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Welcome to Credit Card Finder® where we've been researching and comparing credit cards for over 15 years. You can easily compare more than 270 Australian credit cards using our free tools. When you find one that suits, click Go to site and we'll take you securely to the bank's website.
Find some of the terms on this table a little confusing? We get it. Jump down to our glossary to learn about key features and how to compare cards.
American Express is running its Membership Month in August, with a range of special offers and events for people who have an Amex card. Some offers include 12% off eligible hotels booked through Agoda or Expedia (separate offers) and 15% back on dining at participating restaurants in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Credit reports are becoming even more comprehensive, with details of financial hardship arrangements now reflected on your credit history for up to 12 months. This change became effective on 1 July 2022 but may not show up on your report straight away.
Hardship arrangements can include payment pauses or reduced repayments when something unexpected happens – such as job loss, sickness or natural disasters like the recent east coast floods. Here's a breakdown of what the changes mean for your credit score.
Recent research has shown that Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) can have an effective interest rate of up to 276% when account and late fees are factored in.
"It's evident from our research that BNPL is not a free or low-cost option compared to credit cards," Dr Lien Duong, report author and senior lecturer at Curtin University's school of accounting, economics and finance said in a media statement.
And if you’re chasing points, here’s some inspiration from a woman who gets about $2,000 value from Flybuys every year.
Updated by Amy Bradney-George on 17 August 2022.
Let's take it back to basics.
A credit card is a convenient way to pay for things. While a debit card requires you to have money in your bank account to make a purchase, a credit card lets you borrow money which you then pay back over time, usually with interest.
It's an easy way to "get something for nothing", for a period of time at least. This is because you often have an amount of time (up to 55 days) to repay your balance before interest kicks in. You can also use credit cards to build reward points, which you can spend on flights, accommodation and more.
Some people use credit cards to improve their credit history. Banks like to see your history of managing credit and debts before approving a big loan (like a mortgage), so starting small with a low-limit credit card can kick-start this journey.
If you pay off your credit card balance on time, it can be like an interest-free loan. But if you can't pay on time, your purchases will begin collecting interest on top of the amount owed.
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. Also be sure to take note of any one-time balance transfer fee.
| Card | Current offer | Annual fee | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
 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 if you carry a balance, as they can be pretty high on these cards.
| Card | Current offer | Annual fee | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
 Coles No Annual Fee Mastercard | Get 20,000 bonus Flybuys points when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days. Ends 29 September 2022. | $0 |
Love to travel? Love to shop? Combine your passions and explore frequent flyer credit cards. Whenever you make a purchase on your card, you'll accumulate points which you can then redeem on sweet perks such as free flights, 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 | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
 Citi Premier Qantas Card | Get 80,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $4,000 in the first 90 days and a 0% purchase rate offer. | $175 annual fee for the first year ($350 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 | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
 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) |
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 an introductory or bonus points offer. This is usually the quickest way to build your balance.
| Card | Current offer | Annual fee | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
 Qantas American Express Ultimate Card | Up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Points (75k when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months and 25k in year 2). Plus, a yearly $450 Travel Credit. | $450 |
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. | Higher annual fees usually mean more perks and rewards. |
| Purchase interest rate | The amount of interest you'll pay if you don’t pay your card off in full. | The lower the interest rate, the less you’ll pay in potential interest. |
| Interest-free period | The amount of time you'll get before you're charged interest on your purchases. | More days give you more time to pay off your balance so you won’t be charged interest. |
| Balance transfer rate | The interest rate you’ll pay if you transfer a balance from another card. | The lower the interest rate, the better. Most introductory offers are for 0% p.a. on your balance, but you may pay a one-time fee. |
| Cash advance rate | The higher interest rate you’ll pay if you take cash out or make an equivalent transaction. | Avoid cash advances unless it's an emergency. |
| Foreign transaction fee | The fee you'll be charged on purchases made in a foreign currency overseas or online. | There are plenty of cards on the market with 0% foreign fees. |
| Rewards program | Offers points and perks that you can earn for your spending. | Common features include points, insurance, lounge passes and premium services. |
We're going to be straight up – not everyone needs a credit card.
You don’t want to take on debt you don't really need, especially if you're paying interest on it.
There are also some types of people who might be more susceptible to spiralling debts. 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 rewards points 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 revisit some of the pros and cons.
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.
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.
The Citi Premier includes a big bonus points offer, discounted annual fee options, lounge passes and more. Get the details here.
Finder’s Future of Credit Cards report explores the trends shaping credit cards and digital payments, including the rise of BNPL.
If you are overcharged by a taxi in Australia, chasing a refund is hard work. Here's why the industry needs to change if it is to survive.
With a 400,000 bonus Membership Rewards points offer, lounge access and management tools, is this Amex account right for your company?
This Amex charge card offers a mix of management tools and perks for big companies – including a 50,000 bonus Membership Rewards offer.
Designed for big companies, this Amex charge card offers a mix of management tools and perks – including a 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards points 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.
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