How to Place (and Remove) a Credit Ban in Australia
Protecting your personal information is more important than ever. If your identity has been stolen or you're worried about fraud, you can request a credit ban on your file. A ban prevents credit providers from accessing your credit report, making it much harder for someone to use your identity to take out loans or credit in your name.
What is a Credit Ban?
A credit ban (also called a credit freeze) temporarily restricts access to your credit report, banks, lenders, or utility companies can't see your credit file while it's active. In Australia, bans are free of charge and initially last 21 days, with extensions of up to 12 months available if you can show evidence of risk (such as a police or cyber fraud report).
How to Place a Credit Ban
- Equifax, complete the online Credit Ban Request Form, upload proof of identity, and submit. Equifax will confirm once the ban is active.
- Experian, visit the Credit Ban Request Page, fill out the request form with your personal information and ID documents. Experian will confirm when the ban is placed.
- Tip: when you request a ban with one bureau you can ask them to notify the others, but it's best to check both have applied the ban.
How to Remove a Credit Ban
You can lift a ban at any time. With Equifax, use the online removal form and verify your identity. With Experian, submit a lift request via their online form, once verified, it may be lifted overnight. Removal is typically processed within a business day.
What a Credit Ban Does (and Doesn't Do)
- ✅ Stops new credit applications in your name while active.
- ❌ Doesn't affect existing accounts, your cards, loans and repayments continue as normal.
- ❌ May delay legitimate credit applications, you'll need to lift the ban before a lender can assess a new application.
Tips to Stay Protected
- Monitor your credit report regularly with all agencies.
- Use ID protection tools that alert you to data breaches.
- Report fraud quickly, file a police report and notify your bank immediately.
Our guide to your credit file explains how to read your report, and if past issues are holding you back, see bad credit home loans.
Placing a credit ban is free, quick, and one of the most effective steps you can take to protect yourself from identity theft. If your situation changes, you can easily remove the ban online.