$5,000 loans

A personal loan is one of the easier ways to borrow $5,000, and with a good credit score you can get a competitive rate. Bad credit borrowers still have options, but they are more expensive.

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1 - 11 of 21
Product Interest Rate (p.a.) Comp. Rate (p.a.) Application Fee Monthly Fee Monthly Repayment
Harmoney Unsecured Personal Loan
Fixed3 - 7 Years $2,000 - $70,000
Harmoney logo
Interest Rate (p.a.)
5.76%
to 24.03%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
6.55%
to 24.98%
Application Fee
$275 - $575
Monthly Fee
$0
Monthly Repayment
$169
Receive competitive interest rates tailored to your personal circumstances, repay the loan early without incurring an early repayment fee, and enjoy no monthly or annual fees.
MONEYME Personal Loans
Variable3 - 7 Years $5,000 - $50,000
MONEYME logo
Interest Rate (p.a.)
6.74%
to 25.49%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
8.13%
to 26.88%
Application Fee
$395 - $495
Monthly Fee
$10
Monthly Repayment
$179.02
Homeowners can unlock lower interest rates (depending on your credit score).
Wisr Personal Loan
Fixed3 - 7 Years $5,000 - $62,000
Wisr logo
Interest Rate (p.a.)
6.74%
to 24.54%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
7.57%
to 25.32%
Application Fee
$595
Monthly Fee
$0
Monthly Repayment
$172.09
Great Southern Bank logo
Interest Rate (p.a.)
7.99%
to 19.99%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
8.31%
to 20.35%
Application Fee
$225
Monthly Fee
$0
Monthly Repayment
$163.71
Plenti Personal Loan
Fixed1 - 7 Years $5,000 - $65,000
Plenti logo
Interest Rate (p.a.)
6.57%
to 24.09%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
6.57%
to 24.99%
Application Fee
$0 - $595
Monthly Fee
$0
Monthly Repayment
$171.66
Driva Personal Loan
Variable1 - 7 Years $2,001 - $75,000
Driva logo
Interest Rate (p.a.)
6.57%
to 36%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
6.78%
to 36%
Application Fee
$0 - $395
Monthly Fee
$0
Monthly Repayment
$153.40
Latitude Variable Rate Personal Loan
Variable2 - 7 Years $5,000 - $100,000
Latitude Financial Services logo
Interest Rate (p.a.)
9.49%
to 29.99%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
10.93%
to 31.38%
Application Fee
$0
Monthly Fee
$13
Monthly Repayment
$173.14
Special offer: $395 establishment fee waived for approved personal loan applications for a limited time. Latitude may withdraw offer at any time. T&Cs apply.
NAB Personal Loan Unsecured Fixed
Fixed1 - 7 Years $5,000 - $55,000
NAB logo
Interest Rate (p.a.)
7.49%
to 20.49%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
8.53%
to 21.38%
Application Fee
$0
Monthly Fee
$15
Monthly Repayment
$170.51
Special Offer: For a limited time NAB is waiving the $250 application fee when you apply for a NAB Unsecured Personal Loan. Offer valid from 6 March to 31 May 2025. Other fees and charges still apply.
Plenti Variable Rate Personal Loan
Variable1 - 7 Years $5,000 - $65,000
Plenti logo
Interest Rate (p.a.)
6.57%
to 24.09%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
6.57%
to 24.99%
Application Fee
$0 - $595
Monthly Fee
$0
Monthly Repayment
$171.66
Jacaranda Finance Secured Personal Loan
Fixed25 Months - 3 Years $3,000 - $25,000
Jacaranda Finance logo
Interest Rate (p.a.)
16.95%
to 29.95%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
32.99%
to 45.50%
Application Fee
$129 - $990
Monthly Fee
$26
Monthly Repayment
$239.41
NAB Personal Loan Unsecured Variable Rate
Variable1 - 7 Years $5,000 - $55,000
NAB logo
Interest Rate (p.a.)
7.49%
to 20.49%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
8.53%
to 21.38%
Application Fee
$0
Monthly Fee
$15
Monthly Repayment
$170.51
Special Offer: For a limited time NAB is waiving the $250 application fee when you apply for a NAB Unsecured Personal Loan. Offer valid from 6 March to 31 May 2025. Other fees and charges still apply.
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How can I get a $5,000 loan?

