The best debit card for you is one that lets you use your money how and when you want to, with minimal fees. Here are our top debit card picks for November 2024.
The HSBC Everyday Global Account is one of the best bank accounts for travelling. It has no account keeping fees, no international transaction fees and access to free ATMs around the world. You can hold up to 10 different currencies in the one account, which allows you to top up on a currency while the exchange rate is good, then spend in that local currency while you're overseas. Plus, earn 2% cashback on tap and pay purchases (T&Cs apply). It won a Finder Banking Award for best travel debit card.
Earn 2% cashback on tap and pay purchases under $100, up to $50 in cashback per month (subject to terms and conditions)
$0 monthly account fees and international account fees
Buy, hold and spend in up to 10 currencies with the HSBC app
Apple Pay and Google Pay available
You can only pre-load up to 10 currencies
Fees apply to deposit foreign currency notes into the account
The Suncorp Bank Everyday Options account is one of the best debit cards to help you budget. You can link up to 9 smaller sub-accounts to your main account to help you manage different expenses. For example, you could have one sub-account for bills, one sub account for emergencies and one for your fun 'splurge' purchases. Plus, there are no account keeping fees to pay on any of the accounts.
No account keeping fees
Link up to 9 sub-accounts
Use the sub-accounts to help you save for individual goals
Make contactless purchases with Google Pay and Apple Pay
The Ubank Spend account is one of the best bank accounts for no fees. Pay no account keeping fees, no local ATM fees at all major bank ATMs, no overseas ATM fees and no foreign transaction fees plus see your other bank accounts, super and investments all within your ubank app for free.
The Macquarie Transaction Account is one of the best bank accounts in the market if you're wanting to also earn interest on your balance. Your bank account balance will earn 2.75% p.a. interest with no conditions to meet, helping you save more money. It also has no account keeping fees, no international ATM fees and pays a refund on any local ATM fees charged.
Earn interest on your balance
No ATM fees
No international purchase fees
No monthly account keeping fees
Convenient on-the-go banking with the mobile banking app
No branch access
Rewards program
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Purchase Rate
Welcome offer
Interest-free period
Up to days on purchases
Balance transfer
N/A
Bonus points
N/A
Rewards points per $ spent
N/A
Foreign currency conversion fee
Expert best debit card picks selected by Alison Banney – money editorial manager
A debit card offers the convenience of making purchases online, in-store and overseas, without the added pressure of interest charges that come with a credit card. The right debit card for you will allow you to spend your money the way you want to, have low fees and maybe even some extra perks and benefits like cashback on your spending. The best debit card will have some, or all, of these great features and benefits:
No account fees (or low account fees)
Various contactless payment options available
Option to withdraw cash at ATMs for free
Cashback offers and other perks
Bonus interest on the linked savings account
A good mobile banking app
No overseas fees
When you compare debit cards it's good to keep in mind there's no one debit card that is best for everyone, as we all use our money in different ways.
How do we choose our debit card top picks?
At Finder, we've been comparing debit cards for more than a decade. Using the product data we've collected, ongoing consumer testing, customer surveys and many (many!) account comparisons, we assess the debit cards in our panel based on a few key features that we know you care most about to bring you our picks. We also use our annual Finder Banking Awards to help guide our assessment.
It's things like cashback offers, budgeting tools and fee-free cards that we know consumers care about when choosing a debit card, and form the basis of our top picks.
While we haven't looked at all accounts in the market, we're confident our picks are always strong offers. However, keep in mind these top picks may not be the best pick for you personally and it's always important to compare your options.
Specifically, here's how we determine each of our top pick recommendations:
We've looked at the debit cards in our panel, filtered the products for products available through Finder, and selected one with no account keeping fees, no ATM fees and no international transaction fees.
This card is selected as part of our annual Finder Awards. We filtered all debit cards in our database for those with no overseas ATM fees or transaction fees, then selected the one that offered the best additional benefits e.g.: the ability to hold multiple currencies.
We've looked at the debit cards in our panel, filtered the products for products available through Finder, and selected one with no account keeping fees and additional budgeting tools and features.
