Enjoy up to 55 interest-free days on purchases, a balance transfer offer and a $0 annual fee for the first year and every subsequent year when you meet the spend requirement.
Commonwealth Bank’s Low Fee card offers affordable access to credit, with an annual fee of $0 in the first year and $29 for every subsequent year. This fee is waived if you have spent at least $1,000 on purchases and cash advances in the previous year.
In addition to a low annual fee, this card offers up to 55 interest-free days on purchases when you pay your balance in full by the due date on your statement. It also offers a balance transfer rate of 5.99% p.a. for 5 months.
| Product Name | Commonwealth Bank Low Fee Credit Card |
|---|---|
| Balance transfer rate | 5.99% p.a. for 5 months |
| Balance transfer revert rate The interest rate after the balance transfer ends. | Cash Advance Rate (21.24% p.a.) |
| Maximum Balance Transfer Amount | Up to remaining credit limit |
| Purchase rate (p.a.) | 19.74% p.a. |
| Annual fee | $0 p.a. annual fee for the first year ($29 p.a. thereafter) |
| Interest Free Period The interest-free period is the maximum number of days during which interest is not charged on new purchases. This only applies if you pay your closing balance in full by the statement due date. | Up to 55 days on purchases |
| Cash advance rate (p.a.) | 21.24% p.a. |
| Min credit limit This is the lowest credit card limit that you can request. It is possible to apply for a higher credit card limit but not a lower one than this figure. | $500 |
| Card Type | Mastercard |
| Foreign Currency Conversion Fee (MC) Foreign currency conversion fees are charged when you make a transaction that is converted by a credit card network, such as MasterCard, Visa or American Express, from Australian dollars to a foreign currency. You’ll also incur a currency conversion fee if you make a purchase or obtain a cash advance in Australian dollars while overseas or shopping online with a foreign merchant or financial institution. | 3% of transaction value |
| Complimentary Travel Insurance | No |
| Minimum Age | 18 years of age |
|---|---|
| Available To Temporary Residents | Yes - Conditions apply |
| Joint Application | No |
| Annual fee | $0 p.a. annual fee for the first year ($29 p.a. thereafter) |
|---|---|
| Minimum Monthly Repayment | 2% or $25 whichever is greater |
| Late Payment Fee | $20 |
| Foreign Currency Conversion Fee (MC) Foreign currency conversion fees are charged when you make a transaction that is converted by a credit card network, such as MasterCard, Visa or American Express, from Australian dollars to a foreign currency. You’ll also incur a currency conversion fee if you make a purchase or obtain a cash advance in Australian dollars while overseas or shopping online with a foreign merchant or financial institution. | 3% of transaction value |
| Cash Advance Fee | $2.50 or 2.00% of the transaction amount (whichever is greater) |
| Overseas Cash Advance Fee | $2.50 or 2.00% of the transaction amount (whichever is greater) |
| Gambling Transactions Allowed | Yes |
| Additional Cardholder Fee | $0 |
| Number of Additional Cardholders | 1 |
Pros
- Get $0 annual fee for the first year, reverting to $29 every year thereafter. CommBank will continue to waive your annual fee providing that you spend $1,000 or more in the previous year.
- This card comes with a balance transfer offer of 5.99% p.a. for the first 5 months.
- Enjoy up to 55 interest-free days on purchases.
Cons
- Being a low cost, no frills card, the Commonwealth Bank Low Fee credit card has none of the bells and whistles that come with many other cards.
Benefits of using a Commonwealth Bank Low Fee Card
Low fee cards are designed to help you reduce the costs of using a credit card. Some of the benefits of this card are:
- Low annual fee. The annual fee is $0 for the first year and $29 p.a. thereafter. The annual fee is waived in subsequent years if you spend at least $1,000 in the previous year on purchases and cash advances.
- Mastercard perks. You can gain access to a wide range of shopping, dining and entertainment experiences through the Mastercard Priceless Cities program.
- Fraud protection. CommBank offers 24-hour fraud protection that's designed to detect abnormal transactions or spending patterns. It also allows you to lock your credit card temporarily through the CommBank app or in NetBank. In addition to these features and services, Mastercard Zero Liability protects you against fraudulent transactions.
