Your bank charges a foreign transaction fee whenever a currency conversion is required. If you buy something from a US website with your Australian debit card your bank needs to convert your Australian dollars into US dollars. And it charges you a fee.
The foreign transaction fee is usually around 3-4% of the transaction value. If you made a $300 purchase from an American site, a 3% foreign transaction fee would cost you $9.
This fee gets expensive if you make regular international purchases.
Which Australian debit cards have no foreign transaction fees?
Here are a few Australian bank accounts that don't charge an international transaction fee, or allow you to have this fee waived.
HSBC Everyday Global Account
Suncorp Everyday Options Account
ING Orange Everyday Transaction Account (you can get a rebate on international fees if you meet certain conditions).
UBank Spend Account
Macquarie Transaction Account
How do debit cards with no foreign transaction fees work?
You usually receive a debit card when you open an everyday bank account. The debit card allows you to access your own money to make everyday purchases in store or online, plus lets you withdraw your own money from an ATM. Some banks offer debit cards with low or even no foreign transaction fees. This means that you can still make purchases using your own money, but you won't be hit with the fee when you make overseas purchases. Most Australian debit cards come affiliated with Visa or Mastercard, so you can look forward to using these internationally while travelling.
How much can I save with a no foreign transaction fee debit card?
The amount you could save depends on how much you're planning to spend overseas. If you're go overseas often, you could save hundreds of dollars (or more) per trip. Take a look at the fictional example below of a short overseas holiday.
You can save $238 when no foreign transaction fees are charged.
I used the HSBC Everyday Global account for my everyday spending. I get 2% cashback for tap & pay purchases under $100 and I can hold CAD for when I go visit my friends and family.
Benefits of using a debit card with no foreign transaction fees
Here are some of the benefits you can expect from using a debit card with low foreign transaction fees:
Save money on international purchases made online. Debit card international transaction fees typically vary between 2-3% of the transaction value. If you often buy things from overseas online, a debit card that charges no foreign transaction fees could lead to significant savings.
Save money when using your card overseas. The same applies when travelling internationally. If you opt for a debit card with no foreign transaction fees, you can use your card overseas just as you would at home and won't have to worry about transaction fees. Not only will this save you money, but it will save you the hassle of getting a travel debit card just for your trip.
Global and easy. If you have a Mastercard or Visa debit card you can look forward to using your card in over 200 countries and territories across the world, at ATMs and EFTPOS terminals alike. You can also use your card for online transactions on international websites, from within Australia and when you’re travelling.
No overspending and no interest accruing. Unlike a credit card, a debit card only allows you to access the cash in your transaction account. This can help keep your spending in check, as you're only spending what you actually have available in your account.
Keeping it simple. A debit card gives you a simple way to access your own money, no matter where you go. You don’t have to worry about loading foreign currency on to your card, you don’t have to exchange cheques for cash, and you don’t have to worry about applying for a credit card.
What fees are normally involved when using a debit card for international purchases?
While using your debit card when overseas gives you quick and easy access to money, it pays to find out just how much you’ll end up paying in other fees and costs:
Foreign transaction fee. This fee is a combination of what your card provider charges along with what the payment processor charges. For example, if you have an ANZ Visa card, its foreign currency conversion fee would be a combination of fees charged by ANZ and Visa. You have to pay this fee when you use your card to pay in foreign currency, which your card provider converts into Australian dollars. It is usually between 2-3% of the transaction value.
Overseas ATM fees. When using your debit card to withdraw money from an overseas ATM, the ATM owner charges a fee, as does your card provider. You can lower your ATM-related costs by withdrawing money from your provider’s international ATM partners, withdrawing large sums to reduce your ATM visits or switching bank accounts to one which charges no or low international ATM fees on its associated debit card.
Foreign exchange rate margin. Banks make money by adding a margin (or a mark-up) on top of the real exchange rate when transferring one currency into another. Each bank will charge a different margin, so will offer different exchange rates. While this cost is not as transparent, if your bank is offering a poor exchange rate you could be losing money when using your debit card overseas.
International money transfer fee. If you'd like to send money to someone overseas from your regular bank account in Australia, your bank will likely charge you a hefty fee, sometimes over $20. To avoid this, opt for a dedicated international money transfer service when sending money to someone overseas rather than using your bank.
How do these debit cards compare to travel money cards or credit cards?
