Outcare Western Australia > Crime Prevention in Action

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HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHAT MY CREDIT RATING IS?

You can get a copy of your credit information file by writing to the Credit Reference Association of Australia.

Public Access Division Credit Reference Association of Australia PO Box 964 NORTH SYDNEY NSW 2059 Fax (02) 9957 7880

The request must be in writing
Give your full name (and any other names you have used)
Date of Birth
Address
Your driver's licence number
You may be asked for other information for identification purposes. You can give someone else permission to request information on your behalf. That permission must be in writing.

You should receive a copy of your file within 10 days.

WILL MY CRIMINAL RECORD AFFECT MY CREDIT RATING?

Information about your criminal record, religious beliefs, political associations, medical history, sexual preferences or life style SHOULD NOT appear on your credit file.

Credit reporting agencies are bound, and regulated, by the Privacy Act 1988 (Commonwealth) and the Credit Reporting Code of Conduct. The Act is very clear about what can be recorded on your file, and what cannot.

WHAT WILL BE ON MY CREDIT FILE?

Certain personal information including
Full name (plus any other names you have been known by)
A maximum of 3 addresses
Name of current OR last known employer
Your driver's licence number.

Default information. (Where you have not made payments when due)
Payments must be at least 60 days overdue before they can be
entered on your file AND the credit provider must have taken steps to
collect the outstanding amount

A record of a credit provider having asked for information to assess a credit application you have made

Certain information which is publicly available including:
Court Judgements (Not criminal)
Bankruptcy Orders

HOW LONG DOES INFORMATION STAY ON MY CREDIT FILE?

Most Entries stay on your file for a 5-year period then drop off. Bankruptcy Orders will stay on your file for 7 years .

WHAT IF THE INFORMATION ON MY FILE IS WRONG?

Credit reporting agencies must only hold information that is up to date, complete, accurate, and not misleading. You can request that any incorrect information be deleted or corrected.

WHO CAN ACCESS MY CREDIT FILE?

Generally credit-reporting agencies can only provide information to certain people.

An individual making an inquiry about their own file.
businesses that are credit providers (eg banks, finance companies.)
A law enforcement agency where a credit related offence (eg fraud) is believed to have taken place.
There are heavy penalties credit reporting agencies that allow unauthorised access or improperly use personal credit information. The Privacy Act also insists that credit-reporting agencies take all precautions to keep your file secure so that it cannot be accessed illegally.

WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION AND HELP

The Privacy Commissioner is required to ensure compliance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)

If you believe that a credit-reporting agency has acted improperly and/or failed to comply with the Privacy Act you can contact the Privacy Commissioner who can investigate on your behalf and try to resolve the matter. If your complaint cannot be resolved the Commissioner can make binding orders on the agency concerned, including compensation orders.

Contacts:

The Privacy Commissioner

GPO Box 5218

SYDNEY NSW 2000

Phone: 1300 363 992

Email: privacy@privacy.gov.au

WARNING! This information sheet is intended ONLY to provide general information and should not be regarded as legal advice. You may need to seek further information and/or advice about your personal circumstances.

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