--- title: "How to keep track of your credit history - Sapience Financial" description: "Bad credit — not sure? Hard to find out the truth, t's not surprising The company that has been keeping the records may have been keeping them from you as well." url: "https://finallysorted.com.au/blog/how-to-keep-track-of-your-credit-history" date: "2026-05-26T12:32:11+00:00" language: "en-GB" --- # How to keep track of your credit history - 🏠 Wealth Builders & Home Finance - [ credit score ](https://finallysorted.com.au/all-tags/credit-score) - [ mortgage exit strategy ](https://finallysorted.com.au/all-tags/mortgage-exit-strategy) - [ 🏠 Wealth Builders & Home Finance ](https://finallysorted.com.au/insights/wealth-builders-home-finance) ![lady holding phone and purse sitting on stool](https://finallysorted.com.au/images/blog/how-to-keep-track-of-your-credit-history-sapience-financial.jpg) Reading Time: 5 minutes --- ### Bad credit — not sure? It's not surprising ### The company that has been keeping the records may have been keeping them from you as well In December 2016 Australian consumer action groups won a case against credit reporting agency *Veda Advantage Information Services and Solutions Ltd (Veda)* that resulted in the [Privacy Commissioner ordering Veda to refund thousands of consumers](http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/AICmr/2016/88.html) who were charged for obtaining a copy of their credit report. #### *Read in this article* 1. [Where is your credit history kept?](https://finallysorted.com.au/blog/how-to-keep-track-of-your-credit-history#where-is-your-credit-history-kept) 2. [What you don't know may be hurting you](https://finallysorted.com.au/blog/how-to-keep-track-of-your-credit-history#what-you-dont-know-may-be-hurting-you) 3. [Part of the problem is different types of information is kept on file for different periods of time.](https://finallysorted.com.au/blog/how-to-keep-track-of-your-credit-history#part-of-the-problem-is-different-types-of-information-is-kept-on-file-for-different-periods-of-time) 4. [What can you do?](https://finallysorted.com.au/blog/how-to-keep-track-of-your-credit-history#what-can-you-do) 5. [How to order your free credit history](https://finallysorted.com.au/blog/how-to-keep-track-of-your-credit-history#how-to-order-your-free-credit-history) 1. [Update 2019 - Change of Names](https://finallysorted.com.au/blog/how-to-keep-track-of-your-credit-history#update-2019-change-of-names) 6. [Frequently Asked Questions: Mastering Your Credit Reputation](https://finallysorted.com.au/blog/how-to-keep-track-of-your-credit-history#frequently-asked-questions-mastering-your-credit-reputation) 1. [What is the difference between a Credit Report and a Credit Score?](https://finallysorted.com.au/blog/how-to-keep-track-of-your-credit-history#what-is-the-difference-between-a-credit-report-and-a-credit-score) 2. [How does 'Comprehensive Credit Reporting' (CCR) help me?](https://finallysorted.com.au/blog/how-to-keep-track-of-your-credit-history#how-does-comprehensive-credit-reporting-ccr-help-me) 3. [How long does negative information stay on my file?](https://finallysorted.com.au/blog/how-to-keep-track-of-your-credit-history#how-long-does-negative-information-stay-on-my-file) 4. [Can 'Buy Now Pay Later' (BNPL) habits hurt my home loan chances?](https://finallysorted.com.au/blog/how-to-keep-track-of-your-credit-history#can-buy-now-pay-later-bnpl-habits-hurt-my-home-loan-chances) 5. [What is the 'Absolute' best way to fix a credit error?](https://finallysorted.com.au/blog/how-to-keep-track-of-your-credit-history#what-is-the-absolute-best-way-to-fix-a-credit-error) ### Where is your credit history kept? Many Australians don't realise that much of their private credit information is held by private companies such as Veda and Dun and Bradstreet and shared between commercial businesses for a fee. Our personal credit rating is used by banks, credit unions, car and phone companies and alike in assessing what they refer to as 'our credit worthiness'. This might include: - The date a credit card or personal loan was opened and closed - The maximum credit limit - Whether you made the minimum payment on time. ### What you don't know may be hurting you Now, this may be fine if the information is accurate. But what happens if there is an error on your credit file that you know nothing about? You may be paying a higher interest rate because of someone else's bad history. Worse yet, you may have been repeatedly refused credit for no good reason. If you've been repeatedly denied credit, perhaps it's worth looking into it further, for free. > This is especially important to people preparing for their first home loan or looking to consolidate debts. ### Part of the problem is different types of information is kept on file for different periods of time. - Information about a bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 5 years - Information about a payment default for consumer credit such as a credit card or utility bill of more than 60 days stays on your credit report stays there for 5 years. - Information about a delay of more than 14 days in paying your credit card, home loan or personal loan stays on your credit report stays there for 2 years. Mistakes happen and the more information the credit reporting agencies collect the greater the chance of errors, misfiling and even identity theft. ### What can you do? The Australian consumer magazine Choice recommends we take the following 5 steps to sort out our credit. 