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Low income credit cards

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

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Amy Bradney-George

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Sally McMullen
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1 - 12 of 15
Updated regularly
Name Product Purchase rate p.a. Balance transfer rate p.a. Annual fee Min credit limit Minimum income
St.George Vertigo Card
St.George Vertigo Card
13.99%
0% for 32 months
$0 for the first year ($55 thereafter)
$500
Get a 0% interest rate on balance transfers for 32 months (with no balance transfer fee) and a $0 annual fee for the first year.
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More Info
St.George No Annual Fee
St.George No Annual Fee
0% for 12 months, reverts to 20.74%
$0
$500
Save with a 0% p.a. interest rate offer and a $0 annual fee. Plus, a minimum credit limit of $500.
Go to site
More Info
Qantas American Express Discovery Card
Qantas American Express Discovery Card
20.74%
$0
$2,000
$35,000
Earn uncapped Qantas Points for every $1 dollar spent, plus an ongoing $0 annual fee.
Go to site
More Info
Bank of Melbourne Vertigo Card
Bank of Melbourne Vertigo Card
13.99%
0% for 32 months
$0 for the first year ($55 thereafter)
$500
Save with a 0% interest rate on balance transfers for 32 months (with no balance transfer fee) and a $0 annual fee for the first year.
Go to site
More Info
American Express Low Rate Credit Card
Finder Award
American Express Low Rate Credit Card
8.99%
$0
$1,000
$50,000
Offers a low ongoing interest rate of 8.99% p.a., up to 55 days interest-free on purchases and global card support. Ongoing $0 annual fee.
Go to site
More Info
BankSA Vertigo
BankSA Vertigo
13.99%
0% for 32 months
$0 for the first year ($55 thereafter)
$500
Offers 0% p.a. for 32 months on balance transfers (with no balance transfer fee). Plus, a $0 first-year annual fee.
Go to site
More Info
American Express Velocity Escape Card
American Express Velocity Escape Card
20.74%
$0
$2,000
$40,000
Get 0.75 points on your everyday purchases, uncapped, and a $0 annual fee for the life of the card.
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More Info
Great Southern Bank Low Rate Credit Card
Finder Award
Great Southern Bank Low Rate Credit Card
11.99%
0% for 33 months
$0 for the first year ($49 thereafter)
$500
Save with a 0% p.a. balance transfer rate for 33 months, $0 first-year annual fee, and a low variable 11.99% p.a. purchase interest rate.
Go to site
More Info
American Express Essential Credit Card
American Express Essential Credit Card
14.99%
$0
$2,000
$40,000
Get a $200 credit when you spend $1,500 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months. Plus, a $0 annual fee for life.
Go to site
More Info
David Jones American Express Card
David Jones American Express Card
20.74%
$99
$2,000
$40,000
Receive $200 credit when you spend $1,500 outside David Jones within the first 3 months from card approval.
Go to site
More Info
Coles No Annual Fee Mastercard
Finder Award
Coles No Annual Fee Mastercard
19.99%
0% for 12 months
$0
$2,000
$25,000
Get 20,000 bonus Flybuys points when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days. Plus, an ongoing $0 annual fee.
Go to site
More Info
ANZ Low Rate
ANZ Low Rate
12.49%
0% for 30 months
$0 for the first year ($58 thereafter)
$1,000
Now eligible for Cashrewards Max. 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.
Go to site
More Info
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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. Before applying for any card, be sure to check the minimum income requirements and other eligibility criteria.

What are the 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. To put this in perspective, some other credit cards have minimum income requirements of $75,000 or more – usually when they are premium cards with lots of perks.
  • Competitive annual fees. Low income credit cards typically offer annual fees of $100 or less. You can even find cards that don't charge an ongoing annual fee or offer a $0 annual fee in the first year.
  • 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) vary from card to card.
  • Simple features. Most low income credit cards focus on basic, cost-saving features rather than fancy extras like rewards, concierge services, travel perks and included insurance covers.
  • Build credit. You can use a low income credit card to build up a healthy credit score if you pay off your balance by the due date listed on each statement. And a good credit score improves your chance of approval when you apply for other loans in the future.

What should I think about when comparing low income credit cards?

  • Minimum income requirements. Not all cards have the same minimum income requirements. Some allow applications from people who earn at least $15,000 per year, while others have requirements of $35,000 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 credit card applications ask you to 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
    • 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 to help improve your chances of getting approved.
  • Affordability. Before you apply for the card, make sure you can afford it. The key costs to look at are the annual fee and interest rate. 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 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 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.
  • 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 low income credit card with a low credit score?

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 credit score through Finder. Once you have that, you can also see your chance of approval for credit cards and other credit products on 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 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 Newstart), the Age Pension or Carer's Allowance. Others may require you to be employed by a business.

If you're retired, you may need to provide evidence of 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.

Do I really need to provide my income when I apply for a credit card?

Yes. Your income is one of the key factors that lenders use to figure out if you'll be able to pay back what you spend on a credit card (or any other line of credit).

As all credit card providers must follow consumer credit laws and meet responsible lending requirements, they need to get accurate details of your financial situation – including your income, assets, debts and regular expenses. These requirements are ultimately designed to help protect you and others from predatory lending practises.

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    22 Responses

    1. 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
    2. 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
    3. 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
    4. 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
    5. 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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