How many times can I check my credit score without hurting it in Australia?

Checking a credit score will not hurt it; self-checks are soft enquiries and have no impact, so it’s safe to check as often as needed. Only hard enquiries from actual credit applications can affect the score.

Quick answer and why it’s safe

Soft enquiries cover personal checks through banks, apps, or credit reporting bodies. These do not influence a score and are not visible to lenders. Hard enquiries occur when applying for credit and can affect a score, which is why frequent self-monitoring is fine any time.


How often to check

A monthly score check is practical because most providers refresh scores at least monthly. Pair that with a full credit report review every quarter for a deeper look at repayment history, enquiries, and any new accounts.


Soft vs hard enquiries (Australia)

  • Soft enquiry: a personal check or a non-lending review; no impact on a score and typically only visible to the consumer.
  • Hard inquiry: a lender check during a credit application; it can lower a score and stays on the report for a set period.
  • Using bank apps or reputable score services that run soft enquiries is safe for the score.

When checks can hurt

Only hard enquiries tied to real applications can reduce a score. Submitting multiple applications in a short time can amplify the negative effect, so space out applications, especially before a mortgage or car loan.


Step-by-step: check a credit score safely (Australia)

  1. Pick a trusted source
  2. Choose a major credit reporting body or a reputable provider that clearly uses soft enquiries for score checks.
  3. Verify identity
  4. Enter full legal name, date of birth, and address history exactly as held by credit bureaus to avoid mismatches.
  5. Review score and report
  6. Scan repayment history, defaults, new enquiries, and open accounts. Flag any unfamiliar entries immediately.
  7. Set alerts and reminders
  8. Turn on notifications for new enquiries or account changes. Add a recurring monthly reminder to check the score and a quarterly reminder to pull the full report.
  9. Act on findings
  10. If there are errors, raise a correction request with the credit reporting body and the credit provider. Recheck after the investigation window to confirm the fix.


Checklist: safe monitoring habits

  • Use services that state they run soft enquiries for personal score checks.
  • Check the score monthly; pull a full report every three months.
  • Track new enquiries and repayment history to catch fraud or reporting mistakes early.
  • Avoid unnecessary applications if a large loan is coming up.
  • Use reputable, no-cost options for basic score access.


Fix errors the right way.

Start by pulling a fresh copy of the credit report and noting the exact items in dispute, including dates, account numbers, and what is wrong or missing. Contact both the credit provider and the credit reporting body with supporting documents; they must investigate and advise the outcome, typically within about 30 days.


How long do items stay on a report

  • Credit enquiries: up to 5 years.
  • Repayment history: up to 2 years.
  • Defaults: up to 5 years (longer if unpaid).
  • Serious credit infringements: up to 7 years.


FAQs: quick clarifications

  • Does checking with multiple apps lower a score? No—personal checks are soft enquiries and do not affect a score.
  • How often do scores update? Scores generally refresh when new data arrives, often at least monthly.
  • How often should a report be pulled? Quarterly is a solid rhythm for most people, with at least one full review each year.


Conclusion

Regular self-checks do not hurt a score. Consistent soft-enquiry monitoring, a monthly review habit, and a quarterly report audit can catch errors early and keep a profile lender-ready. For hands-on help with disputes and credit clean-up planning in Australia, Easy Credit Repair offers straightforward support—check out our services or get a free quote.


Read a deeper guide here: how often you should check your score.


Disclaimer: This information reflects research and our views only and is not personal financial advice. For questions about a specific situation, please reach out to us.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What Can Affect Your Credit Score in Australia?

Credit scores in Australia move based on payment history, the number and timing of credit applications, the types and limits of credit held, and negative listings like defaults, court judgments, and insolvency events. Telecom, utility, and BNPL checks can add enquiries, while late payments and defaults weigh heavily. Repayment history is recorded monthly for 24 months , enquiries and defaults generally remain 5 years, and serious credit infringements can remain 7 years. Key factors that move your score Payment history On‑time payments build trust. Late or missed payments can lower a score because repayment history information (RHI) is a core part of Australian credit reporting under comprehensive credit reporting. RHI is recorded monthly for regulated consumer credit and stays on file for 24 months . Credit applications and enquiries Each application for credit usually adds a hard inquiry to the file. This includes loans, credit cards, telco plans, utilities, and sometimes BNPL....
Read more

Is It Worth Paying Someone to Fix Your Credit?

  Yes, paying someone to fix your credit can be worth it if you have complex issues or errors on your credit report that you can't handle yourself. But for simple mistakes, you can often fix these problems for free on your own. The real question isn't whether credit repair works – it does. The question is whether you need professional help or if you can handle the repairs yourself. When Credit Repair Services Make Sense Complex Credit Issues If your credit report shows multiple defaults, court judgments, or bankruptcy listings, a professional service might save you time and stress. These situations often require detailed knowledge of Australian credit laws and dispute processes. Credit repair professionals know how to structure disputes correctly and can navigate the complex requirements of credit reporting bodies like Equifax, Experian, and Illion. You Lack Time or Knowledge Many people simply don't have the time to learn credit repair processes or chase up disputes with...
Read more