You get multiple options when it comes spending money overseas, and here’s how debit cards compare to popular alternatives like travel money cards and credit cards:
Credit cards
Credit cards, like debit cards, attract international transaction fees and ATM fees. Credit cards can give you access to extra funds outside of your available debit balance, which can come in handy during emergencies.
Since a credit card gives you access to money you don’t really have, overspending can become a problem and you could end up accruing high amounts of interest if you’re unable to pay your balance in full. Also, be aware that using your credit card to withdraw funds from an ATM, or to buy foreign currency or travellers cheques, is considered a cash advance transaction. These transactions attract an additional fee. You can compare credit cards with no foreign transaction fees here.
Travel money cards
A travel money card gives you the ability to load multiple currencies onto a single card to avoid currency conversion fees, and you can lock exchange rates in place before you travel. Depending on the card you’re using, you may be charged a fee when loading funds on the card or withdrawing money from ATMs.
Pros and cons of using a debit card with low foreign transaction fees
Pros
Access your own money. Since you’re accessing money from your own bank account, you don’t have to worry about repayments, paying interest or overspending.
Low or no foreign transaction fees. If you’re outside Australia for a considerable duration and end up using your debit card regularly, low or no foreign transaction fees can lead to noticeable savings.
No transfers required. Since your debit card gives you direct access to money in your bank account, you don’t have to worry about transferring money from your account to another account or card.
No conversion required. Using your debit card to pay in foreign currency is easy and does not require you to carry out complicated calculations. Your card provider does this for you using current exchange rates.
Cons
No access to extra emergency funds. You can only access funds in your bank account, and no more, so in case of an emergency a credit card could work better.
Limited choice of providers. While a number of Australian financial institutions provide debit cards, not many offer debit cards with no foreign transaction fees, so your choices remain limited.
Conditions to meet. There may be account conditions you're required to meet in order to enjoy no foreign transaction fees.
Yes, you would (unless you get a debit card that waives this fee). This is because your bank would convert Australian dollars to the currency the website charges you.
You would, in all likelihood, have to pay foreign transaction fees in such a case, even if you’re making a payment in Australian dollars, because this fee applies in instances when the merchant accepting the payment is overseas.
Yes. Both Visa and Mastercard offer overseas debit card replacements.
Alison Banney is the money editorial manager at Finder. She covers all areas of personal finance, and her areas of expertise are superannuation, banking and saving. She has written about finance for 10 years, having previously worked at Westpac and written for several other major banks and super funds.
The Bank Australia Pension Access savings account gives you on-call access to your money, a rewarding tiered interest rate and no monthly or transaction fees.
The article on banks with no fees on foreign transactions doesn’t mention the competitiveness of the exchange rate used. I switched to HSBC from Westpac to save the 3% foreign transaction fee but have discovered Westpacs FX rate over 2% better – so I’m barely better off. I did several identical transactions to test and the results were reliable
Is there an easy way to find out what each bank uses to determine their FX rate. I suspect HSBC might use an international Visa rate yet Westpac use their own rate. It’s important to know as the transaction fee is just part of the equation
Hi Bruce, the FX rate used by the bank will be available in the PDS. Most often it’s the Visa or Mastercard rate that’s used, but some banks may set their own rates.
Hi, I have an ING ING Orange Everyday Transaction Account and I meet the criteria to have the international fee waived (ie deposit $1000.00 into the Orange Everyday Account and use the card up to five times for payments or purchase etc.) and I am travelling to the UK for a month. I’m just wondering, does this mean I can use it as an eftpos card in the UK (assuming they have eftpos machines that are compatible) with no fees? I use tap and go in Australia all.the.time. I rarely use cash for anything anymore and I will forget how to count pound coins!!
Hi Mary, when you meet the monthly conditions you can use your card overseas like a regular debit card and pay no international transaction fees.
Note that even if you don’t meet the criteria, your ING card will still work overseas in EFTPOS machines – you’ll just be charged an international transaction fee for each transaction.
Thanks,
Alison
I currently have both an ING Orange Everyday account and an Savings Maximiser account. I am planning a trip overseas. Can I use my Everyday Orange (debit) card to book my accommodation online and not pay foreign transaction fees? Also am I able to withdraw funds from an ATM while overseas without incurring a withdrawal fee?
i understand I need to meet the requirement for this card ie. deposit $1000.00 into the Orange Everyday Account and use the card up to five times for payments or purchase etc.
