• Proof of Australian residency (utility bill) and regular income
• Driver’s license or other identification (over 18 years of age)
• A read-only 90-day bank statement (via online bank verification)
• Credit check
• Repayment affordability can be established
• No direct debit dishonour transactions in bank statements

Credit history

A history of responsible borrowing shows that you’ve paid your bills on time and haven’t maxed out any credit cards.

Credit score

A good credit score is a strong indicator of your creditworthiness and could mean that you are eligible for loans with lower interest rates than another applicant with a less favourable credit score.

If you have a low debt-to-income ratio (DTI) this is the best position to be in for getting approved for a loan. A great debt-to-income ratio is 3.6 (36%) or less.

The higher your debt-to-income ratio, the less likely you are to be approved. That’s because you will be making repayments on your existing debt, and have less available funds to comfortably make repayments on a new loan. A debt-to-income ratio of 6.0 (60%) or higher is considered risky for lenders.

How to calculate your debt-to-income ratio 

Debt-to-income ratio = Total debt divided by total annual gross income

This can be expressed as a number or a percentage.

Resource:

Debt-to-income ratio calculator

The amount you’re borrowing and what you’ll be using it for can also affect your approval odds.

Generally, smaller loans for specific purposes (like a car repair) are easier to get approved for than large loans with a vague purpose.

Some loans, especially larger loans such as home renovation loans or car loans, require collateral. This is an asset the lender can seize if you default on the loan.

Having collateral can improve your chances of getting approved, especially if your credit score isn’t perfect. In some cases it can also qualify you for lower loan rates.

If you have stable full time employemt with income that would allow you to comfortably repay a loan, this makes you most likely to be approved for a loan.

It is still possible to be approved for a loan with part-time employment if your regular expenses are lower and affordability can be established.

Other forms of supplementary income are also considered such as government benefits.

Your total income amount, your employment history, and any other sources of income will be taken into consideration when making an approval decision on a loan application.

Understanding your individual circumstances

At Cash Today, we understand that unexpected expenses can arise. While we’re here to help you access the cash you need quickly, we’re committed to responsible lending practices.  This means we take the time to assess your individual circumstances before offering a loan. 

Prioritising your financial well-being

We prioritise your financial well-being and want to ensure you can comfortably manage repayments. We also offer clear and transparent loan terms so you understand the full cost upfront. If alternative solutions like payment extensions or budgeting tools can better address your situation, we’ll be happy to point you in those directions.

Lower rates reward good track records

If you can demonstrate a strong financial track record you are more likely to get approved for personal loans and qualify for lower loan rates. If your income compared to your ongoing expenses shows that you have the ability to comfortably afford higher loan repayments you may be able to get approved for higher loan amounts. 

Preventing financial stress 

In the event that your financial history reflects more unstable income, a poor credit rating, or a high debt-to-income ratio, your application may be declined if it is determined that repaying the loan would not be affordable and result in further financial hardship for you. 

You may only be approved for smaller loan amounts with lower repayments, and you may not qualify for lower rate loans and need to carefully decide whether you are willing and able to accept paying higher rates for the loan.

Protecting your future 

It’s important to note that even if you can comfortably afford repayments, your application might not be approved. This is because we assess your financial history to ensure responsible lending. We want to avoid situations where the loan could negatively impact your long-term financial health. This includes missed payments that could damage your credit score and make it harder to access future loans.

If you display one or more of the following loan disqualifying conditions you are not currently eligible for a Cash Today loan. 

• Opened a personal loan in the last 90 days
• Already has two or more payday loans under $2000
• Bank statements in the last 90 days display transactions for online gambling
• Bank statements show payments made to collection companies, payment arrears, or dishonours in the last 90 days
• Bank statements show wage advances such as Wagetap, Wagepay, MyPayFast, Beforepay, in the last 90 days
• Bankruptcy

You should consider seeking alternative options for financial assistance, or delay applying until your 90 day financial history reflects that you are eligible to apply as well as able to comfortably afford repayments.