Spend your money when you want, where you want with a debit card

A debit card lets you spend your own money everyday, online and overseas.

Debit Card Offer

Enjoy $0 monthly account fees on the NAB Classic Banking account.

• Linked NAB Visa Debit card
• Free use at over 3,400 NAB and rediATMs Australia-wide
• New NAB Mobile Banking app
• Tap and pay with your card or phone – with NAB Pay for Android or
  NAB PayTag for iPhones
• Protection against fraud with NAB Defence

Go to site
More info

Accounts with debit cards you can apply for in 15 minutes

Monthly Deposit

$

Calculate

		Monthly Account Fee	Debit Card Access	ATM Withdrawal Fee	Fee Free Deposit p.m.	Details
	NAB Classic Banking $0 monthly account fees. Tap and pay with your NAB Visa Debit card, NAB Pay for Android or NAB PayTag for iPhone.		Visa	$0	$0	$0 account keeping fees with no deposit conditions. Unlimited free withdrawals at NAB and rediATMs.	Go to site More
	HSBC Day to Day Transaction Account Your Visa debit card unlocks special privileges worldwide with the HSBC home&Away Privilege Program.		Visa	$0	$0	$0 account keeping fees. Unlimited free withdrawals at over 3,000 HSBC, Westpac, St.George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA ATMs.	Go to site More
	Bankwest Qantas Transaction Account Earn Qantas Points on eligible purchases and on your account balance. Conditions apply.		Mastercard	$0	$2,000	$0 account keeping fees when you deposit at least $2,000 into your account each month. Otherwise, a $6 monthly fee applies. Unlimited Free withdrawals at Bankwest and CommBank ATMs in Australia.	Go to site More
	Westpac Choice $0 ATM withdrawal fee at 50,000+ ATMs globally. Via Westpac's Global ATM Alliance. Get Cash without your debit card (conditions apply).		Mastercard	$0	$2,000	$0 account keeping fees if you deposit at least $2,000 per month. Otherwise, a $5 monthly fee applies. Unlimited free withdrawals at St.George, Westpac, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA ATMs.	Go to site More
	BankSA Complete Freedom Account Cardless Cash available. Open one in less than 3 minutes.		Visa	$0	$2,000	$0 account keeping fees if you deposit at least $2,000 per month. Otherwise, a $5 monthly fee applies. Unlimited free withdrawals at BankSA, St.George, Westpac and Bank of Melbourne ATMs.	Go to site More
	Bank of Melbourne Complete Freedom Get Cardless cash and shop securely with your Visa debit card. Customise SMS and email alerts.		Visa	$0	$2,000	$0 account keeping fees if you deposit at least $2,000 per month. Otherwise, a $5 monthly fee applies. Unlimited free withdrawals at Bank of Melbourne, St.George, Westpac and BankSA ATMs.	Go to site More
	St.George Complete Freedom Account 10% Cash back for online gaming purchases and $50 cash bonus offer. Waived account keeping fees when minimum deposit is met with no minimum balance.		Visa	$0	$2,000	$0 account keeping fees if you deposit at least $2,000 per month. Otherwise, a $5 fee applies. Unlimited free withdrawals at St.George, Westpac and BankSA ATMs.	Go to site More
	Bankwest Easy Transaction Account No monthly account fees when you deposit at least $2,000 per month (e.g. salary). Plus save on ATM fees at major banks such as ANZ, Westpac, NAB, St.George and Commonwealth Bank.		Mastercard	$0	$2,000	$0 account keeping fees if you deposit at least $2,000 per month. Otherwise, a $6 monthly fee applies. Unlimited free withdrawals at CommBank, NAB, ANZ, Westpac, St.George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA ATMs.	Go to site More

What is a debit card and what does it allow you to do?

When you open an Australian bank account, the bank will issue you a debit card to use as a way to access your money. You can use your debit card to get cash, make purchases and manage your money. The debit card is linked to your transaction account and the terms and conditions associated with your account explains how you can spend your money.

Your debit card is linked to your everyday bank account and can be used to make withdrawals from ATMs, EFTPOS, payWave or PayPass.

How is a debit card different to a credit card?

A debit card works similarly to a credit card, except that you’re using your own money instead of the banks' money, which means you don't need to worry about interest payments. With a debit card, you're using your money in real time.

Debit cards are a good way to take advantage of the accessibility of a credit card, without having to pay any interest on the amount spent, or worry about your credit rating. It is also a good strategy to prevent you from racking up debt, as a debit card only allows you to spend the money you have in the account at the time of purchase. A credit card, in comparison, will allow you to make purchases and send you a bill at the end of the month for you to pay back.

Can I choose my own PIN for my debit card?

Yes, in fact, most banks recommend that you change your PIN regularly for security reasons. When you receive your debit card in the mail, your bank will provide you with a pre-selected PIN and instructions on how to change it.

What bank accounts can I link to my debit card?

You can link almost any everyday transaction account to a debit card. The account needs to have an Australian BSB and account number and the account must be in the same name as what's on the card. It can also be a joint account if desired.

How do I get a debit card?

To get a debit card you first need to open a transaction account. You can open a transaction account directly from our site, finder.com.au. Once you've selected the transaction account, click 'go to site' to complete an application. A debit card is typically sent to your residential address within two weeks of completing the application.

Do you compare joint accounts?

Yes, our joint bank accounts page lets you compare different types of joint bank accounts.

