Easy credit cards to get approval for

Credit cards you can easily apply for online

If you meet the eligibility requirements and provide the requested information, you can get a response within 60 seconds when you apply for one of the credit cards below:

• ANZ Low Rate card. Offers a minimum credit limit of $1,000, a $0 annual fee in the first year ($58 after that) and a response within 60 seconds when you apply online.
• Westpac Low Rate card. This card from Westpac offers a very low minimum credit limit of $500, a $59 annual fee and a simple application process.
• MONEYME Freestyle Virtual Card. Offers credit limits of $1,000 up to $20,000 and charges a $0, $49 or $149 annual fee depending on your credit limit. This card can be used instantly on your smartphone once you're approved.
• ING Orange One Low Rate Card. You can get this card with a low $1,000 credit limit. It also has a $0 annual fee and a low purchase rate.

How can I get easy approval for a credit card?

There are 2 main things that help you gain credit card approval: a good credit history, and a regular income. Having these 2 things increases your chances of getting approved for a credit card because it's unsecured credit, and banks want reassurance that you can afford to pay for the minimum repayments each month.

Australian credit card companies must follow lending requirements enforced by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). According to ASIC, credit card companies and lenders must:

• "assess your request based on your ability to repay the credit limit within 3 years", and
• make inquiries about your financial situation before approving your credit application.

That's why they review your credit report when assessing your application. This means you cannot get a credit card without a credit check and no card provider can guarantee approval before you apply.

What types of credit cards are easy to apply for?

There is no guaranteed way to get approved for a credit card, but meeting a card's eligibility criteria improves your chances of approval. Cards with more basic features usually have less eligibility requirements than premium cards with lots of perks.

Here are some types of credit cards that may have lower eligibility criteria for you to meet:

• Low income credit cards. Low income credit cards are designed for people with a good credit history and a yearly income of $15,000 to $35,000. You need to provide proof of income when you apply, such as recent payslips and details of your employer.
• Low credit limit cards. If you have a low income, you could look at cards with minimum credit limits that start at around $500. A lower credit limit can reduce the risk of debt and make it easier to meet the eligibility requirements. Finder's guide to credit card limit calculations explains how it works.
• Low annual fee credit cards. Annual fees on credit cards vary, but cards with low or no annual fees are likely to have fewer extra features and may have lower income requirements.
• Low rate credit cards. Low rate credit cards offer a low interest rate for purchases and usually have fewer extra features (such as rewards or complimentary insurance) compared to premium cards. They are also more likely to have lower minimum income requirements, which could make it easier to apply for one.
• No interest, flat fee cards. No interest, flat-fee credit cards charge a monthly fee instead of interest, and offer credit limits from $1,000 to $3,000. These credit cards are designed to compete with buy now pay later. Their structured repayments and low credit limits can make them easier to apply for and get approved.
• Joint account cards. With a joint account credit card, you apply and share responsibility for it with someone else. This means your combined income and other finances are assessed when you apply, which could increase the chance of approval. But only a few banks offer joint account cards and the application may take longer.

What is an instant approval credit card?

When you apply for a credit card online, you'll typically get a response from a bank or card provider within 60 seconds of hitting "submit". If your application is successful, this is the closest you can get to an instant approval credit card in Australia.

Once you're approved, you'll get your card in the mail within 5-10 business days.

How to apply for a credit card online

It takes around 10-20 minutes to complete an online credit card application – that's the easy part. To get approved, you need to meet the card's eligibility criteria and provide the requested documents.

Having your details handy, such as your pay slip, your expenses and your regular bills, will make the process easier.

Here are some of the most common criteria and details requested as part of your application:

Eligibility criteria

• Age. You must be at least 18 years old.
• Australian residency status. If you're a permanent resident or an Australian citizen, you'll be eligible to apply for most cards. Some financial institutions also offer credit cards to temporary residents with a valid visa.
• Income. You should have proof of a stable, regular source of income. Depending on the card, this could include sources outside of employment, such as Centrelink payments (but not typically JobSeeker payments).
• Credit history. Australian credit cards typically require good credit history – or excellent for more premium cards. For example, late payments or defaults are viewed as red flags. And there are no credit cards that skip the credit check.

