Navigate credit card companies in Australia

At Finder, we do our best to compare the entire credit card market. This means we endeavour to list every bank and lender as well as every credit card available in Australia. Below, you can click through to each provider page where you can see all of their credit cards. If you're looking for a specific type of offer, you can find links to each of our guides here too.

Credit card providers

Credit cards by type and offer

Types of credit card companies in Australia

In Australia, you can get a credit card from a bank, credit union, co-operative, other financial provider or even a big-name brand such as Coles or Qantas.

Broadly speaking, there are 2 main ways a credit card company can be set up in Australia:

1. Credit card issuers are financial organisations that are legally authorised to provide a credit facility. This includes most major banks and financial institutions in Australia, as well as their divisions or subsidiaries (which may have separate licences).
2. A credit card brand can also partner with an issuer to offer credit cards under their name. For example, Coles, Virgin Money and Qantas Money credit cards have their own branding but are all issued by NAB.

Top 4 credit card issuers based on market share

If you're interested in the biggest banks or credit card companies, here are the 4 Australian credit card providers with the highest market capitalisation.

1. Commonwealth Bank

As well as being one of the Big Four banks in Australia, CommBank has the highest market capitalisation value at $193.04 billion. The Commonwealth Bank Group includes Bankwest, Colonial First State and CommSec (online stock broking). Commonwealth Bank credit cards include low-rate, low-fee, rewards, premium and business options.

2. NAB

Another of Australia's Big Four banks, NAB has over 8.5 million customers in Australia, New Zealand and across the world. Its market capitalisation is $99.32 billion. NAB credit cards include low-cost, rewards, premium, business and corporate options. It also issues Citi-branded credit cards, along with Coles, Qantas Money, Virgin Money, BOQ and other brands.

3. Westpac

Big Four Bank Westpac's credit card lending portfolio covers products from Westpac Banking Corporation, including St.George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA. Its total market capitalisation is $82.46 billion. The range of Westpac credit cards include low rate, low fee, balance transfer and rewards options.

4. ANZ

Rounding out the Big Four banks on this list is ANZ, with a total market capitalisation of $79.89 billion. ANZ credit cards offer a mix of products, including rewards, frequent flyer, low-cost and premium cards for both personal and business use.

Other factors to consider

• The types of credit cards available. Ultimately, the right credit card company will offer a card with features you want. Keep in mind that even unfamiliar brands could offer you competitive rates, fees, rewards and perks.
• Accessibility. If you want access to a branch, look for banks or brands with locations nearby. For mobile or phone banking, you could also check app store reviews or customer service ratings.
• Rewards and other features. If you want a card that earns rewards, consider the value offered by different programs. And for other perks like complimentary travel insurance, check the requirements so you know you can get value from the card.
• Fees. This includes the annual fee, foreign transaction fees, late payments, cash advances and any other charges on the bank or brands schedule of fees.
• Other accounts. If you want to do all your banking with one provider, look at what other accounts are available and if there are any banking packages (such as if you get a mortgage and a credit card). Alternatively, the free Finder app lets you connect and view your accounts in one place.
• Introductory offers. A new card with a 0% interest rate offer, bonus point, cashback or other perks can give you extra value when you sign-up.
• Ethical values. If green banking is a priority for you, consider the investment details and any community support programs offered by the credit card company. You can usually find this information in the "About" and "Investor" sections of a bank or company's website.

Frequently asked questions

• What are the biggest credit card companies in Australia?

  In Australia, the biggest credit card companies include Visa, Mastercard and American Express. These companies provide the payment network for the majority of credit cards issued by Australian banks such as ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, Westpac and NAB.

• What is the most accepted credit card in Australia?

  Visa and Mastercard are the most accepted credit cards in Australia. These cards are widely accepted at almost all merchants across the country, both in-store and online. American Express is also accepted, but may not be as widely available as Visa or Mastercard due to higher merchant fees.

• What is the most widely used credit card?

  Visa is the most widely used credit card globally and in Australia, followed closely by Mastercard. Both offer widespread acceptance and are used by millions of consumers for a wide range of transactions.