Written by , updated on June 30th, 2023
Fact checked
At Savvy, we are committed to providing accurate information. Our content undergoes a rigorous process of fact-checking before it is published.
Learn more
about our editorial policy.
Fact checked
Beginning an apprenticeship is an exciting time, and there are many aspects to consider before starting out on your journey, particularly when it comes to finances. One thing you know for sure is that you’ll need a car to get to work – but how are you supposed to pay for one, when apprenticeship rates are notoriously low to begin with? That’s where apprenticeship car loans come in.
Simply put, an apprentice loan is a loan offered by a lender to an apprentice, whereby the lender understands that as an apprentice, you’re likely to find it difficult to meet the minimum income requirements to qualify for a loan with other lenders. It recognises that when undertaking an apprenticeship, you’ll be better placed financially in the long term, giving the lender a sense of security in your overall ability to repay the loan despite your current level of income. Additionally, lenders who offer apprentice loans understand that as an apprentice, your expenses tend to be lower, making you less likely to spend beyond your means and reducing your riskiness as a borrower.
If you’re starting an apprenticeship, chances are you’ll be on very limited income, and it might become difficult for you to afford to purchase any big ticket items. So if you’re in the market for a car, or you need a vehicle to transport you to and from work, taking out an apprentice loan can ease the financial burden tremendously, meaning you can make your purchase without having to worry about putting food on the table while you complete your apprenticeship.
Additionally, if you’re starting an apprenticeship straight out of school, you might not have had a chance to build up any credit history, and getting an apprentice loan is the perfect way to get your foot in the door and establish a credit score, which will come in very handy if you need to apply for other loans or lines of credit in the future.
Loans aren’t one-size-fits-all, so the best way to find an apprentice loan that suits your needs is by identifying what you require, and then comparing different options to see how they stack up. You can start by using an online car loan calculator to estimate the monthly repayments you’ll be able to afford, and from there you’ll be able to determine how much you’d be looking to borrow.
You’ll also want to look into which lenders offer financing arrangements for apprentices, otherwise you may find that the loans you’re looking at when shopping around won’t actually be suitable for you. Engaging the services of a broker can help here, as they’ll be familiar with the market and can recommend the best apprentice loan providers for your situation.
Additionally, Interest rates can make a big difference to the financial impact of taking out a loan, and naturally, a higher interest rate will see you paying more over time for the same amount. For instance, if you decide to borrow $15,000 for a car during your apprenticeship, and choose a loan with a 5.5% interest rate over a five year term, you’ll end up paying a total of $2,191 in interest over the life of the loan. Hike that figure up to 7.5%, and you’re now paying $3,034 in interest – meaning that the $15,000 car you purchased is actually costing you over $18,000. And that’s not even including fees, which many lenders will pepper throughout the loan duration as a way of being able to offer lower interest rates while still making money.
For this reason, it’s important to look at comparison rates when choosing the best loan option for you. The comparison rate is essentially the loan’s interest rate, but with all fees taken into account as well. Let’s go back to the example of a 5.5% interest rate on a 5 year loan for a $15,000 car. If the lender charges an average of $20 per month in fees, such as establishment, repayment and administration charges, this will give the loan a comparison rate of 8.4%.
Lenders that offer car loans to apprentices have varying criteria to qualify, however they usually require that you:
You may also have to submit the following documentation as part of your loan application:
If you’re unable to qualify for an apprentice loan, you can apply for standard car loans from lenders that have less stringent income requirements. These will take a range of factors into account when assessing your eligibility and determining the amount you’re able to borrow, such as:
Most standard car loans require that the car you purchase be held as security against the loan, meaning that if you fail to meet your repayment obligations, the lender can repossess your car and sell it to recoup their costs. For this reason, lenders will also consider the type and age of the vehicle you intend to buy, and may not offer financing for cars older than six or seven years, since these will be harder to resell without making a substantial loss.
You could also consider applying for a Trade Support Loan from the Australian government. These allow you to receive up to $21,078 over the life of your apprenticeship, and only require you to start making repayments when you earn over a certain amount. These loans are there to help support and meet any everyday costs that you may have during your apprenticeship. In the 2019-2020 financial year, the annual repayment threshold was $45,880. Trade Support Loans are interest free, and offer a 20% discount on the total loan amount when you have successfully completed your apprenticeship, as an additional incentive
Savvy is rated 4.8 for customer satisfaction by 3372 customers.
Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd (ABN 78 660 493 194) trades as Savvy and operates as an Authorised Credit Representative 541339 of Australian Credit Licence 414426 (AFAS Group Pty Ltd, ABN 12 134 138 686). We are one of Australia’s leading financial comparison sites and have been helping Australians make savvy decisions when it comes to their money for over a decade.
We’re partnered with lenders, insurers and other financial institutions who compensate us for business initiated through our website. We earn a commission each time a customer chooses or buys a product advertised on our site, which you can find out more about here, as well as in our credit guide for asset finance. It’s also crucial to read the terms and conditions, Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or credit guide of our partners before signing up for your chosen product. However, the compensation we receive doesn’t impact the content written and published on our website, as our writing team exercises full editorial independence.
For more information about us and how we conduct our business, you can read our privacy policy and terms of use.
© Copyright 2024 Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd T/as Savvy. All Rights Reserved.
© Copyright 2024 Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd T/as Savvy. All Rights Reserved.
Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd (ABN 78 660 493 194) trades as Savvy and operates as an Authorised Credit Representative 541339 of Australian Credit Licence 414426 (AFAS Group Pty Ltd, ABN 12 134 138 686). We are one of Australia’s leading financial comparison sites and have been helping Australians make savvy decisions when it comes to their money for over a decade.
We’re partnered with lenders, insurers and other financial institutions who compensate us for business initiated through our website. We earn a commission each time a customer chooses or buys a product advertised on our site, which you can find out more about here, as well as in our credit guide for asset finance. It’s also crucial to read the terms and conditions, Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or credit guide of our partners before signing up for your chosen product. However, the compensation we receive doesn’t impact the content written and published on our website, as our writing team exercises full editorial independence.
For more information about us and how we conduct our business, you can read our privacy policy and terms of use.
