Get the Finder app 🥳

Track your credit score, free

Free

Install
finder.com.au

Near Field Communication Credit Cards

Understand how NFC works and how it works when you use your card to make contactless payments.

Updated

Fact checked
Lady tapping her smartphone on a card reader to make a payment at a cafe.

Using your credit card, smartphone or wearable device to tap and pay is becoming more common. This technology is made possible through Near Field Communication (NFC). You can read this guide to understand how NFC works, how it's used when you use your card to tap and pay as well as some tips to protect your NFC-enabled credit card.

What is NFC?

NFC is the technology that allows wireless communication between devices that are a few centimetres apart. It doesn’t require an Internet connection and instead uses microchips to transmit data via shortwave radio frequencies.

When one NFC-enabled device is close enough to another NFC device, a connection can be established and data shared between them. For example, this happens when you tap your credit card on a payment terminal to make a contactless payment or when you use a transport card to catch a train or bus. In both these cases, the card communicates data to the reader to initiate and complete the transaction using NFC technology.

NFC-enabled credit cards

Mastercard PayPass, Visa payWave and American Express contactless are all examples of NFC-enabled technologies in Australia. These cards are embedded with an NFC microchip, which allows the cards to communicate payment data to card terminals to process payments. Another feature of contactless credit cards is that transactions under $100 don’t require PIN verification. Instead, you can just “tap and go”, speeding up the checkout process.

Compare current credit card offers

Data indicated here is updated regularly
Name Product Purchase rate Interest-free period Annual fee Balance transfer rate Balance transfer rate
Skye Mastercard - Exclusive Offer
Skye Mastercard - Exclusive Offer
23.99% p.a.
Up to 110 days on purchases
$99
0% p.a. for 25 months
0% p.a. for 25 months
Long-Term 0% Balance Transfer Offer
Finder Exclusive
Save with 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 25 months, up to 110 days interest-free on purchases and flexible instalment plan options.
Go to site
More Info
ANZ Low Rate - Exclusive Offer
ANZ Low Rate - Exclusive Offer
12.49% p.a.
Up to 55 days on purchases
$0 annual fee for the first year ($58 p.a. thereafter)
0% p.a. for 25 months with 1.5% balance transfer fee
0% p.a. for 25 months with 1.5% balance transfer fee
0% Balance Transfer for 25 Months
Finder Exclusive
Save with 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 25 months (with a one-time 1.5% BT fee) and $0 first year annual fee on this low rate card.
Go to site
More Info
St.George Vertigo Classic
St.George Vertigo Classic
0% for 7 months, reverts to 13.99% p.a.
Up to 55 days on purchases
$0 annual fee for the first year ($55 p.a. thereafter)
0% p.a. for 22 months with 1.5% balance transfer fee
0% p.a. for 22 months with 1.5% balance transfer fee
0% Purchase Rate & 0% Balance Transfer Offers
Get 0% p.a. promotional purchase and balance transfer rates and save with a first-year annual fee waiver. Ends 30 Sept 2020.
Go to site
More Info
Citi Rewards Card - Balance Transfer Offer
Citi Rewards Card - Balance Transfer Offer
21.49% p.a.
Up to 55 days on purchases
$0 annual fee for the first year ($199 p.a. thereafter)
0% p.a. for 30 months with 1.5% balance transfer fee
0% p.a. for 30 months with 1.5% balance transfer fee
0% Balance Transfer Offer & $0 First Year Annual Fee
Save with 0% interest on balance transfers for the first 30 months (with a 1.5% BT fee) and a $0 annual fee for the first year.
Go to site
More Info
ANZ Platinum Credit Card
ANZ Platinum Credit Card
0% for 17 months, reverts to 20.24% p.a.
Up to 55 days on purchases
$0 annual fee for the first year ($87 p.a. thereafter)
20.24% p.a.
20.24% p.a.
0% Purchase Offer & $0 First Year Annual Fee
Receive a 0% purchase rate offer for 17 months and a $0 first-year annual fee. Plus, complimentary overseas travel and medical insurance.
Go to site
More Info
HSBC Platinum Credit Card - Balance Transfer Offer
Finder Award
HSBC Platinum Credit Card - Balance Transfer Offer
19.99% p.a.
Up to 55 days on purchases
$129
0% p.a. for 22 months
0% p.a. for 22 months
0% Balance Transfer Offer & Annual Fee Refund
Enjoy a 22-month balance transfer offer, travel insurance and an annual fee refund when you spend an eligible $6k/year. Ends 30 Sept 2020.
Go to site
More Info
Citi Rewards Card - $500 Voucher Offer
Citi Rewards Card - $500 Voucher Offer
21.49% p.a.
Up to 55 days on purchases
$99 annual fee for the first year ($199 p.a. thereafter)
0% p.a. for 12 months
0% p.a. for 12 months
$500 e-voucher and Discounted First Year Annual Fee Offer
Get a $500 e-voucher to spend at Myer, JB Hi-Fi or Coles when you spend $3,000 in the first 90 days. Plus, earn points with the Citi Rewards Program.
Go to site
More Info
Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card - Balance Transfer Offer
Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card - Balance Transfer Offer
20.74% p.a.
Up to 55 days on purchases
$64 annual fee for the first year ($129 p.a. thereafter)
0% p.a. for 22 months
0% p.a. for 22 months
$129 Gift Voucher & Balance Transfer Offer
Get 0% p.a. for 22 months on balance transfers and a reduced first-year annual fee. Plus, earn up to 30,000 bonus Velocity Points. Ends 30 Sept 2020.
Go to site
More Info
NAB Qantas Rewards Signature Card
Finder Award
NAB Qantas Rewards Signature Card
19.99% p.a.
Up to 44 days on purchases
$295 annual fee for the first year ($395 p.a. thereafter)
0% p.a. for 6 months with 2% balance transfer fee
0% p.a. for 6 months with 2% balance transfer fee
Bonus Qantas Points Offer
Collect up to 130,000 bonus Qantas Points. Get 100k when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first 60 days and 30k after 12 months.
Go to site
More Info
Westpac Low Rate Card
Westpac Low Rate Card
13.74% p.a.
Up to 55 days on purchases
$59
0% p.a. for 20 months with 1% balance transfer fee
0% p.a. for 20 months with 1% balance transfer fee
Long-Term Balance Transfer Offer & $200 Cashback
A low rate card offering 0% p.a. interest on balance transfers for the first 20 months and a $200 cashback offer.
Go to site
More Info
loading

