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Welcome to Credit Card Finder®, where we've been researching, reviewing and comparing credit cards for over 15 years. If you're trying to cut down your interest payments, rack up points or get a new card for that next big purchase, you can use Finder to compare over 270 credit cards available in Australia. When you find one you're looking for, click the Go to site button and we'll take you directly to the bank's website to apply securely online.
Are some of the terms on this table a little confusing? We get it. Jump down to our handy glossary to learn about key features and how to compare cards.
Around 41% of Australians have started the New Year with debt from Christmas, according to data from Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker.
While Australians were expecting to spend big in December, the good news is that Finder research has also found 78% of people have set financial goals for 2022, including 10% of people planning to pay off their credit card.
If that's one of your goals, a 0% balance transfer card could help you save on interest and pay it off faster. Get started with our picks of the offers available through Finder in January 2022.
Latitude Financial Services has announced plans to acquire Humm's consumer business, which has around 5 million customers across buy now pay later (BNPL), instalments and cards, including the humm90 Mastercard.
Latitude Financial Services already offers a range of personal lending products in Australia, with credit cards including the Gem Visa, GO Mastercard and 28 Degrees Platinum Mastercard. It also offers its own BNPL service, LatitudePay, personal loans and even car insurance.
"The proposed transaction will cement Latitude's position as the leading instalments and consumer lending business in Australia and New Zealand," Latitude said in its announcement. The acquisition will be subject to regulatory, board and shareholder approvals, so watch this space.
We'll also keep updating this section over the course of the month to keep you up-to-date with everything credit cards.
Updated by Amy Bradney-George on 11 January 2022.
So let's take it back to basics.
A credit card is a convenient way to pay for things. While a debit card requires money in your bank account to make a purchase, a credit card lets you borrow money which you then pay back over a certain period of time, usually with interest. It's useful for people who don't have enough money to pay for something or those who don't want to pay the entire amount immediately. It's also an easy way to "get something for nothing" with reward points. Some people also use credit cards to improve their credit history.
If you pay off your credit card balance on time, it can be like an interest-free loan. If you can't pay on time, your purchases will begin collecting interest on top of the amount owed. That's why it's so important to get a credit card that suits your income and circumstances.
There are a few different types of credit cards available, which is great if you have a specific purpose in mind. Not 100% sure which card to go with? We've rounded up some of our top picks and dropped them into each of the different categories below. Just keep in mind that there's no set card that's best for everyone, so make sure you check your eligibility and do a credit card comparison before you apply.
If you're struggling with existing credit card debt and are being charged a motza in interest rates, it might be time to explore balance transfer credit cards. These allow you to move your existing credit card debt over to a new balance transfer credit card, where you'll pay low – or no – interest for a certain amount of time.
⭐ Hot tip: Look for a balance transfer card with a low annual fee and a long introductory period.
| Card | Current offer | Annual fee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kogan Money Black Card - Exclusive Offer |  | Save with 0% p.a. interest on balance transfers for 30 months. Reverts to 21.74% p.a. | $0 |
This one kind of speaks for itself – you'll pay no annual fees on this card, either ongoing or just for the first year. If you're only going to use your card a few times a year and you plan on paying back your balance in full each month, a no annual fee card could be right up your alley as you'll have almost no additional expenses.
⭐ Hot tip: Keep an eye on interest rates as they can be pretty high on these cards.
| Card | Current offer | Annual fee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| St.George Vertigo Card |  | 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 32 months, with no balance transfer fee. Reverts to 21.49% p.a. | $0 annual fee for the first year (goes up to $55 thereafter) |
Not sure if you're able to pay off your bill in full each month? A low interest credit card could help. These cards will allow you to buy what you need without racking up too much interest so you can keep your borrowing costs low.
⭐ Hot tip: Look for cards with interest rates of 14.99% p.a or less. Watch out for annual fees as they can be higher on these cards.
| Card | Current offer | Annual fee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANZ Low Rate Card |  | Save with 0% p.a. interest on balance transfers for the first 30 months with no balance transfer fee. Purchase interest rate of 12.49%. | $0 annual fee for the first year ($58 p.a. thereafter) |
Spend money and get rewarded? Sign us up. Rewards credit cards let you accumulate points every time you pay for something. Points can then be cashed in for shopping vouchers, petrol, frequent flyer points and more. If you're likely to spend more money on your credit card and pay your bill in full each month, this could be a good option for you.
