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Low income credit cards

Look for income requirements between $15,000 - $35,000 per year, an annual fee below $100 and an interest rate you can manage when comparing cards.

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Sally McMullen
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Data updated regularly
Name Product Purchase rate Balance transfer rate Annual fee Min credit limit Minimum income
Qantas American Express Discovery Card
Qantas American Express Discovery Card
20.74% p.a.
$0
$2,000
$35,000
Earn 0.75 Qantas Points for your everyday purchases, uncapped, and pay $0 annual fee for the life of the card on this no-frills frequent flyer card.
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Westpac Low Rate Card
Westpac Low Rate Card
13.74% p.a.
0% p.a. for 28 months with 1% balance transfer fee
$0 annual fee for the first year ($59 p.a. thereafter)
$500
$30,000
Save with a $0 annual fee for the first year, plus, a 0% interest rate on balance transfers for 28 months.
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More Info
St.George Vertigo Card
St.George Vertigo Card
13.99% p.a.
0% p.a. for 30 months
$0 annual fee for the first year ($55 p.a. thereafter)
$500
Save with a 0% interest rate on balance transfers for 30 months (with no balance transfer fee) and a $0 annual fee for the first year.
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More Info
humm90 Mastercard
humm90 Mastercard
23.99% p.a.
$99
$1,000
$25,000
Enjoy up to 110 days interest-free on purchases, 0% foreign transaction fees and flexible instalment plan options.
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Bank of Melbourne Vertigo Card
Bank of Melbourne Vertigo Card
13.99% p.a.
0% p.a. for 30 months
$0 annual fee for the first year ($55 p.a. thereafter)
$500
Save with a 0% interest rate on balance transfers for 30 months (with no balance transfer fee) and a $0 annual fee for the first year.
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More Info
NAB StraightUp Card
NAB StraightUp Card
N/A
$0
$1,000
Save with 0% interest charges and 0% foreign transaction fees. Plus, $0 monthly fees when you don't use the card or carry a balance.
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BankSA Vertigo
BankSA Vertigo
13.99% p.a.
0% p.a. for 30 months
$0 annual fee for the first year ($55 p.a. thereafter)
$500
Enjoy 0% p.a. for 30 months on balance transfers (with no balance transfer fee), a low purchase rate and a $0 first-year annual fee.
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BankSA No Annual Fee
BankSA No Annual Fee
0% p.a. for 12 months, reverts to 20.74% p.a.
$0
$500
Offers 0% p.a. on purchases for 12 months and an ongoing $0 annual fee.
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NAB Low Fee Card
NAB Low Fee Card
19.74% p.a.
0% p.a. for 6 months with 2% balance transfer fee
$30
$1,000
Receive complimentary insurance covers and 0% p.a. for 6 months on balance transfers.
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ANZ Low Rate
ANZ Low Rate
12.49% p.a.
0% p.a. for 30 months
$0 annual fee for the first year ($58 p.a. thereafter)
$1,000
Save with 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 30 months (with no BT fee) and $0 first-year annual fee. Plus a 12.49% p.a. purchase interest rate.
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More Info
Bank of Melbourne Vertigo Card - Cashback Offer
Bank of Melbourne Vertigo Card - Cashback Offer
13.99% p.a.
6.99% p.a. for 12 months
$0 annual fee for the first year ($55 p.a. thereafter)
$500
Offers a $300 cashback when you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first 120 days. Plus, a $0 first-year annual fee.
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More Info
BankSA Vertigo - Cashback Offer
BankSA Vertigo - Cashback Offer
13.99% p.a.
6.99% p.a. for 12 months
$0 annual fee for the first year ($55 p.a. thereafter)
$500
Earn $300 cashback when you spend at least $4,000 in the first 120 days. Plus, a $0 first-year annual fee.
Go to site
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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 lower annual fees to help keep your account costs down.

If you want a credit card and have a lower income, you can compare options in the table below. Before applying for any card, be sure to check the minimum income requirements and other eligibility criteria.

What benefits of a low income credit card?

  • Lower minimum income requirements. Income requirements for these cards are typically between $15,000 and $35,000 per year. You'll need to provide proof of your income with recent payslips, income tax returns, a letter of employment, a letter from Centrelink, bank statements or other documents.
  • Competitive annual fee. You might even be able to find a card that doesn't charge an ongoing annual fee or has a $0 annual fee promotional offer.
  • Lower interest rates. Some low income cards also double as low rate cards. This means you could get a card that charges a purchase rate of less than 13% p.a.
  • Interest-free days. Most credit cards offer interest-free days on purchases, though the number of days (such as up to 55 days) would vary from card to card.
  • No frills features. Most low-income credit cards don't offer expensive extras like rewards, concierge services, travel perks and included insurance covers.
  • Build credit. If you're using a low income credit card with low interest rates, you could use the card to build up a healthy credit score if you pay off your balance each statement period. With good creditworthiness, you'll have increased chances of approval when applying for other loans in the future.

What should I consider when comparing low income credit cards?

  • Minimum income requirements. Not all cards have the same minimum income requirement. While some allow applications from individuals who earn at least $15,000 p.a., others have requirements of $25,000 or more. 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.
  • Source of income. Most lenders will require that you report at least one source of income on your application. If you are unemployed or do not earn a regular salary, other types of income may be considered. Depending on the provider and the card, this could include government benefits and Centrelink payments, child support, superannuation, rental income and other types of income specified by the provider.
  • Credit history. If you have a low credit score, work on repairing it before applying. Making sure you provide all the required information in your application also increases chances of approval.
  • Affordability. Before you apply for the card, make sure you can afford it. If you end up borrowing more than you can repay and get into unmanageable debt, this will have a negative impact on your credit rating.

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 need to share information about your personal and financial circumstances. While each application is different in structure, here is a rundown the key information you'll be asked for:

  • 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 also makes it possible for the credit card provider to request access to your credit file.
  • Employment information. This includes your salary, role, 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 or retired, you may be asked for details such as your latest Tax Assessment Notice, income from government benefits, superannuation or contact details for your accountant.
  • Financial information. As well as your main source of income, you'll be asked about any additional money you've earned. This includes interest from any savings accounts, as well as other assets such as shares or property. You'll also need to give details of any existing debts (including loans and other credit cards) and monthly household expenses.

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

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

You'll 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 through Finder. If your score is low, spend some time repaying any existing debts and demonstrating good credit habits to build your score before applying for a credit card. Rejected credit card applications are listed on your credit history and can hurt your score.

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Frequently asked questions

What eligibility criteria do I have to meet to apply?

Apart from meeting minimum income requirements, you should be at least 18 years old, an Australian resident and have a good credit history. If you want to check your credit score before you apply, you can check your score and download your credit report for free on Finder.

Can I apply for a credit card if I'm unemployed?

You usually need to receive a regular income to be approved for a credit card. Some credit card providers will consider applications when you receive payments from Centrelink, including JobSeeker (formerly Austudy) or Carer's Allowance, while others may require you to be employed by a business.

If you're retired, you may be able to apply for a credit card if you can provide evidence of an income through assets, savings and superannuation. Check the eligibility criteria for individual cards or contact a provider directly if you have questions about your circumstances.

How quickly can I complete the application?

Most online credit card applications take around 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

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    22 Responses

      Default Gravatar
      RajuAugust 28, 2019

      Hi i have annual income of $61473 and taxable annual income is $23087.I am a student in Sydney and run my own small handyman business ,and i don’t know if i can get a credit card can you make it clear or help me.
      Thanks

      Reply
        Default Gravatar
        NikkiAugust 30, 2019

        Hi Raju,

        Thanks for your message. It’s great to know that you are looking to apply for a credit card. To get started, compare from the cards on the list above. Read the part of the page that says “What should I consider when comparing for a low-income credit card?” to help you decide which card to go for. As a friendly reminder, check the eligibility requirements of the card before proceeding with your application. Also, read about its features and benefits and see how it fits your financial needs. Additionally, it’s helpful to review the PDS and Terms & Conditions of the card before fully committing to the card. You may also reach out to the bank if you have any clarifications.

        Hope this helps!

        Best,
        Nikki

        Reply
      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?

      Reply
        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 12 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, you can consider calling AMEX to directly follow up.

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

        Hope it helps.

        Cheers,
        Joel

        Reply
      Default Gravatar
      RITUFebruary 2, 2017

      My annual salary is 210000.is it possible to get credit card

      Reply
        Avatarfinder Customer Care
        MayFebruary 2, 2017Staff

        Hi Ritu,

        Thanks for your question.

        I’m afraid that the credit cards we feature on our pages are available to people who are in Australia only. You’d be best to get in touch with a bank in India to discuss your chances of approval for a credit card.

        Cheers,
        May

        Reply
      Default Gravatar
      AmanNovember 10, 2015

      my annual income is 160000..is it possible to get credit card

      Reply
        Avatarfinder Customer Care
        JonathanNovember 11, 2015Staff

        Hi Aman,

        Thanks for your inquiry!

        Yes, you may be eligible for a credit card as long as you meet eligibility requirements such as your credit score, residency status, employment status and income.

        There are a range of credit cards with a low minimum income requirement you can compare. You can press the “Go to Site” button of your preferred credit card to proceed with your application. You can also contact the provider if you have specific enquiries.

        A friendly reminder, please ensure to read through the relevant product disclosure statement and terms and conditions to ensure that you got everything covered before you apply.

        Cheers,
        Jonathan

        Reply
      Default Gravatar
      dhanOctober 12, 2015

      hi, i am looking for low base credit card, my monthly income14500/- is it possible get credit card??

      Reply
        Avatarfinder Customer Care
        JonathanOctober 13, 2015Staff

        Hi Dhan,

        Thank you for your inquiry.

        The minimum income required for a credit card application varies depending on the bank but is generally at least $15,000. You may want to check the eligibility requirements on your preferred credit card and speak to a bank representative.

        To understand how other eligibility requirements can affect your application, you can refer to our guide on minimum income requirements. Please ensure to read through the relevant product disclosure statement and terms and conditions of the card you will choose before you apply.

        I hope this helps.

        Cheers,
        Jonathan

        Reply
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