Compare up to 4 providers

Contactless mobile payments

Mobile wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay use NFC technology when you tap your smartphone at a contactless reader. When you tap link your card with one of these mobile wallets and tap and pay at the terminal, the device and NFC-enabled reader pass encrypted information between each other to process the payment. We've broken down how each of the major mobile wallets works below.

apple-pay-logo

Apple Pay

You can link your card with Apple Pay and use your iPhone or Apple Watch to make payments at the checkout by tapping it at the contactless reader. If you have an eligible device and your card issuer is partnered with Apple Pay, you can add your card to the wallet on your device

Similar to contactless payments, you can double click the side button or rest your finger on the Touch ID while holding your device up to the contactless reader to make a transaction. You'll be asked to use your Touch ID, face ID or passcode to verify the transaction. Apple Pay is partnered with Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, NAB, Woolworths Group, ING, HSBC and more. See Finder's guide to credit cards that support Apple Pay to see a complete list of partnered brands and to learn more about how it works.

Google Pay

Google Pay uses the NFC chip found in most Android phones to process tap-and-go payments at the checkout. You can download the Google Pay app to sign in to your Google account and add your eligible card. When you're at the check out, you'll need to wake up your phone, hold the back of your phone close to the terminal for a few sections and follow the prompt's on the payment reader's screen. Google Pay is partnered with card issuers including American Express, ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, NAB, Westpac and St.George. You can compare a complete list of credit card issuers and banks that support Google Pay on Finder.

Samsung Pay

Samsung Pay uses the NFC chip in most Samsung Galaxy devices to allow you to make contactless payments. It also uses MST (Magnetic Secure Transaction) technology for contactless payments from some devices when available. Samsung Pay is supported by financial institutions including American Express, ANZ, Westpac, Commonwealth Bank, Citi, Bank Australia and more. You can see a complete list of Australian card issuers linked with Samsung Pay to see if your bank offers the mobile wallet.

