Advertiser disclosure
Compare Personal Loans
Compare Family Law Costs
Find and compare personal loans for use with family law costs
Advertised Rate 5.75% Variable up to 7.99% | Comparison Rate* 6.47% | Company ![]() | Monthly repayment $909 36 months | Loan term 1 year to 7 years | Total repayments $32,733 | Go to site | Enjoy the flexibility of a variable-rate personal loan on a competitive interest rate. | Winner of Excellent credit personal loans, RateCity Gold Awards 2021 More details | Highlighted | ||
Advertised Rate 5.99% Fixed up to 9.39% | Comparison Rate* 6.27% | Company ![]() | Monthly repayment $913 36 months | Loan term 3 years to 5 years | Total repayments $32,851 | Go to site | Enjoy lower rates and no early repayment fees with this 2020 RateCity Personal Loan Gold Award Winner. More details | ||||
Advertised Rate 6.99% Fixed up to 9.49% | Comparison Rate* 6.99% | Company ![]() | Monthly repayment $926 36 months | Loan term 2 years to 3 years | Total repayments $33,342 | Go to site | Sign up online for a personal loan with this digital marketplace lender, and pay no ongoing fees. More details | ||||
Advertised Rate 6.95% Fixed up to 8.99% | Comparison Rate* 6.95% | Company ![]() | Monthly repayment $926 36 months | Loan term 1 year to 5 years | Total repayments $33,323 | Go to site | An unsecured personal loan with a competitive interest rate and no ongoing or extra repayments fees, giving you the flexibility to pay it off faster. | Winner of Excellent credit personal loans, RateCity Gold Awards 2021 More details | |||
Advertised Rate 7.95% Fixed up to 8.5% | Comparison Rate* 7.95% | Company ![]() | Monthly repayment $939 36 months | Loan term 3 years to 5 years | Total repayments $33,818 | Go to site | More details | ||||
Product | Advertised Rate 5.99% Fixed up to 21.99% | Comparison Rate* 7.26% | Company ![]() | Monthly repayment $913 36 months | Loan term 1 year to 7 years | Total repayments $32,851 | Go to site | More details | |||
Advertised Rate 6.75% Fixed up to 7.05% | Comparison Rate* 7.10% | Company ![]() | Monthly repayment $923 36 months | Loan term 1 year to 7 years | Total repayments $33,224 | Go to site | Winner of Excellent credit personal loans, RateCity Gold Awards 2021 More details | ||||
Advertised Rate 9.39% Fixed | Comparison Rate* 9.64% | Company ![]() | Monthly repayment $959 36 months | Loan term 0 year to 7 years | Total repayments $34,540 | Go to site | More details | ||||
Advertised Rate 7.99% Fixed | Comparison Rate* 8.62% | Company ![]() | Monthly repayment $940 36 months | Loan term 1 year to 7 years | Total repayments $33,838 | Go to site | More details | ||||
Advertised Rate 12.69% Fixed | Comparison Rate* 13.56% | Company ![]() | Monthly repayment $1006 36 months | Loan term 1 year to 7 years | Total repayments $36,228 | Go to site | More details | ||||
Product | Advertised Rate 6.95% Fixed up to 17.95% | Comparison Rate* 8.57% | Company ![]() | Monthly repayment $926 36 months | Loan term 1 year to 7 years | Total repayments $33,323 | Go to site | More details | |||
Product | Advertised Rate 12.69% Variable | Comparison Rate* 13.56% | Company ![]() | Monthly repayment $1006 36 months | Loan term 1 year to 7 years | Total repayments $36,228 | Go to site | More details |
$606
based on $20,000 loan amount for 3 years at 6.47%
Learn more about personal loans
Learn with our guides
Find personal loans from a wide range of Australian lenders that best suit your needs.
Personal loans repayments
Calculate how much your loan repayments could be.
Talk to an expert
For discounts and special rates, speak to a broker today.
Latest news
Latest articles
How much does Family Court cost?
It can cost thousands of dollars to take part in Family Court of Australia proceedings. There are two types of fees you may have to pay:
- Family lawyer’s fees
- Family Court costs
If you pay for legal representation, your family lawyer’s fees may add up to several thousands dollars - maybe even more. These fees are set by your lawyer, so you should confirm their fees before you ask a lawyer to represent you in a Family Court matter.
