Credit card application tips

You can apply for a new credit card online in around 10 to 20 minutes and usually receive a response within 60 seconds. If you rush your application, your submission could be declined and hurt your credit score. From checking that you meet the eligibility requirements and reviewing your credit score to including the proper details, we've outlined 8 tips to help you submit your credit card application.

How to apply for a credit card in 8 steps

Before you apply for a credit card, there are a few steps that you can take to make sure you're picking the right card for you.

1. Decide what type of card you want

There are many types of credit cards that suit different types of cardholders. Before you begin your search, think about what you want, need and can afford with your next credit card. For example, if you're studying and this the first credit card you're applying for, you might want to apply for a student credit card. You may also want to consider a card with a low minimum credit limit to manage your spending. If you plan to carry a balance and want to reduce your interest costs, then you might decide to apply for a low rate credit card.

If you're a regular spender who regularly repays their balance, you could use a frequent flyer credit card to earn points as you spend. Or if you're struggling to repay existing debt, you could pay it off with no interest for a promotional period of up to 26 months with a balance transfer credit card. Whatever the case, defining the type of card you want will help you find the right one for you.

2. Compare your options

Once you've decided what type of card you want, it's time to begin comparing your options. You can use the reviews and tables on Finder to compare the following features so that you understand the costs and benefits associated with each card:

• Interest rates on purchases, cash advances and balance transfers
• Annual fees
• Interest-free periods
• Frequent flyer and rewards schemes including bonus points and earn rates as well as how you can earn and redeem points
• Complimentary insurances including travel insurance, purchase protection and extended warranty cover
• Additional cardholders and whether they come with an additional fee
• Extra features including concierge services, airport lounge passes and travel credits

3. Check the eligibility requirements

You'll need to meet a set of eligibility requirements to be approved for any credit card you apply for. The specific criteria will vary between cards but the eligibility requirements usually include:

• Age. Cardholders must be at least 18 years of age.
• Minimum income. You'll need to meet a minimum annual income to apply, which can start at $15,000 p.a. for low-income credit cards and go up to $100,000 p.a. and beyond for higher income products.
• Residential status. Credit card issuers usually require you to be a permanent Australian resident or hold a specific visa to apply for a credit card.
• Good credit history. You'll need to have a good credit history with no defaults or evidence of bankruptcy to receive approval. We'll cover credit score further in the next tip.

4. Check and improve your credit score

Credit card issuers will complete a credit check when assessing your application. Using your credit history, the banks can review your repayment habits, current liabilities, other credit applications and any defaults or bankruptcies. They use this information to assess your ability to repay your line of credit. Australian credit issuers will only approve people with a good or excellent credit score.

You can check your score and review your credit report for free through Finder. Not only is this a good opportunity to see where your credit score is at, but it's also a good opportunity to identify any errors on your report. For example, you may find invalid credit enquiries or late repayments on your report. In this case, contact the credit reporting bureau to have the incorrect information removed.

If you review your credit report and find that you have a low credit score, spend some time making timely repayments and paying down existing debt. You may be declined if you apply for a credit card while you have a low credit score. This will be marked as a credit enquiry on your report and will only further hurt your score. Check out Finder's guide to credit repair for more information. Get Your Free Credit Score

5. Enter your details carefully and review before submitting

You'll be asked to provide personal and financial information during the application. This will include details including your full name, address, contact information, employment and annual income. You may also be required to list your regular expenses, assets, savings and any liabilities (including existing credit cards and loans). If you have this information on hand, it should only take you 15-20 minutes to complete the application. It's important to enter this information carefully and take the time to review the details before submitting the application. Any errors could slow down the process or result in a declined application.

6. Organise the required documents and information

You're required to provide a number of documents with your credit card application. This typically includes your driver's licence, proof of residential status, recent payslips and tax return.

• Personal details. This includes your full name, birth date, contact information relationship status and residency.
• Identification. You need to provide your driver's licence number or another form of ID such as your Medicare number or passport.
• Employment and income. This includes your current role, pre-tax salary and your employer's contact information (or accountant's details if you're self-employed). You may also need to share details of previous jobs. If you receive payments from Centrelink, a pension or dividends from investments, include these details as well.
• Finances. This includes details of any savings or other assets, such as property, as well as existing debts such as a mortgage, personal loan or other credit cards. You'll also be asked to list your regular expenses, such as bills, mortgage payments, groceries and other essentials. As well as your credit history, the lender uses your employment and financial information to determine whether or not you will be able to pay off your credit limit within a reasonable time period.
• Balance transfer information. If you're transferring an existing debt to the new card, you will be asked for the account name and number, the provider's BSB, the type of debt and the amount you want to move to the new account.

Make sure you confirm what you need to provide before you start the application to speed up the process.

7. Submit your application and wait for a response

Once you've reviewed your information and documents, you can submit your application. You should receive a response within around 60 seconds. If the bank requires more information, you may be conditionally approved and a representative will contact you for further details. If you're approved, you should receive your new credit card within a week or so.

8. Don't apply for multiple cards at once or within a short period

You should only apply for one credit card at a time. Each time you apply for a card, the lender checks your credit history and this is listed as an enquiry on your report. These remain on your credit history for five years. If you apply for several credit cards in a short period of time, this is considered a red flag by banks and could reduce your chances of approval in the future.

Compare and apply for a low rate credit card

Sort by:

Name	Product	Purchase rate (p.a.)	Interest Free Period	Annual fee	Balance transfer rate	Balance transfer rate
Bendigo Bank Low Rate Mastercard		11.99% p.a.	Up to 55 days on purchases	$45 p.a.	0% p.a. for 18 months with 2% balance transfer fee	0% p.a. for 18 months with 2% balance transfer fee	A no-frills credit card with a competitive annual fee and 0% p.a. interest rate on balance transfers for the first 18 months.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Coles Low Rate Mastercard		12.99% p.a.	Up to 55 days on purchases	$58 p.a.	0% p.a. for 6 months	0% p.a. for 6 months	Collect 1 flybuys point per $2 spent at Coles supermarkets and get free delivery on orders over $100. Plus, Coles Mobile Wallet.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
ING Orange One		11.99% p.a.	Up to 45 days on purchases	$0 p.a.			Keep costs low with $0 annual fee and 100% foreign transaction fee rebates. Available when you hold or open an Orange Everyday account.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
ANZ Low Rate		12.49% p.a.	Up to 55 days on purchases	$0 p.a. annual fee for the first year ($58 p.a. thereafter)	0% p.a. for 22 months with 1.5% balance transfer fee	0% p.a. for 22 months with 1.5% balance transfer fee	With a low minimum credit limit of $1,000, this no frills card allows you to add up to 3 additional cardholders for $0.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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What happens after I submit my application?

If you applied for a credit card online, you should get a response within 60 seconds of submitting your completed application. When you're successful, you will receive account details and your new card should arrive in approximately 10 business days (although it could be longer in some cases). If the card issuer requires more information, your application may be tentatively approved and they may ask for further details. If you haven't heard 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 15 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.

Pictures: Getty