How to increase your credit card limit

You can apply for a higher credit limit on your credit card in just a few minutes. But if you try to increase by too much you will get rejected.

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Amy Bradney-George

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Richard Whitten

Updated

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Key takeaways

  • You can apply to increase your credit card limit online or by phone in minutes.
  • A higher credit limit lets you spend more on the card, but can also get you deeper into debt if you're not careful.
  • A credit increase is like applying for a credit card again. It can affect your credit score, and your card provider could reject your application if your requested limit is too high.

How to increase your credit limit in 3 steps

  1. Check your current credit limit and work out how much you want to increase. Check that you can comfortably afford to repay this amount.
  2. Log in to your credit card or banking app. You should be able to request a higher credit limit online. If not, you can also call your card provider.
  3. Make the request and wait for approval. Depending on your bank or card provider, the request could take a few days to get approved, or less than an hour.

How to request an increase to your credit card limit with major Australian card issuers

Here are details of what you need to do to request a credit limit increase for most of the major banks and lenders in Australia.

BankDetails
American Express
  • Log into your American Express account or call the number on the back of your card and make your request.
  • Processing is immediate and your credit limit will be increased within the hour if approved.
ANZ
  • Sign into ANZ Internet banking, select your credit card account, then select "Apply for a credit card limit increase". You will then be prompted to fill out an online application form.
Bank of Melbourne
  • Log into Bank of Melbourne internet banking, look under "Manage my accounts". Under the "Card services" heading, select "Increase credit card limit" to make your request.
  • Otherwise, call 1300 784 934 and say “increase card limit” when prompted.
  • With Bank of Melbourne, you can only apply for a credit limit increase 6 months after your account opening date or last requested increase.
Bankwest
  • Visit a Bankwest branch, call 13 17 19 or request a Live Chat through Bankwest Online Banking.
Bendigo Bank
  • Visit any Bendigo Bank branch or call 1300 236 344.
Coles
  • Call 1300 306 397 to make a request.
Commonwealth Bank
  • Log into NetBank or the CommBank App to request a change to your credit limit.
Macquarie Bank
  • Macquarie currently doesn't offer the option to increase your credit limit.
ME Bank
  • After you've held your credit card for at least 6 months, you must fill out a credit limit increase request form and send it in by email or post.
NAB
  • Log into NAB Internet banking, select "Credit card credit limit" and follow the prompts to make your request.
Qantas Money
  • Call Card Support on 1300 992 700.
  • For an increase to be approved, you must meet the credit criteria, your accounts must be in good standing and you must not have successfully applied for a credit limit increase or accepted an additional credit product from Qantas Money within the last 6 months.
St.George
  • Log into St.George internet banking, look under "Manage my accounts", select "Card services", then select "Increase credit card limit".
  • Otherwise, call 1300 784 934 and say “increase credit card limit” when prompted.
  • With St.George, you can only apply for a credit limit increase 6 months after your account opening date or last requested increase.
Suncorp
  • Suncorp Bank no longer offers credit cards to new customers. Former Suncorp Bank Clear Options Credit Card accounts have been replaced with MyCard Credit Cards, so contact MyCard on 13 24 84 about your credit limit.
Virgin Money
  • Call 13 37 39 and follow the prompts.
  • You can request a credit limit increase 9 months after your account opening date or 6 months after your last requested increase.
  • Assessments take between 7 and 10 working days and are subject to Virgin Money's lending criteria.
Westpac
  • Log in to Westpac online banking and select "request a credit limit increase".
  • Alternatively, visit any Westpac branch or call 1300 651 089.

How to increase your chances of being approved for a credit limit increase

  • Make payments on time and pay your balance in full. Timely payments can improve your chances for approval because they show the bank that you are a responsible and low-risk borrower. Paying off the full balance also shows the bank that you're capable of managing a higher credit card limit.
  • Optimise your credit score. Always protect your credit score by making payments on time. Even late payments on phone and utility bills, car loans or personal loans can hurt your credit report and deter the bank from increasing your credit limit. You can get a free copy of your credit score and review your report through Finder.
  • Don't ask too soon or too often. Unless otherwise stipulated, credit card providers typically review your account after six months. Asking before that time could raise alarm bells and hurt your chances of a future credit limit increase.
  • Don't ask for too much. Prudence can go a long way when it comes to requesting a credit limit. It is better to ask for a conservative 10-25% increase than to wildly shoot for more.
  • Apply for a card with a high minimum credit limit. Premium credit cards typically offer higher minimum credit limits than standard cards. If you meet the eligibility requirements for these cards, you could compare your options and apply for one that suits your spending habits and needs.

