Ready for a new credit card, or even your first one? It's simpler than you might think. In Australia, you can apply for a credit card if you're 18, have a good credit history and meet the card's eligibility criteria.
How to apply for a credit card in 3 steps
You can usually complete an online credit card application form in 10 to 20 minutes and get a response within 60 seconds of submitting it. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you get there.
1. Compare your options
The first step is deciding what's most important to you. Is it a low interest rate or bonus frequent flyer points? Knowing exactly what you need makes it easier for you to find the right card.
If you're comparing credit cards on Finder, use the tables to view features and fees side-by-side. There are also reviews of individual cards if you want more detailed information.
2. Check the card's eligibility requirements
Each credit card has its own requirements, also known as eligibility criteria. You'll find these details on the card's review page and at the start of the online application.
Common credit card eligibility requirements
A minimum age of 18. You must be at least 18 years old to get a credit card in Australia.
Valid Australian residency status. In most cases, you need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. If you're a temporary resident, you need to hold a valid visa. Check out the full guide on credit cards for temporary residents for more details.
Minimum income. Many credit cards list a minimum annual income requirement, which could range from $15,000 to $80,000 or more.
Credit history. Credit card companies will request a credit check when you submit your application. Ideally, you should have good credit history when applying. Otherwise, you may want to focus on improving your credit rating first.
3. Complete the application
This part usually takes around 10 to 20 minutes online.
You can save some time by having the details and documents you need ready to submit. So, here's a checklist of what you typically need when you apply:
Personal details. This includes your full name, date of birth, Australian residency or citizenship status, contact phone number, email address and residential address.
Identification. You need to provide a valid form of ID, such as your driver's licence, passport or Medicare card details. Once the initial application is submitted, you may also be asked for certified copies of these documents.
Employment details. You'll be asked for details of your employment status, including your profession, your employer's name and contact details, as well as your salary. You may be asked to provide recent payslips to verify your income.
Other financial details. This includes any other types of income, such as Centrelink payments, as well as any savings, shares or other assets. You also need to provide estimates of your regular expenses, including rent or mortgage payments, loan payments, bills and grocery costs.
Card details. During the application, you'll be asked about some card features, including the credit limit and any balance transfer (if you're moving debt from an existing account). Keep in mind these details and requests are still subject to the provider's lending criteria and approval.
You may also be asked for supporting documentation once your online application is submitted. This could include:
Copies of identity documents such as your driver's licence, passport and birth certificate
Recent payslips
Recent bills or bank statements
Wondering if you'll get approved?
Only 9% of Australians say they've been rejected for a credit card, according to our consumer sentiment tracker (November data). 80% of Australians say they've never been rejected for any products at all.
What happens after you apply?
After completing the online credit card application form, check that all the information is accurate and submit the application.
Most credit card providers offer a response within 60 seconds of applying. This includes online applications with ANZ, CommBank, NAB and Westpac. There are typically 3 potential outcomes: approved, conditionally approved or declined. The bank may ask for more information before making its final decision.
If you're approved, you can usually expect your new credit card to arrive in the mail within a week or so.
If you're not approved, wait a few months before applying again and work on improving your credit score during this time.
Either way, a credit enquiry will be recorded on your credit file once you've applied.
What to think about when applying for your first credit card
Ask yourself these 3 questions to help you find a credit card that works for you:
How much do you earn? Banks and other credit card brands look at your income as part of the application process. If you're applying for your first credit card and don't have much credit history, they could place more weight on your income when deciding to approve or decline your application. If you're worried about this, you could compare credit cards with low minimum income requirements.
How much can you afford to pay for a credit card? Credit card annual fees and interest rate charges can quickly add up – especially when you're not used to having one. So it can help to look at cards with interest rates and fees that are affordable based on your income and spending habits.
Are you a student? If you're studying full-time, you may be able to get a credit card that's designed for students. Student credit cards usually have low credit limits and low or no annual fees to help you manage the costs (and reduce the risk of serious debt).
Finder survey: Have Australians ever used a comparison website to compare credit cards?
Response
Female
Male
No
72.76%
66.35%
Yes
27.24%
33.65%
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1113 Australians, December 2023
What if I want a reward or frequent flyer card as my first credit card?