Taking out a personal loan is probably the simplest way for most borrowers to get a $5,000 loan.

  • While payday loans are advertised as fast, easy ways to get smaller loans, they're limited by law to $2,000 and have very high fees.

What kind of personal loans can I use to borrow $5,000?

Most people looking for a $5,000 loan will choose an unsecured personal loan. These loans are easier to get and you don't have to put up a car as security.

Secured personal loans typically require a new (or newish) car as security. While some lenders may offer you a lower rate (because the loan is lower risk to the lender), these days the lowest unsecured personal loan rates are often just as low.

How much does a $5,000 personal loan cost?

The exact cost of a $5,000 personal loan depends on:

  • The length of the loan.
  • The interest rate.
  • The fees.

$5,000 personal loan cost examples

Loan value
Loan term
Interest rate
Monthly fee
Monthly repayments
Total cost
$5,000
3
7%
$10
$165
$918
$5,000
4
10%
$5
$132
$1,328
$5,000
5
12%
$8
$120
$2,154

It's important to consider the different fees, interest rates and loan terms when you apply for a personal loan. As you can see, a 5 year loan term with a higher interest rate will give you lower monthly repayments, but you'll end up paying much more in fees and interest over the loan period.

These are just simplified examples that don't take your personal circumstances into account. Use a personal loan repayment calculator to figure out your own loan costs.

📌 A note on comparison rates and $5,000 personal loans

The personal loan comparison rate takes into account both the loan's interest rate and the cost of fees. It's designed to help you understand the true cost of a loan.

Every personal loan has a comparison rate, but most lenders calculate these rates based on different loan sizes, typically $30,000 or $10,000. So these rates don't always reflect the costs for a $5,000 loan.

How do I compare $5,000 loans?

  • Look at the rates and fees. A loan with a lower rate and fewer fees will save you money.
  • Choose the right loan term. A personal loan with a 1-year term is usually cheaper than a 5-year loan because you pay less interest over a shorter time. But your monthly repayments will be higher. So the right loan term is about balancing your monthly and your overall costs.
  • Look for a loan with features you need. Some personal loans allow you to make extra repayments without a fee, which helps you pay off the loan faster.
  • Check the lender's eligibility criteria before you apply. Don't waste time (and hurt your credit score) applying for a $5,000 loan you're not eligible for. Make sure you meet the lender's criteria first.
  • Get your credit score in good shape. The lowest rates and the best deals go to borrowers with excellent credit scores. Improve your credit score before applying for a loan.

Check your credit score for free through Finder

Can I borrow $5,000 if I have bad credit?

Borrowers with bad credit who need money quickly often turn to:

  • Payday loans. Payday lenders offer fast approval and are only available up to $2,000. Some lenders may go as high as $5,000 - but it is not considered a payday loan.
  • Bad credit personal loans. Some lenders specialise in lending to borrowers with bad credit or limited proof of income.

When borrowing as much as $5,000, short-term loans and bad credit loans are going to become very expensive. These loans have higher interest rates and hefty fees. This makes any loan expensive, but the more money you borrow the worse it gets.

Can I get a $5,000 personal loan with guaranteed approval?

Beware of lenders whose websites mention "guaranteed approval" for small loans. The truth is any regulated lender will perform some kind of check on your credit score and suitability as a borrower before lending you $5,000.

These lenders are often going to charge you very high interest rates and fees.

If a lender is truly promising you "a small personal loan with guaranteed approval" they are likely a scam. You can check ASIC's register to see if a lending business is appropriately licensed.

⚠️ Warning about Borrowing

payday-warningDo you really need a loan today?*

It can be expensive to borrow small amounts of money and borrowing may not solve your money problems.

Check your options before you borrow:

  • For information about other options for managing bills and debts, ring 1800 007 007 from anywhere in Australia to talk to a free and independent financial counsellor
  • Talk to your electricity, gas, phone or water provider to see if you can work out a payment plan
  • If you are on government benefits, ask if you can receive an advance from Centrelink: Phone: 13 17 94

The Government's MoneySmart website shows you how small amount loans work and suggests other options that may help you.

