Responsible Lending

Understand responsible lending rules, assessments and borrower protections.

• Responsible Lending vs Responsible Borrowing: What Is the Difference?

  Responsible lending and responsible borrowing are not the same thing. Learn the different roles you and a credit provider play.

• Why Is Accurate Information Important When Applying for a Loan?

  Learn why giving accurate, complete and current information in a loan application matters, and how it supports a fair assessment.

• How Do Existing Loans and Debts Affect a Responsible Lending Assessment?

  Learn how existing loans, credit cards and buy now, pay later accounts may be considered when a lender assesses a new application.

• What Is a Loan Suitability Assessment?

  Learn what a loan suitability assessment is, why lenders ask for bank statements and income details, and how Australian credit law describes it.

• 5 Ways to Build Better Financial Habits in 2026

  Better money habits can start small. Here are five practical, repeatable steps to help you manage your money with more confidence in 2026.

• Why Might a Responsible Lender Decline Your Loan Application?

  Learn common reasons a responsible lender may decline a loan application, and what a decline may mean if you want to borrow in the future.

• Can You Request a Copy of Your Loan Suitability Assessment?

  Learn how you can generally request a written copy of the suitability assessment prepared for your loan, and what it can tell you.

• Why Do Lenders Ask About Your Financial Requirements and Objectives?

  Learn why lenders ask why you need the money and what repayment arrangement would suit you, and how this forms part of an assessment.

• What Are Reasonable Inquiries During a Loan Application?

  Why do lenders ask about your income, expenses and debts? Learn what reasonable inquiries are and how they form part of a loan assessment.

• How Do Lenders Assess Whether Loan Repayments Could Cause Financial Hardship?

  Learn how lenders assess whether loan repayments are likely to stay manageable alongside your essential living expenses and existing commitments.

• What Does an “Unsuitable Credit Contract” Mean

  Learn what an unsuitable credit contract means, and why lenders ask detailed questions about your income, expenses and reasons for borrowing.

• What Is a Target Market Determination for a Loan?

  Learn what a Target Market Determination (TMD) is and how it describes the type of consumer a loan has been designed for.

• What Is a Credit Guide and Why Should You Read It?

  Learn what a credit guide is, what information it contains and why it is worth reading before you take out a loan.

• What Is AFCA and When Can a Borrower Contact Them?

  Learn what the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) does and when you may be able to take an unresolved complaint to it.

• What Is the National Consumer Credit Protection Act?

  Learn what the National Consumer Credit Protection Act is, why it matters when you apply for credit and the obligations it places on lenders.