- Additional cardholder. You can request a supplementary card for a partner or family member with a $0 annual fee for the additional card. Note that your request will be subject to approval, and you will still be responsible for keeping the account in good standing.
- Optional add-on insurance. This card also allows you to purchase add-on insurance for the card. This is called CreditCard Plus, which pays a benefit if you become involuntarily unemployed, temporarily or permanently disabled or if you are terminally ill or pass away. This insurance can pay 20% of the credit card balance each month if you become involuntarily unemployed or temporarily disabled. In the event the cardholder is permanently disabled, terminally ill or has passed away, the insurance could pay off twice the credit card balance. This insurance costs $0.45 for every $100 owing at the time your monthly statement is generated.
Features of Commonwealth Bank Low Fee Card
Some of the key features of this card include:
- Balance transfer. You can transfer balances from other Australian credit cards or store cards to this card and get a balance transfer rate of 5.99% p.a. for the first 5 months. After the promotional period, the interest rate reverts to the variable cash advance rate of 21.24% p.a.
- Purchase rate. The variable interest rate on purchases is 19.74% p.a.
- Cash advance rate. The variable interest rate for cash advances is 21.24% p.a.
- Interest-free days. If you pay your balance in full each month, you can receive up to 55 interest-free days on purchases.
- Temporary residents. This card is also available to temporary residents. Note that all applications are subject to CommBank's lending criteria and approval.
How to apply for Commonwealth Bank Low Fee Card
If this card meets your needs, you can apply online and get a response within 60 seconds of completing and submitting the secure application form. Before you do that, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements and have all your relevant details on hand.
Eligibility criteria
- Age. You must be at least 18 years of age.
- Resident. You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or hold an eligible visa (457, Permanent Resident, temporary business visa).
- Credit history. You must not be an undischarged bankrupt.
Required documents
- Identity proof. Driver's licence, passport or other identity proof documents are required.
- Employment details. You may be asked for a range of employment details including payslips, length of employment and job title.
- Financial details. This includes information on any existing debts. You may be asked to provide statements for your accounts, as well as details on ongoing household expenses such as rent, utilities and grocery spending.
The Commonwealth Bank Low Fee Card could help you keep your card expenses to a minimum, with a low ongoing annual fee and the option of an annual fee waiver if you spend at least $1,000 on purchases and cash advances in the previous year. If you are after a low fee credit card then this product may be suitable for your needs, but remember to compare it to a range of other options so you can make an informed decision before you apply.
Back to top
It states that the fee is waived in the second year if $1000 is spend on cash advances and purchases in the previous year. What falls under ‘purchases’. If I transfer money to someone else, does that count as a purchase?
Hi Rosie,
Thank you for getting in touch with finder.
Purchases are transactions that you buy with your credit card such as groceries, petrol, dining, travel tickets and a lot more. When you use your credit card account to transfer funds to another account, your card issuer will view it as a cash advance. Therefore it does count.
If you consider getting this credit card, please make sure though to read the eligibility criteria, features and details of the card, as well as the relevant PDS/ T&Cs of the card before making a decision and consider whether the product is right for you.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
I am interested in a credit card please
Hi Kinky,
Thank you for your comment.
When choosing a credit card, it’s always noteworthy to consider the purpose of the credit card and to factor in how you will use it and how these fit into your financial circumstance.
Whilst we can’t recommend a specific card for you, our comparison tables on this page allow you to filter and sort the cards based on your interests – whether you’re looking to compare the rewards card, annual fee or purchase rate and more.
I hope this is helpful.
Cheers,
May
Hi I am international student I applied for credit card but it was declined and the reason was that my financial condition is not good but it’s not true I earn 2600 monthly I have pay slips be I have saving as well so please answer
Hi Sam, thanks for your inquiry!
To apply for this card you must be an Australian citizen or granted eligible visa (457, Permanent Resident, temporary business visa).
Cheers,
Jonathan
No credit cards are for students as well my friends have credit card
Hi Sam, thanks for your response.