But make sure the card you apply for is affordable for you. If you're unsure, you can call the credit card provider to talk about your circumstances before applying, so you can decide if the card is worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can't use any new credit card until you've activated it. And the application details will still be listed on your credit history (this is the case even if you're not approved).
What happens next depends on the provider and the terms and conditions that you agree to when you apply and submit your application. In some cases, your account may be set up as soon as your application is approved, especially for digital or virtual cards.
For example, the MONEYME Freestyle Virtual Card terms and conditions state that the card "will be activated and ready for use once MONEYME has approved the opening of your Account", while Bankwest states its digital cards don't need to be activated.
If you don't want to activate or use a credit card after you've applied and been approved, you should call the provider as soon as possible and explain that you have changed your mind and no longer want the account. In most cases, this will void the card and the account before you have accepted it.
There is no set credit score requirement that you need to meet before you can get a credit card in Australia. But many credit card providers will say that you need to have "good" or "excellent" credit history. Your credit score can give you a sense of whether you meet this requirement. If you don't know your credit score, you can check it for free through Finder.
It's possible to apply for a credit card when you're a casual worker, as long as you meet all the eligibility requirements and can provide supporting documentation of your regular income. This typically includes:
Recent payslips for the past 2-3 months (or more)
Your most recent income statement (previously known as a payment summary or group certificate)
Your employer's contact details and/or a letter confirming your employment
Your 1-2 most recent Tax Assessment Notice from the Australian Taxation Office
The credit card provider will also consider the length of time you've been employed, any other sources of income and your household assets and expenses as part of the application. As a general guide, including as much detail as possible gives you a greater chance of approval.
It's sometimes possible to get two of the same credit card but it depends on the lender's application criteria and assessment. Some lenders might be concerned that a second application for the same account was a case of identity theft.
Also keep in mind that introductory bonus point and promotional interest rate offers are typically reserved for new credit card customers. Most providers explicitly state that you won't be eligible if you hold a similar account with them.
So, it's often easier and more practical to look at other options that fit with your goals. This could include:
Getting an additional card for the account. If you want to share your credit card with a family member, you could look at adding them as a secondary cardholder.
Getting access to more credit. If you've had your credit card for a while and just want more funds, you could request a credit limit increase on your existing account.
Different features. Sometimes the features on a particular credit card will change for new customers, but not for existing customers. If that's the reason you want to apply for a new version of your credit card, call your provider and see if the updates will be applied to your existing account. If not, you could compare other cards to find one with the features you want.
Separating expenses. Having a different credit card for work spending, online purchases or travel can be a convenient way to manage your money. If that's the goal, you could look at getting a dedicated business credit card, a card with 0% foreign transaction fees or one with other benefits based on what you plan to use it for.
Amy Bradney-George was the senior writer for credit cards at Finder, and editorial lead for Finder Green. She has over 16 years of editorial experience and has been featured in publications including ABC News, Money Magazine and The Sydney Morning Herald.
When you apply for a credit card online, you could receive a response within 60 seconds. Find out how you to find a card that you're eligible for and increase your chances of approval.
When you apply for a credit card, the lender will look at many different factors. This includes your credit score, income, expenses and Australian residency status. The credit card’s minimum limit can also have an impact. Finder’s guide on applying for a credit card has more details on the process. You could also consider calling the bank before applying to discuss the eligibility requirements. I hope that helps.
How long does it take for an application to be approved, and for cards to be received? We are going away in 2 months and need to know if we should start applying now.
Hi Ben. Thanks for your question. An application should take about 10 to 15 minutes. Once you finish, you should have a response in about a minute. After approval, a card will be sent out in about a week and half. When you receive the card, you will need to activate it, which can be done over the phone, and you can start using your card right away. Jacob.
