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.

NAB Classic Banking

The NAB Classic Banking everyday account was the winner of the 2010 CHOICE Award for Best Low-Fee Bank Account.

Features:

• No minimum opening balance required
• No monthly account service fees for life!
• Unlimited access via NAB ATMSs, branch, phone banking, internet and redi ATMs.
• NAB Debit or Credit Card
• Overseas ATM access
• Enhanced account security
• Cannex 5 star rated transaction account

Click here to find out more about this offer

Debit Card Comparison

Debit Card	Account Details	Type	Min. Monthly / Min. Monthly for $0 Monthly Service Fee	Foreign Bank ATM Fees (Other Bank ATMs)	Monthly fee / Fee with Minimum Monthly Deposit
NAB Classic Banking	Pay no monthly account service fee ever. No minimum deposits to be eligible. Added benefits include your choice of 4 colours - black, red, white and pink, 90 day Purchase Protection Insurance, and enhanced security with NAB Visa Debit Cards chip technology and Visa Zero Liability. You can also link your account to a NAB iSaver or NAB Smart Reward Saver savings account.	Visa Debit Card	$0	$0	$0
NAB Gold Banking	Pay no monthly account service fee if you deposit at least $5,000 per month. Added benefits include no Foreign currency exchange fees, NAB Gold Overseas Travel Insurance, NAB Gold Purchase Protection Insurance, Verification by Visa, and enhanced security with NAB Visa Debit Cards chip technology.You can also link your account to a NAB iSaver or NAB Smart Reward Saver savings account.	Visa Debit Card	$0 / $5000	$0	$10 / $0
ANZ Access Advantage with ANZ Everyday Visa Debit Card	Enjoy unlimited everyday ANZ transactions for $5 per month - including ANZ ATMs, Phone and Internet Banking, Branch, Cheque and EFTPOS transactions. Monitored by ANZ Falcon for added transaction security. No credit history needed.	Visa Debit Card	$0	$0	$5
St.George Complete Freedom Account	Unlimited ATM and branch access. No monthly account service fee, so long as you deposite a minimum of $2,000 by the last business day of every month or have your St.George Home Loan repayment deducated from your account. 10 free SMS alerts per month.	Visa Debit Card	$0 / $2,000		0 / $5
St.George Express Freedom Account	Pay as you go for branch and cheque services, meaning you only pay for what you actually use. Great card for online and electronic banking with a Visa Debit Card.	Visa Debit Card	-		$3
St.George SENSE	Transaction account that is linked to your savings account. Allows you to earn a competitve interest rate on your money, with the convenience of 24/7 access as it is linked to your debit card.	Visa Debit Card	$0 / $2,000		$5

Editor's Choice - Our Top 5 Debit Card Picks

1. 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.
2. NAB Visa Debit Card - Unlimited access to all ATMs, with a $0 monthly fee.
3. 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.
4. NAB Gold Visa Debit Card - You can open an NAB Gold Banking account for $10 a month and get access to the Gold Debit Card, which offers no fees on foreign transactions and NAB ATMs. Complimentary travel insurance included. Access to Visa Entertainment.
5. Westpac Debit MasterCard - No monthly fee on the debit card. Monthly fee will depend on the transaction account you link it with. You get the benefit of banking with one of Australia's big four with acess to a large ATM network. Gives you access to the MasterCard Applause service

Before applying for a debit card we recommended you do the following:

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 best debit card

We recommend the ANZ Access Advantage card as one of the best debit cards. It is a straightforward and simple account which you can use for your everyday purchases and savings. For a limited time you will get a free debit card that is linked to your account from Visa.

Some of the features you will find on this card include:

• $5 monthly unlimited transactions fee.
• Enjoy the added security of fraud monitoring with ANZ Falcon.
• The card can be used for bill payment or cash withdrawals.
• You can apply for a card online.
• You have three different card colors to choose from.
• The card can be used for online transactions or to make purchases by phone.
• It can be used overseas.
• An application does not require a credit history check.

This is the best debit card we could find for simplicity and ease-of-use.

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.

Here's the balance transfer card we recommend:

Featured Low Interest Rate Credit Card

The ANZ Low Rate MasterCard is the ideal credit card for Australian’s who want to get in control of their finances. It features an amazingly low balance transfer offer for the first 12 months plus a low everyday rate on purchases

• $58 annual fee
• 13.24% p.a. on purchases
• 0% p.a. for 6 months on balance transfers
• Cash Advance Rate of 21.49%
• Access to MasterCard promotions so you can enjoy special promotions

Click here to read the ANZ Low Rate MasterCard terms and conditions

• Foreign Currency Transactions Using Debit Cards
  

  If you are going overseas or considering making a number of foreign currency transactions, you should be aware of how this may affect your debit card in relation to fees.



• Learn How Debit Cards Work in Online Transactions
  

  Many consumers are beginning to prefer using debit cards for making online transactions than credit cards.



• Debit Cards Offer Entertainment Benefits to Convert Users
  

  Customers can now benefit from the debit cards rewards programme, offering great entertainment benefits. Lenders work to improve rewards to help convert more customers.



