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Information used in matching
The quality of a match depends on accurate application information and current lender criteria. BaseRate uses information relevant to the borrower, asset and proposed finance structure.
- Applicant type, identity, age and residency.
- Employment, income, living costs, liabilities, dependants and total exposure.
- Credit-report information obtained with consent and relevant credit conduct.
- Vehicle or asset details, value, condition, age, seller and intended use.
- Amount, term, deposit or equity, balloon, purpose and repayment preference.
- Current lender policy, rate information and BaseRate product access.
Eligibility screening
Each accessible lender is checked against the proposed application. Rules can include loan limits, applicant and residency requirements, credit profile, evidence requirements, exposure limits, asset type, vehicle age at the end of the term and exclusions for particular transactions.
A lender that does not fit is not included as an available option. Where a rule cannot be assessed safely from the information available, the application may require clarification or review rather than an assumed pass.
Ordering eligible options
When BaseRate has enough completed lender decisions for comparable applications, the system can use that history to help order eligible lenders by likely automated-approval fit. It uses broad profile bands rather than a salesperson’s judgement: credit profile, requested amount, term, consumer or commercial use and new or used asset condition.
If there is not enough reliable outcome history, the system orders options by policy fit. Indicative comparison rate is then used to separate equally strong policy matches where the price difference is meaningful.
If policy fit is equal and indicative comparison rates are materially similar, a fixed panel order breaks the tie. This makes the result repeatable, but it also means the first option is not guaranteed to be the absolute cheapest.
Commission, advice and customer choice
Financier commission is not an input to the matching score. If an introduced loan settles, the financier pays BaseRate a commission and BaseRate discloses the expected gross amount before the customer enters the credit contract.
Matching is not personal financial advice. Customers should compare the interest rate, comparison rate, fees, total repayments, balloon, conditions and contract terms before choosing whether to proceed.
What happens after a match
BaseRate presents the eligible options available from its panel based on the information and criteria it has. The customer chooses whether to continue.
The selected financier then verifies the application and applies its full credit policy. It determines the actual rate, fees, conditions, approval and settlement requirements. If information changes, the match and available options can also change.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Does matching guarantee lender approval?+
No. Matching can identify policy fit, but the lender makes the credit decision after assessment and verification.
Is the cheapest option always ranked first?+
No. Options must first be eligible. Lender decision history, policy fit, indicative comparison rate and a consistent tie-break can all affect ordering. Review the complete option rather than relying on position alone.
Does BaseRate include every Australian lender?+
No. Matching is limited to the lenders and products BaseRate can access under its panel arrangements. Availability also depends on lender policy, the asset and the customer’s circumstances.
Primary sources
Check the rules and regulator guidance
- ASIC — responsible lending
ASIC guidance on consumer-credit assessment and credit assistance.
- OAIC — privacy and commercially available AI products
Guidance on transparency, explanations, accuracy and human accountability for AI-assisted processes.
Reviewed by Scott Iriks, Founder of BaseRate · Last reviewed 11 August 2026.
General information only. A financier determines actual eligibility, rates, fees, terms and approval after assessment.