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Low income credit cards

Look for credit cards with income requirements from $15,000 to $35,000 per year, an annual fee below $100 and an interest rate you can manage when you're comparing cards.

1 - 10 of 132
Name Product Purchase rate p.a. Balance transfer rate p.a. Annual fee Min credit limit
St.George Vertigo Card
13.99%
0% for 28 months with 1% balance transfer fee, then 21.49%
$55
$500
Get a 0% p.a. interest rate on balance transfers for 28 months (with a 1% balance transfer fee).
Westpac Low Rate Card
13.74%
0% for 28 months with 2% balance transfer fee, then 21.49%
$59
$500
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.
NAB Low Rate Credit Card
13.49%
0% for 28 months with 2% balance transfer fee, then 21.74%
$0 first year ($59 after)
$1,000
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.
ANZ Low Rate - Credit Back Offer
13.74%
21.99%
$58
$1,000
Get $250 back on your card when you spend $1,500 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months.
St.George Vertigo Card - Cashback Offer
13.99%
6.99% for 12 months, then 21.49%
$55
$500
Get up to $400 cashback at eligible supermarkets and petrol stations in the first 180 days. Plus, a low interest rate for purchases.
ING Orange One Low Rate
11.99%
$0
$1,000
$0 annual fee and 100% foreign transaction fee rebates for customers with an Orange Everyday account who meet the minimum deposit and spend requirements.
Westpac Low Rate Card - Cashback Offer
13.74%
$59
$500
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.
American Express Low Rate Credit Card
10.99%
$0
$2,000
Offers a low ongoing interest rate of 10.99% p.a. and a $0 annual fee. Plus, complimentary purchase cover.
American Express Velocity Escape Card
23.99%
$0
$2,000
Save with a $0 annual fee and earn 0.75 Velocity Points per $1 on everyday purchases.
Coles No Annual Fee Mastercard
0% for 6 months, then 19.99%
19.99%
$0
$1,000
Save with an ongoing $0 annual fee and 0% interest on purchases for the first 6 months.
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A bunch of credit cards in Australia have low minimum income requirements of $15,000 to $35,000 per year. These cards make it easier for people in lower income brackets, students and pensioners to get a credit card. They usually offer competitive interest rates and annual fees to help keep your account costs down.

If you want a credit card and are on a lower income, you can compare options in the table. Before applying for any card, check the minimum income requirements and other eligibility criteria.

What features do low income credit cards offer?

  • Lower minimum income requirements. Income requirements for these cards are typically between $15,000 and $35,000 per year. To put this in perspective, other cards have minimum income requirements of $75,000 or more, usually when they are premium cards with lots of perks.
  • Low minimum credit limits. These cards typically have minimum credit limits ranging from $500 to $2,000.
  • Low annual fees. Typically they have annual fees of $100 or less. You could also look at cards that offer a $0 annual fee for the first year, or ongoing.
  • Interest rates. Some low income cards are also low rate cards that offer a purchase rate below 15% p.a.
  • Interest-free days. Most credit cards offer interest-free days on purchases. The number of days (such as up to 55 days) varies from card to card.
  • Simple features. Low income cards normally have cost-saving or basic features, rather than fancy extras like rewards, travel perks or complimentary insurance.
💡 Credit score tip: A low income credit card can help improve your credit score if you pay at least the minimum amount listed on your statement by the due date. And a higher credit score can improve your chance of approval when you apply for other loans.

What to think about when comparing low income credit cards

  • Minimum income requirements. Minimum income requirements in Australia typically start from $15,000 per year but not all credit cards publicly list a minimum income amount. Keep in mind that your income is assessed against your expenses – and this is what the bank will look at if they don't list a minimum income requirement.
  • Regular income. Even if a card does not list a minimum income, showing proof of a regular income is a common requirement. Finder research shows that, for the 8% of Australians who have had a credit card application declined, unsteady income was the most common reason. Providing proof of regular income, such as recent payslips, superannuation or bank statements helps show proof of your regular income.
  • Source of income. Most credit card applications ask you to report at least one source of income. If you are unemployed or do not earn a regular salary, other types of income may be considered. This could include:
    • Government benefits and Centrelink payments
    • Superannuation
    • Rental or investment property income
    • Child support
    • Other types of income specified by the provider
  • Credit history.If you have a low credit score, work on repairing it before you apply improve your chances of getting approved.
  • Affordability. Before applying for the card, make sure you can afford it. The key costs to look at are the annual fee, interest rate and credit limit. If you end up spending more than you can repay and get into unmanageable debt, talk to the bank or lender to get support. Otherwise, it could become stressful and lower your credit score.

What happens if I can't pay my credit card bill?

How can I apply for a low income credit card?

If you've compared your options and found a credit card that suits your needs, you can apply online in around 10–20 minutes. Before you get started, make sure you meet the other eligibility requirements.

As well as the minimum income, this includes being over 18 years old and meeting the Australian residency status requirements listed for the card.

