Laptop loans and finance options

There's a number of ways to borrow or finance a laptop, including free options.

Laptops have become a vital piece of technology for work, studying and general life admin.

Thankfully, there's plenty of options if you're looking to loan or finance a laptop.

What are my laptop loan and finance options?

There are a number of ways to finance the purchase of a laptop:

Unsecured personal loan

An unsecured personal loan is when you borrow money from a lender, without having to use an asset as security. You then pay the loan back (including interest) in weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments over an agreed term.

With an unsecured personal loan, you receive the money upfront and then can pay for your new computer or laptop in full.

Short term loans

Short term loans are available from $100 to $2,000. They are quick to apply for and have minimal eligibility criteria.

However, depending on your financial situation, getting a short term loan to cover the cost of a laptop can be an unsound financial decision. This is because short term loans generally have high interest rates and fees, which means you'll end up paying more over the course of the loan.

Credit card

If you have a credit card, you can purchase your new laptop and pay it off over an extended period of time in instalments. You could also consider a 0% purchase card, which will give you a certain period of time to pay off your balance without incurring any interest.

In-store finance

Many shops offer in-store finance to help customers purchase expensive items like laptops. With in-store finance, you can spread the cost of your new laptop over 6, 12 or even up to 18 months. Many companies even offer interest-free loans or a 0% interest period.

Student loan

If you're a student, you could be eligible for help purchasing a laptop from the government with StudyAssist. Alternatively, you may be able to borrow a laptop from your university while you save to purchase your own.

NILS

If you're on a low income, you may be able to qualify for a No Interest Loan (NILS) to cover the cost of your laptop. NILS are available up to $2,000 for essential devices like laptops.

To qualify for NILS, you must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Have a Health Care Card or Pension Card
  • Earn less than $70,000 per year before tax (or less than $100,000 for couples or people with dependants)
  • Have experienced family or domestic violence in the last 10 years

If you are under 18, your parents may be able to qualify on your behalf, depending on their circumstances. Anyone applying for a NILS must also be able to demonstrate that they can afford to repay the loan.

Can I get a laptop loan with bad credit?

You may still be eligible for a loan even if you have bad credit, though you will usually find that your options are more limited compared to someone with good credit. If you are eligible for a No Interest Loan, your credit score will not be checked.

If you are ineligible for NILS, short term loans are often available to applicants with bad credit (though they come with the aforementioned risks attached).

You can check your credit score for free with Finder.

What are my other options?

If you're not looking to purchase a laptop, there are a few ways to borrow a laptop free-of-charge:

Through a university or TAFE

If you're currently enrolled at a university, TAFE or other tertiary institution, you may be able to borrow a laptop directly through your school. Many of the biggest universities offer laptop loan programs through the university library or student centre.

You can generally borrow a laptop or computer for up to a couple of days for free, but may need to pay a small fee if you borrow it for an extended period of time.

Borrow from a library

Like universities, many Australian libraries offer public access computers and laptops that can be used for free. You'll generally need to be a member of the library in order to book a laptop and will normally be unable to take it home with you.