You may also have to pay Family Court costs, which are set by the federal government. There are two types of Family Court fees: filing fees and court event fees (see table below).
Family Court costs
Category | Fee type | Cost |
---|---|---|
Filing fees | Application for consent orders | $165 |
Filing fees | Application for decree as to nullity | $1275 |
Filing fees | Application for decree as to nullity - reduced fee | $425 |
Filing fees | Application as to validity of marriage, divorce annulment | $1275 |
Filing fees | Initiating application (parenting or financial, final only) | $345 |
Filing fees | Initiating application (parenting or financial, final and interim) | $465 |
Filing fees | Initiating application (parenting and financial, final only) | $565 |
Filing fees | Initiating application (parenting and financial, final and interim) | $685 |
Filing fees | Response to initiating application (final) | $345 |
Filing fees | Interim order application/application in a case (parenting and/or financial) | $120 |
Filing fees | Notice of appeal to the full court including an appeal from the Federal Circuit Court | $1360 |
Filing fees | Application for leave to appeal | $1360 |
Filing fees | Application under the Trans Tasman Proceedings Act 2010 | $120 |
Filing fees | Filing an application to register a New Zealand judgement | $110 |
Filing fees | Issue subpoena (including subpoena in an arbitration) | $55 |
Court event fees | Setting down for hearing fee (defended matter) | $860 |
Court event fees | Daily hearing fee (excluding the first hearing day) | $860 |
Court event fees | Conciliation conference | $395 |
The Family Court might order the other party to pay some or all of your family lawyer’s fees, although the general rule is that each party pays their own fees.
How much is a family lawyer?
Family law lawyers are free to set their own fees, so you should always check what a family law lawyer charges before appointing one. A typical rate might be several hundred dollars per hour.
Given that most lawyers operate on a per-hour rate, the cost of taking part in a Family Law matter will depend on how much work your lawyer is required to do.
You will probably have to pay several thousand dollars in family lawyer fees - although in some Family Law matters, your fees might be in the tens of thousands of dollars. Again, ask for an estimate of total costs before you appoint a lawyer.
What is family law?
Family law is a branch of law that focuses on family relationship matters, such as divorces and child custody disputes. One important element of Australian family law is the Family Law Act 1975, which outlines the rights of children and the responsibilities that parents have towards their children. Under Australian family law, families are required to make a genuine effort to resolve child disputes before initiating legal action.
What is legal finance?
Legal finance is a personal loan that is used to pay for Family Court fees, Family Court lawyer fees or other legal fees.
Some lenders offer ‘legal loans’ that are specifically designed for legal matters, such as Family Court proceedings. Other lenders offer generic personal loans that can be used to fund an array of expenses - from holidays and weddings to renovations and Family Court matters.
If you want to take out a personal loan for a Family Court matter, a specialist legal loan won’t necessarily be better than a generic personal loan. That’s why you should compare interest rates, fees, features and other conditions before deciding on your choice of legal finance.
Are there loans for Family Court fees?
Yes, some lenders do provide personal loans for Family Court fees. Some of these personal loans are generic products; others are designed specifically for legal scenarios, such as Family Court matters.
These ‘Family Court loans’ or ‘legal loans’ might have some or all of these features:
- The loan contract might say that the funds have to be used to pay for Family Court fees and/or lawyer fees
- The lender might transfer these funds directly to your lawyer
- The lender might extend your loan term if the matter drags on for longer than expected
- The lender might want a copy of any agreement you sign with your lawyer
Who offers Family Court loans?
A range of lenders should be willing to provide Family Court loans, whether as specialist legal finance products or as generic personal loans that are then used to fund Family Court matters.
Personal loan providers tend to assess applications on a case-by-case basis - so they might be willing to finance some borrowers and some Family Court scenarios, while they might be unwilling to finance others.
Before you submit a Family Court loan application, ask the lender how likely it is to be approved, because a failed application might damage your credit score.
What is the Family Court?
The Family Court of Australia is a court that specialises in family disputes. The court operates in all states and territories except Western Australia (which instead has a similar body, known as the Family Court of Western Australia). The Family Court of Australia hears parenting cases - which may involve issues of child welfare and custody - as well as financial cases.
How do you take out a Family Court loan?
Taking out a Family Court loan should be the same as taking out a generic personal loan, although please note that each lender has its own application process.
