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Cheap personal loans

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The short answer

A cheap personal loan is a small loan, from $500 to $2,000, chosen on its total cost — fees included — rather than on the headline rate alone. It suits borrowers who want the least expensive option they qualify for, with every charge visible before they commit. CashPal compares offers across its panel of lenders and sets out the fees and total repayable before you sign anything. Applicants need to be 18 or over, living in Australia, with a regular income and an active bank account.

Looking for loans with affordable rates?

Spending hours googling “cheap loans”, “cheapest personal loan rates” or “cheap interest loans”? Finding the best personal loan for your individual financial circumstances can be tricky and confusing. There are so many companies out there promising cheap personal loans — but who can you really trust?

At CashPal, we like to do things a little differently. Our team will review your loan application and do their best to find you a compatible lender. We won’t claim to approve every single loan application, however, we will guarantee you a fair and reasonable assessment.

CashPal partners with like-minded lenders who prefer to take a more realistic and down-to-earth approach to personal loans. When you apply with CashPal, what you see is what you get!

The CashPal mascot — cheap loans

What are cheap personal loans?

Have you been wondering what cheap loans actually are? Let us put it simply. A cheap personal loan is often defined by the amount of interest payable on a loan, or the cost of setting up the loan. At CashPal we do not claim to offer cheap loans, however, we will do our best to find you the best deal possible with one of our partnered lenders.

The best part about submitting an application with CashPal is that it is completely free. Applicants are not obliged to accept an offer from a lender if they do not wish to do so. It is important to remember that, if you are matched with a compatible lender, the terms and conditions as well as interest rates will be clearly outlined in your contract.

We encourage all applicants to thoroughly read through their agreement before accepting, and to contact their lender with any questions they might have.

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CashPal: who are we?

CashPal is the trusted name in online lending. We don’t think finding a personal loan should be difficult — that’s why we take the stress out of the whole process. Our team believes in honesty and transparency. What does that mean? Well, if we can’t find you a compatible lender we will let you know. At CashPal, we don’t want to waste your time, and we won’t mess around.

If we are able to find you a match we’ll get in touch as soon as possible — we do our best to get back to you with an outcome in 60 minutes. When you submit an application with CashPal you can rest easy knowing you’re in safe hands. We only partner with reputable lenders who are transparent regarding their interest rates, terms and conditions.

We encourage all successful applicants to make themselves aware of any possible fees or charges that could incur from late or failed payment before signing their contract. CashPal is here to help — so if you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team!

CashPal makes it easy to find cheap loans online

No one wants to spend more than they have to on a personal loan. So, why is CashPal the best choice when it comes to a reasonably priced personal loan?

We submit your application to multiple lenders

When you apply for a personal loan with CashPal we submit your application to a variety of different lenders. When we receive your application, we contact our lending partners to see if we can find you a match — often, this means you get the best deal possible. CashPal takes the hard work out of the entire process: you won’t have to submit multiple applications to multiple lenders to find the best deal, we’ll do it for you!

100% online application

We love convenience and we think you will too! When you apply with CashPal you won’t even have to leave the comfort of your own home. Our application form is 100% online, so you won’t even have to leave the couch — it could only take you a few minutes. Our team will do their best to get back to you with an outcome in 60 minutes. So if you’re looking to find the cheapest personal loan interest rate, CashPal could be the lender you’ve been searching for.

What you see is what you get!

At CashPal, we are proud to partner with like-minded lenders who prioritise honesty and transparency. We know it can be confusing to sift through pages and pages of Google searches looking for a reliable online lender. So don’t spend hours googling ‘cheapest personal loan interest rate’, ‘cheap loans for pensioners’, ‘cheap cash loans’ or ‘cheap small loans’ — let CashPal do their best to find you a reliable lender.

Who can apply?

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Our partner lenders only require the basics to review your application — you could even have an outcome in 60 minutes.

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Confirm all the above to check your eligibility

Documentation

Have you been wondering what documentation our partner lenders might ask you to provide? The good news is they will probably only ask you to submit the basics. Here’s what you’ll need to be able to show your lender.

  • Online banking details

  • An active email address and mobile number

  • The reason you are applying for the loan

  • Your MyGov details (if you are receiving Centrelink payments)

  • Employer and contact details

Online banking details

Are you wondering why CashPal’s partnered lenders might ask you to provide your online banking details? There’s no reason to freak out – your lender will never look at your real bank account! Online banking details are usually used as a way of obtaining read-only copies of bank statements. Bank statements allow a lender to get a more realistic idea of your spending habits, income and pre-existing financial commitments.

