If you’ve checked your credit report and noticed several credit enquiries, you may be wondering whether they can be removed.
It’s one of the most common questions Australians ask after being declined for a loan, credit card, utility account or even a mobile phone plan.
The answer depends on whether the enquiry is legitimate.
Every time you apply for credit, it’s normal for a lender to review your credit history. That review creates what’s known as a credit enquiry. While legitimate enquiries generally can’t be removed before the reporting period ends, incorrect or unauthorised enquiries may be eligible for correction.
Understanding how credit enquiries work, how long they remain on your credit report, and when they can be disputed can help you protect your credit score and make more informed financial decisions.
What is a Credit Enquiry?
A credit enquiry is simply a record that shows when you or a third party has accessed your credit report. Think of it as leaving footprints. Every time a lender checks your credit history as part of a finance application, those footprints are recorded on your credit file.
This doesn’t automatically mean you’ve borrowed money. It simply shows that an application was made and a lender assessed your credit history as part of the process.
There are two main types of credit enquiries:
- Soft credit enquiry: This happens when your credit report is accessed for information rather than a lending decision. For example, if you request a copy of your own credit report or check your credit score online, that’s considered a soft enquiry. It doesn’t have any impact on your credit score. It’s simply a notification that your file has been accessed.
- Hard enquiry: This happens when you formally apply for credit and give a lender permission to assess your credit history. Every approved or declined application generally leaves a hard enquiry on your credit report. One enquiry isn’t usually a concern. What lenders pay closer attention to is a pattern of repeated applications over a short period. If someone applies for multiple credit cards, personal loans and Buy Now, Pay Later accounts within a few weeks, it can raise questions about their financial situation, even if they haven’t missed a repayment.
How Do Credit Enquiries Affect Your Credit Score?
A single enquiry is unlikely to make a significant difference to your credit score. The bigger concern is how often you’re applying for credit.
Imagine these two borrowers.
Sarah applies for a car loan after researching her options. She has one recent enquiry, pays all her bills on time and has managed her credit responsibly for years.
Jason applies for six personal loans over two weeks after being declined by the first lender. Each application creates another hard enquiry.
Who do you think a lender is likely to see as the higher risk?
It’s probably Jason, not because of one enquiry, but because multiple recent applications may suggest financial difficulty.
That’s why one of the best things you can do before applying for finance is to compare lenders carefully and only submit an application when you’re confident you meet the eligibility requirements.
How Long Do Credit Enquiries Stay on Your Credit Report?
Before looking at whether a credit enquiry can be removed, it’s helpful to understand how long it normally stays on your credit report. For most Australians, credit enquiries remain on their credit report for five years from the date they’re recorded.
That doesn’t necessarily mean lenders will place the same importance on a five-year-old enquiry as one made last month. In practice, recent enquiries tend to attract more attention because they provide a clearer picture of your current borrowing behaviour.
For example, if you’ve applied for four different personal loans over the past two weeks, a lender may wonder whether you’ve already been declined elsewhere or if you’re under financial pressure. On the other hand, an enquiry from four years ago is generally far less significant, especially if you’ve maintained a strong repayment history since then.
It’s also worth remembering that credit enquiries are only one part of your credit report. Australian lenders assess a range of information before deciding whether to approve your application.
Can you Remove Credit Enquiries from your Credit Report?
Usually, no, but there are important exceptions.
If you genuinely applied for a loan, credit card or another form of finance and authorised the lender to perform a credit check, the enquiry is considered legitimate. Under Australia’s credit reporting laws, it will generally remain on your credit report for five years, even if your application was declined.
However, if an enquiry appears on your credit report that you didn’t authorise or has been recorded incorrectly, you may be able to have it corrected or removed.