1. Order your free credit report once every year. 2. Check your credit history. 3. If there's a problem, contact the utility company or credit provider, or credit reporting agency. 4. Once the problem is fixed, the credit reporting agency should notify you in writing. 5. If you're not satisfied with the dispute resolution scheme's decision, make a complaint to the Australian Information Commissioner. ### How to order your free credit history Credit reporting agencies are required to make free credit reports available. Order your free credit file from: - [Veda](https://forms.mycreditfile.com.au/Apply/Index?form=FreeCreditFile) - [Dun and Bradstreet](https://www.checkyourcredit.com.au/MyAccount/Order/StandardService) - [Experian](http://www.experian.com.au/credit-services/credit-reports/order-credit-report.html) - [Tasmanian Collection Service](http://www.tascol.com.au) (TCS): for Tasmanian residents only. We say if you have any problems that you're not getting resolution with, check out the government's own [Smart Money](https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/tools-and-resources/publications/factsheet-your-credit-report) website for more helpful information about your credit history file. #### Update 2019 - Change of Names You can now request your credit report (including a free option) from Equifax (formerly known as Veda), the organisation that creates the credit rating *score-cards* funders use today. To get a free copy of your Equifax credit report, get in touch with them [here](https://www.equifax.com.au/personal/products/credit-and-identity-products#content). Be sure to read our new article called get to know your New Credit Score [here](https://finallysorted.com.au/blog/get-to-know-your-new-credit-score). --- ### Frequently Asked Questions: Mastering Your Credit Reputation #### What is the difference between a Credit Report and a Credit Score? Think of your **Credit Report** as your academic transcript—it lists every "subject" (loan, credit card, utility bill) and your "grades" (repayment history). Your **Credit Score** is your GPA—a single number calculated from that report. In 2026, lenders use both, but the report is the "Absolute" source of truth you must monitor for errors. #### How does 'Comprehensive Credit Reporting' (CCR) help me? Prior to CCR, your report only showed when you messed up (defaults). Now, it shows when you get it right. Every on-time mortgage or credit card payment acts as a "positive marker." For a **Sovereign** borrower, this means a few months of perfect behavior can outweigh an old mistake, effectively rehabilitating your score in real-time. #### How long does negative information stay on my file? The "Numbers of Life" regarding credit retention are clinical: - **Late Payments (>14 days):** 2 years. - **Defaults and Bankruptcies:** 5 years. - **Court Judgments:** 5 years. Once these timeframes expire, the information must be removed. If it’s still there, it’s a "Black and White" breach of your privacy rights. #### Can 'Buy Now Pay Later' (BNPL) habits hurt my home loan chances? Absolutely. In 2026, many BNPL providers report to credit bureaus. Even if you don't miss a payment, having multiple open BNPL accounts can signal "Financial Fragility" to a mortgage underwriter. Lenders calculate your **Debt-to-Income (DTI)** ratio, and every BNPL limit is treated as potential debt: $$DTI = \\frac{\\text{Total Monthly Debt Obligations}}{\\text{Gross Monthly Income}}$$ #### What is the 'Absolute' best way to fix a credit error? Do not pay a "credit repair" company. You have the legal right to dispute errors for free. Contact the credit provider first; if they don't budge, go to the **Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA)**. This is a "Sovereign" process that ensures institutions are held accountable for the data they broadcast about you. *Disclaimer: Credit reporting is governed by the Privacy Act 1988 and the Credit Reporting Code. In 2026, the rise of identity theft makes regular monitoring an essential part of financial self-defense. For a strategic review of your financial position, we recommend a [confidential consultation](https://finallysorted.com.au/contact).* **Do we sound like the type of people you'd like to do business with?