Sections1–6New South Wales

Sydney Loans · General information

Small loans in NSW, and the rules that ride with them

Sydney Loans is a guide to the smaller loans people in New South Wales come across, written and published by Dotto. Each ticket covers one kind of loan: where it comes from, what it can cost, and what the law or the scheme’s own rules say about it.

Six tickets

Each one is a page of its own, built from the official sources listed at its foot. Figures that change are given as at October 2026.

  • Ticket01

    Rentstart bond loans

    Homes NSW can lend some or all of the bond on a private rental, with no interest, so only the amount borrowed is repaid.

  • Ticket02

    Pawnbroking in NSW

    In NSW a pawnbroker must offer a loan of at least 3 months, and the pawn ticket must list every charge.

  • Ticket03

    Small amount loans

    Loans of $2,000 or less over 16 days to a year, where the law caps the establishment fee at 20% and the monthly fee at 4%.

  • Ticket04

    No Interest Loans

    Up to $2,000 for an essential item or service, paid straight to the supplier, with no interest, fees or charges.

  • Ticket05

    Centrelink advance payments

    Part of a Centrelink payment paid early, then repaid out of the next 13 fortnightly payments.

  • Ticket06

    Guaranteeing a loan for family

    Promising to pay a family member’s loan if they cannot, and the rights the National Credit Code gives a guarantor.

Where to check

This guide is general information, not financial or legal advice. These are the official places each ticket points to.

  • A loan from a bank or other lender. Legal Aid NSW suggests speaking to a free financial counsellor or getting legal advice when repayments become a problem, and says a loan that seems unsuitable can be taken to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority.
  • A pawnbroker. NSW Fair Trading takes complaints about pawnbrokers online or by post.
  • A Rentstart bond loan. The Housing Response Centre answers questions on 1800 422 322, Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm.
  • A Centrelink advance. Services Australia says a decision you think is wrong can be reviewed on request.
  • A No Interest Loan. The No Interest Loans website lists the scheme’s community providers and its rules.