Documents and details

• Personal details. This includes your full name, date of birth, residential address, email address, contact number, relationship status and number of dependants. You also need to provide details from your Australian driver's license, passport or Medicare card for ID.
• Employment and income. Most credit card applications ask for your main occupation, type of employment and your employer's contact number. Supporting documentation can include 1-3 recent payslips, bank statements showing your income or your most recent Tax Assessment Notice.
  • If you're employed casually or on a contract. You may need to include a letter confirming your employment status and minimum guaranteed hours. Plus details of any other paid jobs.
  • If you're self-employed. Information about the business, plus your accountant's name, and contact number. Supporting documentation can include your 2 most recent Tax Assessment Notices, Income Tax Returns or profit and loss statements for the business.
  • If your regular income is through Centrelink. Supporting documents can include a signed letter from Centrelink showing proof of payment and recent bank statements showing you receive regular payments.
  • If you're retired. Supporting documentation such as your most recent pension statement, an annual superannuation statement or personal bank statements showing regular credits or cash deposits.
• Bills and expenses. Credit providers look at the difference between your income and expenses as part of their assessment, so they'll want to know about your existing debts and regular expenses.

After you apply, you'll usually get an instant response (within seconds). The credit card company will then tell you what's next and/or send you a welcome pack if you're approved.

You may get a response that your application requires more assessment. This means the provider needs to take more time to review your application with the credit department.

What if I'm not eligible?

If you're not eligible for a credit card or your application is declined, you're better off focusing on fixing any problems before applying again. Here are 5 tips to help improve your finances:

1. Make repayments on time for existing debts.
2. Wait at least 6 months before applying again to reduce the risk of a lower credit score.
3. Make a budget so you can stay on track with your spending and savings.
4. Check your credit score regularly to see the impact of your changes. This will also give you a sense of when you will be eligible for a card.
5. Ask for help when you need it by speaking to your current bank if you're struggling with repayments, or if you want to know what credit options they can offer you.

Other types of credit you could consider

Emergencies and big-ticket items are 2 of the biggest reasons Australians get a credit card, Finder analysis shows. If your reasons are similar but you're worried about approval, these alternatives usually offer simple applications.

Secured personal loans

Secured personal loans are tied to an asset, such as a car, home or term deposit account. This "security" can give you a better chance of approval. Just keep in mind that personal loans usually offer a fixed amount of credit you pay off over time (e.g. 3-5 years).

Buy now pay later

While not exactly credit, buy now pay later (BNPL) lets you pay off a purchase in instalments, usually with an account fee.

BNPL accounts (including Afterpay) don't typically check your credit score when you apply, making them easy to get and use if you're planning to pay for big-ticket items. Just check that the purchase has a BNPL option before opening an account.

Pay on demand apps

Pay on demand or pay advance apps let you access your wages early, for a fee. Some of these apps offer funding within 60 seconds of approval, making them as fast (or faster) than a credit card. But they are more suited to short-term goals.

Payday loans

Payday loans offer easy applications and fast access to cash but have very high interest rates and fees. As well as being expensive, they increase your risk of debt and should only be considered as a last resort, when no other emergency relief options are available.

Frequently asked questions

• Which credit cards give you instant approval?

  Most Australian credit cards offer 60 second or "instant" approval when you apply online and meet the eligibility requirements. This includes credit cards from ANZ, CommBank, NAB, Westpac, St.George and other major brands.

• What credit score do I need to get a credit card?

  You need a good credit score (usually between 500 to 734, or higher) to apply for a credit card in Australia. When you get your credit score, you should also see where it ranks compared to others. As long as it is listed as "good", "very good" or "excellent", you will meet this eligibility requirement.

• Can I get a credit card without a credit check?

  In Australia, you can only apply for a credit card if you agree to a credit check. There are also no guaranteed approval credit cards available. But you can improve your chances of being approved by making sure you meet the eligibility requirements and including as much information as possible on your application.

• What if I have bad credit?

  If you have bad credit history, you won't be eligible to get a credit card until your credit score improves. Finder's guide to bad credit credit cards has steps you can take to build up good credit history and increase your chances of approval.