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Explore the topics behind your borrowing decisions.
Browse educational articles about debt types, home equity, credit history and loan costs. These articles are for existing Australian homeowners who want to understand their choices before making an application.
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Home loan structure
How much home equity could I use for debt consolidation?
Home equity is the difference between your property value and the debt secured against it. It is not the same as an approved borrowing amount. A lender still needs to accept the property value and assess whether you can afford the proposed loan.
Read the article Home loan structureHow can I avoid carrying consolidated debt for decades?
Ask for a specific payoff plan for the consolidated debt. A separate home-loan split can make that portion easier to identify, but it does not by itself shorten the term or guarantee lower interest costs.
Read the article Home loan structureRefinancing a private or caveat loan: questions to ask
If a loan has a short expiry, private funding or a caveat over your property, start with the documents and deadlines. An exit refinance must be assessed rather than assumed, and legal advice may be needed to understand the existing agreement.
Read the articleYour debts
Can I consolidate credit cards into my home loan?
Credit card balances may be considered for home-loan consolidation if the borrower, property and proposed loan meet the lender’s requirements. The decision should also address what happens to the cards after payout, so the same debt does not build up again.
Read the article Your debtsShould I put a personal loan into my mortgage?
A personal loan may be eligible for consolidation into a home-loan structure. Before changing it, compare the current payout amount and remaining term with the proposed loan, rather than comparing interest rates alone.
Read the article Your debtsCan I consolidate a car loan into my home loan?
Car finance may be considered for consolidation, but the type of agreement matters. Review its payout amount, remaining term and any balloon payment before deciding whether it belongs in your home loan.
Read the article Your debtsCan Afterpay and Zip balances be consolidated?
Buy Now Pay Later balances may be part of a debt-consolidation review. Include every provider and repayment schedule, even when each individual amount looks small. Whether consolidation makes sense depends on the cost and the proposed repayment period.
Read the articleIncome and tax
Can a homeowner refinance to pay ATO debt?
Tax debt needs an individual review. A refinance may be an option in some circumstances, but identify who owes the debt, the amount required for payout and whether repayments are sustainable. Speak with your accountant about tax treatment.
Read the article Income and taxDebt consolidation when you are self-employed
Self-employed homeowners can request a debt-consolidation assessment. Start by explaining how the business earns income and how you pay yourself. The evidence required depends on the business structure and the lender; self-employment is not a promise of a reduced-documentation loan.
Read the article Income and taxDebt consolidation with FIFO, overtime or variable income
If income changes with rosters, overtime or contracts, explain both the amount and its pattern. A debt-consolidation plan should be affordable in an ordinary quieter period, not just after your highest payslip.
Read the articleCredit and setbacks
Debt consolidation with bad credit or defaults
A credit problem does not tell the whole story, but it can change the options and costs. Before applying again, find out what is actually on your report and prepare an accurate account of what happened and what has changed.
Read the article Credit and setbacksWill debt consolidation affect my credit score?
A phone enquiry and a formal loan application are different steps. Requesting a RepaymentCheck does not itself submit a loan application. Before progressing, ask when a credit report will be accessed and whether a formal credit enquiry will be recorded.
Read the article Credit and setbacksCan I refinance after hardship or a repayment pause?
Hardship, mortgage arrears and an agreed repayment pause need a careful review. A new loan may not be the right immediate response. Contact your current lender early if repayments are difficult and seek independent help if the budget remains unaffordable.
Read the article Credit and setbacksMy bank declined debt consolidation. What next?
A decline is a reason to investigate, not a reason to send the same application everywhere. Ask what caused the decision and whether it relates to income, expenses, property, credit history, documents or the lender’s policy.
Read the article Credit and setbacksWhat if my debts include payday loans?
Include payday and short-term borrowing in the review, even if the amounts are small. The immediate priority is understanding whether your everyday budget can work without taking another loan to meet the next repayment.
Read the article Credit and setbacksA default on your file: what matters before refinancing
A default does not describe your whole financial situation. Its accuracy, current status and the affordability of the proposed home loan all need separate attention.
Read the article Credit and setbacksLate payments: understanding the pattern before applying
One late payment and repeated missed repayments tell different stories. Check what is recorded, what remains overdue and whether the cause has been addressed before refinancing.
Read the article Credit and setbacksBehind on the mortgage: deal with the immediate problem first
When your home loan is overdue, a refinance is only one possible path. Contact the lender early, understand any deadlines and establish what repayment is actually affordable.
Read the article Credit and setbacksFixing a credit-file mistake is different from refinancing
A reporting error needs a correction. An accurate debt needs a repayment plan. Debt consolidation changes the borrowing structure; it does not rewrite a credit history.
Read the article Credit and setbacksAfter a Part IX agreement: preparing for a lending assessment
Completing a debt agreement is a significant milestone, but it is not the same as being approved for a new home loan. Confirm the agreement’s status and your current finances first.
Read the article Credit and setbacksAfter bankruptcy discharge: check the property position first
Discharge is an important legal milestone. It does not automatically settle every issue involving a home, clear every record or establish eligibility for refinancing.
Read the articleCosts and alternatives
What does home-loan debt consolidation cost?
The cost is more than the new interest rate. Ask for a written breakdown of setup costs, exit costs, ongoing fees and total repayments under the proposed term. The initial RepaymentCheck is free; that does not mean a refinance has no costs.
Read the article Costs and alternativesMortgage consolidation, personal loan or balance transfer?
Compare these options against the same debt amount and a realistic payoff date. The right choice depends on cost, affordability, eligibility and the security involved. A home-loan structure should not be the automatic answer just because you own a property.
Read the article Costs and alternativesDebt consolidation, Part IX agreements and bankruptcy
Debt consolidation is new borrowing. A Part IX debt agreement and bankruptcy are different legal processes with significant consequences. If you own a home, seek independent financial counselling and legal advice before choosing an insolvency option.
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