What is a SACC loan? Costs and repayment terms

A Small Amount Credit Contract (SACC) is a regulated type of small consumer loan. Understanding the amount you receive, the amount of credit and the repayment total helps you compare an offer properly.

This is general information from the publisher, not a personal recommendation or an independent expert review.

The category and the planned CashLift product

A SACC generally has a term longer than 15 days and no longer than one year, and an amount of credit of $2,000 or less, with a specific regulatory adjustment permitting certain upfront fees to be included in the amount of credit. The legal category should not be confused with an individual lender’s advertised range.

CashLift’s planned product pays $200–$2,000 to you, with estimated terms of 4–16 weeks, subject to assessment and the offer. CashLift is preparing to launch and is not providing credit or accepting applications.

Amount received is different from amount of credit

For the planned CashLift structure, the establishment fee and first monthly fee are included in the amount of credit and retained on the Loan Date. If you receive $1,000, those fees are $200 and $40, making the amount of credit $1,240. You receive $1,000, rather than $1,240.

For that reason we describe the paid sum as what you receive, rather than calling it the amount borrowed. Later monthly fees contribute to the full scheduled repayment total.

Fees and total cost

The establishment fee is 20% of the amount received, once. The monthly fee is 4% of that amount for each month or part month. These are CashLift’s planned fees at statutory caps; lenders are not required to charge the maximum. Do not compare the monthly percentage alone with another product’s annual rate.

In our dated ten-week example, receive $1,000 on 1 October 2026, with a first repayment on 8 October and final repayment on 10 December. The $200 establishment fee plus three $40 monthly fees give $320 fees and $1,320 scheduled total, repaid in ten weekly payments of $132. See the fee dates and full assumptions.

Use our quote-reading worksheet to record money received, fee dates and the scheduled repayment total before comparing offers.

Early payout and missed payments

There is no planned early payout fee. Monthly fees whose dates have not arrived are not charged if the loan is repaid in full first. Already-charged fees remain part of the payout calculation, and payments already made reduce it. Ask for a payout figure rather than assuming the remaining schedule is the payout cost.

The offer and contract explain any permitted default charges. A regular repayment example assumes scheduled payments are made; it does not illustrate default costs. If repayment becomes difficult, ask about hardship assistance early.

Check a lower-cost option first

An eligible No Interest Loan can pay a supplier invoice for essential goods or services without fees. A biller payment arrangement or eligible Services Australia advance may suit another need. Read alternatives for an unexpected expense and how assessment works.

Sources: Moneysmart payday loan guidance, National Consumer Credit Protection Act and National Credit Code, and National Consumer Credit Protection Regulations, including regulation 4D. Read our editorial policy for attribution and corrections.