You may be able to request a correction if the enquiry resulted from:
- An enquiry you never authorised
- Identity theft or fraudulent activity
- Duplicate enquiries recorded by mistake
- An account that doesn’t belong to you
- A lender recorded incorrect personal information
One misconception is that paying a credit repair company to “wipe” your credit file can remove legitimate enquiries. Unfortunately, that’s simply not how Australia’s credit reporting system works.
If someone promises they can erase accurate credit enquiries before the reporting period expires, it’s worth approaching that claim with caution.
How to Dispute an Incorrect Credit Enquiry?
If you notice an enquiry you don’t recognise, don’t ignore it. It could be something as simple as an administrative error, or it could indicate that someone has attempted to apply for credit using your identity.
The sooner you investigate, the easier it usually is to resolve.
Step 1: Review your credit report carefully
Start by obtaining a recent copy of your credit report and reviewing every enquiry listed.
Ask yourself:
- Do I remember applying for this product?
- Does the lender look familiar?
- Is the application date correct?
- Are my personal details accurate?
It’s surprising how often people discover old addresses, duplicate accounts, or enquiries they simply don’t recognise.
Step 2: Contact the lender
Before lodging a formal dispute, contact the lender that performed the enquiry and ask about the details of the enquiry.
Sometimes the explanation is straightforward. For example, many finance applications include consent for a credit check within the terms and conditions, even if applicants don’t realise they’ve agreed to it.
In other cases, the lender may confirm the enquiry was recorded in error and arrange for it to be corrected.
Step 3: Lodge a correction request
If the enquiry is inaccurate or unauthorised, you can ask the relevant credit reporting body or credit provider to investigate. You may need to provide supporting documents, such as proof of identity or evidence that the enquiry wasn’t authorised.
You can contact Australia’s major credit reporting bodies directly:
- Equifax: 13 83 32
* Online correction requests - Experian: 1300 783 684
* Online correction request details
If the investigation confirms the information is incorrect, the enquiry can be amended or removed from your credit report.
If you’re unsure whether a credit enquiry is eligible for removal or need credit enquiry removal assistance, consider speaking with a credit repair provider. At Australian Credit Savers, we assess incorrect or unauthorised credit enquiries and help clients navigate the dispute process
Expert Tips Before Applying for Credit
If you’re planning to apply for finance in the near future, these simple habits can help protect your credit profile.
- Compare lenders before applying, rather than submitting multiple applications.
- Apply for one product at a time and understand why you were declined before trying again.
- Keep up with repayments, as repayment history often carries more weight than a single enquiry.
- Review your credit report regularly so you know exactly what lenders can see.
- Avoid applying for credit you don’t genuinely need, especially if you’re preparing for a home loan.
These steps won’t eliminate credit enquiries, but they can help ensure your credit report reflects responsible borrowing behaviour.
When Should you Seek Professional Help?
Not every credit enquiry is a problem and not every enquiry should be removed.
The challenge is knowing the difference.
If you’ve been declined for finance, noticed enquiries you don’t recognise, or simply aren’t sure what’s affecting your credit score, it may be worth having your credit report reviewed before submitting another application.
At Australian Credit Savers, a trusted credit repair company, we help Australians understand what’s really impacting their credit profile. Our experienced team reviews credit reports to identify inaccurate information and determine whether incorrect or unauthorised credit enquiries may be eligible for correction or removal under Australian credit reporting laws.
In addition to credit enquiry removal assistance, we also help clients with default removal, court judgment disputes, repayment history disputes, and debt settlement and negotiation where appropriate.
Need Help Removing Incorrect Credit Enquiries?
If you’re unsure where you stand, the first step is simple.
Book a free credit assessment with us. We’ll review your credit report, explain what’s affecting your credit profile and discuss whether there are any eligible listings that may be corrected.
You can also request our free credit repair guide, which explains how Australia’s credit reporting system works, common mistakes to avoid and practical steps you can take to build a stronger credit profile.
Whether you’re preparing for a home loan, refinancing, buying a car or simply want greater confidence in your financial future, Australian Credit Savers is here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. Talk to us now!