Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own.
Credit card application tips
Your credit history, income and the actual credit card are just some of the factors that influence an application. So here are 7 tips to increase your chance of getting approved.
{"menuItems":[{"label":"7 tips to boost your chances of credit card approval","anchorName":"#7-tips-to-boost-your-chances-of-credit-card-approval"},{"label":"Compare and apply for a low rate credit card","anchorName":"#compare-and-apply-for-a-low-rate-credit-card"},{"label":"What happens after I submit my application?","anchorName":"#what-happens-after-i-submit-my-application"}]}
Credit card applications only take around 10 to 20 minutes online and you can usually get a response within 60 seconds. But if you don't know what you need to apply or are worried about being approved, these credit card application tips are a starting point that can help you increase your chances of approval.
7 tips to boost your chances of credit card approval
1. Check your credit score. When you apply for a credit card, lenders check your credit report as part of their assessment process. You can also get a copy of your credit score and report for free to get an idea of what the lender might consider.
2. Pay bills on time and work on improving your score. If your credit score is low, paying bills on time is one way to help build good credit history. It also shows lenders that you're responsible with money, even for bills that aren't on your credit report.
3. Pay off smaller debts. If you have existing cards or debts, paying them off or closing some of them can help improve your chance of approval. This is because lenders consider your financial commitments when you apply. So having fewer bills can help show that you're able to service a new credit card.
4. Check the eligibility criteria. Before you apply for a credit card, you need to confirm your eligible for it. The criteria typically includes your Australian residency status, income, employment and credit history. If you don't meet all the requirements, choose a different credit card or work towards becoming eligible.
5. Don't apply for too many cards at once. Applying for a few cards in a short amount of time can have a negative impact on your credit score, because each application is listed on your credit report. Most lenders also consider multiple applications as a red flag, regardless of your credit score.
6. Apply for a reasonable limit. As part of Australia's credit card regulations, lenders must assess your ability to repay the entire credit limit over 3 years (with interest). So while it may be nice to have a card with a high limit, your chance of approval can increase if you keep your limit low.
7. Avoid using BNPL too much. Buy now pay later (BNPL) services offer interest-free finance and flexibility. But too many BNPL transactions in your bank statements can indicate that your spending habits are not responsible.
Wondering if you'll get approved?
Only 9% of Australians say they've been rejected for a credit card, according to our consumer sentiment tracker (November data). 80% of Australians say they've never been rejected for any products at all.
Compare and apply for a low rate credit card
When you're ready to apply for a new credit card, make sure you compare your options so you can find a card that suits you.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
When you apply for a credit card online, you should get a response within 60 seconds of submitting your application. If you're successful, you will receive account details and your new card should arrive in 5 to 10 business days.
But if the card issuer requires more information, your application may be tentatively approved and you might need to supply further details. If you haven't had a response within a few days, you can usually contact the bank or check the status of your application online.
Applying for a credit card is a relatively simple process and can take as little as 10 minutes. To improve your chances of approval, compare your options, check that you meet the eligibility criteria and take the time to review your application before you submit it.
Amy Bradney-George is the senior writer for credit cards at Finder, and editorial lead for Finder Green. She has over 14 years’ experience as a journalist, with a particular focus on personal finance, and has been featured in publications including ABC News, Money Magazine and The Sydney Morning Herald.
SPONSORED: Upgrade your internet before the end of 2023 and get ahead on your life admin! We take a look at some of the benefits of a faster internet connection.
Hi. I just applied for Anz rewards black card today. After talking back and forth with the Anz consultant about converting my rewards points to Qantas frequent flyer points. She said this can be done. But after reading all the fine prints and on here. Anz rewards black card cannot be converted to Qantas points. My application is not approved yet as had to provide more info.
My questions are:
1. can I cancel the application as it is clearly miscommunicated to me and not what I am after.
2. what ramification does this cancellation have if I want apply for a credit card that suits at a later date
3. Does this affect my credit rating. If so, Should I just keep it for 12 months then cancel?
1. You can cancel this application by contacting ANZ customer service. We would recommend asking for a record of your interaction with them, preferably by email.
