Debit Cards – Compare & Apply for an Australian Debit Card
Debit cards have all the access of a regular credit card, including online and phone purchases.
Unlike a credit card, a debit card has no credit facility, so it offers you the convenience and security of Visa, using your own money.
Debit cards are highly recommended for students and people with bad credit as there is no credit history required for application approval.
To find out more about debit cards, have a read of our comprehensive debit card resources. Read our guide to VISA Debit Cards for an in-depth explanation and comparison between VISA Debit Cards.
Debit Card Offer
The NAB Classic Banking account offers everyday banking with no monthly account fees, and an unlimited number of transactions with a NAB Visa Debit card at no extra cost.
- No monthly account fees, ever
- No overdrawn fees
- No ATM fees at one of Australia’s largest ATM networks
- Bank anywhere, anytime with mobile banking
- Shop online, over the phone or overseas using your own money, with your NAB Visa Debit card
Debit Card Comparison
History of Debit Cards
In Australia it has been over 20 years that Debit Cards have been used in EFTPOS machines. Since 1988 when the first ‘switch card’ transaction took place, the Australian public has become accustomed to using ‘plastic’ for purchases. By 1995 Debit Cards had overtaken credit cards in popularity and within only 3 more years Debit Card transactions were more common than cheque payments. When you think about it these are major changes in the way we do business.
All generations have got used to (not necessarily happy with) using ‘plastic’ for purchases and for the payment of bills. There is no doubt that it is quicker and easier once you are used to the system.
In 1990 there were over 19 million Debit Cards in circulation and popularity has continued through to today. In 2006 there were over 27.8 million Debit Cards in use. There is a slowdown in the number of new cards which is understandable as many people now have them, but it is estimated that there will be 34.4 million Debit Cards in use by 2016.
Initially there was a concern with fraud regarding Debit Cards, but with the advent of the PIN (Personal Identification Number) and the chip technology, the public has become more accepting of the use of these cards.
Proving its popularity is Visa who says that the Debit Card is the fastest growing consumer product ever released by their company with about 70 million people using a Debit Card each month and with over 115 million people carrying a Visa branded Debit Card.
Recent history shows that 82% of bank account holders in the US have an ATM Debit Card and worldwide it is estimated that seven out of ten households have at least one Debit Card with over 50% of them being used at least once a month on retail purchases. On average consumers use their Debit Card 19 times per month. Figures in the UK show that 40% more is spent through Debit Cards for purchases rather than cash.
A survey held in 2008 in Australia showed that approximately 13 million credit cards were on issue but approximately 28 million Debit Cards were on issue. The Commonwealth Bank appears to be the largest issuer of Debit Cards.
A very interesting fact that has come to light is that over 20 million transactions of less than $10 each are made annually which has people wondering if cash is going to go the way of cheques and be used less and less. Escalating credit card debt has concerned not only the users but banks as well and also governments, so it would not be surprising to see Debit Cards slowly replace most credit cards as people try to pull back their debt.
Editor’s Choice – Our Top Debit Card Picks
- ANZ Access Advantage – A fantastic Visa debit card with unlimited transactions for $5 a month and purchase security with the ANZ ‘Falcon’. ANZ also offer a 50% discount on their monthly fee for students. Also offers access to Visa Entertainment including access to everything from concerts to cinemas, sporting events and travel offers.
- NAB Visa Debit Card – Unlimited access to all ATMs, with a $0 monthly fee.
- St. George Visa Debit Card – Offers an online guarantee with St.George secure and 10 free SMS alerts when joined to a Complete Freedom account. Access to Visa Entertainment.
Before Applying For A Debit Card We Recommended You Do The Following:
Before even thinking of switching over to a debit card you need to pay off any debt on any existing credit cards you own. You can save and pay off your existing debt quicker using a balance transfer credit card.
If you have been looking for the best debit card*, then your search is over. We have done the work for you and can now recommend one that is easy to use and understand. Read this article to find out which one it is.
While debit cards are much more than ATM cards because they can be used like a credit card, the best debit card* is one that offers other benefits as well. Debit cards have a MasterCard or Visa logo on them and can be used to make telephone or Internet purchases in the same way that you would use a credit card. They can also be used at an ATM, and are accepted wherever the logo on your debit card is displayed.
