Look at the interest rate. A lower interest rate makes the loan cheaper. Borrowers with Excellent credit scores can get the lowest unsecured rates.
Factor in the cost of fees. Some lenders charge hefty fees. For smaller loan amounts of a few thousand dollars, even a small ongoing fee can end up costing you more than a lower-fee loan with a higher interest rate.
Choose your loan term and loan amount carefully. The more you borrow the more expensive the loan is. Longer loan terms mean you end up paying more interest. But shorter loan terms make your monthly repayments higher.
Check if the loan allows extra repayments. Most loans let you make extra repayments or pay off the loan early without charging fees. It's a useful feature. 47% of Australians in Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker say it's the most important feature on a personal loan.
Make sure you're eligible for the loan. Check you meet all the eligibility criteria before submitting an application. You'll need to be over 18, have proof of your income and personal identification documents at a minimum.
What is an unsecured personal loan?
With an unsecured personal loan you're borrowing money without putting up an asset (like a car) as security.
If you can't repay the loan there's nothing your lender can repossess and sell to recover your debt. Unsecured personal loans have slightly higher interest rates to compensate for the higher risk the lender is taking. They are typically easier to get than secured loans and rates can still be competitive.
With an unsecured loan you can borrow anywhere between $2,001 and $100,000 and terms range from 1 to 7 years.
The pros and cons of unsecured personal loans
Pros
Fast access to credit. Lenders don't have to assess an asset when you apply for an unsecured loan, so the approval process is faster.
Flexible loan options. These loans have flexible loan terms, loan amounts and often let you make extra repayments easily.
No assets at risk. You don't have to put a car or other asset up as collateral, so there's no risk of repossession, if you can't repay the loan.
Cons
Higher interest rates. While still competitive, the lowest personal loan rates in Australia are almost always going to be secured loans.
Risk of debt and credit score impact. Just because you haven't put up an asset doesn't mean failure to repay the loan won't hurt you. A default will harm your credit score and your lender can still pursue you for the debt in court.
What can I use an unsecured personal loan for?
Unsecured personal loans aren't tied to specific purposes in the way a home loan or a secured car loan is. They're quite flexible, and most lenders don't impose any restrictions on how you use the funds.
Are there any risks with small or large unsecured loans?
Any money you borrow comes with risk if you can't repay it. The best way to minimise any risks that come a loan is to:
Borrow only what you can afford to repay.
Approaching a reputable, licensed lender (all lenders on Finder are licensed and reputable).
Look at the comparison rate. It factors in the cost of all fees and the loan's interest rate.
The risks of taking out a large personal loan
Borrowing a lot of money is riskier than a small amount, generally speaking. A 5% interest on a small loan won't cost you as much in interest charges as the same rate on a much bigger loan. Here's a simple example.
Loan A
Loan B
Interest rate
12%
12%
Loan term
3 years
3 years
Loan amount
$3,000
$8,000
Total loan cost (loan plus interest)
$3,588
$9,566
These loans are otherwise identical, but the higher loan amount ends up costing the borrower more than $1,500 in interest. Whereas the smaller loan is just $588 of interest.
The risks of taking out a small personal loan
You might think that getting a very small unsecured personal loan is less risky. But if you want to borrow less than $2,000 you probably can't get a personal loan.
Borrowing under $2,000 means you're probably looking at a payday loan. These loans don't have standard interest charges, but come with hefty fees. The price of a small, fast unsecured loan can actually be much higher.
Do unsecured personal loans affect your credit score?
Applying for any loan impacts your credit score temporarily. That's why you should only apply for one product at a time and try to avoid getting your application rejected.
Aside from the initial impact of the application, taking out an unsecured personal loan won't necessarily hurt your credit score. If you make regular repayments and never miss one this will probably benefit your credit score.
Having multiple loans at the same time may hurt your credit score. And debts like credit cards or personal loans can have a bigger impact than something like a home loan.
Unsecured personal loans are offered both by large, traditional banks such as NAB, and non-bank lenders like OMM or Harmoney. Non-banks are governed by the same regulations as banks, so both are safe and secure options for your borrowing needs.
The key difference between a bank and a non-bank is that non-banks hold a credit licence and not a banking licence. This means that they cannot provide some banking services, such as taking deposits. If you prefer to do all your banking in the same place, you may want to stick to the banks.
Typically, non-banks offer more competitive rates, with lower set-up and ongoing fees. However, they may have fewer loan options compared to traditional banks. Non-banks can also be more flexible and may provide better, personalised service when compared to traditional banks.
Frequently asked questions about unsecured personal loans
Once you have the loan approved, there isn't all that much difference between a personal loan from a big or an online lender. Here are some points to consider:
Online lenders may have lower rates. But the difference is smaller than you think because many banks now have quite competitive rates.
Convenience. The big banks have smartphone apps that make managing your loan easy. If you already bank with one, you could get approved quickly and manage all your savings, cards and loan accounts in one place. But online lenders often have well-designed apps too.
Eligibility. If you have a weak credit score or a history of bad credit then online lenders specialising in personal loans are more likely to have products for you. A bank may decide you're not worth the risk.
Some lenders have no problem with how you use the loan. But some offer specific unsecured business loans and you might be better off getting one of those instead.
If you want to use your business performance in place of proof of income the lender may insist you get a business loan.
Some lenders will happily offer unsecured personal loans to self-employed borrowers, especially if your are able to demonstrate stable income via your business. If this is harder to prove then you could look at a low doc personal loan. These have higher rates but more flexible application criteria.
Unsecured personal loans are relatively easy to get. There's no asset being offered as security, so there's one less thing for the lender to assess. Plus, rates are personalised to your creditworthiness.
But you still need to meet the lender's borrowing requirements.
Most lenders can approve an unsecured personal loan within 24 hours if you meet the lending criteria and have all the identification documents and proof of income.
Why compare personal loans with Finder?
Addicted 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)
Rates 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.
Cash 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.
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
Rebecca's expertise
Rebecca has written 229 Finder guides across topics including:
With over 20 years of experience in property, finance and investment journalism, Sarah is a trusted expert whose insights regularly appear across television, radio, and print media, including Sunrise, ABC News, and Yahoo! Finance. She has previously served as managing editor for Your Investment Property and Australian Broker, and her expert advice has been shared over 2,500 times in 2023-2024 alone. Sarah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification, which complies with ASIC standards. See full bio
Sarah's expertise
Sarah has written 200 Finder guides across topics including:
OurMoneyMarket offers personal loan solutions for whatever your need. Whether you want to buy a new car, pay for your wedding or renovate your home, you can choose between secured and unsecured loan options.
If you're considering applying for a personal loan, you may want to consider Great Southern Bank. They offer car loans as well as secured and unsecured personal loans. Read our guide for more information.
When you have a large expense that your savings can’t cover, a personal loan at a fixed rate from Great Southern Bank is an option worth considering. With no fees and a competitive fixed interest rate, this could be the right loan for you.
If you are budget-conscious and looking for a personal loan with clear expectations and repayments, the ANZ Fixed Rate Personal Loan is an option worth considering. With low fees and a competitive interest rate, this loan might be an option for you.
The ANZ Variable Rate Personal Loan may be a great choice for borrowers who want options. With a free redraw facility and the option to make additional repayments, borrowers get the comfort of a personal loan that will let them access much-needed funds.
Find out what rate you qualify for with Society One's innovative sliding interest rate scale. Loans are available up to $50,000, with flexible loan terms between two and three years. Find out how the loan works and if you're eligible to apply.
Use a personal loan calculator to work out your repayments or compare loans with a comparison calculator.
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