How to remove credit enquiries in Australia

In Australia, you can remove certain credit enquiries from your report, but only if there is a valid reason. These reasons include if the enquiry was unauthorised, incorrect, fraudulent, or made without your consent. Typically, enquiries you approved will remain on your credit file until they naturally expire.

Real Credit Repairers offers a service where we examine your credit report to find enquiries that can be disputed. We then challenge these entries and only charge you if we successfully remove one. If you have already spotted an enquiry you do not recognise, book a free credit report consultation to have it checked.

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1800 953 563

Can credit enquiries be removed from your credit report?

There may be some instances where a hard credit enquiry can be disputed and even removed from your credit history under specific circumstances. It is not possible to dispute and remove the enquiry solely on the basis that you want to do so or that it has affected your credit rating. There are guidelines regarding credit reporting found in the Privacy Act 1988 and the Credit Reporting Privacy Code.

The credit reporting agencies that operate this system include Equifax and illion, all of which are regulated by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). What should be considered is the fact that neither the credit providers nor credit repair agencies can remove a valid enquiry on demand.

When you can dispute and remove a credit enquiry

Disputes occur when the particular enquiry is not supposed to appear in your credit report to begin with. The clearest grounds are:

This credit check has been made without your knowledge or informed consent.
Your personal information has been used to open a new account by way of identity theft or credit card fraud.
There is an unknown credit card or personal loan listed on your file.
A credit agency has recorded this credit enquiry incorrectly, maybe due to a mistake or confusion of names.

If there is evidence, Real Credit Repairers will investigate the issue with the credit provider and the credit reporting agency and make a case to remove the information.

If you suspect that the query is a fraudulent one, then the first thing you should do is protect your data rather than deleting everything right away. You can add a temporary ban to your credit file for 21 days, and then have it extended as investigations continue.

Once the problem is confirmed, it can be resolved through disputing the enquiry using the correct channels. If your identity has been used, our credit repair for identity theft will sort out the matter.

When a credit enquiry cannot be removed

When it comes to legitimate inquiries on your credit report, the situation changes. If a credit check was conducted with your authorisation and is correct, it cannot be removed, and any reputable service will acknowledge this. This includes instances where you applied for a loan or credit card, or when a mortgage broker, with your permission, submitted your application to multiple lenders. It also applies if you authorised a credit check for financing home repairs.

When you make authorised enquiries, they remain on your credit report for the entire retention period before disappearing on their own. Similarly, listings such as a credit default or a court judgment also persist unless they are incorrect.

If they’re correct, they remain in place. Beware of credit repair companies that say they will remove correct information in exchange for a payment. This is the type of promise that regulators caution against.

How long credit enquiries stay on your credit file

5 yrs

an enquiry stays before auto-removal

Hard enquiry
Made when you apply for credit; visible to lenders.

Soft enquiry
Checking your own score; no impact, not visible to lenders.

In Australia, whenever you apply for credit (that could be for a car loan or for a credit card, for example), a credit enquiry is made on your file. The record stays on your file for five years following the application date, after which the credit agency automatically removes it. This is done according to the regulations provided by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) under the Privacy Act of 1988. Credit agencies such as Equifax, illion, and Experian follow these regulations.

There are two main types of credit enquiries: hard and soft. A hard inquiry occurs when you apply for credit, and lenders can see these when they evaluate your application. On the other hand, a soft enquiry happens when you check your own credit score, and these do not affect your score or appear to lenders.

Although both types fall under the general term "credit enquiry" in Australia, distinguishing between them helps clarify their practical implications. However, if you make multiple credit applications in a short period, lenders might interpret this as a sign of financial stress. For the full details, see how long credit enquiries stay on your file.

How to get a credit enquiry removed

Step 1

Begin by obtaining a copy of your credit report. Each credit reporting agency allows you to access one complimentary report approximately every three months. This document details every enquiry, including the date and the credit provider involved.

Step 2

Once you have your report, check it closely for any inquiries you don’t recognise or didn’t authorise. If you spot any suspicious entries, you can dispute them either through the credit reporting agency or the credit provider who made the enquiry. They will investigate the issue and decide whether to correct the error or provide a reason for keeping the listing as is. If your dispute doesn't result in a resolution, you have the option to take your complaint to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA).

Step 3

It is possible to undertake these steps on your own without any expenses and it could be enough to correct simple mistakes. If you need help, Real Credit Repairers have an option where we analyse your report and discover disputes among the enquiries. It means that we will communicate with the providers and credit agencies, but only charge you for the successful removal of an enquiry.

Why choose Real Credit Repairers to remove credit enquiries

Our approach to credit repair focuses on fairness and transparency. At Real Credit Repairers, we feel that you shouldn't pay until you start seeing results. That's why our method is based on a success fee principle. You'll pay only if we manage to eliminate an enquiry from your credit report. The financial risk will be on us, as there won't be any payment for an unaccomplished task. We also have an open pricing policy that does not involve any hidden charges.

Our team handles the process of removing enquiries from your credit report, whether you're dealing with hard inquiries or trying to clear a credit black mark. All the steps are explained to you in clear language, so you will be aware of the progress of your case. We have received hundreds of 5-star ratings from our happy customers all around Australia, and we have established strong relationships with creditors and reporting agencies.

Book your free credit report consult

Start with a free credit report review

If you're uncertain about the possibility of removing certain inquiries from your credit report, the best course of action is to have an expert take a look. Begin with a free credit report review. Real Credit Repairers will examine your file and provide clear guidance on whether there are valid reasons to challenge any inquiries. We will also inform you about the potential cost if removal is successful. Simply call 1800 945 140 or book your free credit report consultation to gain clarity on your situation before making any commitments.

Frequently asked questions about removing credit enquiries

No. Correct, authorised inquiries cannot be deleted from your report by anyone, including a credit repair company, until after the five-year time frame elapses. It is only when there are reasons for the enquiry (unauthorised, incorrect, fraudulent, or those done without your consent) that disputes can be lodged against them.
There is no exact legal limit. However, a number of inquiries made within a relatively short period of time could be indicative of financial strain on the part of the borrower, which could impact the borrowing decision process.
It can. The removal of the enquiry will eliminate one negative aspect from your record. However, it is important to note that the impact of an enquiry is minimal compared to credit violations and defaults.
Yes. You can obtain a free copy of your credit report and dispute the enquiry free of charge from the credit reporting agency, or talk to a financial counsellor free of charge if you’re low on funds. Real Credit Repairers come into play when the situation is more complicated.
When you seek credit, a hard inquiry will be reflected on your credit report, which affects your credit score. When you review your own credit report or conduct a background check, this will be a soft enquiry, which will not be visible to creditors.
The time taken may depend on the nature of the enquiry and the speed at which the creditors and the agency act. Most clients get their results within one month, and many take six weeks or less.