Most lenders allow you to make applications over the internet; others may allow phone or in-branch applications. When you make a Family Court loan application, or any personal loan application, lenders will generally want information about your:
- Identity
- Address
- Income
- Employment
- Financial position
With a Family Court loan, the lender might also want you to provide details about the legal case, as well as any paperwork you’ve signed with your lawyer.
Depending on the lender and your specific situation, it’s possible that your Family Court loan may be assessed, approved and paid on the same day you submit your application.
How do you compare Family Court loans?
The way to compare Family Court loans, or any personal loans, is by focusing on these six areas:
- Interest rate - what is the loan’s advertised interest rate and comparison rate?
- Interest type - does the loan have a fixed interest rate or a variable interest rate?
- Loan type - is the Family Court loan secured or unsecured?
- Loan term - how long do you have to pay off the loan?
- Fees - what are the possible upfront, ongoing and penalty fees?
- Features - does the loan offer redraw, early repayment and other features?
Nick Bendel
Property Personal Finance Writer
A property and personal finance writer, Nick Bendel covers property, loans, credit cards, superannuation, and other bank products. Nick has previously written for The Adviser, Mortgage Business, Lifehacker, Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, and InvestorDaily, and loves getting elbow-deep in the latest ABS, APRA and RBA data.
Today's top personal loans
Frequently asked questions
What is a bad credit personal loan?
A bad credit personal loan is a personal loan designed for somebody with a bad credit history. This type of personal loan has higher interest rates than regular personal loans as well as higher fees.
How long does it take to get a student personal loan?
Completing an online personal loan application can often take anywhere from 10 minutes to 1 hour. Depending on your lender, processing your personal loan application may take anywhere between 1 and 24 hours. If your personal loan application is approved, you may receive the money in your bank account the following business day, or, in some cases, the same day.
Can I get a bad credit personal loan with a guarantor?
Some lenders will consider personal loan applications from a borrower with bad credit if the borrower has a family member with good credit willing to guarantee the loan (a guarantor).
If the borrower fails to pay back their personal loan, it will be their guarantor’s responsibility to cover the repayments.
What is the average interest rate on personal loans for single parents?
Like other types of personal loans, the average interest rate for personal loans for single parents changes regularly, as lenders add, remove, and vary their loan offers. The interest rate you’ll receive may depend on a range of different factors, including your loan amount, loan term, security, income, and credit score.
Can you refinance a $5000 personal loan?
Much like home loans, many personal loans can be refinanced. This is where you replace your current personal loan with another personal loan, often from another lender and at a lower interest rate. Switching personal loans may let you enjoy more affordable repayments, or useful features and benefits.
If you have a $5000 personal loan as well as other debts, you may be able to use a debt consolidations personal loan to combine these debts into one, potentially saving you money and simplifying your repayments.
What is a personal loan?
A personal loan sits somewhere between a home loan and a credit card loan. Unlike with a credit card, you need to sign a formal contract to access a personal loan. However, the process is easier and faster than taking out a mortgage.
Loan sizes typically range from several hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars, while loan terms usually run from one to five years. Personal loans are generally used to consolidate debts, pay emergency bills or fund one-off expenses like holidays.
Can I repay a $3000 personal loan early?
If you receive a financial windfall (e.g. tax refund, inheritance, bonus), using some of this money to make extra repayments onto your personal loan or medium amount loan could help reduce the total interest you’re charged on your loan, or help clear your debt ahead of schedule.
Check your loan’s terms and conditions before paying extra onto your loan, as some lenders charge fees for making extra repayments, or early exit fees for clearing your debt ahead of the agreed term.
How can I get a $3000 loan approved?
Responsible lenders don’t have guaranteed approval for personal loans and medium amount loans, as the lender will want to check that you can afford the loan repayments on your current income without ending up in financial hardship.
Having a good credit score can increase the likelihood of your personal loan application being approved. Bad credit borrowers who opt for a medium amount loan with no credit checks may need to prove they can afford the repayments on their current income. Centrelink payments may not count, so you should check with the lender prior to making an application.
Should I get a fixed or variable personal loan?
Fixed personal loans keep your interest rate the same for the full loan term, while interest rates on variable personal loans may be raised or lowered during your loan term.
A fixed rate personal loan keeps your repayments consistent, which can help keep your budgeting consistent. You won't have to worry about higher repayments if your rates were to rise. However, on a fixed loan you’ll also potentially miss out on more affordable repayments if variable rates were to fall.