2. The general rule is not applying for more than one credit card per 3 months.
3. Credit ratings take your loan applications into account. Whilst we cannot comment on exactly how much this affects your rating, we can say that banks see what you have applied for which may impact your chances of being approved if you apply too frequently.
It is possible that you could ask ANZ to shift your application to the ANZ Frequent Flyer black, which provides Qantas instead of Rewards points.
It is not necessary for you to change your license. Most (if not all) creditors would weigh more the authenticity and correctness of your identification and the other documents.
Please take note that there are credit card companies that may request a proof of your residence. If this happens, you only need to provide them an updated paperwork for verification. Don’t forget to talk to your issuer if you need to move out in the future.
Hi, I have just accepted an international teaching position for 2 years and leave Perth in August. Is there any chance that an Australian bank would give me a credit card based on my foreign employment contract for the 2 year period Aug 17-Aug 19? Obviously, it would be more difficult to obtain a credit card from a foreign bank in the country I’m moving to, so just wondering what my chances are here before I leave Australia?
Thanks.
We do have a list of credit cards for temporary residents. Please check that list and explore your options. ​After you’re done comparing your options, you can then select the “Go to Site” button to learn more.
Most of the card issuers would require your passport, visa, proof of employment with at least 6 months remaining, and pay stub.
Kindly ensure you meet minimum eligibility requirements.
Hi Jonathon, thanks for your reply. My original post wasn’t very clear…
I am an Australian – born here and lived here all my life. I have accepted a teaching position in China for 2 years, so will be moving there in August. I was trying to find out if any of our Australian banks would even consider giving me a credit card, knowing that I’ll be out of the country for 2 years and working for a foreign company.
Thanks for getting back to us and clarifying your inquiry. We do appreciate that! :)
You may visit this our page about some of the best credit cards to use overseas. This is our guide and list of card issuers that may approve you for your plans to use this card overseas.
Please note that you have come through to finder.com.au we are a financial comparison website and general information service and we do not represent any credit card company like ANZ.
As we don’t have access to your application, I’m afraid you may need to get in contact with ANZ directly to follow-up your application. For your convenience, I’ve forwarded to your email the phone number of ANZ.
I recently applied Citibank signature and got rejected. It is not related to the credit rating though. And they just simply said have not met our credit criteria. Would like to apply for another card with different provider. Is it safe to apply or should I wait? How many is too many in a specific period of time?
Thanks for your question and we’re sorry to hear about your rejected application.
You may not have met the eligibility requirements (such as income, credit score, provided necessary documents) when applying.
No, it’s not a good idea to apply for another credit card straight away as applying for multiple credit cards within a short period can reflect badly on your credit score and decrease your chances of approval in the future.
You should wait a few months before applying for another card. In the mean time, you can start comparing other credit cards and making a shortlist of cards you’re eligible for. Make sure to read all of the relevant product disclosure statements and contact the providers to discuss your chances of approval before applying.
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Important information about this website
finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We are committed to our readers and stands by our editorial principles
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labeling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
We make money by featuring products on our site. Compensation received from the providers featured on our site can influence which products we write about as well as where and how products appear on our page, but the order or placement of these products does not influence our assessment or opinions of them, nor is it an endorsement or recommendation for them.
Products marked as 'Top Pick', 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.
Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
Please note that the information published on our site should not be construed as personal advice and does not consider your personal needs and circumstances. While our site will provide you with factual information and general advice to help you make better decisions, it isn't a substitute for professional advice. You should consider whether the products or services featured on our site are appropriate for your needs. If you're unsure about anything, seek professional advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan and read any disclosure documents (such as any Target Market Determination (TMD) and/or Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)) issued by the provider before making a decision.
Providing or obtaining an estimated insurance quote through us does not guarantee you can get the insurance. Acceptance by insurance companies is based on things like occupation, health and lifestyle. By providing you with the ability to apply for a credit card or loan, we are not guaranteeing that your application will be approved. Your application for credit products is subject to the Provider's terms and conditions as well as their application and lending criteria.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.
