Quick-glance guide to Australian payday loans Pay day loan lenders in Australia don’t mess around. If you’ve been searching for a method to borrow funds short-term in Melbourne, Brisbane or Sydney that fits your busy life – congratulations, because you just found it:
- Borrowers accessing payday loans in Australia can apply for amounts as low as $300, and right up to $5,000 Fees on payday loans all get capped as a percentage of the loan amount. You’ll pay a maximum of just 4% on repayments, and no more than 20% in establishment fees
- Repayments for payday loans between $300 and $2,000 range from just 16 days up to a full year. Loans between $2,001 and $5,000 can be paid off just as quickly but offer the option of a two-year term if you need that
- Payday loans in Australia are flexible and designed to suit your circumstances. You can choose to arrange repayment dates and frequency to suit your pay cycle.
- Applying for a payday loan in Australia is as easy as getting online. You can use your phone, tablet or computer to submit documents and fill out the form – even to sign the lender agreement digitally once you’re approved.
- Getting your payday loan cash is fast. Your lender will ask you to nominate a bank account when you apply. As soon as your loan agreement has been reviewed, your funds will get transferred electronically. That usually happens same day, sometimes even quicker. Who can get a payday loan, and what will I need to apply To apply for a payday loan in Australia, you need to be a citizen or permanent resident and over eighteen. Beyond that, you need to have a regular source of income (which can be from a job, benefits, or a combination of the two). It’s far quicker to arrange a payday loan if your money gets paid directly into your bank account. Cash payments are harder for lenders to verify online – and that’s where the payday loan application takes place. Your borrowing activity during the previous 90 days is also important. Lenders won’t want to see more than two similar loans in that period and they won’t approve you for a loan without a credit check.
When you apply for an Australian payday loan, everything gets done digitally. That means you can apply for a cash loan if you live in Darwin, in the remote town of Burra or out on Kangaroo Island. It’s convenient and quick, and most applicants receive funds the same day. You’ll need to supply a valid email and phone number and make yourself contactable during the few hours the process takes.
It’s also useful to know which documents you’re likely to need:
* Passport, driving licence, or government-issued ID card
* Proof of current address, such as a recent utility bill
* Payslips, if you’re employed
* Centrelink income statement – if part or all your income is benefits
* Your Medicare card
* Your previous 90 days of bank statements.
* What are the pros and cons of payday loan alternatives?
* It’s always useful to examine all your options before you make any borrowing decisions.
* Australian payday loan borrowing options are no exception to that rule, so let’s consider some of the alternatives available:
Personal loans:
Personal loans are an excellent way to spread the cost of all sorts of items and expenses – from cars to boats to computers.
Cons:
include that loan amounts are nearly always for sums higher than $5,000. Repayment terms also tend to be longer than with payday loans. You’ll need a good credit history even to consider applying for one.
Pros:
include that lower interest rates work well with longer-term borrowing.
Credit cards:
Credit cards are handy to have in your wallet for unexpected costs – and planned purchases when you don’t want to raid your bank balance.
Pros:
include that they’re an open line of credit, so you don’t need to keep applying when something comes up. They’re also good for your credit rating if you can stay on top of the balance.
Cons:
include that interest rates can work out costly when balances mount up and stick around – and can amount to a whopping 22% APR. That’s when an open line of credit can bite you. Credit cards often come with annual or monthly service charges too.
Overdrafts:
Overdrafts are another convenient way to provide yourself with some breathing space around your regular finances.
Pros:
are that once arranged, you can keep them available for a period. That frees you up to dip below a positive bank balance temporarily. The cost of borrowing is also relatively low.
Cons:
are that you’ll need a good, ongoing relationship with your bank to get one. You’ll also get turned down for an overdraft if your credit rating is less than ideal. Most financial institutions consult your credit report before offering any line of credit. Who uses payday loans in Australia, and for what? Payday loans may be easy to arrange and fast to complete – but that doesn’t mean they’re an inferior product. These days, there’s no typical payday loan user. Thousands of Australians regard them as the automatic choice for shorter-term finance. That goes for the affluent, those with poorer credit ratings or unemployed, and younger and older borrowers too.

You don’t get tied down long-term with a payday loan, and amounts, repayments, and schedules are very flexible. Most payday loans are unsecured too, which frees you up to spend them on anything you need. The application process is speedy, and access to extra cash when you need it is fast as a result of that. Australian payday loans really fit the bill – whether that’s for a new computer, the dentist, or unexpectedly high electricity charges.