What to think about before adjusting your credit limit

The benefits of a higher credit limit

  • Spend more on your card. You’ll have greater spending power because you can make larger purchases without going over your existing credit limit.
  • Greater rewards earning potential. If you have a frequent flyer or rewards credit card, you can earn more points with a larger credit limit.
  • Emergency funds. You’ll have a bigger safety net in case of an emergency.

The risks of getting a higher credit limit

  • Meeting monthly repayments. A higher credit limit and larger debt will increase the minimum repayments you have to pay each month.
  • Increased debt risks. Having more credit could increase your spending and lead to more debt if you’re not disciplined in repaying your account in full each month.
  • Impacts your credit score. Applying for a greater limit could temporarily lower your credit score. And if you apply for a home or car loan later, a high credit limit can affect your borrowing power.

What is a good credit limit?

A good credit limit is one that you can easily manage without paying lots of interest or going into debt. This looks a little different for each individual.

The average credit limit is $9,989 per credit card, according to Reserve Bank of Australia data.

The right credit limit for you is one that:

  • Is high enough that you can cover your monthly spending needs (or whatever specific purpose you use the card for).
  • Is not so high that it impacts your overall creditworthiness and lets you spend more than you can afford.

What happens if I go over my credit limit?

Although your credit limit generally sets the ceiling for your credit card spending, some card providers may let you temporarily exceed that limit. But there could be a fee for going over your limit.

How to request a credit limit decrease

If you want to lower your credit limit instead, you can submit a request online or by calling your credit card provider. As long as the lower credit limit meets the card's minimum credit limit requirements, your request should be processed straight away.

Even if a credit limit increase isn’t on the cards for you yet, all the above suggestions are good habits to practise. The underlying principle is to establish a healthy credit history by borrowing and repaying responsibly.

A credit limit increase may be good to have as long as it doesn't increase your spending dramatically or negatively impact your ability to repay. You should only apply for a credit increase if you can afford it and spend responsibly.

Need help with managing credit? Call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 to speak to a financial counsellor for free.

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Amy is an experienced journalist with over 16 years of experience, contributing to major publications like Money Magazine, The Sydney Morning Herald, and ABC News Australia. Specialising in personal finance, she frequently appeared in media outlets and on radio. Amy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Drama from Griffith University and earned RG146 certifications in Tier 1 Generic Knowledge and Tier 2 General Advice Deposit Products, ensuring her expertise is grounded in current financial regulations. Amy was Finder's Senior Writer for Credit Cards from 2016 to 2024. See full bio

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Richard Whitten is Finder’s Senior Money Editor, with over eight years of experience in home loans, property, credit cards and personal finance. His insights appear in top media outlets like Yahoo Finance, Money Magazine, and the Herald Sun, and he frequently offers expert commentary on television and radio, helping Australians navigate mortgages and property ownership. Richard started his career in education and textbook publishing in South Korea. He holds multiple industry certifications, including a Certificate IV in Mortgage Broking (RG 206) and Tier 1 and Tier 2 certifications (RG 146), as well as a Bachelor of Education from the University of Sydney and a Graduate Certificate in Communications from Deakin University. See full bio

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6 Responses

    Adam's avatar
    AdamJuly 1, 2015

    Hi,

    I need a credit card limit of $60,000 -$80,000 can I get this sort of limit on application?

    My credit history has no defaults my credit score is 593 currently I have a few smaller credit limits of $2000, $6000.

    I earn $80,000 a year gross.

    Any help with which providers are more lenient would be great?

      Jonathan's headshotFinder
      JonathanJuly 8, 2015Finder

      Hi Adam, thanks for your inquiry!

      Please see the following link for Platinum, Gold & Black credit cards which have higher credit limits. The available credit limit on the credit card will depend on the lender’s criteria. As a result it would be best to contact the provider before completing an application to better assess your personal needs.

      Cheers,

      Jonathan

    buyiswa's avatar
    buyiswaJune 2, 2015

    I want to increase my instant credit limit

      sally.mcmullen@hiveempire.com's headshotFinder
      sally.mcmullen@hiveempire.comJune 2, 2015Finder

      Hi Buyiswa,

      Thank you for your comment.

      Depending on your card and bank, you may wish to contact your bank directly to discuss your options.

      However, if you have any more specific questions, feel free to contact us and we will try to provide you with further assistance.

      Thanks,

      Sally

    eric's avatar
    ericMarch 13, 2015

    I have African Bank credit card silver and i want a credit in it, can i get it?

      Jonathan's headshotFinder
      JonathanMarch 16, 2015Finder

      Hi Eric, thanks for your inquiry.

      Credit limit increases can be requested by contacting your respective bank/ lender.

      Cheers,

      Jonathan

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