Australiawide Finance & Leasing Pty Ltd ABN: 72 057 670 032, Australian Credit Licence Number: 508530 (called ‘Australiawide Finance’, ‘we’,

‘us’, ‘our’ in this document) provides you with this information guide which relates to our activities and those of our credit representatives.

A Credit Guide is designed to assist you in deciding whether to use our services and contains information about:

• • • Who we are
    • What services we provide
    • How we are remunerated for services provided to you, and
    • How complaints against us are dealt with

Who are we?

Australiawide Finance has been in business since 1992, we offer access to a wide variety of major banks, financiers and specialist lenders across Australia, through the provision of loans, acting as a broker.

What Credit Services are we authorised to provide?

We give you credit assistance when;

• • • We assist you to apply for a particular loan or credit contract
    • We suggest and or assist you to increase the credit limit on a particular credit contract
    • We suggest you remain in your current loan or credit contract

Our Services

Subject to meeting credit criteria we will help you to choose a loan or credit contract which is suitable for your purposes.

We currently have a broad panel of lenders whose suitability depends on the type of loan we are arranging for you.  Our current lenders in relation to cars, recreational vehicles, leisure craft or other loans are;

• • • Pepper Money
    • Macquarie Leasing
    • Australian Motorcycle & Marine Finance
    • Firstmac Limited
    • Latitude Financial Services
    • Automotive Financial Services

 Who is Responsible for the Credit Services Provided?

Australiawide Finance is responsible for the credit services provided including the distribution of this Credit Guide.

How we provide services to you

Under the NCCP Act before we can provide credit assistance to you we are obliged to ensure that any loan, lease or principal increase to a loan we arrange for you is not unsuitable for you.  To do this we need to verify and make reasonable inquiries regarding;

• • • Your requirements and objectives
    • Your financial situation

Credit will be unsuitable if at the time of the assessment we believe;

• • • You could not pay or only pay with substantial hardship
    • The credit will not meet your requirements and objectives.

We will need information from you

You should provide us with details of your personal requirements in relation to the credit contracts and details of your current financial situation.  To assist we will provide you with a Consumer Loan Application Information document and to verify your information we will also request copies of documents such as payslips, tax returns and bank statements.

Other Documents you may receive

In addition to this Credit Guide you may receive any or all of the following documents depending on the loan arranged:

• • • Privacy Consent Form
    • Consumer Loan Application Information form
    • Declaration of Financial Situation
    • Preliminary Assessment
    • Credit Proposal Disclosure Document

Can I request a copy of the Preliminary Credit Assessment?

If we provide you with credit assistance, you can request a copy of your assessment any time up to 7 years from the commencement of your credit contract and we will provide a copy to you (at no charge):

• • • Within 7 business days of receiving the request, if your request is made within 2 years of the credit assessment, or
    • Otherwise within 21 business days of receiving the request

How will I pay for the Credit Assistance services provided?

No fee is payable by you to Australiawide Finance when we provide you with credit assistance. (No fee is payable by you to Australiawide Finance in order for us to provide credit assistance)

If you wish to proceed we will provide you with a Credit Proposal document which outlines all the relevant loan information, fees payable and commissions received by us.

Commissions, Fees and other Benefits received by Australiawide Finance

We may receive commissions from the lenders and lessors who provide finance for you as our customers.  These are not fees payable by you.  You may obtain information from us about a reasonable estimate of those commissions and how the commission is worked out.

Some of our lenders pay a bonus commission which is calculated on the volume of business that we place with them.  Whilst this amount cannot be determined in advance, where we meet the relevant volume targets and any other relevant criteria, then we will receive additional commission.

Fees payable in relation to Credit Representatives

We may receive remuneration from our employer and or broker group and do not charge you any fees or charges in relation to acting as a credit representative.

Referral Fees

If a third party has introduced you or referred you to us, we may pay that person or organisation a commission or fee. Our referrals come from a range of sources, including Accountants, Financial Planners, Real Estate Agents or other people.

Further information about referral fees, including our reasonable estimate of the type and amount paid will be included in your Credit Proposal document.

Conflict of Interest

Australiawide Finance at all times acts in the best interest of the client, ahead of any interest it may hold itself.

What should I do if I have a complaint?

We are committed to providing our customers with the best possible service, however if at any time we have not met our obligations, or if you have a complaint about any of our services, please inform us so we can work towards a satisfactory resolution.  We will endeavour to deal with your complaint promptly, efficiently and fairly.

Complaints Process

If you have a complaint, we ask that you follow these steps;

In the first instance please contact your Credit Representative.  If your complaint has not been resolved to your satisfaction within 5 business days, please contact our Complaints Officer either by;

Telephone:           1300 367327

Email:                     admin@australiawidefinance.au

In Writing:             PO Box 974, Mt Waverley Vic 3149

We expect that we will be able to completely resolve any complaints that you may have, however if despite our best efforts you believe that your complaint has not been satisfactorily dealt with, or if you have not received a response from us within 45 days, you may wish to refer your complaint to our External Dispute Resolution Scheme.

You can contact the Australian Financial Complaints Authority at;

Telephone:           1800 931678

Website:                www.afca.org.au

Email:                     info@afca.org.au

Post:                       GPO Box 3, Melbourne Vic 3001

Compensation arrangements

Australiawide Finance has Professional Indemnity Insurance in place to cover us for the credit services that we provide.  We understand that it is adequate to meet our requirements as a credit licensee.  The policy includes coverage for claims made in relation to the conduct of representatives who no longer work for us (but did at the time of the relevant conduct).

Things you should know

We don’t provide legal or financial advice.  It is important you understand your legal obligations under the loan, and the financial consequences.  If you have any doubts you should obtain independent legal and financial advice before you enter any loan.

Credit Representatives

 A credit representative is a person who has been authorised by a credit licensee to engage in specific credit activities on behalf of the licensee, in this instance Australiawide Finance ACL # 508530.