Frequently asked questions
Enter your question below to search our FAQs for quick answers to common questions
PRODUCT SUPPORT
An Authorised Access Seeker is an individual in relation to their own credit reporting information, or a person (including a company) who is assisting an individual to deal with a credit reporting body or credit provider and acting on a written authority from the individual.
Types of Authorised Access Seekers may include:
- Consumer debt management companies including credit repair and debt negotiation companies
- Finance or mortgage brokers
- Budgeting and financial education firms, such as a financial counsellor
- Individuals are also referred to as Authorised Access Seekers in relation to their own credit reporting information. If you are a consumer wishing to access your credit report please view our range of Equifax free credit reports and paid subscription packages here.
Note: Credit providers, mortgage and trade insurers are not Authorised Access Seekers. Not all organisations who fall into the above categories may be Authorised Access Seekers, and there are other restrictions under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) on who qualifies as an Authorised Access Seeker. It is up to each organisation to determine their status. An Authorised Access Seeker must satisfy the Authorised Access Seeker criteria in each occasion they seek access to an individual’s credit report
From 30 November 2018 the Equifax My Credit Alert service is no longer offered to new customers.
If you’re an existing customer you will still receive the benefits of ongoing credit alerts via email when certain changes occur on your Equifax credit report, as well as a copy of your Equifax credit report once a year. This service is automatically renewed each year for the cost of $79.95. You can cancel at any time and receive a pro-rata refund for the number of full months remaining of your subscription as at the date of termination. The terms and conditions for the My Credit Alert services are available here.
If you’d like to upgrade to one of our monthly subscription product packages where you can access your credit report, get credit alerts and more within a secure online portal you can find out more at Equifax.com.au.
The Equifax My Credit Alert service is no longer offered to new customers (If you’re an existing My Credit Alert customer find out more here). If you’re looking for a credit alert service you may consider one of our other subscription services which offer a credit alert.
Equifax Identity Protect – An identity theft protection and detection service to help you safeguard your identity. Detect if your personal details are being traded on the dark web with Identity Guard insurance in the event you have been the victim of identity theft.
Equifax Credit Protect – Get on top of your credit profile and protect your identity. Keep track of your Equifax credit report and Equifax score. You’ll get your Equifax credit report monthly, Equifax Score monthly along with an Equifax Score Tracker and the top four contributing factors. And then there’s credit monitoring through alerts to help protect your credit reputation.
Credit & Identity Protect – Proactively manage your credit profile with a monthly Equifax credit report and Equifax score with our most comprehensive credit and identity consumer subscription plan. Find out the key factors that impact your Equifax Score and track it over time. Plus help safeguard your identity with credit alert and identity monitoring. We’ve also got you covered with Identity Guard Insurance.
Free credit report - You can get a free copy of your personal Equifax credit report provided you have:
- been declined credit in the last 90 days; or
- had an item corrected on your Equifax credit report; or
- not applied for a credit report during the previous 12 months
If you don’t meet the criteria for a free Equifax credit report you can get a once-off credit report for $6.95 (currently available for free).
Once you have requested a copy of your free Equifax credit report or a My Credit Alert subscription you will receive your credit report within one business day, provided we are able to verify your identity.
Your Equifax credit report contains information about your history with credit. There are different sections to your credit report:
Identification information
This includes information like your name, date of birth, address history as well as your driver’s licence number and employment history.
Consumer credit information
The consumer credit information section includes:
- Details of credit enquiries that have been made on you when you have made an application for consumer credit. Consumer credit relates to loans for household or family purposes as well as for the purchase, renovation or re-financing of a residential investment property. Obvious types of credit include credit cards and loans like mortgages, personal and car loans as well as credit contracts such as telephone, electricity, gas and internet. Other forms of credit include interest free store finance and store cards.
- Consumer credit liability accounts – this is an account that you currently have open or may have had in the past. It includes the type of account, the open and/or close date as well as the credit limit.
- Monthly repayment history on credit accounts such as mortgages and credit cards. This reflects whether you have paid the minimum amount required on time each month or not. Please note that not all credit providers supply repayment history information to credit reporting bodies like Equifax
- Overdue accounts such as defaults and serious credit infringements
- Public record information like:
- Court judgements
- Directorship details
- Proprietorship details
- Bankruptcy, debt agreement and personal insolvency
Commercial credit information
- Details of credit enquiries that have been made on you for commercial credit. Examples of commercial credit include a mobile phone contract or credit card for business use or a business loan.
- Details of any overdue commercial credit accounts and other debts.
File access information is also included. This outlines who has accessed your credit report. For consumer credit reporting, only credit providers, affected information recipients, access seekers and credit reporting bodies like Equifax can access your report under the requirements of the Privacy Act.
You can view a sample Equifax credit report here.
Your credit report holds information relating to your credit history. If you've ever applied for credit or a loan it is likely you will have credit information held by a credit reporting body like Equifax. Credit can come in many forms. Along with credit cards, personal loans and mortgages, credit also includes mobile phone, electricity and gas contracts as well as store and rental finance.
Your credit report can help lenders, phone and utility companies get a clearer picture of your credit worthiness. It helps them understand your current credit commitments and how likely you are to be able to make repayments on future loans.
Getting a copy of your Equifax credit report can help you understand where you stand when it comes to applying for credit. It is important to check your credit report regularly to ensure it is accurate.
Your business credit report includes:
- Details of credit enquiries that have been made on your for commercial credit. Examples of commercial credit
- Details of any overdue commercial credit accounts and other debts
- Public record information like:
- Court judgements and writs
- Directorship details
- Proprietorship details
- Bankruptcy, debt agreement and personal insolvency
- File access information is also included. This outlines who has accessed your credit report. Only credit providers, suppliers and Equifax can access your report, with your permission.
Further questions? Ask one of our friendly staff
Email us
Use the form above to get in
contact
with an Equifax specialist.
We'll get back to you within two business days.