You can add your card details to Samsung Pay by downloading the app, selecting 'add' and either taking a photo of your card or manually entering your card details. You can then hold your Samsung device against the terminal reader and use either a fingerprint or PIN to authenticate the payment.

Some banks such as CommBank and NAB also have their own contactless payment options built into their mobile banking apps.

credit-card-contactless-payment

Are NFC contactless payments secure?

NFC payments are about as safe as using your credit card or debit card. If you're using a digital wallet on your smartphone or device, you'll need to set a secure passcode, face ID or fingerprint ID to authorise a payment. This means that no one else can use your smartphone to make a payment if it's lost or stolen. If your smartphone is lost or stolen, you can use a desktop or another device to log into your account and lock your digital wallet to stop anyone else from using it.

Mobile wallets use tokenisation to store and protect your card details. When you upload your card details to a mobile wallet like Apple Pay or Samsung Pay, your data is encrypted before it's sent to Apple or Samsung. Rather than storing this encrypted information on your phone, your device is allocated a Device Account Number which is used to process payments.

Your contactless payments made using your card or digital wallet are also protected by the same security measures as your other transactions. For example, you'll be protected from fraudulent transactions with Visa's Zero Liability or Mastercard's FRAUDSHIELD technology. You can also carry your card in an RFID-blocking sleeve or wallet if you're worried about someone skimming your card from your wallet or pocket.

As always, make sure to regularly check your transaction history and contact your card issuer if you notice any suspicious transactions.

Images: Getty, Shutterstock, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay

Back to top

Related Posts

Finder Daily Deals: The 5 best online deals in Australia today

Today's best online deals in Australia, hand-picked by Finder's shopping experts.

6 ways to make money freelance writing

Fancy yourself a wordsmith? Here how to turn your abilities into cash, either in your extra time or as a career.

NBN Co's 3.5 billion NBN upgrade - Will you get faster Internet?

NBN Co is shaking up its multi-technology mix with the promise that millions more homes will be able to get up to 1Gbps connections, but when will it happen – and what will it cost you?

Vivo X50 Pro 5G Review

Vivo's X50 Pro 5G brings an interesting take on video stabilisation to the mid-range 5G market with exceptional results.

SurePayroll review

Is SurePayroll the right online payroll provider for your business? Check out our review to find out more.

Ask an Expert

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

Credit Cards Comparison

Data indicated here is updated regularly
Name Product Purchase rate Balance transfer rate Annual fee
Skye Mastercard - Exclusive Offer
Skye Mastercard - Exclusive Offer
23.99% p.a.
0% p.a. for 25 months
$99
Finder Exclusive
Save with 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 25 months, up to 110 days interest-free on purchases and flexible instalment plan options.
Go to site
More Info
ANZ Low Rate - Exclusive Offer
ANZ Low Rate - Exclusive Offer
12.49% p.a.
0% p.a. for 25 months with 1.5% balance transfer fee
$0 annual fee for the first year ($58 p.a. thereafter)
Finder Exclusive
Save with 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 25 months (with a one-time 1.5% BT fee) and $0 first year annual fee on this low rate card.
Go to site
More Info
NAB Qantas Rewards Signature Card
Finder Award
NAB Qantas Rewards Signature Card
19.99% p.a.
0% p.a. for 6 months with 2% balance transfer fee
$295 annual fee for the first year ($395 p.a. thereafter)
Collect up to 130,000 bonus Qantas Points. Get 100k when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first 60 days and 30k after 12 months.
Go to site
More Info
ANZ Platinum Credit Card
ANZ Platinum Credit Card
0% for 17 months, reverts to 20.24% p.a.
20.24% p.a.
$0 annual fee for the first year ($87 p.a. thereafter)
Receive a 0% purchase rate offer for 17 months and a $0 first-year annual fee. Plus, complimentary overseas travel and medical insurance.
Go to site
More Info
loading

Compare up to 4 providers

* The credit card offers compared on this page are chosen from a range of credit cards finder.com.au has access to track details from and is not representative of all the products available in the market. Products are displayed in no particular order or ranking. The use of terms 'Best' and 'Top' are not product ratings and are subject to our disclaimer. You should consider seeking independent financial advice and consider your own personal financial circumstances when comparing cards.

Go to site