StepUP Loans
StepUP Loans are a not-for-profit loan developed by NAB and Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service. These personal, unsecured loans are between $800 and $3000 for individuals and families living on a low income and are offered at a basic interest rate of 3.99%p.a.
The loans provide affordable credit for the purchase of essential personal, household and domestic goods and services (eg. refrigerators, washing machines, medical expenses, cars and car repairs, computers).
Recipients are 'mentored' by a microfinance worker throughout the loan process and repayment period.
Money magazine's Best of the Best Awards 2009 judged NAB's StepUP Loans the best product in the ‘low income: customer focus’ category for the third year in a row.
- Am I eligible for a StepUP Loan?
- How much can I borrow?
- How much will I pay?
- What if I have a poor credit history or some bad debts?
- What can I borrow money for?
- Where are these loans offered?
- Do I have to come into the branch?
- Do I have to be an existing NAB customer?
- Are the loans offered through a NAB branch?
- What are my next steps?
- What will a microcredit worker ask me?
- What documentation do I need to provide to show that I am eligible for a StepUP loan?
Am I eligible for a StepUP Loan?
StepUP Loans are available for individuals or families. You need to be able to attend a face to face interview at one of the listed locations below.
The individual or family must also:
- hold a current Centrelink Healthcare Card or Pension Card or are eligible to receive Family Tax Benefit Part A;
- have lived at their current address for more than three months.
The program is designed to support people who have difficulty accessing credit from a bank. If you already have existing bank credit, you may not be eligible.
You may still be eligible for a StepUP Loan if you:
- have a poor credit history;
- hold an existing loan or mortgage but are currently unable to access normal bank loans because of a change in circumstance;
- are over 70 years of age.
How much can I borrow?
The maximum value of a StepUP Loan is $3000 and the minimum value of a loan is $800.
- The loans come with a fixed interest rate of 3.99% p.a for the period of the loan.
- Loans may be taken out for six months to three years.
- There are no fees.
- Loan repayments can be made weekly, fortnightly or monthly.
How much will I pay?
This will depend on:
- how much you borrow;
- how often you pay a loan instalment (eg. weekly, fortnightly or monthly);
- the term of the loan - which will be between six months and three years.
The following table will give you a guide as to what you would pay every fortnight if you elected to make fortnightly payments with a 3.99% p.a. interest rate
| Loan Term | Loan Amount | ||
| $1000 | $2000 | $3000 | |
| 2 Years | $20.02 every fortnight | $40.05 every fortnight | $60.07 every fortnight |
| 3 Tears | $13.61 every fortnight | $27.23 every fortnight | $40.84 every fortnight |
This table shows what you will pay in total. This is the loan amount plus all interest over the life of the loan with a 3.99% p.a. interest rate.
| Loan Term | Loan Amount | ||
| $1000 | $2000 | $3000 | |
| 2 Years | $1041 over two years | $2083 over two years | $3124 over two years |
| 3 Tears | $1062 over three years | $2124 over three years | $3186 over three years |
What if I have a poor credit history or some bad debts?
You may still qualify for a StepUP Loan, so please contact a microfinance worker at an eligible location near you to discuss your circumstances.
The amount of an outstanding debt will need to be less than $500 and you will have to arrange to repay the outstanding debt. The microfinance worker at your location will be able to help you identify any debt that may sit with an external credit checking agency and they will also be able to provide advice on how to repay outstanding debt.
What can I borrow money for?
StepUP Loans can be used for:
- essential household items such as whitegoods and furniture
- house maintenance and repairs;
- medical and dental expenses;
- second hand cars (plus on-costs including registration, stamp duty, roadworthy certificate for the first year);
- car repairs;
- computers; and
- vocational educational costs.
This loan list is not exhaustive. Loans are not limited to one item.
StepUP Loans are NOT for
- consolidation of any debt;
- Second hand furniture or second hand household items
- fines (including drink driving or rehabilitation training);
- Christmas expenses;
- Everyday household items, such as DVD’s, gaming consoles
- bills;
- holidays; or
- cash.
