Equifax

Office address: 100 Arthur St, North Sydney NSW 2060 
Website: equifax.com.au 
Year established: 1967 (as The Credit Reference Association of Australia) 
Company type: financial services 
Employees: 15,000 (globally) 
Expertise: credit reporting, data analytics, identity protection, risk management, fraud prevention, business insights, credit scoring 
Parent company: Equifax Inc. 
Key people: Melanie Cochrane (CEO), Suellen Heintz (chief presales officer), Tony O'Connor (chief client officer), Anuj Kindra (chief ratings analyst), Lee Clarke (head of strategic industries), Moses Samaha (executive GM) 
Financing status: corporation 

Equifax is a leading data and analytics company in Australia. It serves banks, businesses, employers, and government agencies nationwide. The company uses a mix of data, analytics, and cloud tools to help clients make smart choices and support people’s financial goals.  

In 2023, it helped over 687,000 Australian families buy their first home. This shows the firm’s strong role in the local economy. 

History of Equifax 

Equifax began in 1899 as the Retail Credit Company in Atlanta, Georgia, and grew across the US and Canada by the 1920s. In Australia, the story started with The Credit Reference Association of Australia in 1967, which later became Data Advantage in 1998, leading to a series of key milestones: 

• 2001: Data Advantage and Baycorp Holdings combine to create Baycorp Advantage 
• 2006: Baycorp Advantage rebrands as Veda; Baycorp Collection Services is sold 
• 2007: Veda becomes fully privatised and acquires Atlantis Group’s marketing division, ABR, and NTD 
• 2009: Veda acquires Secure Sentinel and launches Australia’s first online automotive bureau 
• 2011: it acquires Mirus Online and Verify for expanded services 
• 2013: the firm acquires Corporate Scorecard and lists on the ASX 
• 2014: it acquires KMS Data, Kingsway Financial Assessments, and The Prospect Shop 
• 2015: it acquires ZipID and ReachTEL for identity and data services 
• 2016: the company obtains EDX and is bought by Equifax Inc. 
• 2017: Veda rebrands as Equifax in March 

In 2023, Equifax partnered with LMG to launch a digital service that lets brokers quickly verify employment and income for loan applicants. This tool helps brokers speed up approvals and improve the lending process for clients. 

Equifax products and services 

Equifax Australia provides a wide range of credit, identity, and business solutions for individuals and organisations. Offerings include: 

Personal products 

• Equifax Credit and Identity Products: free credit report, subscription plans, and identity protection tools 
• GetCreditScore: free credit score and access to financial offers 
• CarHistory: instant report on used car history for safer purchases 
• Reduce My Bills: helps compare and save on electricity, gas, phone, Pay TV, and internet bills 

Small business products 

• Business Credit File: see your business’ credit history as lenders do 
• National Tenancy Database: quickly check and evaluate tenancy applications 
• SwiftCheck: check customer credit history to avoid late payments 

Business and enterprise products 

• iCIRT Construction Industry Ratings: join the register of trusted building professionals 
• Equifax Pre-Qualify PLUS: smarter lending and better consumer experiences 
• Credit Insights: access detailed market insights across the credit journey 
• Verification Exchange: verify employment and income to reduce fraud and speed up finance approvals 

Equifax supports the home loan process by providing credit reports and verification tools used by lenders and brokers. Their products help Australians prove their creditworthiness and speed up loan approvals. 

Company culture and values 

Equifax offers a vibrant and inclusive workplace where people are encouraged to make a real difference and live their best lives. Their staff is also provided with: 

• employee networks: Pride, Veterans, Accessibility, Women’s groups 
• hybrid work model: three days in office, two remote 
• extra leave: up to eight extra days, holiday swaps 
• health and fitness: discounted gym and private health cover 
• pet insurance: optional discounted pet cover 
• career growth: online learning and guided career tracks 
• employee stock plan: option to buy company shares at a discount 
• wellbeing support: free financial wellbeing tools and resources 
• inclusive culture: diverse, supportive, and welcoming environment 

Equifax supports financial access in 24 countries and partners with diverse suppliers for economic growth. It also honours Traditional Custodians and values the unique backgrounds and experiences of every team member. 

About CEO Melanie Cochrane and key people 

Melanie Cochrane is the CEO and group managing director of Equifax Australia and New Zealand. She leads the company’s growth, customer service, and business strategy across both countries. 

The leadership team guides the business and supports its success across Australia. Here are some of the key people: 

• Moses Samaha leads as executive general manager - product, marketing, and sales, driving B2B and B2C growth and product innovation 
• Suellen Heintz serves as chief presales officer - AU and NZ, leading customer-focused teams in regulated environments 
• Lee Clarke heads strategic industries, guiding commercial lending and business strategy for key sectors 
• Tony O'Connor acts as chief client officer, developing technology and financial services across Asia Pacific 
• Anuj Kindra manages as chief ratings analyst, leading a diverse, high-performing finance team 

These leaders help Equifax Australia deliver strong results for clients in the country. Their teamwork and skills keep the company moving forward in a busy market. 

The future at Equifax 

The company’s 2025 modelling shows that RBA rate cuts may take six to nine months to lift mortgage demand. The company uses data from Canada and New Zealand to predict a slow recovery in Australia, even with lower rates.  

Equifax tracks consumer behaviour and notes rising demand for Buy Now, Pay Later and unsecured credit, signalling cautious optimism. Their insights help lenders and borrowers understand market shifts and manage expectations during changing economic conditions.