Loans for people on Centrelink

Can you get a loan if you are on Centrelink?

While Centrelink is not accepted as a primary source of income for most lenders, it is still possible to find a lender for when you really need a loan. There are a number of very affordable loan options for varying circumstances.

• Pension loans scheme. If you are of aged pension age and have equity in Australian real estate then you could be eligible for a pension loan. It works like a reverse mortgage and the interest rate is 5.25%. For more information click here.
• No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS). NILS loans are offered for the purchase of essential goods and services with no fees and charges attached. The loans are between $300 and $1,500 and can be repaid over a 12 to 18-month term.
• StepUP. This is an unsecured personal loan offering a rate of 5.99% per annum with no additional fees or charges for amounts between $800 and $3,000. Like the NILS loan, a StepUP loan is to be used for the purchase of essential goods and services.
• Centrelink cash advance. While not exactly a loan as such, some Centrelink recipients are eligible to receive an advance on their Centrelink payments. The advance is used as a loan and repayments are taken out of your future Centrelink payments. Generally, you can only receive one advance per year.

If the above options aren't appropriate for your circumstances, there are more expensive lenders who will accept applicants on Centrelink.

• Cash Converters. If you need a loan of up to $5,000 in a short timeframe, Cash Converters may be able to help. They accept applicants who are Centrelink recipients as long as the total repayments of the loan are less than 20% of their Centrelink income. Applicants need to be at least 18 years of age and not currently in Bankruptcy or a Part 9 Debt Agreement. Their turnaround time is one business day and so might be a good fit in the event of an emergency.
• Payday Lenders. There are payday lenders who assess each application on a case-by-case basis who may be happy to offer a Centrelink loan. Payday lenders are fast and generally offer same day finance which comes in handy when you need cash fast, but it's important to keep in mind that the fees associated with payday loans are very high. Typically, an establishment fee of 20% is charged plus a monthly fee of 4% of the borrowed amount. A Centrelink loan is basically a payday loan for Centrelink recipients. Centrelink loans might also be appropriate for someone with bad credit.

How much can I borrow?

Of the cheaper options, the StepUP loan of $3,000 provides the highest loan amount but this is to be used for essential goods and services. Cash Converters can provide a higher amount of up to $5,000 but is more costly. for amounts over $2,000 they charge a $400 establishment fee and 48% interest per annum. Their loans of up to $2,000 have the fee structure of payday loans with a 20% establishment fee and 4% monthly fee.

It is possible to get a loan of up to $10,000 with Centrelink income but this relies heavily on your personal circumstances. There are some non-bank lenders who will lend higher amounts if their assessment shows you are able to afford to borrow a higher amount.