What’s a debt consolidation loan?

A debt consolidation loan is a way to combine all your debts - credit card, personal loans, store card etc. - into one loan so you'll be making repayments in the one place.

It means that you can take a breath and take back some control. It also means no multiple annual fees, and one regular repayment, with one interest rate.

Interested to know what it could look like for you? Check out our debt consolidation calculator. It’s a fantastic tool that’ll show you how much your minimum repayments – and monthly interest – can change.

Benefits of debt consolidation

Having one debt consolidation loan usually outweighs the benefits of having a heap of little debts.

  • One loan's much easier to manage than multiple loans or cards across multiple providers – just one recurring repayment, with a single interest rate.
  • One loan means setting up a repayment plan is easy. You’ll have greater control of your budget, and you’ll have a better idea of when you’ll be debt free.
  • Having one, easy-to-manage debt is a good way to improve your credit rating.
  • It can save you money, either by having less interest or fewer fees to pay (or both).

Things to consider

While there are several benefits to consolidating your debt, there’s a few things that you should keep in mind.

  • If you switch to a loan with a longer term, even if the interest rate is lower, you may end up paying more in interest and fees.
  • Paying off your debt quickly is important but having a budget you can manage and stick to is as well.
  • Consider having your repayments due right after your pay day to help manage your budget and give you peace of mind.

How do I consolidate my debts?

While it’s a straightforward process, you should do some homework before you apply.

  1. Note down the amount owed, current repayment, and repayment frequency of each debt.
  2. Use our debt consolidation calculator to see how much your new loan repayment may change for different loan terms and repayment periods.
  3. Consider taking out a new personal loan with NAB to combine the debt you currently have with NAB or other providers.
  4. Once you’ve consolidated your debts, this is the time to review your finances and get on top of them.

Want to apply for a personal loan?

Learn about our personal loans for debt consolidation and apply today.

Terms and Conditions

The information contained in this article is intended to be of a general nature only. It has been prepared without taking into account any person’s objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this information, NAB recommends that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances. NAB recommends that you seek independent legal, financial and taxation advice before acting on any information in this article.

Target Market Determinations for these products are available at nab.com.au/TMD.