Debit Cards Versus Credit Cards
A debit card is much different than a credit card. You do not have to apply for credit when you get one, which means that your credit history has no bearing on your acceptance. This is not a short-term loan like you get with a credit card since it is linked directly to your bank account and is treated the same way as cash. If you do not have the money in the bank, then you cannot make your purchase.
A lot of Australians are getting in trouble with their credit cards and build up a huge debt because it is so tempting to spend money you don’t actually have. There is no chance of this occurring when you have a debit card, and you still have the convenience of using them wherever credit cards are accepted.
Debit card fees
While there are fees associated with a debit card, they are very low when compared to the fees you would have to pay with a credit card. If you need to go to an ATM to withdraw money for instance, you will not be charged the large fee that you would be charged if you used a credit card for a cash advance. Fees are always very modest with debit cards, and the best debit card is one that comes with a minimal fee attached to it.
The Benefits Of A Debit Card
Are you aware that debit cards can provide many of the same benefits as your credit cards?
The benefits of credit cards are pretty much apparent such as those using rewards programs as well as the convenience of having instant money, especially for new credit card holders. Aside from providing the same benefits, you are also assured that by using a debit card you won’t be accumulating debt over time.
Debit cards are becoming very popular as a form of card to carry. Credit cards have well publicised benefits like rewards programs, but at the end of the day no-one wants to run up a debt that they cannot pay..
While debit cards have monthly fees which end up costing as much as a typical credit card annual fee, they still have their distinct advantages over credit cards.
Only Spend The Money You Own
For the irresponsible or inexperienced user of credit cards, it may be suitable to use a debit card if you lack the discipline to manage credit.
A debit card is only linked to your savings account(s) – while you can lose all your savings with irresponsible usage, it’s impossible to go into debt. However, the one thing you’ll need to wary of is overdrafting fees. If you make a $10 purchase and only have $5 left in your account which your debit card accesses, you’ll be hit with a common $5+ ‘overdraft’ fee.
All The Access Of A Credit Card
Debit cards use Visa and MasterCard as payment processors – which means you the 100% access that any credit card has. Restaurants, magazine subscriptions, online purchases, the whole package is accessible from a debit card. Debit cards are almost as convenient as credit cards. Debit cards can be used in most places that Visa and MasterCard are accepted. It can be used in shops and for online purchases.
Advantages For Students
Like many financial products, some debit cards come with student benefits to compensate for their lack if income. The ANZ Visa Debit Card for instance features a very affordable $5 monthly account service fee.
Students should also start saving as much as they can while they are still young. There is no better way to do this than with the ANZ Access Advantage everyday bank account. This is the perfect everyday bank account for students as it is a simple and straight forward everyday bank account with no hidden fees or charges. Students who apply will also enjoy the benefits of debit cards and the freedom of making purchases. For a limited time students now receive a free ANZ Visa Debit Card linked to their savings account when they apply.
Good Reasons To Have A Business Debit Card
A business debit card is a good alternative to using a credit card for business purchases.
When businesses are born, often they are broke. They have not had the chance to earn money yet and all of the capital is in the form of an investment. That money is finite and can fall short of the needed amount to get the business going. This is when credit cards are often looked at as the way out.
Credit cards can add buying power to your business where there previously was none. However, there are grave risks when doing this. Consider instead a business debit card.
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No interest. Debit cards are interest free so that factor alone can save you a lot of money over the year. Because you are only spending the money in your account at the time, you can happily be limited to not putting an expensive item on the credit card that you cannot afford right now. With a debit card, you don’t need to worry about paying for debt or high interest rates because the money is funded by your existing savings. Since the money will be debited immediately from your bank account, you will be more careful in spending too much.Credit cards on the other hand lend you money you don’t have and therefore provide higher risk factors.
When using a credit card, each purchase is subject to some amount of interest. Should, at the end of the month, your business not be able to pay the credit card balance, that interest becomes greater and greater each month. In essence, when making purchases with a debit card, you are in fact, paying more for each purchase once interest is figured in.