This card is selected as part of our annual Finder Awards. We filtered all debit cards in our database for those with no overseas ATM fees or transaction fees, then selected the one that offered the best additional benefits to help you earn money e.g.: the ability to earn cashback or interest.
How to choose the best debit card
A debit card comes with an everyday bank account, so you need to look at the whole account when choosing which debit card is right for you. Here are a few things to consider when choosing.
The monthly fee.
A lot of debit cards will come with no monthly account keeping fee, which is great. If it does have a fee, check if you're getting any extra benefits or perks by paying this fee. For example, some accounts charge a fee but also offer discounts on partner brands or unlimited in-branch transactions.
The international fees.
A debit card that provides unlimited fee-free access to your money in Australia may be ideal when you're at home, but if it charges high overseas transaction fees, then it could leave a big hole in your balance on your next international holiday. That being said, if you rarely go overseas you might not be too fussed about this fee.
Payment options.
Check that the account offers the different payment options you like to use, for example Apple Pay, Google Pay and Garmin Pay. If you want to make instant transfers using your phone number, make sure the account offers PayID.
Cashback and perks
Some bank accounts offer cash back when you open your first account, and some debit cards offer cash back on each purchase you make. It's an incentive to choose their account over others in the market. Others may offer different perks like discounts on partner brands, discounts on bills or the ability to earn points.
Linked savings account.
You might be eligible for bonus interest on your savings if you opt for a savings account with the same bank as your debit card.
How to apply for a debit card
It's easy and quick to apply for a debit card online. Using our comparison table above, once you've selected which debit card is right for you, simply click 'Go to site' to be securely redirected to the provider's website. From there all you need to do is complete the online application form.
Remember, debit cards come attached to an everyday transaction account. So when you complete the application you'll be opening a new transaction account which will come with your debit card.
You'll need to meet some basic eligibility criteria to get a debit card in Australia.
Eligibility
Age requirement. You'll often need to be over 18 to apply for a debit card, however some accounts do allow customers as young as 12-14 to apply.
Residency requirement. You must be an Australian resident or citizen with an Australian residential address.
Documentation needed
Personal identification. A valid driver's license, passport, birth certificate or Medicare card is needed to verify your identity online when applying for a debit card.
Personal information. Your full name, date of birth and physical address ad tax file number will all be required while filling out the application.
What happens after I submit my application?
When you've successfully completed the application and the bank has verified your identity online, your bank account will be opened and your new debit card will arrive in the mail within 3 to 7 business days. Some bank accounts will allow you to create a virtual debit card instantly in their mobile banking app which you can use while you wait for your physical card to arrive.
Frequently asked questions
A debit card comes attached to an everyday bank account and allows you to access your money in the account. Unlike a credit card, a debit card only allows you to spend the money that you've got in your account - no more. You can use your debit card to withdraw cash at ATMs, make purchases in stores, shop online and overseas.
If you're a student you'll probably want a debit card with as few fees and charges as possible. Luckily, some banks will waive the monthly account keeping fee for full time students or customers under a certain age, such as 25. Just keep in mind that once you reach the age limit, your account will remain open but you'll start to be charged fees (if the account does charge a monthly account fee).
Something else to consider if you're a student is the minimum monthly deposit required. Many bank accounts won't have a minimum monthly deposit condition at all, but some do have this in order to avoid the monthly fee. If you're considering a debit card that does have a monthly deposit condition, make sure it's something you can realistically meet each month otherwise you risk being stung with fees.
Debit cards, and the attached bank account, have a range of fees and charges for different things. The most common fees are monthly account keeping fees (although most banks no longer charge these), ATM withdrawal fees, international transaction fees and fees for assisted transactions inside a bank branch.
There is very little difference between a Visa and Mastercard debit card. They're just the brand names, but the debit cards work exactly the same way.
Yes, you can have multiple debit cards. If you have a few different bank accounts you'll have a different debit card for each one. Some banks allow you to have multiple debit cards with the one bank account, too, which could come in handy to help you manage your different spending. If you have a joint bank account with someone else you'll both receive your own debit card each.
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. See full bio
Alison's expertise
Alison has written 626 Finder guides across topics including:
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