What are line of credit personal loans?

A line of credit personal loan allows access to a pre-determined amount of funds you can withdraw at your discretion. You repay these borrowed funds via monthly repayments and are typically charged a variable interest rate.

While making monthly repayments, you also have the ability to withdraw additional funds, provided you haven’t exceeded your agreed credit limit with the lender. Importantly, you’re only charged interest on the money you’ve withdrawn, not your balance. So if you had a balance of $20,000 and you withdrew $5,000, you’d only be charged interest on $5,000.


In the market for a personal loan? The table below features personal loans with some of the lowest interest rates on the market.

Lender

FixedUnsecuredN/A
More details
Loan amounts from $2k to $75k
  • No ongoing or early exit fees
  • 1-7 years loan terms. Pay monthly, fortnightly, or weekly
  • Get quick decision. Funds in 24 hrs if approved
Loan amounts from $2k to $75k

Low Rate Personal Loan Unsecured (Excellent Credit)

  • No ongoing or early exit fees
  • 1-7 years loan terms. Pay monthly, fortnightly, or weekly
  • Get quick decision. Funds in 24 hrs if approved
FixedUnsecuredN/AN/A
More details

Unsecured Personal Loan (Excellent Credit)

    FixedUnsecuredN/AN/A
    More details
    NO ONGOING FEESAPPLY ONLINE
    NO ONGOING FEESAPPLY ONLINE

    Unsecured Personal Loan (Excellent Credit)

      VariableUnsecuredN/AN/A
      More details

      Personal Loan

        Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

        All products with a link to a product provider’s website have a commercial marketing relationship between us and these providers. These products may appear prominently and first within the search tables regardless of their attributes and may include products marked as promoted, featured or sponsored. The link to a product provider’s website will allow you to get more information or apply for the product. By de-selecting “Show online partners only” additional non-commercialised products may be displayed and re-sorted at the top of the table. For more information on how we’ve selected these “Sponsored”, “Featured” and “Promoted” products, the products we compare, how we make money, and other important information about our service, please click here.

        The comparison rates in this table are based on a loan of $30,000 and a term of 5 years unless indicated otherwise. The comparison rates are for unsecured personal loans only for the relevant amounts and terms. The comparison rates for car loans and secured personal loans are for secured loans unless indicated otherwise. WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. Comparison rates are not calculated for revolving credit products.

        Monthly repayment figures are estimates only, exclude fees and are based on the advertised rate for the term and for the loan amount entered. Actual repayments will depend on your individual circumstances and interest rate changes. Rates correct as of August 21, 2024. View disclaimer.

        Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

        If you think a line of credit personal loan sounds a lot like a credit card, you’d be correct. There are a lot of similarities between the two but there are some key differences. Line of credit personal loans often have much higher credit limits than credit cards and also tend to have lower interest rates. Lenders only require you to submit a credit application when you first take out the loan, not each time you withdraw funds. Some lenders even have the option to link your line of credit personal loan with a debit card, making withdrawals simple.

        Much like a credit card, you can use a line of credit personal loans for whatever you wish. Whether that’s a holiday, renovations, a vehicle, or some random purchase, lenders typically don’t place restrictions on what you can use the funds for. Additionally, you rarely have to inform the lender about what you plan to use the funds for.


        What’s the difference between personal loans and line of credit personal loans?

        It can be easy to get personal loans and line of credit personal loans mixed up, not least because of their similar names. One of the biggest differences is how you borrow the funds. A personal loan allows you to borrow a lump sum, which is paid directly to you or to a supplier for a product. A line of credit personal loan gives you access to a pool of funds that you can withdraw a portion of at a time of your choosing.

        Personal loans are often a lot more rigid than their line of credit personal loan cousins. They typically have a fixed loan term, from one to seven years, a fixed interest rate, and a fixed monthly repayment. Line of credit personal loans often have variable interest rates and your monthly repayments will change based on how much you borrow. There’s also not usually a time period you’re required to repay the funds back and instead you’ll have a minimum monthly repayment. Additionally, the funds are again available for withdrawal after you’ve repaid them.