When using a debit card, these extra charges never come in to play. Debit cards allow your business to make purchases interest free. There is no credit, or borrowed money, when using a debit card to rack up interest and keeps your records free of credit debt.
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You are protected with debit card use.Initially there was a concern with fraud regarding Debit Cards, but with the advent of the PIN (Personal Identification Number) and the chip technology, the public has become more accepting of the use of these cards. Just like credit cards, debit cards offer protection while you use them. Some debit cards offer 90 day protection after making your purchase. Plus they are protected with a unique PIN. A PIN you set and use every time you shop. Even if someone steals your debit card they would have to know your PIN before they could use it. Often credit cards offer protection on purchased items (great if you are travelling overseas) but it is also available on debit cards so if this is important to you, make sure that you check it out.
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Some debit cards offer rewards and perks with their cards. Maybe one of the reasons you are using your credit card is because you want to earn points and redeem rewards. Actually, some debit cards are also offering rewards. Rewards can vary depending on your choice. So also check this out when making enquiries. The ANZ Debit Card Visa provides entertainment offers for its users and the NAB Gold Banking with Visa debit card offers free overseas travel insurance just like many credit cards have.
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Easy accessibility to money. People who mainly rely on credit cards for their purchases sometimes visit a store that only allow cash payment. In that case they would have to rely on making an expensive cash advance. However, if you are going to use a debit card, you can withdraw cash any time from your bank, ATM’s and in shops and get instant access to cash without having to worry about high interest rates. There will be some charges and they vary depending whom you bank with. Using a debit card to withdraw cash is much cheaper than getting a cash advance on a credit card. Credit cards charge not only a fee for the transaction but also interest on the cash advance from the day it is taken out. With a debit card you can access cash at an ATM for a lesser fee and no interest to be paid.
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Convenient. Generally, debit cards provide the same convenience as credit cards do because the cards can be used anywhere MasterCard and Visa are accepted. You can use your debit card to shop at your favorite stores or pay your bills online or by phone.
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No Debt. With the ease of access to seeming “free money”, it can be easy for a business, just as easy as it is for an individual to become surrounded by credit debt. Occasionally, carrying a balance is a necessity for a business as capital is not always there to make good on the balance. However, using a credit card for everyday purchases when the capital is there is a dangerous trap to fall in to.
When a business becomes drowned in debt, on the books, though they may be successful, they look like they are failing. Thus, when it comes time to valuate the business, it may be worth less than it should be due to debt. If you are ever looking to own and run a business with the hopes of selling it one day, having little to no debt on the books is the one way to do this.
Use a debit card, instead, for everyday purchases and use business capital when it is available rather than rack up credit debt.
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Credit-Like Freedom. One of the greatest joys of a credit card is the freedom it offers when spending. Credit cards are accepted virtually everywhere. Now, because many debit cards are branded with major credit labels, debit cards offer that very same freedom to spend nearly everywhere.
Without having to commit to credit spending, you can enjoy debit card prudence with credit card freedom.
If you want a plastic card for ease of spending, carefully look at the options of a debit cards as opposed to a credit card. You will find that credit cards will be more expensive overall, especially if you carry over unpaid balances. Often all the benefits that get ‘sold’ with a card do not get used anyway, so weigh up if you can afford the interest on a credit card and if you want to take the risk of running up a debt that you cannot pay off.
A very interesting fact that has come to light is that over 20 million transactions of less than $10 each are made annually which has people wondering if cash is going to go the way of cheques and be used less and less. Escalating credit card debt has concerned not only the users but banks as well and also governments, so it would not be surprising to see Debit Cards slowly replace most credit cards as people try to pull back their debt.
Check out our debit cards comparison where we also compare the best* VISA debit card offers.
Nowadays, there are more options than simply relying on credit cards alone. Debit cards have been around for a long time and also provide the same benefits like those of credit cards. You might want to take a careful examination into the perks your bank has to offer for their debit cards and see how you can benefit from them.
Entertainment Benefits For Debit Cards Rewards Program
With so many people switching away from credit cards over to debit cards, it’s easy to see why more card providers are offering incentives, entertainment benefits and rewards programs to entice more customers.
Understanding that one of the major rewards often chosen by customers is related to entertainment, the rewards programs have moved to include some great entertainment benefits for customers using debit cards.
In most cases, the types of entertainment benefits offered to customers tend to include access to sports games, music concerts and theatre tickets. Debit card holders who are part of the rewards program are able to access slightly better seats. They may also receive preferential treatment when it comes to booking tickets earlier than the general public are allowed to book.
Further benefits also may include discounted prices on some tickets or any unsold seats, and the ability to meet some of the performers or sports personalities after the event.
Why Give a Debit Card Rewards Program Entertainment Benefits?
Debit card providers don’t have the same opportunity to make as much money from customers as they do with credit cards. However, by offering debit card holders a rewards program, the provider is able to lock in that customer for longer, reducing the chance of that customer switching banks.
Understanding the need to provide good options for redeeming rewards, providers realised quickly that there is very little cost to the customer in offering entertainment benefits.
In most cases, this is because the promoters of these types of events are sometimes happy to give away tickets and preferential seating deals to the rewards programs in return for receiving exposure to a large customer base. In the eyes of the promoter, this can actually be a cheap, effective form of promotion that actually benefits the card holder at the same time.
These types of debit card rewards programs tend to be run by the card providers instead of the banks or lenders. They’re also not usually linked to the amount of money spent, but are generally available to all cardholders. This means the rewards are registration based rather than spending based.
In order to be a part of a rewards program that offers entertainment benefits, simply register online with the program once you hold the eligible card to begin enjoying the benefits right away.
Getting The Most Out Of Your Debit Card
Using debit cards will help keep your debt under control and can also generate a small amount of income. More people are using debit cards these days instead of credit cards or cash, but it is important to use them wisely. to make sure that you’re getting the most out of them. Here are some debit card tips you can use to help improve your finances.
Some debit cards offer cashback plans that give you cash rewards for using your cards for purchases. You will receive a small percentage back for a purchase that you make using the card. While it may seem relatively small, these rewards can add up fairly quickly, especially if you use debit cards to pay for groceries, utility payments or big-ticket items.
You should compare the rewards programs offered by different banks before choosing your debit card. Some financial institutions offer special perks along with the cashback program. Find the plan that gives you the most benefits, taking into account any card fees as well, and you can actually earn a bit of money by spending on your card.
It is important to remember that this is not a credit card and it is the same as paying cash for an item. Keep track of your account balance and try to keep it from going into overdraft by using it. Some banks have penalties for overdraft that come about from debit purchases. You can save a lot of money and time by simply recording the purchases you make with debit cards the same way you do with checks.
Debit cards are an easy way to access the cash you have your account without having to carry around any money, and is just as easy to use as a credit card. As long as you manage your purchasing on the card properly and avoid overdrafts, you can start earning some cash back that you can use on anything you want.
If you’re looking for the best debit card* on the market, you should always look for one that does not come with a lot of hidden charges and fees. You should also find one that has a low monthly fee, such as the one listed above.
How to secure your debit cards
Debit cards offer a number of card guarding features to make using them more secure. the debit card institutions themselves usually outsource the task of managing card security to a third party who then takes care of all of the features related to your debit card’s protection. Recently, this is becoming less common, but it is still the most common security setup.
The card guarding process begins if your card gets stolen or lost. Then the financial institution that your debit card is affiliated with will notify the company in charge of the security of your debit card. The card guarding companies will take care of any payments that were made using stolen debit cards and resolve the conflicts that arise with the unauthorised payments.
The companies in charge of card guarding are a distinct and separate entity from the debit card provider. Thus, it is possible for you as the card holder to sign up for a certain card guard company to guard all of your credit and debit cards and not just one of them.
This is because you are the one who pays the company that protects your cards. Oftentimes there is an option on your debit card application to sign up for a card guarding program. In this case, you are paying the card guarding company indirectly, through a fee that you will be charged for the service. In other cases you may have to contact a company on your own in order to receive these extra protections. Then you would simply pay the card guarding company each year for the services they offer.
These card guarding companies are becoming less popular because more debit and credit card providers are becoming more accountable for preventing debit and credit card fraud and protecting your card security. Thus, a number of debit and credit card institutions now offer you a zero liability guarantee, where you will not be held liable for any of the charges made if your card gets stolen or lost.
There are still many conditions and stipulations to these guarantees, but they are a major step in the right direction. You will still need to report your card as stolen or lost if it is not in your possession. Also, the card company may not be responsible for the charges that are made if you lend your card out to someone. However, both of these limitations should be governed by common sense on your part. Even if you trust someone it is never a good idea to lend your card out. And, you should always know where your card is and keep it in a safe place, that way it doesn’t get lost or stolen.
The two major debit card companies, MasterCard and Visa, both offer guarantees that protect you should your card get stolen or lost. In the past it may have been important to pay for the services of a card guarding company, but now much of these protections are built in with your card and provided by your debit card company or your provider/financial institution.
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What is the best & cheapest way to access money from America?
Hi Toni. Thanks for your question. You may want to consider a transaction account with no international fees.
Can I use my St George Debit card at ATMs overseas to get local currency – are there exchange rate and other charges
Thank U
Hi Vivienne. Thanks for your question. Yes you can; however, there will a charges. There’s an overseas transaction fee of $5 in addition to the local ATM operator fee. The exchange rate is set by the card provider. There may also be a currency conversion fee. There are other ways to access your money overseas that cut back on some of these charges. Jacob.
Because of a ridiculous debt of $100 that I had no knowledge of years ago, Im fairly certain I would get knocked back for the Mastercard 28 degrees credit card.
Therefore can you please suggest a suitable debit card for travelling (to Vietnam), preferably one with little, or no, cash withdrawal fees.
Hi Sharon. Thanks for your question. No one credit card is more suitable for a customer who was suffered a credit misadventure in the past. Having said that, if you were going to look at a card, it would be as you suggested, a low rate card. In terms of credit cards that are suitable to travel with, you should consider a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. Currently, Bankwest Platinum Cards and the Aussie Low Rate Platinum Card do not charge this fee. You’re going to get charged a fee no matter what when you use your card to withdraw money from an ATM overseas. Some cards have no international ATM fee (like the 28 Degrees), but there will still be the local ATM operator fee. One way to get rid of this fee is to research if there are any ATMs in Vietnam that have a global alliance with a local bank – you can use these ATMs free of charge. And then there’s cash advance fees and the cash advance interest rate (this can be avoided by keeping your card in a positive balance [pre-loading cash onto a credit card]). You may also want to consider an international transaction account, like the Citibank Plus Transaction Account or travel money card if you can’t get approved for a credit card – you can compare travel money options here. Jacob.
I am traveling internationally and I am planning to take and use my Debit MasterCard. Is it better to use my debit card or get a prepaid visa card. I am unsure whether France, The Netherlands,Switzerland, and Iceland would accept my MasterCard?
Hi Jackie. The countries you’ve mentioned should all accept a MasterCard. You should compare you travel money options here, as each of these forms of accessing your cash overseas has its advantages and disadvantages. Jacob.
Hi,
Are there any debit cards with no international transaction fees when withdrawing funds overseas? I know the NAB Gold use to have this but I think they withdrew this feature. We are going away for 3 weeks and will have our Bankwest Platinum Mastercard but I am looking for a fee free option to access our own actual cash.
Thank you for your time.
Vanessa
Hi Vanessa. Great question. There are a couple of options. There’s the Citibank Plus Transaction Account which lets you transfer between Citibank accounts in different countries free of charge, but this could be a bit of a pain if you’re only overseas for a short time and you’re travelling around a lot. Alternatively, there are travel money cards. These cards let you load your own money onto the card and present a cheap alternative to other forms of travel money when you’re looking to make purchases and withdraw funds overseas. Finding a fee free option will be difficult as there are fees and charges that you’ll incur somewhere along the way with most cards. One option people go for is to load their own money onto a card with minimal overseas transaction charges, like the 28 Degrees MasterCard, but there will still be international and local ATM fees with most cards. You can find out more about this here – our travel money comparison page. Let me know if there’s anything else you need. Jacob.