The crème de la crème of personal loans. These products offer the lowest cost loans accompanied by the best features.
7+
Great
Slightly higher in cost and fewer features, but these products are still competitive.
5+
Standard
Typically offering above average rates and possibly lacking in the features department.
0+
Basic
The least competitive in terms of both cost and features.
Key takeaways
Unsecured personal loans don't require collateral, but they often come with higher interest rates
Loan amounts and terms vary, so comparing different lenders can help you find the best option
Approval criteria may be stricter, but funds are typically available quickly once approved.
What is an unsecured personal loan?
With an unsecured personal loan you borrow money without putting up an asset (like a car or property) as security.
You'll get slightly higher interest rates compared to a secured personal loan (where you do offer asset as collateral). That's because if you can't repay the loan there's nothing your lender can repossess and sell to recover your debt - that makes you a higher risk to lend money to.
Unsecured loans can be easier to get though, because secured loans have certain criteria around what you can use as security. 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.
How to compare unsecured personal loans
Look at the interest rate. A lower interest rate makes the loan cheaper. Rates are normally advertised as a range and the better your credit score, the better interest rate you'll get.
Factor in the cost of fees. Some lenders charge hefty fees and in some cases they could cause your loan to cost more than a higher interest rate with no fees.
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, but it's worth checking. 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.
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.
Any money you borrow comes with risk if you can't repay it. The best way to minimise those risks 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.
"Like most personal loans, unsecured personal loans will use your credit score and financial situation to determine your credit rate. So when you're comparing interest rates don't forget that the lowest rate you're seeing might not be the rate you get. You should check your credit score before you apply to understand where you might sit. If your credit score needs improving you can do that by closing or cutting down any existing debt you might have, making sure you pay bills on time and by checking your credit file for any black marks."
Frequently asked questions about unsecured personal loans
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.
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.
Finder Score for personal loans
To make comparing even easier we came up with the Finder Score. Interest rates, fees and features across 300+ personal loan products and 120+ lenders are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the loan - simple.
For a fair comparison, unsecured loans and secured loans are scored separately. Assumptions are made on the interest rates charged for both excellent credit and average credit customers in each segment.
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 225 Finder guides across topics including:
am a starter in businesses and and i need loan $ 2500 to enable have the working capital and set up, am citizen of Kenya.. please advise
JoelJuly 13, 2018
Hi Lilian,
Thanks for leaving a question on finder.
Unfortunately, the lenders featured on our website only caters to residents from the US, Australia, UK, Canada and New Zealand. You will have to check with your local lenders if you are not from those 5 countries I mentioned. Sorry about that.
Cheers,
Joel
LMApril 6, 2017
Of all of CUA’s personal loans which ones can be used as an unsecured personal loan for ~$55000
Finder
HaroldApril 7, 2017Finder
Hi LM,
Thank you for you inquiry.
Unfortunately, there is no available unsecured loan from CUA. Thankfully, there is a list of unsecured personal loans featured on this page. Please go ahead and check them. You might find the right one for you through that page.
I hope this information has helped.
Cheers,
Harold
FrankDecember 30, 2016
Hello
What will be the best loan option if I am looking at buying an overseas (Subcontinent) property. I am looking at around $150,000. I have a good paying job where I am making more than $10,000 pre-tax a month.
Finder
MayDecember 30, 2016Finder
Hi Frank,
Thanks for your question.
If you’re looking for a personal loan, I’m afraid that these lenders featured on our site offer loans to Australian markets only and the maximum amount they can lend would be at $50K. Higher than that amount would generally be risky to most lenders. Usually, if you’re to purchase a property, the option you would have is to take a home loan, but again, the banks/lenders would only service the people in Australia and the properties would also be in the country.
Regards,
May
JanDecember 19, 2016
Hi,My husband and I are considering buying a business. It is already quite lucrative and has been for some time. We are looking for $400,000.00 for 5 years unsecured. Could you tell us if there is anywhere we could apply? We would also like to make extra payments.
Finder
DeeDecember 19, 2016Finder
Hi Jan,
Thanks for reaching out.
If you are looking to apply for a personal loan, please note that most lenders offer a maximum loan amount of less than $100,000. You may want to consider a business loan that generally has a higher limit. You may also compare your business loan options featured on our website.
Cheers,
Anndy
Jacku01October 13, 2016
I need 25,000 to build a deck on a new house we’ve just built.
Over 3 years, can I pay off early or make extra payments?
I can easily repay in less than 3 years, just want to make sure all is ok.
Finder
ElizabethOctober 14, 2016Finder
Hi Jacku01,
This depends on the lender you apply with. Usually you can make extra repayments and repay early on a variable rate loan, but again, this will depend on the lender. You can click on the names of the loans above to see a review page, where you’ll find a list of fees so you can see if extra repayments are allowed on the loan you’re considering.
This secured loan may be used for any worthwhile purchase and requires security against a vehicle. It uses risk-based pricing, so your interest rate will be set based on your credit score and history.
Why not be rewarded for your good credit history? MoneyPlace offers unsecured personal loans with rates starting at 8.49% p.a. – finance a range of personal purposes and borrow up to $80,000. Read the review and see if you're eligible to apply.
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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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.
am a starter in businesses and and i need loan $ 2500 to enable have the working capital and set up, am citizen of Kenya.. please advise
Hi Lilian,
Thanks for leaving a question on finder.
Unfortunately, the lenders featured on our website only caters to residents from the US, Australia, UK, Canada and New Zealand. You will have to check with your local lenders if you are not from those 5 countries I mentioned. Sorry about that.
Cheers,
Joel
Of all of CUA’s personal loans which ones can be used as an unsecured personal loan for ~$55000
Hi LM,
Thank you for you inquiry.
Unfortunately, there is no available unsecured loan from CUA. Thankfully, there is a list of unsecured personal loans featured on this page. Please go ahead and check them. You might find the right one for you through that page.
I hope this information has helped.
Cheers,
Harold
Hello
What will be the best loan option if I am looking at buying an overseas (Subcontinent) property. I am looking at around $150,000. I have a good paying job where I am making more than $10,000 pre-tax a month.
Hi Frank,
Thanks for your question.
If you’re looking for a personal loan, I’m afraid that these lenders featured on our site offer loans to Australian markets only and the maximum amount they can lend would be at $50K. Higher than that amount would generally be risky to most lenders. Usually, if you’re to purchase a property, the option you would have is to take a home loan, but again, the banks/lenders would only service the people in Australia and the properties would also be in the country.
Regards,
May
Hi,My husband and I are considering buying a business. It is already quite lucrative and has been for some time. We are looking for $400,000.00 for 5 years unsecured. Could you tell us if there is anywhere we could apply? We would also like to make extra payments.
Hi Jan,
Thanks for reaching out.
If you are looking to apply for a personal loan, please note that most lenders offer a maximum loan amount of less than $100,000. You may want to consider a business loan that generally has a higher limit. You may also compare your business loan options featured on our website.
Cheers,
Anndy
I need 25,000 to build a deck on a new house we’ve just built.
Over 3 years, can I pay off early or make extra payments?
I can easily repay in less than 3 years, just want to make sure all is ok.
Hi Jacku01,
This depends on the lender you apply with. Usually you can make extra repayments and repay early on a variable rate loan, but again, this will depend on the lender. You can click on the names of the loans above to see a review page, where you’ll find a list of fees so you can see if extra repayments are allowed on the loan you’re considering.
Hope this helps,
Elizabeth