1. Check your credit score.
2. Pay bills on time and work on improving your score.
3. Pay off smaller debts.
4. Check the eligibility criteria.
5. Don't apply for too many cards at once.
6. Apply for a reasonable limit.
7. Avoid using BNPL too much.
Hi. I just applied for Anz rewards black card today. After talking back and forth with the Anz consultant about converting my rewards points to Qantas frequent flyer points. She said this can be done. But after reading all the fine prints and on here. Anz rewards black card cannot be converted to Qantas points. My application is not approved yet as had to provide more info.
My questions are:
1. can I cancel the application as it is clearly miscommunicated to me and not what I am after.
2. what ramification does this cancellation have if I want apply for a credit card that suits at a later date
3. Does this affect my credit rating. If so, Should I just keep it for 12 months then cancel?
Thanks
Hi Jen,
Thanks for your inquiry.
1. You can cancel this application by contacting ANZ customer service. We would recommend asking for a record of your interaction with them, preferably by email.
2. The general rule is not applying for more than one credit card per 3 months.
3. Credit ratings take your loan applications into account. Whilst we cannot comment on exactly how much this affects your rating, we can say that banks see what you have applied for which may impact your chances of being approved if you apply too frequently.
It is possible that you could ask ANZ to shift your application to the ANZ Frequent Flyer black, which provides Qantas instead of Rewards points.
Best,
Jonathan
Hi
Is it best for me to change my license over to the state I have moved to before applying for a credit card?
Thanks
Hello Dane,
Thank you for your question.
It is not necessary for you to change your license. Most (if not all) creditors would weigh more the authenticity and correctness of your identification and the other documents.
Please take note that there are credit card companies that may request a proof of your residence. If this happens, you only need to provide them an updated paperwork for verification. Don’t forget to talk to your issuer if you need to move out in the future.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Hi, I have just accepted an international teaching position for 2 years and leave Perth in August. Is there any chance that an Australian bank would give me a credit card based on my foreign employment contract for the 2 year period Aug 17-Aug 19? Obviously, it would be more difficult to obtain a credit card from a foreign bank in the country I’m moving to, so just wondering what my chances are here before I leave Australia?
Thanks.
Hi Hayley!
Thanks for reaching out.
We do have a list of credit cards for temporary residents. Please check that list and explore your options. ​After you’re done comparing your options, you can then select the “Go to Site” button to learn more.
Most of the card issuers would require your passport, visa, proof of employment with at least 6 months remaining, and pay stub.
Kindly ensure you meet minimum eligibility requirements.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Hi Jonathon, thanks for your reply. My original post wasn’t very clear…
I am an Australian – born here and lived here all my life. I have accepted a teaching position in China for 2 years, so will be moving there in August. I was trying to find out if any of our Australian banks would even consider giving me a credit card, knowing that I’ll be out of the country for 2 years and working for a foreign company.
Thanks
Hi Hayley!
Thanks for getting back to us and clarifying your inquiry. We do appreciate that! :)
You may visit this our page about some of the best credit cards to use overseas. This is our guide and list of card issuers that may approve you for your plans to use this card overseas.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Jonathan
I recently applied for ANZ credit card, what is the status on my credit car application?
Hi Selva,
Thanks for getting in touch.
Please note that you have come through to finder.com.au we are a financial comparison website and general information service and we do not represent any credit card company like ANZ.
As we don’t have access to your application, I’m afraid you may need to get in contact with ANZ directly to follow-up your application. For your convenience, I’ve forwarded to your email the phone number of ANZ.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
May
I recently applied Citibank signature and got rejected. It is not related to the credit rating though. And they just simply said have not met our credit criteria. Would like to apply for another card with different provider. Is it safe to apply or should I wait? How many is too many in a specific period of time?
Hi CorTan,
Thanks for your question and we’re sorry to hear about your rejected application.
You may not have met the eligibility requirements (such as income, credit score, provided necessary documents) when applying.
No, it’s not a good idea to apply for another credit card straight away as applying for multiple credit cards within a short period can reflect badly on your credit score and decrease your chances of approval in the future.
You should wait a few months before applying for another card. In the mean time, you can start comparing other credit cards and making a shortlist of cards you’re eligible for. Make sure to read all of the relevant product disclosure statements and contact the providers to discuss your chances of approval before applying.
I hope this helps,
Cheers,
Sally