If you’re worried about security there is no need to be! Our partner lenders use the latest in safe banking technology to ensure your information is always encrypted – that means no one will ever be able to see your passwords or personal information. If you’ve got questions we’re here to answer them, all you need to do is get in touch with the CashPal team!

Employment checks

‘Will a possible lender conduct an employment check?’ When you apply for a personal loan with CashPal we can’t say for sure whether your lender will conduct an employment check, however, in most cases they will. An employment check is a normal part of a loan assessment process – so, there is nothing to be concerned about.

CashPal only partners with responsible and reliable lenders. That means they will always be professional and courteous when conducting an employment check. Your privacy and security is a top priority, that means no personal or private information will ever be disclosed to your employer (including the reason why you are applying for a personal loan).

What if I’m receiving Centrelink?

If you’re receiving Centrelink or Government benefits then you are still able to apply for a personal loan, however, approval can never be guaranteed. When you submit an application with CashPal it is important you include your MyGov details so that our team can attempt to find you a compatible lender. Most of the time, our partner lenders will need to take a look at what percentage of your income is derived from Centrelink.

Due to the fact that every financial situation is different, unfortunately, we can not provide you with a straight ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. So, if you’ve been googling ‘cheap loans on benefits’ the CashPal team encourages Centrelink recipients to still submit an application – we will do our best to match you with a compatible lender.

Credit score checks

Are you wondering whether or not a possible lender will check your credit score? Every lender is different, however, most will conduct a credit score check when you apply for a personal loan. CashPal is proud to partner with responsible lenders. What is responsible lending? Basically, responsible lending means we do the right thing by our applicants. Responsible online lenders will conduct credit score checks in order to ensure a personal loan is viable in each applicant’s current financial situation.

At CashPal, our lending partners want to promote financial health and wellbeing, we do not want to get you into debt! That being said, our lenders will look at factors like employment status, bank statements and income in order to get a better grasp of your financial situation. Basically, our lenders want to know whether or not you will be able to comfortably pay off the loan – that is the most important part!

Cheap loans for bad credit

Have you got a poor credit score? Worried that a bad credit rating might stand in the way of a personal loan? When you apply with CashPal there is no need to be. If you’ve been searching Google for ‘cheap loans no credit checks’ or ‘cheap loans online bad credit’, then you might have come to the right place. As stated, CashPal does not claim to provide cheap loans — however, we will do our best to match you with a lender who can provide the best possible deal.

At CashPal, we look at poor credit a little differently. Our team doesn’t think this should be the only thing standing between you and approval on a personal loan. We will do our best to match you with a lender that looks at more than just your credit score, to provide a fair and reasonable rate.

How do I apply?

An application is super simple and could only take you a few minutes to complete. Here’s how you do it.

  1. 1

    Submit your online application

    100% online. Complete your application in minutes and receive a fast assessment from our team.

  2. 2

    We assess your application

    We’ll review your details, verify your information, and determine whether we can offer you a loan.

  3. 3

    Review and sign your contract

    If approved, we’ll send you your loan contract electronically for you to review and sign.

  4. 4

    Funds sent fast

    Once your contract is signed and final checks are complete, we’ll transfer your funds directly to your bank account, often within 1 hour.

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No impact to your credit score

Cheap loan FAQs

What actually makes one small loan cheaper than another?+

The total you repay, not the advertised rate. On a small amount credit contract there is no interest — the cost is a capped establishment fee plus a capped monthly fee. Comparing the total repayable over the same term is the only reliable way to judge which is cheaper.

Does a shorter term make the loan cheaper?+

Usually yes. The monthly fee is charged for each month the loan runs, so a shorter term means fewer monthly fees and a lower total cost — provided the larger repayments still fit your budget comfortably.

Is there a penalty for paying the loan out early?+

No. There is no early repayment fee. Clearing the balance early stops further monthly fees, which reduces what you pay overall.

Is a cheap loan the cheapest way to cover a shortfall?+

Not always. A No Interest Loan, a Centrelink advance payment or a hardship arrangement with the provider you owe can cost nothing at all. We would rather you check those first — our before-you-apply section lists them.

