquiries on your file down by only applying for new products when it's necessary. Applying for one account at a time and waiting a few months between applications will also help keep your credit enquiries to a minimum.
  • Pay your accounts by the due date. Information about late payments can also have a negative impact on your credit file. Aim to make repayments by the due date on your statements.
  • Settle outstanding debts. Repay any debts you can afford to pay off. This can show lenders that you are responsible with money.
  • Close old accounts. Go through your credit file and check if there are any accounts that are still open that you don't use. For example, an old joint electricity account from a sharehouse. Closing these or removing your name from them will ensure that only current, relevant details are on your credit report.

What other errors should I look out for on my credit report?

Once you've got your credit report, here's a list of the details you should double check:

  • Debts or loans. Check that each debt is yours and that the amounts are correct.
  • Defaults. Defaults can only be listed for debts over $150 that are overdue by 60 days. Creditors must also inform you in writing before listing a debt as a default, so check that you received notification.
  • Serious credit infringements. A serious credit infringement can only be listed six months after it is listed as a default and only if the debtor is unable to contact you at your last known address. Make sure the creditor took the correct action before listing.
  • Credit applications. Make sure the applications listed were made by you. If they weren't, someone may be using your identity to apply for loans and you need to address it right away.
  • Name and date of birth. Make sure both are accurate.
  • Current and previous addresses. Being contactable is essential to maintaining a good credit file, so make sure your details are up to date.

How can I keep my credit file free from errors?

The simplest way to keep your credit file error-free is to check it regularly. If you request your credit report through finder you can access it again at any time in your finder account. We will also notify you whenever something on your report changes so you can keep an eye out for inaccuracies.

You also need to make sure that all payments and debits actually go through, don't just rely on someone else or automatic transfers to pay your bills. Physically check to see if the money has left your account.

Your credit report is important and it should be checked regularly for accuracy. If you find a genuine mistake it is relatively simple to have it rectified by any of the credit reporting bodies. Doing so will help ensure that you're treated fairly by lenders.

Frequently asked questions

Dig in deeper with our credit score guides

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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Jason Loewenthal as part of our fact-checking process.
Amy Bradney-George's headshot
Editor

Amy Bradney-George was the senior writer for credit cards at Finder, and editorial lead for Finder Green. She has over 16 years of editorial experience and has been featured in publications including ABC News, Money Magazine and The Sydney Morning Herald. See full bio

Amy's expertise
Amy has written 582 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Credit cards
  • Frequent flyer
  • Credit score
  • BNPL
  • Money management
  • Sustainability
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65 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    NicSeptember 21, 2016

    Hello,
    I have just opened my credit report and I have 1 credit card that’s paid off but still on there as well as another GE money card that I was approved for but cancelled as I didn’t require it. Is there any reason they would both still be on there?

      AvatarFinder
      MaySeptember 22, 2016Finder

      Hi Nic,

      Thanks for your question.

      Information is kept on file for a number of years. For instance, credit applications, enquiries, and overdue accounts are held on your file for 5 years. If you want to have a good understanding of your credit file, please read our credit report guide.

      Cheers,
      May

    Default Gravatar
    maryAugust 3, 2016

    Hi, I have just received a copy of my credit file and there aren’t any enquiries/defaults on my file it is perfectly clear but a debt company is accessing my file at least once a month under accesses I don’t understand why they are doing this as I don’t have any bad debts listed against me. Any ideas?

      AvatarFinder
      MayAugust 4, 2016Finder

      Hi Mary,

      Thank you for your inquiry.

      Usually, when you apply for a credit, the creditor/lender, will most likely review your credit file. You may want to double check if you have applied for a credit with that company some time ago. If you find that a creditor did not have proper authorisation from you to access your credit file when it did, you can look forward to the removal of the given enquiry. Our guide above on removing enquiries from your file can be of help.

      Cheers,
      May

    Default Gravatar
    RajiMarch 25, 2016

    I have 10 enquirers in my credit file but recently I have 4 enquirers so I want to remove that so can you help me with that please

      AvatarFinder
      DebbieApril 1, 2016Finder

      Hi Raji,

      Thanks for your inquiry.

      Unfortunately, we are unable to assist you on removing enquiries from your credit file as you’ve come through finder.com.au, an online comparison service and we can only provide general information about credit cards features and other benefits.

      You may wish to speak directly to credit repair companies, they’ll be more happy to assist you and provide more alternate payment plans.

      Cheers,
      Debbie

    Default Gravatar
    michelleFebruary 8, 2016

    Is there a sample letter in which we can give to the creditors to dismiss our inquiries from our credit file?

      AvatarFinder
      JonathanFebruary 8, 2016Finder

      Hi Michelle, thanks for your inquiry!

      Unfortunately we do not currently have a sample letter/ template to dismiss inquiries from a credit file.

      Cheers,

      Jonathan

    Default Gravatar
    KanishDecember 4, 2015

    Hi,
    I got approx. 10 credit inquiry. Back in FEB 2015. I applied credit cards which were declined. I didn’t keep a track on my credit score and I am Apart from credit inquires, rest everything is clear. Is that possible to fix those inquiries. Current score is below average.
    Thank you

      Default Gravatar
      blackbirdJanuary 29, 2016

      I have 4 enquiries that have been paid out,2 have been paid out more than 3yrs ago.
      Why are the enquiries still listed?
      Thanks in advance.

      AvatarFinder
      JonathanFebruary 1, 2016Finder

      Hi Blackbird, thanks for your inquiry!

      If any enquiries are still listed on your credit file you can contact the respective financial institution whom the records are with to request them to be removed.

      Cheers,

      Jonathan

      AvatarFinder
      JonathanDecember 7, 2015Finder

      Hi Kanish,

      Thanks for your inquiry!

      If you have any remaining credit inquiries which are incorrect you can remove them by using a credit repair service.

      Cheers,

      Jonathan

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