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Instant approval credit cards

You can compare credit cards that offer you a response in 60 seconds or less, check that you meet the eligibility criteria and apply online in 4 easy steps.

1 - 10 of 122
Name Product Purchase rate p.a. Balance transfer rate p.a. Annual fee
St.George Vertigo Card
13.99%
0% for 28 months with 1% balance transfer fee, then 21.99%
$55
Get a 0% p.a. interest rate on balance transfers for 28 months (with a 1% balance transfer fee). Ends 31 July 2024.
Qantas Premier Platinum
19.99%
0% for 12 months with 2% balance transfer fee, then 21.99%
$349 first year ($399 after)
Earn up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Points. Plus, save with a reduced first-year annual fee and 0% p.a. for 12 months on balance transfers, with a 2% BT fee.
NAB Low Rate Credit Card
13.49%
0% for 28 months with 2% balance transfer fee, then 21.74%
$0 first year ($59 after)
Get a 0% p.a. interest rate on balance transfers for the first 28 months (with a 2% BT fee). Plus, save with a $0 first-year annual fee.
Westpac Low Rate Card
13.74%
0% for 28 months with 2% balance transfer fee, then 21.99%
$59
Save with a 0% p.a. interest rate on balance transfers for 28 months (with a 2% BT fee). Plus, a low 13.74% p.a. purchase interest rate. Ends 31 July 2024.
ANZ Low Rate - Credit Back Offer
13.74%
21.99%
$58
Get $250 back on your card when you spend $1,500 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months.
Westpac Low Rate Card - Cashback Offer
13.74%
$59
A no-frills card offering up to $350 cashback: $50 each month you make at least $1,000 of eligible purchases for the first 7 months. Ends 31 July 2024.
American Express Low Rate Credit Card
10.99%
$0
Offers a low ongoing interest rate of 10.99% p.a. and a $0 annual fee. Plus, complimentary purchase cover.
Westpac Lite Card
9.9%
$108
Save with 0% foreign transaction fees, a low interest rate for purchases and cashback offers through Westpac Extras.
St.George Vertigo Card - Cashback Offer
13.99%
6.99% for 12 months, then 21.99%
$55
Get up to $400 cashback at eligible supermarkets and petrol stations in the first 180 days. Plus, a low interest rate for purchases. Ends 31 July 2024.
Qantas American Express Ultimate Card
23.99%
$450
Get a yearly $450 Travel Credit and up to 90,000 bonus Qantas Points (70,000 when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months and 20,000 points in year 2).
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What is an instant approval credit card?

When you apply for a credit card online, you'll typically get a response within 60 seconds of submitting it. If your application is successful, this is the closest you can get to an instant approval credit card in Australia.

Credit cards for applicants with bad credit

Make sure you check the eligibility criteria before you apply for any credit card. If you don't meet these requirements, your credit card application won't be approved and could affect your credit score. If you have bad credit history, you can work on improving your credit score or consider an alternative form of credit.

How does instant credit card approval work?

Instant credit card approval simply means you should get your card application approved just after you submit it (if your application is successful). Possibly within seconds.

You will need to meet the card's criteria and pass a credit score check.

Once approved, you'll have to wait 5 to 10 business days for the physical card to arrive in the mail. But with many cards now offering a digital version you can set up the card in a smartphone app and use the card instantly too.

When approval may take longer

If you're not approved or the credit card provider needs more details (sometimes known as "conditional approval"), they may ask for additional documentation such as payslips and bank statements. From there, it could take about 2-5 business days to receive the final outcome.

How can I get an instant approval credit card?

An instant approval credit card gives you a simple way to apply online and get your credit card as soon as possible. But it does not guarantee approval of your credit card application. So if you want to improve your chances of approval, these 4 steps will help you complete the application properly.

Step 1. Compare your options

As it's easy to apply for most credit cards online and get approval within 60 seconds, it's important to compare your options first to find a suitable card. Details to consider include:

  • The annual fee
  • The purchase interest rate
  • The cash advance interest rate
  • Introductory offers (e.g. bonus points or a promotional 0% interest rate)
  • Rewards and other perks

When comparing cards, think about how you plan to use it and what's most important to you so that you can narrow down your choices.

Step 2. Check the eligibility requirements

Each credit card has different eligibility criteria you need to meet before you can apply and get approved. This usually includes:

  • Age. You have to be at least 18 years of age to apply for any credit card in Australia.
  • Residency status. Depending on the card, you might only be able to apply if you're a permanent Australian resident or citizen. Some banks do offer cards for temporary residents – Finder's guide gives you details on what's required.
  • Income. You'll typically need to show proof of regular income and/or meet a minimum income requirement if one is listed. If you're worried about meeting the minimum income requirement, you could compare low-income credit cards.
  • Credit history. Most banks only accept applicants who have a good credit history with no evidence of defaults. Details such as late payments and other recent applications for credit can also have a negative impact on your credit score. If you have a low credit score, spend some time repaying existing debts and improving it before applying for a card.

Step 3. Get your documents and details ready

When you apply for a credit card online, you need to provide personal and financial details, plus supporting documents, before you can receive instant approval. Usually, this includes:

  • Proof of identity. Such as your driver's licence, passport or Medicare card.
  • Personal details. Your full name, residential address, living situation and contact details.
  • Employment and income. Proof of employment and income, including your employer's details and recent payslips. Other proof of income could include ATO statements and your accountant's details if you're self-employed, or evidence of your Centrelink payments or superannuation payments if you're retired.
  • Balance transfer details. If you're applying for a balance transfer, you'll need to provide details of your existing account and the amount you want to transfer to the new card.

Having these details ready before you start the application helps speed up the process when applying for a new credit card.

How some credit cards offer faster income verification

When applying for a credit card online, you may be asked to log in to your internet bank account through a secure, third-party service. This is a fast way for lenders to verify your income and any other relevant financial details. It's also used for some personal loan applications.

If you don't want to provide these details, the lender may offer alternatives. For example, with American Express you can log in to your internet bank account when you apply or upload or email supporting documentation.

Step 4. Apply online

The online application should only take around 10 to 15 minutes if you have all your details ready to go. Once you've submitted your application, you should receive your response within 60 seconds. You'll either be approved, rejected or contacted by the bank for further details.

As long as you meet the eligibility criteria and complete the application properly, most credit card issuers in Australia offer instant approval. But as any declined applications will hurt your credit score, it's important to compare your options and check that you meet the card's requirements before submitting an application to increase your chances of approval.

Reasons why your credit card might have been declined

Frequently asked questions

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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Richard Whitten as part of our fact-checking process.
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Head of editorial

As an authority on all things personal finance, Sarah Megginson is passionate about helping you save money and make money. She is an editor and money expert with 20 years’ experience and an extensive background in property and finance journalism. Sarah holds ASIC RG146-compliant Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification, and she's a regular media commentator, appearing weekly on TV (Sunrise, Channel 7 news, Nine news), radio (KIIS FM, Triple M, 3AW, 2GB, 6PR) and in digital and print media. See full bio

Sarah's expertise
Sarah has written 186 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Home loans
  • Personal finance
  • Budgeting and money-saving tips
  • Managing the cost of living

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