Details you'll need for the application

When you apply for a credit card, you are asked for information about your personal and financial circumstances. The structure is different for each application, but here's a summary of the key information:

  • Personal details. This includes your full name, date of birth and residential address and living arrangements. If you've only lived at your current address for a few years, you may need to provide details of your previous address as well.
  • Identification. You'll be asked for your driver's licence number, or another form of ID such as your passport or Medicare card number. This helps confirm your identity and makes it possible for the credit card provider to request access to your credit file.
  • Income information. This includes your employment status, salary, length of employment and your employer's contact details. You may also be asked for recent payslips to confirm these details. If you're self-employed, on a pension or retired, you'll usually need to provide one or more of the following supporting documents:
    • 3 months of bank statements that show you're receiving payments
    • Your latest Tax Assessment Notice
    • A letter or other proof of income from government benefits
    • Superannuation
    • Contact details for your accountant
  • Other financial information. As well as your main source of income, you'll be asked about any other earnings or assets. This includes any savings accounts, as well as other assets such as shares or property. You'll also need to give details of your monthly household expenses and any existing debts – including loans, other credit cards and buy now pay later (BNPL).

Depending on the credit card provider, you may be asked for more details once the application is submitted. This could include payslips, bank statements and copies of your identification.

💳 Can I apply for a credit card with a low credit score?

No, you need to have a good credit score to be approved for a credit card in Australia. If you don't know what your credit score is, you can get a free copy of your credit report and score through Finder.

Get Your Free Credit Score

Alternative options to a credit card

If you don't meet the income requirements, can't find a suitable card or need funds for a one-off expense, here are other options to consider:

  • Personal loans. There are some personal loans with low income requirements. But as they may have higher interest rates and fees than other loans, make sure you consider the costs and compare options before deciding to apply.
  • No interest loans. No Interest Loans (NILs) offer up to $3,000 for people who earn less than $70,000 (or $100,000 as a couple). These loans are administered by Good Shepherd and are available through a range of non-profit community organisations around Australia.
  • Buy now pay later. Services like Afterpay and Zip give you a way to buy what you want and pay it off in instalments. Most buy now pay later accounts have a regular account fee, as well as late payment fees (or in some cases, interest charges), which can become expensive if you use it a lot and/or don't meet the repayment requirements.

Frequently asked questions

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8 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    SavannahApril 8, 2018

    We have plenty of assets but not a high income. We have to pay ATO a huge CGT bill this year and hoped to benefit by gaining frequent flyer points. I tried to join Amex today as it offers 100,000 points until TOMORROW!! Do you think this is possible?

      Default Gravatar
      JoelApril 8, 2018

      Hi Savannah,

      Thanks for your inquiry.

      It is very possible to get 100,000 points if you get approved before midnight. When you apply for a credit card, you can usually expect an immediate response (or at least 60 seconds). However, if you still have not heard back from the provider, consider calling AMEX to follow up.

      You may also refer to our guide to check your credit card application.

      Hope it helps.

      Cheers,
      Joel

    Default Gravatar
    TriciaFebruary 18, 2014

    I’m looking for a transfer balance credit card! I have two and would like to put together to make it easier for me! I’m a low income earner on about $19,000 per year! Can you please point me in the right direction!

      AvatarFinder
      JacobFebruary 19, 2014Finder

      Hi Tricia,

      Thanks for your question.

      This page features cards that are suitable for people with a low income. You may also want to have a look at our low-rate credit card comparison page. You can use the table to help you find the card that suits you. When you are ready, press the ‘Go to sie’ button of your preferred card to apply.

      Let us know if you have any further questions about finding a credit card.

      Cheers,
      Jacob

    Default Gravatar
    JudithJune 14, 2013

    Hello. I attempted to do a balance transfer from my Citibank mastercard to Bendigo basic black. I did try several times online only for those applications being terminated half way through. I then went to my local Bendigo branch and started the process there. My aim was to a have a lower interest rate and better manage my credit card debt. I earn $900 a fortnight gross and own my own home. Bendigo have finally advised after much stuffing around that I do not meet their lending criteria. Please advise what are my options now and does that fact that I have made several applications have an effect on future applications? Thank you, Judith.

      AvatarFinder
      JacobJune 14, 2013Finder

      Hi Judith. Thanks for your question. If you’ve applied for credit a couple of times in the recent past this may have some bearing on your future applications. There is no hard and fast rule about how many times you can apply for credit in a certain time frame before it negatively affects your application, but try to think about it from the lender’s perspective. If they can see that you’ve applied for credit six times in the last month, it would appear to them that you are a credit hungry customer and may be grounds for declining your application.

      But it’s not all bad if you have had a few applications on your credit file in the past. If you’ve been able to successfully manage the products you’ve applied for then there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to keep applying for credit (within your ability to repay). One possible action is to order a copy of your credit file. This will let you see what the lender sees when you apply for credit. You may want to consider waiting to apply for more credit. Hope this has helped and let us know if you need anything else. Jacob.

    Default Gravatar
    MeganSeptember 28, 2012

    Hello I was just wondering if I can get a credit card on a single parenting income and if so what one ?

      AvatarFinder
      JacobOctober 3, 2012Finder

      Hi Megan,

      Thanks for your question.

      Each credit card has a minimum income requirement that will show how much you must be earning before you can apply. If you do not meet the minimum income requirement, you can try Credit cards for single parents.

      I hope this helps.

      Regards,
      Jacob

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