Can you pay off a quick loan early?
Many lenders will allow you to make extra repayments onto a quick personal loan when you can afford them, or even exit the loan early, which can help reduce the total interest you are charged. Be sure to check your quick loan’s terms and conditions, as some lenders charge early exit fees for paying off a loan ahead of schedule.
What are the pros and cons of debt consolidation?
In some instances, debt consolidation can help borrowers reduce their repayments or simplify them. For example, someone might take out a $7,000 personal loan at an interest rate of 8 per cent so they can repay an existing $4,000 personal loan at 10 per cent and a $3,000 credit card loan at 20 per cent.
However, debt consolidation can backfire if the borrower spends the extra money instead of using it to repay the new loan.
How can I improve my credit rating/score?
Your credit score will improve if you demonstrate that you’ve become more credit-worthy. You can do that by minimising loan applications, clearing up defaults and paying bills on time.
Another tip is to get the one free credit report you’re entitled to each year – that way, you’ll be able to identify and fix any errors.
If you want to fix an error, the first thing you should do is speak with the credit reporting body, which may take care of the problem or contact credit providers on your behalf.
The next step would be to contact your credit provider. If that doesn’t work, you can refer the matter to the credit provider’s independent dispute resolution scheme, which would be the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA).
AFCA provides consumers and small businesses with fair, free and independent dispute resolution for financial complaints.
If that doesn’t work, your final options are to contact the Privacy Commissioner and then the Office of the Information Commissioner.
Can I get a personal loan if I receive Centrelink payments?
It is hard, but not impossible, to qualify for a personal loan if you receive Centrelink payments.
Some lenders won’t lend money to people who are on welfare. However, other lenders will simply consider Centrelink payments as another factor to weigh up when they assess a person’s capacity to repay a loan. You should check with any prospective lender about their criteria before making a personal loan application.
Can I get guaranteed approval for a bad credit personal loan?
Few, if any, lenders would be willing to give guaranteed approval for a bad credit personal loan. Borrowers with bad credit histories can have more complicated financial circumstances than other borrowers, so lenders will want time to study your application.
It’s all about risk. When someone applies for a personal loan, the lender evaluates how likely that borrower would be to repay the money. Lenders are more willing to give personal loans to borrowers with good credit than bad credit because there’s a higher likelihood that the personal loan will be repaid.
So a borrower with good credit is more likely to have a loan approved and to be approved faster, while a borrower with bad credit is less likely to have a loan approved and, if they are approved, may be approved slower.
Which lenders offer bad credit personal loans?
Several dozen lenders offer bad credit personal loans in Australia. These are generally smaller lenders that aren’t household names.
How are credit ratings/scores calculated?
Different credit reporting bodies may use different formulas to calculate credit scores. However, they use the same type of information: credit history and demographic profile.
They’re likely to look at how many credit applications you’ve made, which lender the applications were for, what purpose they were for, how much they were for and your repayment record. They’ll also look at your age and postcode. They’ll also look to see if you’ve had any bankruptcies or other relevant legal judgements against you.
Your score can change if your demographic profile changes or new information is added to your file (such as a new loan application) or existing information is removed from your file (i.e. because it has reached its expiry date).
What is bad credit?
A person is deemed to have ‘bad credit’ when they have a poor history of managing credit and repaying debts.
Can I get an easy/instant personal loan?
Some lenders are able to approve applications with little documentation and within minutes. However, there is a catch. People who take out easy/instant loans generally pay higher interest rates and are restricted to lower amounts than people who follow a traditional borrowing process.
How do I find out my credit rating/score?
You're entitled to one free credit report per year from credit reporting bodies like Equifax, Dun & Bradstreet, Experian and the Tasmanian Collection Service. You can also get a free report if you’ve been refused credit in the past 90 days.
Credit reporting bodies have up to 10 days to provide reports. If you want to access your report sooner, you’ll probably have to pay.
What are the pros and cons of personal loans?
The advantages of personal loans are that they’re easier to obtain than mortgages and usually have lower interest rates than credit cards.
One disadvantage with personal loans is that you have to go through a formal application process, unlike when you borrow money on your credit card. Another disadvantage is that you’ll be charged a higher interest rate than if you borrowed the money as part of a mortgage.