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.

ANZ Access Advantage with Visa Debit

The ANZ Access Advantage is an everyday transaction account where what you see is what you get.

Features:

• Unlimited everyday transactions for $5 a month
• Visa Debit Access gives you access to spend your own money online, over the phone or overseas
• Use your card to withdraw cash and pay your bills
• Includes the added security of ANZ Falcon™ fraud monitoring of suspicious transactions
• A choice of 3 card colours
• Monthly account service fee may be waived if you meet eligibility requirements
• No credit history needed for application

Debit Card Comparison

Credit Card	Card Details	Interest Rate (p.a.)	Cash Advance Rate (p.a.)	Monthly fee
ANZ Access Advantage with ANZ Everyday Visa Debit Card	Have the freedom to shop anywhere with Worldwide Visa access. ANZ Everyday Visa Debit allows you to shop anywhere Visa is accepted. Available for free when you apply for an ANZ Access Advantage. *$5 monthly account keeping fee for students.	Debit Card	Debit Card	$5
NAB Visa Debit Card	Unlimited access with NAB ATMs. Deposit $3,500 into your account each month to waiver the monthly fee with NAB Classic Banking. Click to apply for a NAB Smart banking account to link to your Visa Debit card.	Debit Card	Debit Card	$4
St.George Visa Debit Card	Access your own money conveniently for Internet, phone and mail order purchases with the St George Visa Debit Card.	Debit Card	Debit Card	$5
NAB Gold Visa Debit Card	Unlimited NAB Transactions, travel insurance and free overseas transactions for $10 a month. Deposit $5,000 into your account per month to waiver the monthly fee. Click to apply for a NAB Gold banking account to link to your Visa Debit card.	Debit Card	Debit Card	$10

Editor's Choice - Our Top 5 Debit Card Picks

1. ANZ Access Advantage - A fantastic Visa debit card with unlimited transactions for $6 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 with NAB ATMs. Deposit $3,500 into your account each month to waiver the monthly fee with NAB Classic Banking.
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, with a flat low monthly fee of $5 monthly fee. 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:

Here's the balance transfer card we recommend:

“Winner of Money Magazine’s Best Balance Transfer Credit Card 2009“

The St.George Vertigo MasterCard is the ideal credit card for Australian’s who love shopping with a low rate on purchases.

• $55 annual fee
• 2.99% for 6 months p.a. on purchases
• 20.74% p.a. on cash advances
• 2.99% p.a. for 6 months on balance transfers
• Limited offer of 2.99% p.a. on balance transfers & purchases for up to 6 months

Click here to read the St George Vertigo terms and conditions

• 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.



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• 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
  

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• A Birdseye View On Prepaid Visa Cards
  

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

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• How A Debit Card Can Help You Get Debt-Free
  

  Debit cards can provide you many of the conveniences that a credit card provides you. With a debit card, the major difference is you are spending your own money, as debit cards are attached to your savings account. Find out how you can march towards becoming debt-free by using a debit card to pay for your purchases.



• Australian Debit Cards: A History That Has Proven Its Popularity
  

  Debit cards have had a lot of popularity recently, due to the push from banks to attract customers that are able to spend their own savings. Debit cards can provide many of the conveniences of a credit card, without the risk of getting in to credit card debt. Check out our guide to debit cards in Australia – they have a longer history in our country than you might think or know!



• Which is the best Debit Card? We compare the best debit cards
  

  There are several debit card offers available in Australia, but the biggest question is: Which is the best debit card for me? This guide looks in to the core facts and information you need to be aware of when researching and comparing debit cards, to choose the best debit card with the top most important features.



• How Is a Debit Card different from a Credit Card?
  

  What are the key differences between a debit card and a credit card? This is probably a question you’ve asked yourself, and the reason you’ve found this article. They key difference is that with a debit card you are spending your own money, usually from an attached savings account, as opposed to spending money on a credit card that has been extended as credit to you from your bank.



• What is a Debit Card? Debit cards explained and how you could use one
  

  The brand Visa, has been associated with credit cards for such a long time now, that when you heard Visa Debit Card, it can often be confusing as to what a debit card is. Our article explains and answers the question: What is a debit card? And more importantly explains how they could work for you.



• The Benefits Of A Debit Card As Opposed To A Credit Card
  

  Debit cards have increased in popularity over the last year, with many Australians looking for an alternative that can help them keep their spending habits in check. Our article looks at 5 benefits and positives of a debit card, that may make you consider applying for a debit card as an alternative to a credit card.



• How to handle direct debits on your credit card
  

  We have put together a complete guide to managing direct debit payments from your credit card account. Follow our guide to avoid any pitfalls and to get a full understanding of how direct debit payments work.



• Debit vs Credit – Which is Best?
  

  When it comes down to choosing either a credit card or debit card, there’s no simple answer as to what’s the ‘best’.

  
  

  Depending on how much you spend, how frequently you repay your balance and how much commitment you have towards managing your card, one or the other may be more beneficial.

  
  

  Find out which consumer group you fit in to determine the most appropriate choice.



• The Benefits of a Debit Card
  

  Debit cards – the un-identical twin brother of the credit card. While they share the same compatibilities and looks, debit cards are suitable for those who can’t (or don’t want to risk) spending more than they own.
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  Click here to see the benefits of a debit card.



• Credit Cards vs Debit Cards
  

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  Read our guide here to become well informed of the key differences and similarities between debit and credit cards.



• Visa Debit Cards
  

  Although Debit MasterCards exist, there are currently only visa debit card offers available from financial providers for online application.

  Why Choose a Visa Debit Card over an Eftpos Card?
  In short, Eftpos is much more limiting than Visa. Many over the counter merchants won’t accept Eftpos, while online transactions are completely out of the question. Also, Visa [...]



• Online Debit Credit Cards
  

  One of the key reasons Australians seek a first credit card is the simplicity involved in online purchases. However, many are still hesitant over the actual ownership of credit, and hence are after a debit card which will work as a credit card online.

  Currently, every debit card available in Australia can be used practically as an online debit credit card, meaning that you have a card that has the full functioning of a normal credit card, but is only linked to your savings account.

  Debit bank cards also have the advantage of no credit history required for approval. You will however, need to be over 18 and an Australian citizen.







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)
St George Vertigo	Editor's Choice: Low Interest Low 2.99% for 6 months (reverts to 11.99%) p.a. interest rate and balance transfer rate, from one of Australia's most respected banks.	2.99% for 6 months (reverts to 11.99%)	20.74%	2.99% for 6 months	$55	55
Coles Group Source MasterCard	The Coles Group Source MasterCard has no annual fee, a 0% p.a. balance transfer offer for 6 months, with a rewards program including savings on fuel and FlyBuys Points	19.74%	21.99%	0% for 6 months	$0	62
Bankwest Zero Platinum MasterCard	Editor's Choice: No Annual Fee Excellent introductory offer with a $0 annual fee for the life of the credit card and a 1.99% p.a. for 9 months on balance transfers	16.99%	16.99%	1.99% for 9 months	$0	55