Find out and compare options with low minimum income requirements.
When you apply for a credit card, your income is an important eligibility requirement that the issuer will use to assess your ability to repay. Minimum income requirements generally start at $15,000 p.a. gross (before tax), so there are some low-income options to compare. Use this guide to compare credit cards you're eligible to apply for.
What are minimum income requirements?
Minimum income requirements are the lowest amount of money you need to earn before tax per year to apply for a credit card.
Credit card income requirements help issuers reduce the risk of lending and allow them to offer you products that are appropriate for your financial circumstances. In turn, you can use these requirements to help you choose and apply for credit cards that suit your individual needs.
Compare credit cards with a low minimum income requirement
How can I find out what the requirement is?
These details are listed in the ‘Application requirements’ section for individual cards.
Some issuers also include this information on their websites or product pages so you can double-check before you apply for a particular credit card.
Other lenders prefer not to outline minimum income requirements, so you won’t see this information for every credit card you look at.
If you can’t find minimum income requirements for a particular card, you can try calling the issuer to ask about your eligibility.
Why are some income requirements so much higher than others?
The relationship between income and credit cards can influence a wide range of credit card features, from the credit limit and interest rate of the card right through to complimentary extras or rewards programs. In general, cards with high minimum incomes will have a lot more features than low income credit cards, but there are still many different credit cards you can choose from if you make a relatively low income.
Comparison: High vs low minimum income requirement
The following table shows the differences between a card with a high minimum income requirement and one with a low minimum income requirement. In general, high income credit cards offer more “other features”, while low income credit cards are good for basic money management.
| Credit card | Minimum income | Minimum credit limit | Purchase rate | Other features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citi Prestige | $150,000 | $30,000 | 20.99% p.a. |
|
| Virgin No Annual Fee | $25,000 | $6,000 | 18.99% p.a. |
|
The examples in this table also show that high minimum income credit cards also tend to have higher minimum credit limits and higher purchase rates. These features, as well as the complimentary extras, are designed to benefit people who earn and can spend more money. In comparison, credit cards with lower minimum income requirements tend to have lower minimum credit limits and fewer features, which can make it easier to avoid overspending.
Other factors that affect your credit card application
Credit card issuers weigh up a range of other factors before approving or denying your request for credit, including:
- Age. You must be at least 18 years of age to apply for a credit card.
- Credit rating. Your credit history or credit rating outlines details of your current and previous loans, cards and other credit accounts (such as utilities). Generally you need to have at least a ‘good’ credit rating to apply for a credit card.
- Residency status. While credit card issuers generally prefer people who are citizens or permanent residents of Australia, there are some credit cards available for people with temporary residency status. These cards may have higher minimum income requirements to help meet lending standards.
- Employment status. While credit card issuers typically prefer people to have full-time employment, you could still be eligible for some cards if you work part-time or casually, are self-employed, are a student or if you have a pension.
- Income vs expenses. When you apply for a credit card, you will have to provide information about your current income, spending habits and any existing debts to help issuers determine whether or not you can manage more credit.
Credit card income requirements help issuers assess the risk of lending and give you an idea of what cards are available to you based on your financial situation. So, now that you have a better understanding of minimum income requirements, you can compare and apply for a card that fits your needs.
Are the minimum income requirements published by banks referring to gross income or net income (after tax, repayments etc.)?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Tracy,
Thanks for your question.
The minimum income requirement published by banks generally refers to Gross Income.
Cheers,
Anndy
Can i get a credit i get $14000 a year
Hi Reece,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Generally, credit card companies in Australia would require their applicants to have a minimum income of at least AU$15,000 p.a. Nevertheless, you might want to reconsider a prepaid card, which is also convenient to use and does not have a minimum income requirement.
Hope that helps.
Cheers,
May
My salary is 18000 per month am I able to get a credit card and how? my bank account in yes bank.
Hi Gulshan,
Thanks for your question.
Aside from your income source, there are also other eligibility requirements that you have to meet to be approved for a credit card such as but not limited to employment stability and credit rating. However, these criteria/requirements differ from bank to bank and the type of credit card, so you may need to check the details of the card first or contact the issuer before applying to verify if you meet them.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
May
how much p.a. income in rupees for credit card
Hi Akbar,
Thanks for your question.
The income requirement for the credit cards we feature on finder.com.au are only in AUD and these credit cards are also available for Australian residents.
Cheers,
Anndy
minimum salary to apply for credit card and wt is age limit
Hi Shainaz, thanks for your inquiry!
The minimum income requirements for a credit card vary depending on the lender but is generally around the $15,000 mark. The minimum age for a credit card in Australia is 18 years old.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Hi , I want credit card for online shopping , my monthly income is 10,000 so plz help how can get
Hi Ajay, thanks for your inquiry!
For a list of 0% Purchase credit cards please see this page, we also have broken down the components and features of 0% Purchase Credit Cards for you.
Cheers,
Jonathan
I earn about R3000 a month.what credit card can I get.
Hi Morgie,
Thanks for your question.
From the Australian credit cards available on finder.com.au, you’ll need to be earning a minimum income of about $15,000 AUD which is about R11731.16 a month. You might want to consider a prepaid card, but keep in mind you’ll only be able to load Australian dollars onto this.
I hope this has helped.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
I am stay at home Mom I have a child with Autism we get SSD and I get child support but it’s only 6600 a year. Is there a credit card I can apply for.
Hi Cindy,
Thanks for your question.
Unfortunately I’m unaware of any cards with a minimum income requirement below $15,000. If you’re looking to get a card for the convenient shopping/spending benefits, you might want to consider a prepaid credit card. These cards don’t have a minimum income requirement, and usually only require that you verify your identity in order to be approved.
I hope this has helped.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
My husband applied for a capital one venture card. We have excellent credit but his income the past few years has gone down to $25k. (we are homeowners and have savings and no debt beside a car and house) He was turned down. How much is he needing to earn before he will be accepted, and how soon before I can apply? thank you.
Hi Anne,
Thanks for your question.
I’m not too familiar with credit cards available on the US market, but there appears to be no pre-determined minimum income when it comes to the Capital One Venture Card. It seems that Capital One use a range of lending criteria, including your credit score, to determine your eligibility for the card. You may be able to get more detailed information from Capital One directly.
I hope this has helped.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
my salary is -13000 monthly cash in hand… i want made a credit card please help me
Hi Pervinder,
Thanks for your question.
Unfortunately to be eligible for credit cards, your income needs to be taxable. This is because you’ll need to show documents and provide evidence of your income.
If you’d like, you may want to read this article about getting credit if you’re paid in cash.
All the best,
Shirley