⭐ Hot tip: Look for cards with a bonus points offer. This is usually the quickest way to build your balance.
| Card | Current offer | Annual fee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Explorer Card |  | Earn 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership. $400 yearly travel credit and complimentary lounge passes included. | $395 |
Love to travel? Love to shop? Combine your passions and explore a frequent flyer credit card. Whenever you make a purchase on your card, you'll accumulate points which you can then redeem on sweet perks such as a free holiday, seat upgrades and even the newest iPhone.
⭐ Hot tip: Look for bonus points offers and other perks such as insurance and airport lounge passes.
| Card | Current offer | Annual fee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qantas Premier Platinum |  | Get 90,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $3,500 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months. Plus, lounge passes and insurance. | $199 annual fee for the first year ($299 thereafter) |
We're going to be straight up – not everyone needs a credit card.
Getting a credit card for the sake of getting a credit card isn't the best idea. You never want to take on debt you don't really need to, especially if you're paying interest on it.
There are also some types of people who might be more susceptible to bad debt. For example, people who tend to impulse shop could rack up unnecessary debt and get into hot water quickly.
If you have a plan for how you're going to use your card and how you're going to pay it off, a credit card can be a great addition to your wallet, helping you improve your credit score and accrue perks and benefits.
Did you know? Finder analysis shows that emergencies, rewards, big-ticket items and building up credit are the 4 most common reasons for taking out a credit card in Australia.
Still not sure if a credit card is for you? Let's jump into some of the pros and cons to help make that decision easier.
TL;DR: Credit cards have a mix of great perks and understandable risks. A good rule of thumb is to make sure you have a payment plan in mind and understand your limits.
Not sure what you should be looking for in a card? Don't worry, you're not the only one. Here's our breakdown of features and points you should know about.
| Fee or feature | What is it? | What you should know |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | The amount you'll have to pay each year just to use the card. | More perks and rewards on your card usually mean higher annual fees. |
| Purchase interest rate | The amount of interest you'll pay on your balance if you don't pay your balance off in full by the due date. | The lower the interest rate, the better. However, if you're planning on paying your card off as you go, this shouldn't be a huge deal. A low purchase interest rate is usually below 15% p.a. And there are a few cards around 8.99% p.a. |
| Interest-free period | The amount of time you'll get before you're charged interest on your purchases. Usually, you will have to have paid off the previous month's balance in full to get this. | Most cards offer between 44 and 55 days interest free. More days give you more flexibility and breathing room. |
| Balance transfer rate | If you transfer debt over from another card, this is the interest rate you'll pay. | The lower the interest rate, the longer the time frame and the lower the fee, the better. |
| Cash advance rate | If you take cash out from an ATM or make a cash equivalent transaction (like buying a lotto ticket), you'll pay a one-off cash advance fee plus interest charges straight away. | Avoid cash advances unless it's an emergency. Take cash out on your debit card instead. |
| Foreign transaction fee | What you'll be charged (on top of the interest rate) on purchases made in a foreign currency overseas or online. | This will either be a dollar or percentage amount. Lower fees are better if you plan to spend in currency other than AUD. There are plenty of cards on the market with 0% foreign fees. |
| Rewards program | A program that offers points and perks that you can earn while spending. | Perks usually come at the cost of an annual fee. Make sure you'll get enough value out of them to be worth this fee. Common features include points, insurance, lounge passes and premium services. |
Getting a bit overwhelmed with all the options out there? We totally get it. But picking a credit card that's right for you is easy once you narrow down your choices. Follow these easy steps if you find yourself getting lost or overwhelmed.
Yes, a credit card is convenient, but it also comes with a risk of debt. We already know that if you don't pay off what you owe each month, you'll be charged interest, so here are 3 tips to help you stay on top of your payments and make the most of your credit card without getting into debt.
Want to save money on your credit card or get more value from rewards? These hacks for using your credit card wisely can help.
This comes down to what you want the money for. A credit card might be better for everyday spending, such as petrol, groceries and shopping. A personal loan might be more suitable if you have a big event or expense coming up, such as a wedding, a medical procedure or a car purchase. Credit cards are more popular for shorter-term purchases and earning rewards. Loans, because they usually have lower interest rates, tend to be better for longer-term financing.
This bit is a little technical. You'll need to be over the age of 18 and meet some pretty standard eligibility requirements that include your income, residency status and credit history. If you're looking at a card with more perks and features, you'll come across stricter requirements than your typical card. When you're applying, you'll also need to give the bank your proof of income, residency, identification and information about your assets, expenses and liabilities.
Both applying for and being approved for a credit card will affect your credit score. Each time you apply, it will be recorded on your credit file and may bring your score down for a while. If you miss repayments, your score will also take a hit. But regular payments and responsible use of your credit card can see your score go up. It's all in how you use it.