* This statement is an Australian Government requirement under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009.

Which lenders offer $5,000 bad credit loans?

The following lenders offer loans up to $5,000 for bad credit applications. Be sure to compare lenders before applying:

Lender
Loan amount
Eligibility criteria
Find out more
Fair Go Finance
$500 to $5,000
  • Earn at least $500 per week
  • Only considers Single Parent, Family Tax Benefit and Carer's Allowance for Centrelink income
  • Employed on a casual, part-time or full-time basis
lendlab
$2,001 upwards
  • Self-employed applicants must earn at least $35,000
  • Centrelink benefits cannot make up more than half of someone's income
Swoosh Finance
$2,200 to $5,000
  • 18 years old or over
  • Employed for at least 3 months
  • Australian citizen or permanent resident
Nimble
$500 to $5,000
  • Earn a regular income
  • Not be dependent on Centrelink benefits
Varies
  • Bad credit and self-employed applicants are considered
Wallet Wizard
$500 to $8,000
  • Bad credit, Centrelink and unemployed applicants are considered
MoneyMe
$5,000 to $50,000
  • 18 years old or over
  • Australian residents
  • Be employed
Cash Converters
Up to $4,600
  • 18 years old or over
  • Australian resident
  • Earn over $750 per week
  • Be employed for at least 3 months

Alternatives to a $5,000 personal loan

If a personal loan doesn't work for you and you'd rather avoid a pricey payday loan, you could consider one of the following:

  • Credit card. If you have an existing credit card you might be able to get the credit limit raised to $5,000. You might already have a limit that high. This could be useful to cover a one-off purchase instead of a personal loan. Credit cards also offer interest-free periods. But after that, you'll be charged a higher interest rate compared to a personal loan. If you can't pay back the $5,000 purchase in a short time this will end up being quite expensive.
  • Home loan top up. If you have a home loan and you've been making repayments on time, your lender may approve a top up to the home loan, allowing you to borrow slightly more against your equity and put it on your loan. Your home loan will have a lower rate than a personal loan. But keep in mind that a home loan is a much longer debt, so adding to it means you pay more in interest in the long run.
  • No interest loans (NILs). While you can't get $5,000, eligible Australians on low incomes can qualify for no interest loans from community-led non-profit organisations. You don't get charged interest, but it's also not really a loan. You can only use the money for an approved expense, such as car repairs, medical expenses or an essential household item.

Using a credit card to borrow $5,000

You could get a credit card with a $5,000 credit limit. But it's probably a bad idea if you have to cover a single $5,000 purchase.

The card's transaction limit might not allow you to spend this much in one go.

And if you don't pay off the card within the interest free period (usually up to 50 days) then you'll pay interest at a much higher rate than a personal loan. And there's no end date with a credit card debt. If you're not disciplined in pay the card off you could be paying interest for years.

Why compare personal loans with Finder?

freeAddicted to details. We know taking out a personal loan is something you'll be hooked up with for a while. That's why we put hours into research for this guide (and still do at least once a month)
expert adviceRates obsessed. Lenders come in all shapes and sizes, that's why we don't just track the big banks, but all the digi folk too. Pretty much everyone but your parents to be honest.
independentCash for whatever you need. Lending rates verified from 180+ products day and night. Whether you're buying a car, rennovating your home or heck just ready to let loose with the spending - we got you.

Frequently asked questions

Rebecca Pike's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Rebecca Pike as part of our fact-checking process.
Richard Whitten's headshot
Money Editor

Richard Whitten is Finder’s Money Editor, with over seven years of experience in home loans, property and personal finance. His insights appear in top media outlets like Yahoo Finance, Money Magazine, and the Herald Sun, and he frequently offers expert commentary on television and radio, helping Australians navigate mortgages and property ownership. Richard holds multiple industry certifications, including a Certificate IV in Mortgage Broking (RG 206) and Tier 1 and Tier 2 certifications (RG 146), as well as a Graduate Certificate in Communications from Deakin University. See full bio

Richard's expertise
Richard has written 596 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Home loans
  • Property
  • Personal finance
  • Money-saving tips

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248 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    JasonMay 15, 2017

    Hi there I need a loan up to 4,000 I have ok credit rating but don’t seem to be anyone who wants to give me one can you recommend any loaners that might help I am employed full time

      AvatarFinder
      HaroldMay 15, 2017Finder

      Hi Jason,

      I’m afraid I can’t give you specific recommendations as we are a comparison website. However, at present, if you have clean record with your credit history you may want to consider the personal loans featured on our website.