1 - 15 of 219
Product Interest Rate (p.a.) Comp. Rate (p.a.) Application Fee Monthly Fee Monthly Repayment
Harmoney Unsecured Personal Loan
Fixed3 - 7 Years $2,000 - $100,000
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
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.
NOW Finance No Fee Unsecured Personal Loan
Finder AwardFixed18 Months - 7 Years $5,000 - $50,000
NOW Finance logo
Interest Rate (p.a.)
6.45%
to 26.95%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
6.45%
to 26.95%
Application Fee
$0
Monthly Fee
$0
Monthly Repayment
OurMoneyMarket logo
Interest Rate (p.a.)
6.57%
to 18.99%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
7.19%
to 21.78%
Application Fee
1.50% - 6%
min. $250
Monthly Fee
$0
Monthly Repayment
Applicants with an Equifax credit score of 500 or above and an annual income of more than $25k are eligible. No ongoing or early exit fees. Loan amounts range from $5,000 to $75,000, and up to $100,000 for home improvement projects and motor vehicles.
MoneyPlace Unsecured Personal Loan
Fixed3 - 7 Years $5,000 - $80,000
MoneyPlace logo
Interest Rate (p.a.)
6.55%
to 19.99%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
6.55%
to 21.49%
Application Fee
0% - 5.50%
Monthly Fee
$0
Monthly Repayment
MONEYME Personal Loans
Variable3 - 7 Years $5,000 - $50,000
MONEYME logo
Interest Rate (p.a.)
5.99%
to 24.49%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
6.70%
to 25.90%
Application Fee
$0 - $495
Monthly Fee
$10
Monthly Repayment
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
Special offer: The $395 establishment fee is waived for approved personal loan applications. Latitude may withdraw the offer at any time. T&Cs apply.
Great Southern Bank logo
Interest Rate (p.a.)
7.99%
to 19.99%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
7.99%
to 19.99%
Application Fee
$0
Monthly Fee
$0
Monthly Repayment
Special Offer: Pay $0 establishment fee when you apply for a personal loan. The $225 establishment fee will be waived for personal loan applications. This offer is for new and existing customers who apply between 30 April 2025 and 30 June 2025.
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
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.
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
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.
OurMoneyMarket Home Improvement Loan
Fixed1 - 7 Years $5,000 - $100,000
OurMoneyMarket logo
Interest Rate (p.a.)
6.57%
to 18.99%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
7.19%
to 21.78%
Application Fee
1.50% - 6%
min. $250
Monthly Fee
$0
Monthly Repayment
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
$125 - $1,190
Monthly Fee
$26
Monthly Repayment
Jacaranda Finance Unsecured Personal Loan
Fixed25 Months $3,000 - $10,000
Jacaranda Finance logo
Interest Rate (p.a.)
27.95%
to 29.95%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
44.50%
to 46.50%
Application Fee
$13.50 - $950
Monthly Fee
$26
Monthly Repayment
OurMoneyMarket Green Loan
Fixed1 - 10 Years $5,000 - $75,000
OurMoneyMarket logo
Interest Rate (p.a.)
6.57%
to 18.99%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
7.19%
to 21.78%
Application Fee
1.50% - 6%
min. $250
Monthly Fee
$0
Monthly Repayment
Credit24 Line of Credit
VariableUP TO 3 Years $500 - $10,000
Credit24 logo
Interest Rate (p.a.)
24%
to 48%
Application Fee
$0
Monthly Fee
$0
Monthly Repayment
Traditional CU Unsecured Consumer Loan
Variable -
Traditional Credit Union logo
Interest Rate (p.a.)
14.95%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
15.67%
Application Fee
$100
Monthly Fee
Monthly Repayment
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Am I eligible for a laptop loan?

Whether or not you are eligible for a personal loan for a laptop will largely depend on the type of finance that you opt for. However, if you are planning on opting for a standard personal loan from a bank or non-bank lender, the below criteria usually applies:

  • 18 years or over
  • Australian resident or permanent citizen
  • Have a regular income
  • Have a good credit rating

Remember to compare your options thoroughly prior to submitting an application.

Why compare personal loans with Finder?

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Written by

Senior Money Writer

Rebecca Pike is Finder’s senior money writer, with over 10 years of experience in mortgages and personal finance. A frequent TV and radio commentator, she frequently appears on Sunrise, A Current Affair, 9News, and Sky News, and contributes expert analysis to publications like Yahoo Finance and The Latch. Rebecca previously served as Editor of Mortgage Professional Australia. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism as well as ASIC-recognised certifications in Tier 1 Generic Knowledge and Tier 2 General Advice Deposit Products, which comply with ASIC guidelines. See full bio

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Rebecca has written 229 Finder guides across topics including:
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