Who can access my credit report?

In Australia, only a very specific list of businesses and lenders can access your credit report directly from a reporting body (such as Equifax, Experian or illion), and they must only do so for specific reasons.

Knowing who can legally access your credit report will not only help you understand who could be reviewing your credit history, but more specifically - who is not able to review it at all.

Who can access my credit report?

• A credit reporting body (such as Equifax, Experian or illion)
• A credit provider (such as a bank, lender, credit union)
• A credit card provider (such as a bank, but also any retailers that offer credit cards like Myer, or David Jones)
• An organisation that might give you credit for leasing or hiring goods/services
• A debt collector (acting on behalf of a credit provider)

What reason would they access my credit report?

• To assess an application you have made for credit (such as a credit card or loan)
• To see if there are any overdue payments that you might owe them
• To assess whether you can act as a guarantor for someone else’s application for credit (you must have consented to the disclosure of your consumer credit report for this purpose)
• To review your report if a credit reporting body flags that you may have committed a serious credit infringement

Who cannot access my credit report?

• A real-estate agent - this includes your landlord
• A general insurer - such as a car or home insurers
• An employer

Even if a real estate agent or employer requests access to your credit report, the OIAC is clear - there is ‘no obligation’ for you to provide your credit report if they request it.

How do I know who has accessed my credit report?

Any access to your credit report is recorded as an enquiry - so you can see exactly who looked at your report and when.

It’s important to check your report for enquiries regularly. You’ll be able to keep an eye out for any unexpected enquiries, or even identify potential fraud attempts on your accounts.

Knowing who has access to your credit report, and the reasons why, is one part of managing your credit score and looking after your financial wellbeing. Combine that with great financial habits, and you can feel confident your credit score will be on the up.