• Prepaid Cards Offer Alternative to Co-Signing For Credit Accounts
  

  If you are a parent of a child who wants credit or you are someone who has less than stellar credit then a prepaid credit card may be the perfect option for you. This option is great for those who want to impose limits but also want to establish credit. There are many different types of card to consider.



• The Evolution of the VISA Debit Card
  

  How did the Visa debit card ever come into existence? Find out the answers in this article that explores the Visa history.



• Advantages of Cash Withdrawals on a Debit Card
  

  There are some superb advantages of cash withdrawals on a debit card, both for consumers and for merchants. Consumers can save time and money, in terms of avoiding ATM fees and interest charges. Merchants can enjoy greater profits and reduced trips to the bank.



• Debit Card Security: Things You Should Know To Protect Your Account
  

  Debit card security is important to keep your card safe. There are a number of security measures that keep your debit card safe from fraudsters. Read on to learn more about them.



• Personal or Business Debit Card? HSBC MasterCard Gives You Both!
  

  HSBC MasterCard Debit Card is an innovative debit card offered by HSBC Bank. HSBC is one of the most international banks in the world. Users of this debit card are able to enjoy a number of benefits.



• Debit Cards are the Credit Card Alternative
  

  If you find yourself with poor credit and unable to obtain a new credit card, you may prefer to use a debit card. Debit cards offer many advantages for cardholders. Read on to learn more about the advantages of using a debit card.



• Why Use Debit Cards With Savings Accounts
  

  Debit cards are a must-have financial tool in modern life. While a standalone debit card can be used, it is often helpful to use the card with a savings account. This article shows why you would want to do so.



• Debit Cards + PayPal – Linking your Debit Card to a PayPal Account
  

  If you buy things online you are probably familiar with PayPal. It is an EBay owned company that is the best known form of online payment. Customers now have the option of linking their account to their debit card, making it even easier to manage your account.



• Prepaid Credit Cards from Australia Post
  

  Wouldn’t it be great to have all the benefits of a credit card, without the hassle of credit checks, high interest rates, and monthly bills? What if you had the advantage of not having to worry about getting yourself into debt? Well, with the prepaid credit cards offered by Australia Post, you can have all these benefits and more.



• Debit Cards
  

  Debit cards are becoming increasingly popular as they allow you to control your everyday spending and prevent you from ever falling into debt. The other great benefit of debit cards is that they can be used in exactly the same way as credit cards are. Educate yourself on the benefits of debit cards here.



• Want A Credit Card Without The Fees?
  

  Although some credit cards offer a no annual fee this simply means that it probably makes up for it by charging you higher interest rates. Therefore you may want to consider getting a debit card as an alternative to a credit card. This article explains more on debit cards.



• What Is The Best Prepaid Credit Card?
  

  Looking for the best prepaid credit card on the market? If so then you should read this article. You will find out exactly what to look for in order to compare and find the best prepaid credit card for your needs. The last thing you want to apply for is a prepaid credit card that charges you a whole lot of expensive fees.



• Debit Cards: Pros & Cons
  

  If you are looking to get in control of your spending then a debit card as an alternative to a credit card may be a good option. Find out these cards are becoming increasingly more popular and how they can be used to maintain healthy spending habits.



• Complete Guide To Debit Cards
  

  ANZ Access Advantage with Visa Debit

  The ANZ Access Advantage everyday bank account is a simple and straight forward account which is ideal for everyday savings and purchases. Also for a limited time you get a free Visa Debit Card linked to your account so you can enjoy the convenience of Visa Debit access.
  Features:

  Unlimited everyday [...]



• Getting The Most Out Of Your Debit Card
  

  Debit cards are a great alternative to credit cards as it puts you almost 100% in full control of what you spend. These cards are becoming increasingly popular as more people don’t want to go back to their old ways of overspending on their credit cards. Here are some debit card tips to help improve your finances.



• A Birdseye View On Prepaid Visa Cards
  

  a prepaid Visa card give you the convenience of a credit card without the worry of running into debt. There are many offers for prepaid cards so doing a little research will help you find the one that best suits your needs. They can be used for in country or overseas purchases, as gifts, or just for secure spending.



• Pre-paid Credit Cards: a handy and useful credit card alternative
  

  If you are looking for an alternative to credit cards, don’t look past the option of a pre-paid credit card. The offer the same convenience of a normal credit card – allowing you to shop online safely, as you are using money pre-loaded on to the card. Read our article on pre-paid credit cards to find out more





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Editor's Choice: Our Top Credit Cards




Credit Card	Card Details	Interest Rate (p.a.)	Cash Advance Rate (p.a.)	Balance Transfer Rate (p.a.)	Annual fee	Interest free days (up to)
HSBC Credit Card	Editor's Choice: 0% for 6 months Balance Transfer & No Annual Fee Featuring a $0 annual fee for life, and 0% p.a. balance transfer for 6 months, the HSBC Credit Card was voted the Best Transactor Credit Card for 2010.	16.99%	20.75%	0% for 6 months	$0	55
Suncorp Clear Options Standard Visa Card	A great 12 month balance transfer offer, combined with a low annual fee and a good interest rate on purchases.	12.24%	17.99%	1.9% for 12 months	$39	0