Before you apply — risks, reasons for decline, and alternatives

A small loan solves a short-term gap; it is not free money, and it is not right for every situation. Worth asking yourself first:

  • Do I actually need this? A short-term loan suits an essential or unexpected cost, not discretionary spending.
  • Can I afford the repayments? Check them against your real income and expenses, not your best month.
  • Am I borrowing the right amount? Fees are charged on the amount borrowed, so a smaller loan costs less.
  • Would another option cost less? If one of the alternatives below fits, use it first.

Why applications get declined. We are required to lend only where repayments are affordable, so an application is most often unsuccessful because:

  • The repayments would not be affordable alongside your current commitments
  • Income cannot be verified, or is not regular enough to assess
  • Recent defaults, an active hardship arrangement, or several short-term loans already running
  • Frequent dishonours or overdrawn balances in recent banking history
  • Application details do not match the supporting information provided
  • The basic criteria are not met — under 18, or not an Australian resident

A decline is not permanent. It usually reflects the last few months of banking history, so applying again after that settles often gives a different outcome.

Alternatives worth trying first. Depending on your situation, one of these may cost you nothing:

  • No Interest Loans (NILs) — up to $2,000 for essentials with no interest and no fees, for people on a low income or with a concession card. Call 13 64 57 or visit nils.com.au.
  • Centrelink advance payment — if you receive eligible payments, you may be able to draw part of it early, repaid from future payments at no cost. Call 13 17 94 or visit servicesaustralia.gov.au.
  • Your provider’s hardship program — energy, water, telco and council bills can usually be put on a payment plan, often with the debt paused, simply by asking.
  • Free financial counselling — the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 is free, independent and confidential, and can negotiate with creditors on your behalf.
  • Impartial guidance — ASIC’s MoneySmart compares options and explains what each really costs.

What a CashPal loan costs

Fees on small loans are capped by Australian law. CashPal cannot charge more than these caps, and a small amount credit contract carries no interest beyond them.

Establishment fee ($500–$2,000)Up to 20% of the amount borrowed
Monthly feeUp to 4% per month
Establishment fee ($2,001–$5,000)Up to $400
Interest on larger loansUp to 48% p.a.
Early repayment feeNil

These are the maximum regulated caps, not a quote. The fees that apply to you are itemised in your contract before you sign, and you are under no obligation to accept an offer.

Source: the National Credit Code, Schedule 1 to the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (s 31A for small amount contracts, s 32A for medium amount contracts).

Representative example

Borrowing $1,000 over 6 months

Amount borrowed$1,000
Establishment fee (20%)$200
Monthly fee (4% × 6)$240
Total repayable$1,440
weekly
$55.38
fortnightly
$110.77
monthly
$240.00

How this is worked out

The establishment fee is 20% of the amount borrowed, charged once. The monthly fee is 4% of the amount borrowed, charged for each month of the term. Total repayable = amount borrowed + establishment fee + monthly fees.

Assumes the maximum regulated fees, every repayment made on time, no default or dishonour fees, and the loan running its full term. Repaying early costs less — there is no early repayment fee, and you stop paying monthly fees once the loan is closed. Your own figures are set out in your contract. For independent guidance, see MoneySmart.

Your rights and protections as a borrower

CashPal is a trading name of Simple Finance Group Pty Ltd (ABN 70 626 186 418), holder of Australian Credit Licence 509422, and operates as a lender and referral service under Australian credit law. Here’s what that means for you:

Responsible lending obligations — We are required to make reasonable inquiries about your requirements, objectives and financial situation before offering credit. We will not approve a loan we believe is unsuitable or unaffordable for you. These duties come from the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 and ASIC’s responsible lending guidance.

Full cost disclosure — You will see the total amount repayable, every fee and each repayment date before you sign your contract. You are under no obligation to accept an offer.

Hardship support — If your circumstances change after taking out a loan, contact us as early as possible; hardship support may be available under the National Credit Code. Free, independent financial counselling is also available through the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.

Complaints and dispute resolution — Raise a complaint with our complaints officer at hello@cashpal.com.au and you will receive a final response within 21 days. If you are not satisfied, you can take it to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) on 1800 931 678 or at afca.org.au at no cost to you. See our dispute resolution policy.

Regulatory oversight — CashPal is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). You can verify our credit licence on the ASIC registers. For privacy matters, contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

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Stop googling, start applying

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