I’m new in Australia permanent resident about just over a year ago and I’ve only been working for 9 months and get paid 60000 a year I have took out car finance about 6 months ago. Am I eligible. For credit card or do I have to wait a bit longer to apply for one? Thanks
Applying for a credit card as a temporary resident may vary depending on what type of visa you hold, your income, and other individual details. You can use this guide to compare credit cards for temporary residents. You can press the “Go to Site” button of your preferred credit card to proceed with your application. You can also contact the provider if you have specific questions. A gentle reminder, please ensure to read through the relevant product disclosure statement and terms and conditions to ensure that you got everything covered before you apply.
Hi Nimemsh. Thanks for your question. If you have paid your account balance in full, you can cancel your credit card account at any time without charge. To cancel the card, you will need to call your provider. They will put you through the process, which only takes about five minutes. Once that’s done, cut the card up. Jacob.
I am a full time worker getting $652 clear money per week. i applied for a credit card to commonwealth bank and after around 6 month ,the bank accepted my offer and they sent me message with conditionally approved for 10,500 credit offer and when i sent my pay slip again they declined me,.again the manager from the broad meadows branch recommended for me but again they declined me and sent me one letter,.i m not meeting the bank’s criteria,.so can you please answer me why they are declining my credit card application,..and what should i do to get credit card, again?
There are many reasons why a credit card application can be denied. Some of the more common reasons are: bad credit history, failing a credit provider’s point score system, or too many prior credit applications on your credit file.
To read more about these, you can read our article about the reasons for rejected credit card applications. To better understand how not to be declined on your next credit card, the same guide may also have some answers for you.
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My application for a CC with Westpac was rejected even though my credit score is between 700 and 1000, depending on which company I use to find it.
I don’t have bad credit, but I also don’t have any good credit which I suspect is their reasoning.
I’m at a loss as to how to get credit so that I can get a CC.
I feel like I’m in a catch -22.
Hi Sidney,
When you apply for a credit card, the lender will look at many different factors. This includes your credit score, income, expenses and Australian residency status. The credit card’s minimum limit can also have an impact. Finder’s guide on applying for a credit card has more details on the process. You could also consider calling the bank before applying to discuss the eligibility requirements. I hope that helps.
How long does it take for an application to be approved, and for cards to be received? We are going away in 2 months and need to know if we should start applying now.
Cheers
Hi Ben. Thanks for your question. An application should take about 10 to 15 minutes. Once you finish, you should have a response in about a minute. After approval, a card will be sent out in about a week and half. When you receive the card, you will need to activate it, which can be done over the phone, and you can start using your card right away. Jacob.
I’m new in Australia permanent resident about just over a year ago and I’ve only been working for 9 months and get paid 60000 a year I have took out car finance about 6 months ago. Am I eligible. For credit card or do I have to wait a bit longer to apply for one? Thanks
Hi Susan,
Thanks for your question.
Applying for a credit card as a temporary resident may vary depending on what type of visa you hold, your income, and other individual details. You can use this guide to compare credit cards for temporary residents. You can press the “Go to Site” button of your preferred credit card to proceed with your application. You can also contact the provider if you have specific questions. A gentle reminder, please ensure to read through the relevant product disclosure statement and terms and conditions to ensure that you got everything covered before you apply.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Jacob
Can I cancel the credit card when I have no longer use of it and if I can, what should I do?
Hi Nimemsh. Thanks for your question. If you have paid your account balance in full, you can cancel your credit card account at any time without charge. To cancel the card, you will need to call your provider. They will put you through the process, which only takes about five minutes. Once that’s done, cut the card up. Jacob.
I am a full time worker getting $652 clear money per week. i applied for a credit card to commonwealth bank and after around 6 month ,the bank accepted my offer and they sent me message with conditionally approved for 10,500 credit offer and when i sent my pay slip again they declined me,.again the manager from the broad meadows branch recommended for me but again they declined me and sent me one letter,.i m not meeting the bank’s criteria,.so can you please answer me why they are declining my credit card application,..and what should i do to get credit card, again?
Hello Baba,
Thanks for the question.
There are many reasons why a credit card application can be denied. Some of the more common reasons are: bad credit history, failing a credit provider’s point score system, or too many prior credit applications on your credit file.
To read more about these, you can read our article about the reasons for rejected credit card applications. To better understand how not to be declined on your next credit card, the same guide may also have some answers for you.
I hope this helps,
Marc