Credit scores can feel mysterious until the moment you need one. Many Australians only start thinking about their credit score when applying for a home loan, car finance or a new phone plan. One query we hear often as experts in this field is “What credit score do you start with?” It’s a fair question because it can be confusing to understand how your score is created, when it begins and what influences it over time.

The good news is that your credit score doesn’t start at zero and you’re not expected to enter adulthood with a long financial history. Instead, your score begins forming the moment you first use credit. From that point on every repayment, application and credit event helps shape it.

Here, we explain what you really start with, how your score grows and what you can do to keep it moving in a positive direction.

How and When is a Credit Score Created?

Technically, you don’t start with a score at all. You begin with a blank file. When you turn 18, you won’t automatically receive a credit score and you don’t apply for one the way you would a tax file number. Instead, your score is created the first time you use credit in any form. This might be signing up for a phone plan, opening a utility account, applying for a credit card or taking out a loan.

The moment a credit provider reports your information to a credit bureau like Equifax, Experian or illion your file is opened and your very first score is generated. Rather than starting with a default number at 18, your score is built from your first recorded credit activity, which is why everyone’s starting point looks a little different.

*Image: First credit events shape credit scores*

What Is Your Initial Score Likely to Be?

Most people begin with a score that sits somewhere in the middle of the credit bureau’s scoring range. For example, Equifax scores range from 0 to 1200 and new borrowers often land around the midpoint because there is not yet enough history to show positive or negative behaviour. Your initial score is simply a reflection of limited information.

As you build a record of reliable repayments your score strengthens. If you miss payments or apply for too much credit at once your score can fall. Think of your first score as a baseline rather than a judgment. It’s neutral, not good or bad and it improves with steady and consistent habits.

What Influences Your Score in the Early Stages?

Credit bureaus look at a few key factors when calculating your score and early on these influences are straightforward. The main things that shape your score include:

Repayment history: paying bills on time carries the most weight and helps your score grow
Credit applications: too many applications at once can signal pressure, so spacing them out is important
Account history: the longer you’ve managed credit without issues, the stronger your profile becomes
Credit limits and loan sizes: these form part of your record but are usually modest when you’re starting out, which helps you build your history gradually

Why You Don’t Start at Zero

Many people assume you start at zero and work your way up, but Australian credit scoring doesn’t work that way. A zero score would imply negative behaviour and you haven’t had the chance to demonstrate anything yet. Instead, your first score is a neutral estimate based on limited information and, in some cases, statistical modelling of people with similar profiles.

This is why some new borrowers are surprised when their starting score sits below the midpoint. It doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong, it simply reflects the lack of history available.

As your real repayment habits are recorded these early assumptions fall away. Within a few months of consistent on-time payments your score usually adjusts upward and becomes a more accurate reflection of you.

*Image: Consistent credit repayments and on-time bill paying*

How Long Does It Take to Build a Strong Score?

A credit score improves over time as long as you show steady and reliable behaviour. Many people see noticeable improvement within six to twelve months of consistent repayments. Larger improvements often appear once you’ve had active accounts for two years or more. This is because credit scores rely on patterns and lenders want to see how you manage commitments over time.

If your profile starts with only one or two accounts don’t worry. Building slowly is completely normal and far better than taking on unnecessary credit just to “boost” your score.

What Happens If You Make a Mistake Early On?

Missing a payment or taking on an account too soon can affect your score, but it doesn’t define your future. We see every day how quickly credit scores can recover with the right steps. A single late payment isn’t permanent and even defaults can be challenged or negotiated when handled early.

Acting sooner rather than later prevents small issues from turning into long-term pressure. Our experience and research show many Australians stretch themselves with larger debts and then rely on refinancing or personal credit to keep up, which adds strain when not managed well. Getting support early protects both your credit score and your financial resilience.

Setting Yourself Up for a Stronger Score

Building a healthy credit score comes down to steady, simple habits. Pay bills on time, avoid unnecessary credit applications, use credit gradually and keep track of your accounts so nothing is missed.

Checking your credit report each year also helps you catch and correct mistakes early. If something on your file doesn’t look right or your early credit experiences feel overwhelming, professional support can make a real difference.

A trusted credit repair team can review your report, address incorrect listings and guide you through repayment challenges before they become bigger problems. If you want clearer steps, honest support and a more manageable path forward, Real Credit Repairers is here to help you understand your position and confidently pursue a healthier financial future.

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