        Line of credit personal loans typically come with smaller loan amounts than personal loans. It’s rare to have access to more than $50,000 with a line of credit personal loan, whereas a personal loan could afford you as much as $100,000, depending on the lender and your credit score.

        Personal loans also come with upfront and ongoing fees, like establishment fees and monthly service fees, while a line of credit personal loan typically charges an annual service fee.

        These differences mean personal loans and line of credit personal loans appeal to different groups of people. Borrowers who are looking for flexibility and access to short-term credit may be more inclined to take out a line of credit personal loan. Borrowers who are after more cash flow certainty and a larger loan amount might be keener on a personal loan.


        Are line of credit personal loans secured or unsecured?

        Line of credit personal loans can be secured or unsecured, depending on your circumstances and the lender. Security refers to securing the loan against an asset you own, like using a car you borrow a loan for as security.

        More often than not, security will give you a better chance of being approved, access to higher loan amounts, and potentially a lower interest rate. An unsecured line of credit personal loan may be difficult to obtain if you have a less than impressive credit history, and if you are approved, you may be stung with a higher interest rate and fees.

        Related: Secured vs unsecured personal loans: Which is right for you?


        What to consider when looking for a line of credit personal loan

        If you’re shopping for a line of credit personal loan, some of the factors you should consider include:

        • Interest rates: As with any credit product, reviewing interest rates is one of the most important things you can do. Interest rates on line of credit personal loans have a large range and often come down to your personal circumstances and credit score. Shopping around for a rate is vital and adding security may drop your rate.

        • Fees: Most line of credit loans have an annual service fee but this isn’t a uniform cost across the board. Additionally, different lenders may have other fees on top of this. Check the comparison rate to see the true cost of the loan.

        • Fund accessibility: Line of credit personal loans are often attractive to people because of the pool of funds available for withdrawal. But if the funds aren’t very accessible, this benefit is rendered obsolete. Check out what the process is for withdrawal before entering into any contracts and see whether you can link a transaction account or debit card.

        • Loan amount: Line of credit personal loans often don’t have large loan amounts available for withdrawal. If you’re looking to borrow more than $50,000, you may be better off considering a regular personal loan.

        • Repayment terms: There are typically two ways you can make repayments on line of credit personal loans. Revolving credit allows you to keep the loan open for as long as you see fit, provided you’re making repayments. Term-plan line of credit loans require you to make repayments over a period of time, typically up to five years. Be sure you know which one the lender requires before borrowing any cash.


        Who offers line of credit personal loans?

        A number of larger lenders like the big four - ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, NAB, and Westpac - offer line of credit personal loans. You can also access them through peer to peer (P2P) lending via platforms like Wisr and Plenti. Whichever you end up going with, be sure to do your research prior; the personal loan market is rife with smaller lenders who in some cases can be less than reputable.

        Related: Providers offering peer to peer loans in Australia


        How to apply for a line of credit personal loan

        Applying for a line of credit personal loan will differ between lenders but the process will typically resemble the following:

        1. Shop around lenders to find one with a competitive interest rate and that suits your personal circumstances, taking into account other factors like fees, loan amount, repayment terms, and fund accessibility.

        2. Submit your application to your desired lender. This will include information like personal details, proof of income and employment, and lists of your assets and expenses.

        3. The lender will review your application. Some lenders will have same-day approval while others could take a week. Line of credit personal loans are typically easier to approve than other credit products.

        4. After the lender approves you, look over the contract to ensure everything is as agreed, like the interest rate. You can then sign off on the loan and have access to the funds shortly.


        Pros and cons of line of credit personal loans

        Pros

        • Only charged interest on the funds you borrow, not your balance.

        • Flexibility to withdraw funds when you want

        • Accessibility through ATMs, debit cards, transaction accounts

        Cons

        • Annual fees regardless of whether you withdraw funds

        • Temptation to overspend funds

        • Appears on your credit report, so it may affect other loan applications


        Savings.com.au’s two cents

        Line of credit personal loans can provide a great safety net and easy access to funds in the event of an emergency. However, a large sum of money sitting in an account available for you to use when you wish could tempt borrowers to overspend or make purchases they don’t need. Always budget accordingly and ensure you can make repayments before spending any money.

        Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash