Kids debit cards

What is a kids debit card?

Kids debit cards are offered by some banks as an optional extra when establishing a kids, youth or teen transaction account. As with regular debit cards, these cards can be linked directly to a transaction account and used in place of cash to make purchases in stores, or to withdraw money from ATMs.

These debit cards are usually linked to a transaction account; either the standard transaction account offered by the bank or a dedicated youth transaction account. Most banks waive the monthly account keeping fees for customers under the age of 18 or even 21.

Age requirements for a kids debit card

Each bank will have different age limits for their debit cards. Some will offer a debit card to kids as young as 8, for example the NAB Debit card.

However, most banks have a minimum age requirement of at least 12-14 to access a debit card in the child's name.

Some kids ebit cards also come with restrictions, for example you may not be able to use the card to shop online or certain retailers may be blocked all together (such as alcohol and gambling).

Big Four bank kids debit card options

What is a kids prepaid card?

Instead of a bank account and attached debit card, there's also the option of giving your child a prepaid card. This could be a good option for younger kids in particular, who don't need a bank account in their name just yet. A prepaid card still allows them to make purchases in stores and withdraw from ATMs, however they can only access the money that's been pre-loaded onto the card for them to spend.

The following kids prepaid cards are a great way to give your children access to money while they learn how to properly manage digital money via the interactive mobile apps.

Spriggy

More info

$5 per month
Membership fee

ATM withdrawal fees

Visa
prepaid card
Card

• Info
• Features

Spriggy is a mobile app with a linked prepaid card which helps Australian parents and their kids to manage their money together and track their progress in a fun, interactive app.

• 7-day free trial available
• Customised prepaid debit card
• Safe and convenient

• 3.5% surcharge for international purchases
• Membership fee charged as annual lump sum payment

Rewards program	N/A
Annual Fee	$0
Purchase Rate
Welcome offer
Interest-free period	Up to days on purchases
Balance transfer	N/A
Bonus points	N/A
Rewards points per $ spent	N/A
Foreign currency conversion fee

How to compare kids debit cards

Don't accept an account that charges fees.

Look at the bank's other accounts.

Your child wants a debit card to access their money, but they might also want a high interest savings account so they can start earning free money on whatever cash they can squirrel away. It's worth looking for a bank that offers both.

Is shopping online part of the deal?

Consider whether being able to shop online is a benefit or a downside – depending on your child, it could be either! You might want to opt for a kids debit card that can restrict or block online spending if needed.

Check the reviews on their mobile banking app.

Kids are digital natives so a great mobile banking app is essential. It helps them to keep an eye on spending and see where their money is going. Some mobile banking apps offer savings goal trackers, which can be helpful for kids learning how to manage their money.

"When my 12-year-old daughter got her first debit card, we didn't realise until afterwards that she wasn't able to get a digital version on her phone. She didn't want to take her card to school and risk it getting lost or stolen, but without a digital card on her phone, she couldn't shop at the tuckshop – which doesn't accept cash.

We ended up moving to a different bank that did allow kids under 14 to add their card to a digital wallet. It's worth considering a range of situations when you're comparing cards, as it's not always as straightforward as you think!"

Sarah Megginson

Money expert + media spokesperson

What features do kids debit cards have?

• Spending controls. Parents can set limits within their mobile banking app, to restrict how much their child can spend. These could be daly limits, or even limits on the cost of a single transaction.
• Card lock. Parents can lock the debit card via the mobile banking app or Internet banking, if the card gets lost or you want to temporarily disable it.
• Choose how your child can spend. Sometimes parents can choose if the card can be used at ATMs or for in-store purchases.
• Spending tracking tools. Many mobile banking apps offer spending tracking tools and features to help your child learn how to manage their money.

Pros and cons of a kids debit cards

Frequently Asked Questions

• What age can my child get a debit card?

  Your child typically needs to be 14 years old to get their own Visa Debit card, and 16 to get their own Debit Mastercard. However, some banks offer debit card access for children as young as 8 or 9 years old. Some banks also offer their own type of debit cards. These work in a similar way to standard debit cards but have a few more restrictions when using the card outside of Australia.

• When should I give my child a debit card?

  This is completely up to you and your individual experience. You might consider giving your child a debit card when:

  • They start going out for social activities without you present, for example, going to the movies with friends.
  • When they start high school, or if they have a long distance to travel to and from school on the bus or train. A debit card will be handy if there are delays or the bus breaks down, for example.
  • They start wanting or needing to buy things when you're not with them.

• Can a 12 year old have a debit card in Australia?

  Yes, there are banks that offer debit cards to kids under the age of 12. For example, NAB, Westpac and CommBank all offer debit cards for kids under 12.

• Is there a free kids debit card?

  A lot of banks offer kids debit cards with no monthly account keeping fees. These are free to open.

• Is Spriggy a bank?

  Spriggy isn't a bank, however it is backed by NAB. Spriggy offers prepaid cards for kids, noty debit cards.

Written by

Alison Banney

Editorial Manager, Money

Alison is an editor at Finder and a personal finance journalist with over 10 years of experience, having contributed to major financial institutions and publications such as Westpac, Money Magazine, and Yahoo Finance. She is frequently quoted in media outlets like SmartCompany and SBS, offering expert insights on superannuation and money management. Alison holds a Bachelor of Communications in Public Relations and Journalism from the University of Newcastle, and has earned three ASIC RG146 certifications in superannuation, securities and managed investments and general financial advice, ensuring her expertise is fully aligned with ASIC standards. See full bio

Alison's expertise

Alison has written 667 Finder guides across topics including:

• Superannuation
• Savings accounts, bank accounts and term deposits
• Budgeting and money-saving hacks
• Managing the cost of living