Credit Card Companies in Australia

There is no perfect credit card company for everyone – a lot of it comes down to the actual features you want, rather than the name on the card. But if you want to factor credit card companies into your comparison, here's some background on the different providers in Australia – including the five biggest credit card providers.

2021 Finder Awards

Award-winning credit cards

The Finder Credit Card Awards for 2021 recognise the best credit cards in Australia, whether it's a card for frequent flyer and reward points, big-ticket items, building up credit or emergencies. The 2021 Finder Credit Cards Awards covered 6 categories and included awards for cards from American Express, Bankwest, Coles and Great Southern Bank (formerly CUA).
Get full details on the Finder Awards.

Types of credit card companies in Australia

In Australia, you can get a credit card from a bank, credit union, co-operative, other financial provider or even a big-name brand such as Coles, Woolworths or Qantas.

Behind the scenes, there are different set-ups based on the credit card company you choose. Some of these providers – including banks and independent financial providers – are what's known as the "issuer". This means they are the financial organisation that is authorised to set up and provide a credit facility (i.e. your account).

Others – including Coles, Woolworths Money and Qantas Money – manage the day-to-day details of the cards they offer but also have a partnership with an issuer.

Top 5 credit card issuers based on market share

If you're interested in the biggest banks or credit card companies, here are the five Australian credit card providers with the highest market capitalisation.

1. Commonwealth Bank

As well as being one of the Big Four banks in Australia, CommBank has the highest market capitalisation value at $176.13 billion. The Commonwealth Bank Group includes Bankwest, Colonial First State and CommSec (online stock broking). Commonwealth Bank credit cards include low-rate, low-fee, rewards, premium and business options.

2. NAB

Another of Australia's Big Four banks, NAB has over 9 million customers in Australia, New Zealand and across the world. Its market capitalisation is $93.67 billion. NAB credit cards include low-cost, rewards, premium, business and corporate options.

3. Westpac

Westpac is also a Big Four bank, with a credit card lending portfolio that includes products from Westpac Banking Corporation, as well as St.George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA. Its total market capitalisation is $92.82 billion. The range of Westpac credit cards include low rate, low fee, balance transfer and rewards options.

4. ANZ

Rounding out the Big Four banks on this list is ANZ, with a total market capitalisation of $79.09 billion.
ANZ credit cards offer a mix of products, including rewards, frequent flyer, low-cost and premium cards for both personal and business use.

5. Citigroup

Citi is the fifth largest issuer of credit cards in Australia and offer cards with rewards, balance transfers, instalment plans and more. Citi also white-labels credit cards for Coles, Qantas Money, Virgin Money, BOQ and others.

List of credit card companies in Australia

You can learn more about different credit card companies, as well as the cards they offer, by clicking on their names below.

Other factors to consider

If you're comparing different credit card companies, here are some of the key details to look at:

• The range of credit cards. What is the company's mix of credit cards and features? Even the smallest credit unions can give you a choice of low rate, low fee and platinum rewards credit cards and offer competitive introductory deals. Ultimately, the right company for you will offer a card that suits your needs.
• Accessibility. Consider how you will most likely communicate with a credit card company. If you want to visit a branch, look for those that have locations nearby. On the other hand, mobile and tablet applications are a user-friendly way to do your banking and a great substitute for a physical branch presence in your local area.
• Rewards programs. If you want a card that earns rewards, consider the different programs available. Some banks and credit card companies have their own rewards programs, others are linked to frequent flyer programs and a few offer both options.
• Standard fees. How much will it cost to have a credit card with the company you're considering? As well as the annual fee, consider the costs that may be applied for late payments, foreign transactions, cash advances or going over your limit.
• Different types of accounts. If you want to do all your banking with one provider, you could consider what different accounts a particular company offers. As an alternative, you could get the free Finder app and see all your accounts in one place – even if they are from different companies.
• Introductory offers. Promotions for low or 0% interest rates on balance transfers or purchases, and bonus point offers are both money-saving features aimed at new customers. You can view promotional offers by navigating to our credit card comparison pages.
• Additional features and benefits. Credit card companies may offer a range of unique perks for customers. For example, the Citibank Dining Program gives you a free bottle of wine when you dine at a participating restaurant and pay with your Citi credit card. Visa, Mastercard and American Express also offer perks such as VIP events, pre-sale tickets and seasonal promotions.
• Ethical values. If green banking is a priority for you, then checking out the investment details and any community support programs offered by different credit card companies will help you make decisions that fit with your values. You can usually find this information in the "About" and "Investor" sections of a bank or company's website. You can also learn about some of Australia's greenest banks here.

There are lots of different ways to find a credit card, including by looking at different credit card companies. But it's a lot easier if you focus on your values and goals.