Australians correcting fraud-related or hardship-related credit report listings should see a more predictable process under new industry guidance released by Arca, the peak national association for credit reporting and consumer data.
The guidance is designed to help credit providers and credit reporting bodies apply Australia's Privacy (Credit Reporting) Code 2025 more uniformly when handling correction requests.
The guidance sets out a streamlined approach for correction requests involving fraudulent credit enquiries, encouraging organisations to draw on information they already hold rather than requiring consumers to resupply evidence for each request. This is intended to ease the burden on people correcting multiple fraudulent enquiries stemming from a single fraud event.
"The process of correcting a credit report should not create additional stress for someone who has already experienced fraud," said Richard McMahon (pictured), general manager, government & regulatory at Arca.
Separate guidance addresses requests arising from circumstances outside a person's control, such as domestic abuse, natural disasters, hospitalisation, incarceration, and banking errors.
Organisations are encouraged to assess each case individually and consider whether correcting the record, or backdating a hardship arrangement, is the more appropriate response.
"No two correction requests are the same, particularly where people have experienced significant life events outside their control," McMahon said. "These recommendations provide a practical framework that helps industry respond consistently while recognising each person's individual circumstances."
McMahon said the resources were developed to bring greater standardisation to how correction requests are handled across the industry.
"Correcting your credit information should be consistent and easy to navigate, regardless of which credit provider or credit reporting body a consumer contacts," he said.
He noted that consumers can already obtain a free copy of their credit report and request corrections where information is inaccurate or no longer reflects their circumstances fairly.
"These recommendations help ensure those requests are handled consistently across the credit reporting system," McMahon said.
For more information, read Circumstances beyond the individual’s control guidance and Fraudulent enquiry correction guidance.
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