A creditor can list a default on your credit file when a debt of $150 or more is overdue by at least 60 days. Before doing so, they are required under the Privacy Act 1988 to send you a notice (known as a Section 21D notice) giving you at least 30 days to respond and advising that a default will be listed. If they fail to follow this process correctly, the listing may be challenged.

The Privacy Act 1988 (and specifically the Credit Reporting Code) sets out strict rules about how your credit information can be collected, used, and disclosed. Key rights include the right to access your credit file, the right to correct inaccurate information, and the right to lodge a dispute if you believe information has been recorded incorrectly or without following proper procedures.

These are Australia’s three main credit reporting bodies. Different creditors may report to different bureaus, so you may have slightly different information on each file. We typically check all three as part of our assessment. You are entitled to a free copy of your credit file from each bureau once per year.

• Defaults: 5 years from the date of listing
• Court judgments: 5 years from the date of judgment
• Credit enquiries: 5 years from the date of the enquiry
• Serious credit infringements: 7 years
• Repayment history: 2 years

Yes. Paying a default does not remove it from your credit file. A paid default is updated to show “paid” or “settled” status, but the listing itself remains for the full 5-year period unless successfully challenged and removed.

Most credit repair companies use template dispute letters and process many clients through junior staff. At Clear Credit Repair, our specialists personally handle every client matter from start to finish. We maintain transparent fees — there are no unexpected success fees or hidden charges. And as an AFCA member, we are accountable to an external dispute resolution body if you are ever unhappy with our service.

No. We do not guarantee removal of any listing. We investigate whether your listing was recorded in compliance with the Privacy Act 1988. Where we identify a breach, we lodge a formal dispute. Results depend on individual circumstances and the assessment of the credit reporting body and/or creditor. If we don’t believe grounds exist, we tell you at the free assessment stage.

Yes. Clear Credit Repair Pty Ltd holds Australian Credit Licence (ACL) 535271 issued by ASIC. Credit repair is a licensed activity in Australia under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009. Always verify that any credit repair company you engage holds a current ACL. You can check licences at ASIC’s Credit Licence register at asic.gov.au.

AFCA (Australian Financial Complaints Authority) is the independent external dispute resolution body for the financial services sector. As an AFCA member (83830), Clear Credit Repair is committed to professional standards and accountability. If you are dissatisfied with our service, you have access to AFCA’s free dispute resolution process.

At minimum, we need a copy of your current credit file. If you have any correspondence from the creditor about the listing — default notices, letters, court documents — that is helpful. Our team will advise exactly what is needed for your specific situation during the free assessment.

Under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act, credit repair companies must provide a Financial Services Guide and Credit Guide before you engage. We will discuss our fee structure during the free assessment. Fees are typically required before dispute work commences. We will explain the exact payment terms during the assessment call.

Where a dispute is not upheld, we discuss the outcome with you and explain the options available. These may include escalating the matter to the OAIC or AFCA, or accepting the outcome. We do not charge additional fees for escalation advice. As we do not guarantee outcomes, it is important to understand this before engaging our services.

Yes. You can lodge disputes directly with credit reporting bodies at no cost. However, the effectiveness of a dispute depends heavily on the grounds you can articulate and how well the dispute is prepared. We provide professional-quality dispute preparation backed by knowledge of the Privacy Act 1988 and Credit Reporting Code.

We can only assist with listings that have grounds for dispute under the Privacy Act 1988. If a listing is accurate, was lodged following all correct procedures, and there are no errors, we will tell you honestly at the free assessment stage rather than take your money. We do not provide legal advice or represent clients in court proceedings.