Hi Aldina,
Yes, provided you meet the account conditions then you won’t pay international transaction fees when booking accommodation online. If you meet the account conditions you will also have your first 5 ATM withdrawal fees refunded to you each month – this includes local and overseas ATMs.
Thanks,
Alison
I wanted to draw your attention to information on the Suncorp Everyday Options Savings Account visa debit card. I have had an account with Suncorp for many years, and do have a Suncorp visa debit card. I contacted Suncorp recently about my debit card since I’m travelling overseas later this year. Using this card incurs a fee of 3% on all foreign purchases and withdrawals. You also incur a $5 fee for cash withdrawals per $1000 or part thereof. So the information you have provided is incorrect.
The 3% foreign currency conversion fee does not apply with the Suncorp Everyday Options Account or the Suncorp Everyday Essentials Account – both the products in this guide. However, this fee may be charged when using another Suncorp account.
This is stated on Suncorp’s website for these products, and also in Suncorp’s PDS available on its website. It’s page 25 in this document.
Does the NAB Platinum visa debit card have any currency conversion fees when using foreign ATMs with this card? Their product disclosure states that no foreign fees apply to purchases but I’m not sure if this covers using an ATM overseas too?
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The article on banks with no fees on foreign transactions doesn’t mention the competitiveness of the exchange rate used. I switched to HSBC from Westpac to save the 3% foreign transaction fee but have discovered Westpacs FX rate over 2% better – so I’m barely better off. I did several identical transactions to test and the results were reliable
Is there an easy way to find out what each bank uses to determine their FX rate. I suspect HSBC might use an international Visa rate yet Westpac use their own rate. It’s important to know as the transaction fee is just part of the equation
Hi Bruce, the FX rate used by the bank will be available in the PDS. Most often it’s the Visa or Mastercard rate that’s used, but some banks may set their own rates.
Hi, I have an ING ING Orange Everyday Transaction Account and I meet the criteria to have the international fee waived (ie deposit $1000.00 into the Orange Everyday Account and use the card up to five times for payments or purchase etc.) and I am travelling to the UK for a month. I’m just wondering, does this mean I can use it as an eftpos card in the UK (assuming they have eftpos machines that are compatible) with no fees? I use tap and go in Australia all.the.time. I rarely use cash for anything anymore and I will forget how to count pound coins!!
Hi Mary, when you meet the monthly conditions you can use your card overseas like a regular debit card and pay no international transaction fees.
Note that even if you don’t meet the criteria, your ING card will still work overseas in EFTPOS machines – you’ll just be charged an international transaction fee for each transaction.
Thanks,
Alison
I currently have both an ING Orange Everyday account and an Savings Maximiser account. I am planning a trip overseas. Can I use my Everyday Orange (debit) card to book my accommodation online and not pay foreign transaction fees? Also am I able to withdraw funds from an ATM while overseas without incurring a withdrawal fee?
i understand I need to meet the requirement for this card ie. deposit $1000.00 into the Orange Everyday Account and use the card up to five times for payments or purchase etc.
Hi Aldina,
Yes, provided you meet the account conditions then you won’t pay international transaction fees when booking accommodation online. If you meet the account conditions you will also have your first 5 ATM withdrawal fees refunded to you each month – this includes local and overseas ATMs.
Thanks,
Alison
I wanted to draw your attention to information on the Suncorp Everyday Options Savings Account visa debit card. I have had an account with Suncorp for many years, and do have a Suncorp visa debit card. I contacted Suncorp recently about my debit card since I’m travelling overseas later this year. Using this card incurs a fee of 3% on all foreign purchases and withdrawals. You also incur a $5 fee for cash withdrawals per $1000 or part thereof. So the information you have provided is incorrect.
Hi Vicki,
The 3% foreign currency conversion fee does not apply with the Suncorp Everyday Options Account or the Suncorp Everyday Essentials Account – both the products in this guide. However, this fee may be charged when using another Suncorp account.
This is stated on Suncorp’s website for these products, and also in Suncorp’s PDS available on its website. It’s page 25 in this document.
Hope this helps clear up any confusion!
Thanks for getting in touch,
Alison
Does the NAB Platinum visa debit card have any currency conversion fees when using foreign ATMs with this card? Their product disclosure states that no foreign fees apply to purchases but I’m not sure if this covers using an ATM overseas too?
Hi Luke,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
The NAB Platinum Visa debit card has no currency conversion fee but has overseas ATM withdrawal fee of $5.
I hope this helps.
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other enquiries.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni