There's a simple way to transfer credit card debt to another bank: a credit card with a balance transfer offer.
You can move your existing card balance to the new credit card and start paying it off. Most balance transfer credit card offers give you some time to pay the balance off with no interest, making it much easier to get your debt under control.
You can't do a balance transfer with your current bank or credit card company. You need to switch to a new one.
How to transfer a credit card balance to another bank or lender
Check the eligibility requirements. As well as any income and residency requirements, check what details are needed for the balance transfer. For example, it usually needs to be from an account in your name with a different bank.
Apply and provide the balance transfer request details. When you apply for a balance transfer, some financial institutions will ask for the account number and BSB. Others may ask for the card number, BPAY biller code or a cheque mailing address so that they can process the balance transfer.
Activate the new card. If you're approved, you'll typically need to activate the new card to complete the balance transfer process.
If a repayment is due on your existing account before the process is complete, make sure you pay it by the due date. When the balance transfer is finalised, you'll see details on your new account and can cancel the old card.
You can't do a balance transfer with the same bank
If you had a NAB Rewards credit card with an unpaid balance, you couldn't take out a NAB Low Rate credit card and take advantage of the balance transfer offer. You'd need to find a new bank.
This rule also applies to banks with ties to each other. You can't do a balance transfer from a St.George credit card to a Bank of Melbourne card. They're both part of Westpac Group.
Credit card balance transfer restrictions
If you want to transfer card debt to another bank or brand, you can use this table to see when it is and isn't possible with major Australian banks and lenders.
You can't balance transfer between 2 accounts issued by ANZ. You can transfer debts from other Australian store or credit card issuers, as long as they accept BPAY or cheque payments. The transferred balance must be between $100 and up to 95% of your available credit limit.
Balance transfer requests will not be accepted from another Bank of Melbourne, St.George or BankSA store, charge or credit card. But you can transfer balances from Westpac cards, even though Bank of Melbourne is a division of the Westpac Banking Corporation.
Balance transfers are not allowed from BankSA, St.George or Bank of Melbourne store, charge or credit cards, which are all part of Westpac Banking Corporation. But you can transfer balances from Westpac cards.
Balance transfers are not allowed between Kogan Money accounts. Kogan Money credit cards are issued by NAB, and you can request a balance transfer from accounts with other financial institutions and stores.
You can only transfer balances from non-St.George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA Australian credit, charge or store cards. You can request a balance transfer from Westpac cards, even though St.George is a division of the Westpac Banking Corporation.
If you have a Suncorp credit card, you can't request a balance transfer from Suncorp or other Citigroup accounts (issued by NAB since 1 June 2022). This includes cards from Citi, IMB and Virgin Money.
Virgin Money may refuse to process a balance transfer request when it is from another Virgin Money account. Virgin Money credit cards are issued by NAB. You can request a balance transfer from accounts with other financial institutions and stores.
Balance transfers are only allowed from non-Westpac Australian issued credit, charge or store cards. While Westpac is affiliated with St.George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA, you can request balance transfers from any of these brands to Westpac.
What happens if I apply for a balance transfer with the same credit card issuer?
Your application may be declined. The reason your application gets denied usually has more to do with other factors, including your credit score and credit history. Even if a balance transfer isn't possible, you could still be approved for the card.
It could lower your credit score. If you apply for a lot of balance transfer credit cards in a small amount of time, your credit score might temporarily drop. See Finder's guide to good and bad credit ratings for more details.
You could get the new card approved without the balance transfer. Balance transfers are offers attached to certain credit cards. You can get a new card approved but not get the balance transfer offer approved. That means you have an extra card but the balance is stuck on the old one.
Tip: Check the balance transfer terms and conditions or ask the credit card brand about the balance you want to transfer before applying. This can help you avoid the scenarios we've mentioned here.
Can I get a balance transfer to my existing card?
Some banks and brands let you consolidate existing debts onto a card you already have, as long as the balances are held with a different issuer. For example, both NAB and Westpac let you request a balance transfer to an existing card through their mobile banking apps.
What’s the difference between a credit card issuer and a credit card brand?
A credit card issuer is legally the financial service provider for the account, while a credit card brand is the main point of contact for customers.
In really simple terms, this means credit cards could have branding for a supermarket or airline and be issued by larger financial institutions that have the required Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) and Australian credit licence.
You can get a Coles credit card but the actual financial service provider will be NAB, for example.
Why are balance transfers not allowed between cards by the same issuer?
This comes down to the structure of a balance transfer. This process lets you shift debt from one creditor to another with the aim of refinancing your debt at a lower interest rate.
Since balance transfer offers are typically promotions to entice new customers, card issuers rarely allow existing customers the opportunity to refinance within their own umbrella of issued cards.
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. See full bio
Amy's expertise
Amy has written 565 Finder guides across topics including:
Richard Whitten is a money editor at Finder, and has been covering home loans, property and personal finance for 6+ years. He has written for Yahoo Finance, Money Magazine and Homely; and has appeared on various radio shows nationwide. He holds a Certificate IV in mortgage broking and finance (RG 206), a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification and a Tier 2 General Advice Deposit Products (RG 146) certification. See full bio
Richard's expertise
Richard has written 554 Finder guides across topics including:
Use this guide to see which providers accept balance transfers from a personal loan to a credit card and discover how you can repay your debt faster with 0% balance transfer offers.
Which credit cards will accept a balance transfer from a Latitude GEM Visa Card? It does not have a BSB or account number.
Finder
AmyMarch 20, 2023Finder
Hi Sandra,
It varies between providers but there are some options. For example, some credit cards that accept balance transfers from personal loans require BPAY details rather than a BSB and account number. It also varies depending on the financial institution. In comparison, ANZ credit cards only accept balance transfers from Australia store or credit cards not issued by ANZ – and the bank’s website says “ANZ will only be able to facilitate a Balance Transfer if your bank or financial institution accepts BPAY or cheque payment.”
Before applying for a balance transfer, you may want to call the financial institution to check what account details are required to make sure the Latitude GEM details will be sufficient. I hope that helps.
PaulMay 2, 2017
How does know how much credit I can qualify or be approved for
Finder
DeeMay 3, 2017Finder
Hi Paul,
Thanks for your question.
There is no definite way to determine what your credit limit might be, as credit card brands often follow their own unique policies when deciding your credit limit. There are certain factors that can affect our credit limit including your monthly income and your creditworthiness among others. You can refer to our credit card limit calculator to learn more.
In addition, if you are making a balance transfer, the maximum amount that you can move to your new card depends on your approved and available credit limit.
Cheers,
Anndy
PVOJanuary 30, 2017
If I do a balance transfer, is the old credit card closed? Can I keep the old card but not use it?
Finder
DeeJanuary 30, 2017Finder
Hi PVO,
Thanks for your question.
When you transfer your balance from the old card to the new one, you have the option to retain or cancel the old card. Generally, it will be your personal choice.
Cheers,
Anndy
rdrDecember 29, 2016
I would like a personal advice how I can get my credit card payments down as the way things are with my Bank I seem to be paying more interest charges than getting my total amount
down not getting anywhere I have also stopped using any credit that I may have after paying the credit card that has been closed so no further credit usage allowed.
Please advice as this will go on for ever.
Thanking You,
Finder
DeeDecember 29, 2016Finder
Hi RDR,
Thanks for reaching out.
You may want to read our guide on dealing credit card debts. It listed down the possible options for your situation.
Cheers,
Anndy
AlexAugust 7, 2016
Who issues NAB cards and where does NAB sit, with regards who you can transfer between?
Finder
MayAugust 7, 2016Finder
Hi Alex,
Thanks for your question.
NAB is one of Australia’s largest financial institutions and they issue the NAB credit cards.
As for conducting a balance transfer, generally, you cannot transfer a balance from a credit card that is issued by the same institution. So, you are not able to transfer a balance between NAB credit cards, but you can do a balance transfer from a NAB card to any other credit card and vice versa, provided you meet the criteria and requirements of the card.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
May
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Can I get a balance transfer to my existing card?
Why are balance transfers not allowed between cards by the same issuer?
Which credit cards will accept a balance transfer from a Latitude GEM Visa Card? It does not have a BSB or account number.
Hi Sandra,
It varies between providers but there are some options. For example, some credit cards that accept balance transfers from personal loans require BPAY details rather than a BSB and account number. It also varies depending on the financial institution. In comparison, ANZ credit cards only accept balance transfers from Australia store or credit cards not issued by ANZ – and the bank’s website says “ANZ will only be able to facilitate a Balance Transfer if your bank or financial institution accepts BPAY or cheque payment.”
Before applying for a balance transfer, you may want to call the financial institution to check what account details are required to make sure the Latitude GEM details will be sufficient. I hope that helps.
How does know how much credit I can qualify or be approved for
Hi Paul,
Thanks for your question.
There is no definite way to determine what your credit limit might be, as credit card brands often follow their own unique policies when deciding your credit limit. There are certain factors that can affect our credit limit including your monthly income and your creditworthiness among others. You can refer to our credit card limit calculator to learn more.
In addition, if you are making a balance transfer, the maximum amount that you can move to your new card depends on your approved and available credit limit.
Cheers,
Anndy
If I do a balance transfer, is the old credit card closed? Can I keep the old card but not use it?
Hi PVO,
Thanks for your question.
When you transfer your balance from the old card to the new one, you have the option to retain or cancel the old card. Generally, it will be your personal choice.
Cheers,
Anndy
I would like a personal advice how I can get my credit card payments down as the way things are with my Bank I seem to be paying more interest charges than getting my total amount
down not getting anywhere I have also stopped using any credit that I may have after paying the credit card that has been closed so no further credit usage allowed.
Please advice as this will go on for ever.
Thanking You,
Hi RDR,
Thanks for reaching out.
You may want to read our guide on dealing credit card debts. It listed down the possible options for your situation.
Cheers,
Anndy
Who issues NAB cards and where does NAB sit, with regards who you can transfer between?
Hi Alex,
Thanks for your question.
NAB is one of Australia’s largest financial institutions and they issue the NAB credit cards.
As for conducting a balance transfer, generally, you cannot transfer a balance from a credit card that is issued by the same institution. So, you are not able to transfer a balance between NAB credit cards, but you can do a balance transfer from a NAB card to any other credit card and vice versa, provided you meet the criteria and requirements of the card.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
May