What does it mean if I overdraw on my debit card?

Overdrawing usually occurs when you've used your debit card when your transaction account balance is zero, which usually brings your account into a negative balance. If you have an overdraft attached to your account, this balance starts to attract interest. It's important to try and avoid overdrawing your account because the fees can be high, usually up to $20.

Can I use my debit card when I have no money in my account?

If you have an overdraft attached to your account, you will be able to use your debit card when your balance is $0. However, this will attract interest and a hefty fee. It's important to always ensure you have enough money in your account for automatic payments, such as your phone bill, as if the issuer tries to deduct the money from your account and it's empty, you will likely be charged a penalty.

How do I know if my debit card has PayPass or payWave?

Take a look at your debit card and see if it has the payWave or PayPass symbol on the front. If it doesn't you can call your bank to get a new card.

What are foreign transaction fees and which banks do not charge these?

Foreign transaction fees are applied when you use your debit card to make purchases overseas, or online with a website that doesn't accept Australian dollars. It's a fee charged for having to convert the currency, and it's usually around 3% of the value of the transaction. Currently, the Citibank Plus transaction account and the Macquarie Bank Platinum Transaction account do not charge this fee.

What is the CVV number on my debit card?

The Card Verification Value (CVV) is a three digit number found on the back of your debit card. On American Express debit cards, the CVV is four digits. This number is used to verify your debit card and helps to reduce fraud, by proving to the merchant that you have the physical debit card with you when making a purchase online or over the phone.

You may also be interested in

The Big Four banks have all dropped ATM fees

The banks could lose up to $500 million in fee income, but it's a win for consumers. Read more…

Australians don’t trust the financial services industry

Consumers trust the financial services industry even less than they trust the government and telecoms. Read more…

United Nations will help reshape global finance to create a “better world for all”

UN Secretary-General says current global financial system needs a revamp to work for everyone. Read more…

Macquarie Bank open banking platform a first for Australia

The new platform will give customers unprecedented control over their own data. Read more…

Bank branches are shrinking, but they still have their place

We do most of our banking online today, but there's a reason bank branches aren't obsolete yet. Read more…

Money hack: Earn Velocity Points by contributing to your super

Virgin Money is rewarding customers with Velocity Points for topping up their retirement nest egg. Read more…

What are the features of a debit card?

When you are looking for a transaction account, the type of debit card that comes with it should play a role in your decision:

• No monthly fees. You can compare fee-free bank accounts here to ensure you don't get charged for having a debit card.
• Third party logo. Having either Visa or Mastercard stamped on the card will increase the flexibility and benefits in spending that a debit card provides.
• One or multiple ATM networks for free. This is linked to the bank you choose, but you will want to find a debit card that has access to a large number of ATMs for free. Bankwest and Commonwealth Bank's ATM network is currently the largest in Australia.
• Contactless technology. Some debit cards enable you to make purchases using Near Field Communication (NFC) without having to swipe your card or enter a pin. Called tap & go, the feature lets you pay for items, usually costing $100 or less, by holding your card to a reader.
• Fraud protection. You need to protect your debit card from theft and improper use. Make sure you have a unique PIN number set and keep your debit card safe.
• Other security measures. Check what security features your bank provides with your debit card. Your debit card should have secure PIN and chip technology. Also, check to see if you are responsible for unauthorised charges.
• Debit cards for students. As a student, you can receive a range of benefits from your debit card, including no monthly fee.

What are the advantages of using a debit card?

• You have easy access to cash. Your debit card allows you to withdraw money from your account without having to go to a bank.
• You can make purchases overseas or at local shops. With a debit card you don’t need to carry cash in order to make purchases.
• You can shop online. If your debit card has a credit card logo, you can use it to make purchases online.

What are the drawbacks of using a debit card?

• There are usually monthly fees. Read the terms and conditions carefully to discover if your bank charges fees for using your debit card.
• You have to use an ATM in your network. Banks have their own network of ATMs and using your debit card outside of the network could result in added charges to your account.

What are the dangers of using a debit card?

As a link to your personal or business funds, you should be careful in the way that you use your debit card. Some things to avoid are:

• Overdrawing too much and being charged dishonour fees. If you are not keeping careful track of the money available in your bank account, you may accidentally go over the limit which could result in bank fees.
• Ensuring it doesn't get lost or stolen. If your debit card is lost or stolen and because your debit card is linked to your transaction account, you could have your funds withdrawn without your permission. Luckily, banks today have technology to identify unusual transactions and will typically notify you of the transaction.

What should I do if I’ve noticed my Visa or Mastercard accounts are displayed incorrectly online?

First check your recent receipts and transactions made by any of your additional cardholders. If there is still a discrepancy, contact your bank immediately in case someone is using your account fraudulently.

Why do banks approve transactions when I don’t have sufficient funds? Is there any way to stop this?

This could be the result of a direct debit that posts at the same time as a purchase or credits to the account not clearing as quickly as you thought. You can avoid paying overdrawn account fees by applying for an overdraft account.

I've tried to withdraw cash from my account using an ATM but it's miscalculated the money. What should I do?

If this occurs, try to contact your bank as soon as possible to notify them of the problem. They should be able to get in touch with the branch who takes care of the ATM and sort it out.

Common questions about debit cards

finder.com.au featured debit cards

Compare what the debit cards below have to offer