** Call us today on 1300 137 403 or email us [here](https://finallysorted.com.au/index.php?Itemid=704) for a no-obligation private chat about your situation. --- ![author pic drew browne](https://finallysorted.com.au/images/author-pic/contact-drew-browne-advisor-sapience-financial.jpg)**Drew Browne** is a specialty Financial Risk Advisor working with Small Business Owners & their Families, Dual Income Professional Couples, and diverse families. He's an award-winning writer, speaker, financial adviser and business strategy mentor. His business Sapience Financial Group is committed to using business solutions for good in the community. In 2015 he was certified as a B Corp., and in 2017 was recognised in the inaugural Australian National Businesses of Tomorrow Awards. Today he advises Small Business Owners and their families, on how to protect themselves, from their businesses. He writes for successful Small Business Owners and Industry publications. You can read his Modern Small Business Leadership Blog [here](https://finallysorted.com.au/index.php?Itemid=1267). You can connect with him on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewbrowne/). Any information provided is general advice only and we have not considered your personal circumstances. Before making any decision on the basis of this advice you should consider if the advice is appropriate for you based on your particular circumstance. ![Written by Human Not made by AI sapience financial ](https://finallysorted.com.au/images/icons/not-made-by-AI-sapience-financial-black.png) ## Schema ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "BlogPosting", "@id": "https://sapience.com.au/blog/how-to-keep-track-of-your-credit-history#blogposting", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://sapience.com.au/blog/how-to-keep-track-of-your-credit-history" }, "headline": "How to Keep Track of Your Credit History: The 2026 Guide to Financial Reputation", "description": "Your credit history is no longer a secret. Discover how to access your free credit report, correct errors, and understand the impact of Comprehensive Credit Reporting in 2026.", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Drew Browne", "jobTitle": "Thought Provocateur", "url": "https://sapience.com.au/about-us/drew-browne" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Sapience Financial", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sapience.com.au/images/brand-logo/sapience-financial-h-logo.svg" } }, "datePublished": "2016-12-15", "dateModified": "2026-04-27" }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "How often can I get a free credit report in Australia?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "By law, you are entitled to a free credit report from each of the major reporting agencies (Equifax, Illion, and Experian) once every 3 months, or if you have been refused credit in the past 90 days." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is Comprehensive Credit Reporting (CCR)?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "CCR means your credit report now includes 'positive' data, such as on-time repayments and the date accounts were opened, rather than just negative events like defaults and bankruptcies." } } ] } ] } ``` ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home |", "item": "https://finallysorted.com.au" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Blogs", "item": "https://finallysorted.com.au/blog" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "How to keep track of your credit history", "item": "https://finallysorted.com.au/blog/how-to-keep-track-of-your-credit-history" } ] } ``` ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://finallysorted.com.au/blog/how-to-keep-track-of-your-credit-history" }, "headline": "How to keep track of your credit history", "description": "Bad credit — not sure? It's not surprising The company that has been keeping the records may have been keeping them from you as well In December 2016 Australian consumer action groups won a case against credit reporting agency Veda Advantage Information Services and Solutions Ltd (Veda) that resulted in the Privacy Commissioner ordering Veda to refund thousands of consumers who were charged for obtaining a copy of their credit report.", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://finallysorted.com.au/images/blog/intro-how-to-keep-track-of-your-credit-history-sapience-financial.jpg" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Sapience Financial", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://finallysorted.com.au/images/brand-logo/sapience-financial-square-logo.png" } }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Drew Browne", "url": "https://finallysorted.com.au/blog/how-to-keep-track-of-your-credit-history" }, "datePublished": "2016-08-08T12:32:00+10:00", "dateCreated": "2016-08-08T12:32:00+10:00", "dateModified": "2026-04-27T20:20:01+10:00" } ```