How much does a $40,000 personal loan cost?Â
The total cost of a $40,000 personal loan will vary based on the specific loan's interest rate, fees, term, and whether you make repayments weekly, fortnightly, or monthly.Â
To get a clearer picture of how much a $40,000 personal loan could cost overall, you can use Canstar’s personal loan calculator. Simply enter how much you want to borrow (like $40,000), your ideal loan term, and interest rate to see how your repayments might look.Â
Why does the term of a $40,000 loan matter?
The length of your loan term can make a big difference to its overall cost. For a loan of $40,000, a longer term could mean thousands more in interest, as interest accrues regularly based on the outstanding debt at a given time. To put the cost in perspective, we considered how the monthly repayments on a personal loan of this size might, paid off over three years versus five years (assuming an interest rate of 12%):
- $40,000 paid off over three year: Your monthly repayment would be around $1,329, and would pay approximately $7,829 in interest.
- $40,000 paid off over five years: Your monthly repayment would be around $890, but you’d pay approximately $13,387 in interest.  Â
As you can see from this example, paying off a loan over a longer term can mean less pain on your budget each month, but a much greater whack of interest overall.Â
On the other hand, paying off a loan over a shorter span of time can mean much higher repayments month-to-month, but a lot less spent on interest. Â
What are the fees on a $40,000 loan?
When calculating your repayments on a personal loan, you’ll need to factor in fees as well as the principal and interest. These can include:Â
- Establishment or application fees: Some providers charge these to set up a personal loan.Â
- Ongoing fees: Some providers charge an ongoing monthly fee or service fee. If you have a longer loan term, these can add to the cost of the loan significantly.
- Late payment fees: If you don’t make your repayments on time, you may be hit with a late fee.
- Early repayment fees: Some lenders charge a fee if you repay your loan early, often to make up for lost interest.Â
When comparing loans, it’s important to look at the comparison rate. This figure combines the cost of interest with standard fees and charges, to give you an idea of the true annual cost of a loan, and lenders are legally required to display it alongside their interest rates.Â
The comparison rate only includes certain predictable costs, like application and ongoing fees, and does not take late fees or other nonstandard fees into account.Â
Therefore, it’s always worth looking closely at a personal loan’s terms and conditions before you apply, so you can be confident you can cover the cost of fees if necessary. Â
How can I use a $40,000 personal loan?Â
A $40,000 personal loan could be used for various purposes, including:Â
- Buying a car
- Undertaking home renovations
- Covering medical costs
- Paying for a wedding or holiday
- Consolidating smaller debts
Keep in mind that when you apply for a personal loan, lenders will typically ask you to specify your purpose. This could affect your application’s chance of approval, as some lenders may be more willing to lend money for certain purposes than others.
Am I eligible for a $40,000 personal loan?
When applying for a personal loan, you’ll need to show the lender you’re trustworthy as a borrower, and you have the ability to make your repayments.Â
To apply for a personal loan, you’ll typically need to:
- Be aged over 18
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Have a jobÂ
- Have an acceptable credit score
Generally speaking, the higher your credit score, the more attractive you will be as a customer. Lenders therefore commonly offer their lowest interest rates to customers with the highest credit scores.
If you have other sources of debt, such as car or home loan or another personal loan, this may make you riskier in the eyes of a lender and make it harder for you to get loan approval.
How do I compare $40,000 personal loans?
You can compare a wide range of personal loans from our Online Partners by using the comparison tool at the top of this page. Alternatively, you can answer some quick questions and let us help you find some options that you might be eligible for.Â
When comparing personal loans, some key factors to look at include:
- The interest rate and comparison rate
- Whether the rate is fixed or variableÂ
- Whether the loan is secured or unsecured (a secured personal loan is one with an asset used as collateral)
- The fees and chargesÂ
- The loan termÂ
- Whether the loan can be used for your desired purposeÂ
- Whether the loan allows you to make additional repayments, for free or for a fee






































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