Do you need immediate help?
These services can offer you support in Australia:
- If you want to speak to someone at Centrelink, call the employment services line on 132 850 or visit the Services Australia contact page for other support numbers.
- If you want to speak to someone about financial hardship, call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 or use the online chat service.
- If you need assistance with a no-interest loan, reach out to Good Shepherd to see if you're eligible. You can receive the funds through one of their 170 not-for-profit partners, with up to $3,000 available..
- If you want to speak to someone about any urgent problem, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or use the Lifeline Live Chat service (7pm - midnight daily).
Can I apply for a credit card if I’m receiving government assistance?
Some credit cards will accept your application with proof of Centrelink payments to meet the income criteria. This can include:
- Austudy
- Carer's allowance
- Child support payments
- Child care benefits
- Centrelink long-term pensions
- Parenting payments
- Foster care allowance
- Family tax benefit A and B
The credit card issuer will consider other factors including whether you have employment, your credit history, expenses and liabilities. If you're not sure if you're eligible, contact the credit card provider directly to discuss your options.
You can compare details for some Australian credit card issuers below to see whether or not they consider specific benefits.
Benefit | CBA | ANZ | NAB | Westpac Group | Bank Australia | Great Southern Bank |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Austudy | N/A | N/A* | ||||
Carer's allowance | (Must be permanent) | |||||
Child support payments | (must be expected to be received for a minimum of 5 years) | |||||
Child care benefits | N/A* | |||||
Centrelink long-term pensions | ||||||
Parental/Maternity leave payments | ||||||
Foster care allowance | N/A | |||||
Family tax benefit A and B | (must be expected to be received for a minimum of 5 years) | |||||
Comments/ required documents | JobSeeker (previously Newstart) allowance isn't accepted. You need to provide a statement of benefits from Centrelink and an official letter from the courts showing child-support payments. | "Signed Statement of Position" from Centrelink or Family & Community Services confirming ongoing payments or a bank statement showing consistent payments have been received in the last 3 months. | Provide bank statements and/or a letter from Centrelink showing proof of payment. | JobSeeker (previously Newstart) allowance isn't accepted. You need to provide documents from Centrelink showing proof of payments. | These details are specific to the Bank Australia Low Rate Visa Credit Card. Other requirements for specific benefits have been detailed in the table. | Provide documents from Centrelink confirming your most recent payment and ongoing benefit amounts. |
*N/A - In this instance, the institution doesn't have a set policy on this, so you'll need to contact them directly to discuss it on a case-by-case basis.
How do I apply for a credit card if I have more than one source of income?
If you receive income from a few sources – such as child support payments, Family tax benefit A or B and a casual job – you should include details for all of them when you apply for a credit card.
Every card provider has a different application form, but you list your main source of income (such as a casual or part-time job) when asked to nominate your income. And if you receive a parenting payment from Centrelink you would list that under additional sources of income.
You'll probably need to provide documents to establish each source of income. This includes payslips or bank statements.
How can I increase my chances of credit card approval if I'm on Centrelink?
There's no guarantee of approval for a credit card in Australia. But these 4 steps can increase your chances of successfully applying for one.
1. Compare your options
Different types of credit cards can suit different needs. For instance:
- If you receive a relatively low income, consider a card with low minimum income requirements and a low minimum credit limit.
- If you'll only use a card for emergencies, a card with $0 annual fee won't burn a hole in your pocket while you're not using it.
- If you think you might not pay off the balance in full each month, consider a card with a low interest rate for purchases.
Once you've narrowed down the type of card you want, compare a few different cards. Just remember to look at the rates, fees, features and eligibility requirements before picking a card.
2. Check the eligibility requirements before applying
These usually include:
- Age. You must be at least 18 years of age to apply.
- Residency. You typically need to be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or hold a valid visa.
- Income. Minimum income requirements for credit cards can start from $15,000. But a lot of banks don't state a minimum income anymore. They assess your application based on how your income supports your living expenses, including if you receive regular income.
- Credit score. Most credit card issuers will only consider applicants with good credit scores. If you want to check your credit score before you apply, you can get your credit report and score for free on Finder.
3. Organise the required documents
You'll be asked to provide proof of identification (such as your driver's licence or passport) and proof of income. This may include recent pay slips, bank statements and documents from Centrelink.
4. Only apply for one card at a time
Every credit card application you make is listed on your credit report. Applying for too many credit cards in a short period of time can lower your credit score.
So, aim to only apply for one card at a time. If your application is rejected, spend some time (usually at least 6 months) improving your credit score before you apply for another one.
Alternatives to a credit card when you're on Centrelink
It can be difficult to get approved for a credit card when your main source of income is from JobSeeker or another Centrelink payment. But if you need access to funds, some other options to consider include:
- Personal loans. There are some personal loans with low income requirements. But as they may have higher interest rates and fees than other loans, make sure you consider the costs and compare options before deciding to apply.
- No interest loans. No Interest Loans (NILs) offer up to $3,000 for people who earn less than $70,000 (or $100,000 as a couple). These loans are administered by Good Shepherd and are available through a range of non-profit community organisations around Australia.
- Centrelink advance payment. You can ask for a one-off or regular advance from Centrelink when you're recieving an eligible payment, including JobSeeker, Family Tax Benefit A, Age Pension, Carer Payment and Austudy. You can check if you're eligible and apply through MyGov, the Express Plus app, in a service centre or by calling 136 240.
- Buy now pay later. Services like Afterpay and Zip give you a way to buy what you want and pay it off in instalments. Most buy now pay later accounts have a regular account fee, as well as late payment fees (or in some cases, interest charges), which can become expensive if you use it a lot and/or don't meet the repayment requirements.
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Ask a question
I am looking to get a credit card. I am a single parent on center link benefits. my credit isn’t the best
Hi Tiffany,
Thanks for your inquiry.
You may find our guide to credit cards for single parents useful to know your chances of approval while receiving Centrelink benefits. You can also compare credit cards with low income requirements. Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Can single mother go for this loan
Hi Stacey,
Thanks for your question.
These are credit cards rather than loans, but you are still able to apply for them if you want to. If you’re interested in the cards on this page you can click the titles to read a review and check if you meet the eligibility criteria (minimum income, etc.) If you do, you can click the ‘go to site’ button to apply.
If you are looking for a loan rather than a credit card, you can find out more about loans for single parents.
I hope this has helped.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
Hi, I am a single mum of one, & I receive $26,477.68 per year. Is there any credit card that I am eligible for? Thank you
Hi, Tamara.
You can check your eligibility for a product by having a look at the application requirements table at the bottom of each card’s review page. It will list a minimum income requirement and other criteria you have to meet in order to apply for a card. The fact that you’re a single mother shouldn’t matter.
Thanks for your question.
Is there a credit card provider available for a single mother on Centrelink benefit with child support? I have total benefits of approx $1400 per fortnight and feel a credit card would be beneficial to me. Thanks.
Hi Monique. Thanks for your question. Please refer to the minimum eligibility requirements at the bottom of the review page for each card. If you meet these requirements, you’re eligible to apply for the card. Centrelink payments and child support are considered an eligible form of income. I hope this helps. Jacob.