      Be sure to read through the terms, conditions, and features of the loan to ensure you’re choosing the right one.

      I hope this information has helped.

      Cheers,
      Harold

    Default Gravatar
    johnApril 5, 2017

    can i get a 5000 loan with a bad credit rateing

      Finder
      DeeApril 5, 2017Finder

      Hi John,

      Thanks for your question.

      The lenders on the page above may consider you for a loan, subject to other eligibility criteria.

      Please make sure to read the terms and conditions of the loan product you are interested in before submitting your application.

      Cheers,
      Anndy

    Default Gravatar
    RoseOctober 26, 2016

    Hi! I would like to know if it is possible for me to get a $7,000-$10,000 loan (or car loan) on a Centrelink income. I know I will be able to afford the repayments but which bank would consider me?

      Default Gravatar
      LetitiaJanuary 4, 2017

      Will I get approved for this loan?

      Finder
      MayJanuary 4, 2017Finder

      Hi Letitia,

      Thank you for your inquiry.

      If you want to check your eligibility for a loan, please review the criteria set out by the lender. You can click on the ‘Go to site’ button above if you’re eligible and you wish to apply. I also suggest that you contact the lender directly to discuss your chances of approval.

      Cheers,
      May

      Finder
      JasonOctober 26, 2016Finder

      Hi Rose.

      Thank you for your inquiry.

      There are lenders that will consider lending to you if you’re receiving Centrelink payments. Please note that your eligibility for a loan and the amount that they lend to you will depend on the amount you earn, whether or not you’re employed, and your credit history. You can take a look at the list of Centrelink personal loans on our website and see if you meet the eligibility criteria.

      I hope this helps.

      Cheers,
      Jason

    Default Gravatar
    DavidOctober 24, 2016

    Hello, i’m in need of an $8000.00 loan for a deposit on a truck. The truck is $70,000.00 and have finance for $62,000.00 but that lender requires the truck as security.
    I have a contract for work for the truck earning $3000-4000pw and could easily make $300pw repayments.
    However, as i don’t have the truck yet i am not working and on Centrelink benefits, though i could have the truck working in a week if i have the money. Only have one blemish on my credit rating and don’t currently owe any money. Current assets are a car worth $3000.00 and a few grand in other assets. is there anyone that would be able to help?

      AvatarFinder
      ElizabethOctober 25, 2016Finder

      Hi David,

      You can find lenders that consider bad credit applicants for loans up to $10,000 on this page, but it’s important to keep in mind that your current financial situation will be taken into account when you’re being considered for a loan. The lender will be able to see that you have a large loan already and no employment (as of yet), and while you have upcoming employment it will be your current financial situation that is considered.

      You should contact the lenders prior to applying to see your chances of being approved.

      Hope this helps,

      Elizabeth

    Default Gravatar
    DaniOctober 9, 2016

    Hi hi there,

    I have a default on my credit report that’s I never paid, it’s been 5 years tomorrow (10/10/11). Will it disappear from my credit file and would I be able to apply for a loan straight away? I’m in need of $5000, I have a full time job but I think my credit rating is only 400.

    Thanks in advance.

      AvatarFinder
      ElizabethOctober 10, 2016Finder

      Hi Dani,

      Veda automatically removes default listings on or before the expiry date. To be sure the listing has been removed, you can order a free copy of your credit file (it takes 10 days to arrive) or pay a fee to receive it overnight. This way you can be sure whether or not the listing has been removed, and request it be removed by Veda if it hasn’t.

      Lenders will see an updated copy of your credit file when they check your credit so only the current listings will be taken into account.

      Hope this helps,

      Elizabeth

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