Where are these loans offered?
You must be able to attend a face to face interview with one of our Microfinance Community Workers at any one of the locations listed below. For more information on StepUP, please contact the location nearest to you:
Victoria |
|
|---|---|
| Bendigo | (03) 5441 5277 |
| Collingwood | (03) 8412 7317 |
| Dandenong | (03) 9791 8344 |
| Epping | (03) 8401 0100 |
| Geelong | (03) 5222 3013 |
| Horsham | (03) 5362 3203 |
| Morwell | (03) 5135 9539 |
| Wodonga/Wangaratta | (02) 6055 8000 |
New South Wales |
|
| Western Sydney (Mt Druitt) | (02) 8805 0994 |
| Bathurst/Cowra/Orange | (02) 6332 4866 |
| Dubbo | (02) 6884 9306 |
| Liverpool | (02) 9821 1014 |
| Lismore | (02) 6621 7397 |
| Lithgow | (02) 6352 2077 |
| Newcastle | (02) 4925 2717 |
| Warilla | (02) 4298 7206 |
| Marrickville | (02) 8571 7814 |
South Australia |
|
| Adelaide | (08) 8202 5180 |
| Bowden | (08) 8245 7100 |
| Gawler | (08) 8522 4522 |
| Port Pirie | (08) 8633 8601 |
Western Australia |
|
| Albany | 0437 110 899 |
| Perth | (08) 9354 7611 |
Northern Territory |
|
| Alice Springs | (08) 8951 8012 |
| Darwin | (08) 8985 0000 |
Tasmania |
|
| Statewide Service | 1300 301 650 |
Queensland |
|
| Cairns | (07) 4080 7400 |
| Logan East | (07) 3808 4529 |
| Inala/Ipswich | (07) 3716 1206. |
| Gold Coast | (07) 5514 5306 |
Do I have to come into the branch?
Your first appointment will be with a microfinance worker at one of the above locations. The purpose of this meeting is to:
- talk about your monthly expenditure and determine whether a StepUP Loan is right for you;
- complete a loan application form.
The loan application will take about five working days to assess by NAB. Documents for an approved loan will be sent to a NAB branch of your choice.
Do I have to be an existing NAB customer?
No. However if you accept a StepUP Loan and you are not a NAB customer you will need to complete your 100 point identity check as required by AUSTRAC. Acceptable ID includes:
- Birth certificate, passport or citizenship certificate (70 points each)
- Driver's licence, social security card or proof of age card (70 points each)
- Medicare card (30 points)
Are the loans offered through a NAB branch?
No. You first need to contact a Microfinance worker at one of the loan locations.
What are my next steps?
If you meet the eligibility criteria and you are near one of the loan locations, contact a Microfinance worker to discuss your situation.
If you are making a joint loan application, both parties will need to attend the interview with the Microfinance worker.
If you are unsure if you meet the eligibility criteria, or you are unsure if you can afford a loan, your first point of contact should be a Microfinance worker at one of the loan locations.
What will a Microcredit worker ask me?
When you call a Microfinance worker they are likely to ask you:
- what you would like the loan for;
- what type of income you receive;
- details of your housing arrangements (eg. rent/own/with dependents).
- Whether or not all your utility bills are paid up to date
An appointment will be made to come in and see the Microfinance worker
What documentation do I need to provide to show that I am eligible for a StepUP loan?
At the appointment you will need to provide the following documents
- Health Care Card or Pension Card
- Centrelink Income Statement. This must be less than two weeks old
- Bank account statements for the last 3 months
- Your most recent last 2 payslips if you are working
- Documents that show your length of stay at your current accommodation (eg. a lease).
- Recent rent reciepts to demonstrate that your rent is up to date
- Your recent bills, eg. telephone, gas and electricity and evidence that they are up to date
- Statements from any other loans, credit cards, store cards or any other finance you may have.