Yes, but it may be a bit more difficult. It's a good idea to chat to your current bank before applying so they can guide you. If you can't get a credit card, an unsecured personal loan could also be an option.
The discussion around credit cards vs Afterpay has been going on for years, but both cards and buy now pay later (BNPL) services have different features. Here's a basic breakdown:
The easiest way to apply for a new credit card is online. Click the apply button, agree to some standard terms and conditions and go through a few pages of a form. The whole process takes about 15 minutes and will ask you basic questions about your address, job, living costs and other credit products. You'll be asked to submit some documents to prove your identity and address as well. Your Medicare card, passport and a recent payslip will do the job.
Credit Card Finder® is a free, Australian-owned service that you can use to compare credit card offers from banks, credit unions and other financial institutions. We've been around since 2006 and keep a database of virtually every credit card on the market in Australia. You can compare cards by bank or brand, read credit card reviews and check out the latest introductory offers. You can use Finder's guides and tables to inform your decision and find the best credit card for you.
When you do find a credit card that you want to apply for, just click the "Go to site" button in the table or review. This takes you to the official application page where you can read the full terms and conditions before starting a secure online application with the bank or lender. This also means that Finder doesn't collect your personal details or information during the application process.
^ We've chosen the list of "Best credit cards" based on extensive user testing and thousands of credit card comparisons. We've evaluated cards based on criteria that people care about and narrowed them down into a few broad categories.
However, keep in mind that our best picks may not always be best for you. Based on your situation, you may find certain features to be more or less important, so compare your options before you apply. You can see our top pick for each category on our guide about the best credit cards here.
Designed for big companies, this Amex charge card offers a mix of management tools and perks – including a 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards offer.
With a 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards offer and complimentary Qantas Business Rewards membership, is this the right card for your business?
Compare the features of the Bank of Melbourne Vertigo including a 0% promotional offer on purchases and a first-year annual fee waiver.
Offers no annual fee in the first year and 0% introductory rate on purchases for the first 18 months.
This BankSA credit card offers 0% introductory interest rates for purchases, plus a $0 first-year annual fee. Is it right for you?
Virtual credit cards are finally here, with options for everyday use and business spending – so how do they work and how secure are they?
With a $400 cashback offer for people with Apple Pay or Samsung Pay, is this Citi Rewards Card offer right for you?
The Citi Premier includes a big cashback offer, discounted annual fee options, lounge passes and more. Get the details here.
This 0% interest credit card from Westpac offers a $1,000 limit and a flat monthly fee that can be waived – plus you can use it as soon as you’re approved.
With 0% interest for 14 months on purchases and balance transfers, is this Citi Rewards Card offer right for you?
Hi expert, I am a NZ citizen staying in Australia with the Special Category Visa. Most of the banks/financial institutions require the applicant to at least have the long term work visa. Is there any that allow me to apply using my SCV ? Thanks
Hi Rob,
All of the banks have their own criteria for residency, which unfortunately are subject to a lot of change (not just the criteria, but the visas themselves). ANZ does not give a requirement for which visa you have, as long as there are at least 9 months remaining. AMEX are often quite easy to deal with. It would be best to give your preferred banks a call directly to obtain more information. Another tip would be to go to the bank with which you have your transaction account and see what they can do for you.
Are there banks in Australia which has credit card instant approval?
Hello Aren,
Yes, there are instant approval credit cards that you can easily apply for. You can use our comparison table to compare the features and benefits of each credit card provider such as purchase rate, balance transfer rate, fees, and credit limits. This way it will be easier for you to see which provider fits you best. It also shows how each type of card evaluates an application and how you would be able to meet their eligibility criteria.
I am after a Visa or Mastercard with the highest rate of points earn per $ spent for Velocity or Qantas.
Hi Kathryn,
You may start comparing Velocity credit cards and Qantas credit cards using our comparison table. Once you have chosen a particular card, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the bank’s website where you can proceed with your application.
Hi I am looking for a business credit card to earn us maximum frequent flyer points
Hi Todd,
You may compare business credit cards with frequent flyer points for your eligible spending. You may use the earned points for rewards such as business flights, flight upgrades, accommodation, and cashback for you and your employees.
I had a CTB credit card for many years and used it to travel overseas with the travel insurance. I did not think we would be travelling again and surrendered it last June. Do you still have that sort of card? My record is on the computer. Did pay I think $90 per year?
Please help.
Hi Peter,
Thank you for getting in touch with finder.
Regarding your query on getting your old credit card back, kindly contact the credit card issuer that you had your old card with to verify if the account is still open or not. If it’s still open, you may request for a replacement card to be sent out since you are travelling again and might use the complimentary travel insurance your card has.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni