Easy credit cards to get approval for in Australia

Easy approval credit cards you can apply for online

Here are some popular credit cards with low rates, low minimum income requirements and low credit limits. These cards may offer easy, quick approval for eligible applicants.

• ANZ Low Rate Card. Offers a minimum credit limit of $1,000, a $0 annual fee in the first year ($58 after that) and a response within 60 seconds when you apply online.
• Westpac Lite Card. This card from Westpac offers a very low minimum credit limit of $1,000 and you can be eligible for this card with an annual income as low as $30,000.
• WizitCard. This card is a no interest instant digital card with a low credit limit. You can get it quickly and start using it right away. There is a monthly fee instead of an interest rate, and late payment fees apply if you don't pay the card off on time.
• St.George Vertigo Card. This card is available with a very low minimum credit limit of $500, making it suitable for people who haven't had credit cards before.
• ING Orange One Low Rate Card. You can get this card with a low $1,000 credit limit. It also has a $48 annual fee and a low purchase rate.
• NAB Low Rate Credit Card.You can get NAB's Low Rate Credit Card via an online application that takes 15 minutes, with a response time of 60 seconds. This card has a low purchase rate and a $59 annual fee.

How can I get approved for a credit card easily?

You can boost your chances of getting a card application approved quickly and easily if you:

• Have a good credit score and full-time income.
• Don't currently have a credit card.
• Are applying for a card with a credit limit you can comfortably afford.
• Have kept your monthly expenses well below your income.

Australian credit card companies must follow lending requirements enforced by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

You cannot get a credit card without a credit check and no card provider can guarantee approval before you apply.

Tip: Check your credit score and chance of approval

You can get a free copy of your credit report and score through Finder in 2 minutes. You can also see your chance of approval for credit cards on Finder.
Get Your Free Credit Score

What types of credit cards are easy to apply for?

Credit cards with more basic features and low annual fees usually have easier eligibility requirements than premium cards with lots of perks.

• Low rate credit cards. Low rate credit cards offer a low interest rate for purchases and usually have fewer extra features (such as rewards or complimentary insurance) compared to premium cards. They are also more likely to have lower minimum income requirements, which could make it easier to apply for one.
• Low income credit cards. Low income credit cards are designed for people with a good credit history and a yearly income of $15,000 to $35,000.
• Low credit limit cards. If you have a low income, you could look at cards with minimum credit limits that start at around $500. A lower credit limit can reduce the risk of debt and make it easier to meet the eligibility requirements.
• Low annual fee credit cards. Annual fees on credit cards vary, but cards with low or no annual fees are likely to have fewer extra features and may have lower income requirements.
• No interest, flat fee cards. No interest, flat-fee credit cards charge a monthly fee instead of interest, and offer credit limits from $1,000 to $3,000. These credit cards are designed to compete with buy now pay later. Their structured repayments and low credit limits can make them easier to apply for and get approved.

Our expert says: Applying jointly gives you an edge

"If you apply for a credit card jointly with someone else as an additional cardholder, your combined income and other finances are assessed when you apply, which could increase your chance of approval."

Richard Whitten

Senior Money Editor

How to apply for a credit card online

It takes around 10-20 minutes to complete an online credit card application.

Eligibility criteria

• Age. You must be at least 18 years old.
• Australian residency status. If you're a permanent resident or an Australian citizen, you'll be eligible to apply for most cards. Some financial institutions also offer credit cards to temporary residents with a valid visa.

Documents and details

• Personal details. This includes your full name, date of birth, residential address, email address, contact number, relationship status and number of dependants. You also need to provide details from your Australian driver's license, passport or Medicare card for ID.
• Employment and income. Most credit card applications ask for your main occupation, type of employment and your employer's contact number.
• Bills and expenses. Credit providers want to know about your existing debts and regular expenses.

Frequently asked questions

• What credit score do I need to get a credit card?

  You need a good credit score (usually between 500 to 734, or higher) to apply for a credit card in Australia. When you get your credit score, you should also see where it ranks compared to others. As long as it is listed as "good", "very good" or "excellent", you will meet this eligibility requirement.

• Can I get a credit card without a credit check?

  In Australia, you can only apply for a credit card if you agree to a credit check. There are also no guaranteed approval credit cards available. But you can improve your chances of being approved by making sure you meet the eligibility requirements and including as much information as possible on your application.

• What if I have bad credit?

  If you have bad credit history, you won't be eligible to get a credit card until your credit score improves. Finder's guide to bad credit credit cards has steps you can take to build up good credit history and increase your chances of approval.

• Which credit card is guaranteed approval?

  No credit card in Australia offers guaranteed approval. The National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 requires all credit providers to comply with responsible lending obligations.

  In practice this means "credit licensees must not enter into a credit contract with a consumer, suggest a credit contract to a consumer or assist a consumer to apply for a credit contract if the credit contract is unsuitable for the consumer."

  Credit card companies can't approve a credit card that you can't afford.

• What about other forms of fast, easy credit?

  There are lenders out there who will give you very quick cash. But it won't be cheap. A payday loan is very quick to get but the fees are exorbitant and will cost you a lot more in the long run.

  Pay on demand apps let you access some of your salary early. But you fees to do so and end up with less money in your pocket come pay day, which can get you stuck in a cycle of falling short each month.

  Buy now pay later services are a very popular way to access quick credit. There are late fees if you miss a payment and many people find themselves reliant on these services, effectively stuck in debt as late fees increase.

  A credit card can also be risky if you don't pay off your balance each month, but there are stricter eligibility criteria in place.

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

Written by

Sarah Megginson

Personal finance expert + media spokesperson

With over 20 years of experience in property, finance and investment journalism, Sarah is a trusted expert whose insights regularly appear across television, radio, and print media, including Sunrise, ABC News, and Yahoo! Finance. She has previously served as managing editor for Your Investment Property and Australian Broker, and her expert advice has been shared in the media over 3,500 times since 2023 alone. Sarah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification, which complies with ASIC standards. See full bio

Sarah's expertise

Sarah has written 207 Finder guides across topics including:

• Home loans
• Personal finance
• Budgeting and money-saving tips
• Managing the cost of living