That is correct. Certain banks/ lenders allow students to apply for credit cards if they have at least 6 months remaining on their student visa and are earning an income.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Can a single parent on the pension apply for this card?
Hi Rhiannon, thanks for your inquiry!
Commonwealth Bank does not specify a minimum income requirement for this card. Instead they require an ID verification, income, expense, asset and employment details. If you have any further inquiries in regards to the application process it would be ideal to contact CBA directly to best discuss your options and eligibility.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Hi I’ve applied for my credit card and i am now waiting for a letter in the mail to come to say if I’ve been approved with my credit card or declined how long does this usually take as i applied for it almost a week ago so i have been waiting 5 business days
Hi Lucy, thanks for your inquiry!
Applications with Commonwealth Bank can take within 10 working days.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Currently I have a mortgage and personal loan with the CBA and a
credit card which the annual fee increasing to $59 I sometimes use my card for groceries but repay before end of month would this be a better card for me?
Hi Sue,
Thanks for your inquiry!
Please note that finder.com.au is an online comparison service, we are only licensed to provide general advice regarding the products we display.
Depending on an individual’s needs, no annual fee credit cards which combine interest free periods on purchases can be an ideal option. No annual fee credit cards are best-suited to those people who reserve the use of their credit card for emergencies, or who make regular purchases on them but always completely clear their balance each month. This is because it is often the case that the interest rate on purchases with no annual fee credit cards is on the higher side, thus any savings on the annual fee will be quickly negated by higher interest charges if the balance is not cleared in full each month. For more information regarding No Annual Fee Credit Cards please see this page.
I hope this helps!
Cheers,
Jonathan
I am a pensioner with a annual income of approximately $20,000 , would I qualify for a 10,000 limit credit card. I have no debt and own my own home and car.
Hi I would like to know what is the best card to apply for please. I am a pensioner with a disabled pension , also child benefits. I do meet the 15,000limit by quite a bit.
Hi Emily,
Thank you for your inquiry.
The banks that may accept your credit card application are listed on this page. If you click on the name of the bank, you would find the cards they offer. Please make sure to read the eligibility criteria, features and details of the card, as well as the relevant PDS/ T&Cs of the card before making a decision and consider whether the product is right for you.
You can also contact the bank before you submit your final application to discuss your chances of approval.
Cheers,
May
Hi Vereonica,
Thanks for your question.
Unfortunately we can’t comment on what your credit limit could be. Commbank will assess you against their lending criteria and advise on a suitable credit limit in your application.
I’d recommend getting in touch with Commbank to discuss your options about this.
Cheers,
Shirley
Hi I’ve noticed that I can see, there is nothing mentioned about earnings or employment conditions/salary, can you please tell me what the conditions are thank you.
Hi Adam,
Thanks for your question.
While there is no minimum income requirement for this card, you’ll need to be able to show in your application that you can make your repayment commitments. Commonwealth Bank will look at your credit history, and will take into account your capacity to make repayments.
Cheers,
Shirley
It says no joint applications can you get an additional cardholder? And if so is there a fee?
Hi Amy,
Thanks for your question.
Yes, you can have up to one additional cardholder for free for the Low Fee card.
Cheers,
Shirley
Hi I’m just not clear on the 0% for 10 months. Is that from the time of getting the card of from time of purchase for the life of the card.
EG: If I buy something straight after getting the card I can pay it off slowly and pay no interest for the first 10 months.
What happens in 12 months time. If I then make a large purchase have I got 10months or only 55 days to pay it off before incurring the high 19% interest charge.
Hope you can clarify Thanks
Doris
Hi Doris,
Thanks for your question.
Generally the offer starts from the time of receiving the card and applies to eligible purchases made within that period. After the 10 months has passed, all outstanding balance from that period will revert to either the purchase rate, or cash advance rate. In this case, its the purchase rate. This page will be able to provide you with more information.
In the situation you’ve provided. In 12 months time and you’ve made a large purchase, then the interest free days apply (assuming that you’ve paid back your balance in full by the statement period) before it starts to gain interest.
Cheers,
Shirley