Easy credit cards to get approval for in Australia

Easy approval credit cards you can apply for online

Here are some popular low rate credit cards that you can apply for and get a response within 60 seconds.

These cards have low fees and low minimum income requirements, making them easier to get approval for compared to more premium cards.

• ANZ Low Rate card. Offers a minimum credit limit of $1,000, a $0 annual fee in the first year ($58 after that) and a response within 60 seconds when you apply online.
• Westpac Low Rate card. This card from Westpac offers a very low minimum credit limit of $500, a $59 annual fee and a simple application process.
• MONEYME Freestyle Virtual Card. Offers credit limits of $1,000 up to $20,000 and charges a $0, $49 or $149 annual fee depending on your credit limit. This card can be used instantly on your smartphone once you're approved.
• ING Orange One Low Rate Card. You can get this card with a low $1,000 credit limit. It also has a $0 annual fee and a low purchase rate.
• NAB Low Rate Credit Card.You can get NAB's Low Rate Credit Card via an online application that takes 15 minutes, with a response time of 60 seconds. This card has a low purchase rate and a $59 annual fee.

How can I get easy approval for a credit card?

You can boost your chances of getting a card application approved quickly and easily if you:

• Have a good credit score and full-time income.
• Don't currently have a credit card.
• Are applying for a card with a credit limit you can comfortably afford.
• Have kept your monthly expenses well below your income.

Australian credit card companies must follow lending requirements enforced by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

You cannot get a credit card without a credit check and no card provider can guarantee approval before you apply.

What types of credit cards are easy to apply for?

Credit cards with more basic features and low annual fees usually have easier eligibility requirements than premium cards with lots of perks.

• Low rate credit cards. Low rate credit cards offer a low interest rate for purchases and usually have fewer extra features (such as rewards or complimentary insurance) compared to premium cards. They are also more likely to have lower minimum income requirements, which could make it easier to apply for one.
• Low income credit cards. Low income credit cards are designed for people with a good credit history and a yearly income of $15,000 to $35,000.
• Low credit limit cards. If you have a low income, you could look at cards with minimum credit limits that start at around $500. A lower credit limit can reduce the risk of debt and make it easier to meet the eligibility requirements.
• Low annual fee credit cards. Annual fees on credit cards vary, but cards with low or no annual fees are likely to have fewer extra features and may have lower income requirements.
• No interest, flat fee cards. No interest, flat-fee credit cards charge a monthly fee instead of interest, and offer credit limits from $1,000 to $3,000. These credit cards are designed to compete with buy now pay later. Their structured repayments and low credit limits can make them easier to apply for and get approved.
• Joint account cards. With a joint account credit card, you apply and share responsibility for it with someone else. This means your combined income and other finances are assessed when you apply, which could increase the chance of approval.

How to apply for a credit card online

It takes around 10-20 minutes to complete an online credit card application.

Eligibility criteria

• Age. You must be at least 18 years old.
• Australian residency status. If you're a permanent resident or an Australian citizen, you'll be eligible to apply for most cards. Some financial institutions also offer credit cards to temporary residents with a valid visa.

Documents and details

• Personal details. This includes your full name, date of birth, residential address, email address, contact number, relationship status and number of dependants. You also need to provide details from your Australian driver's license, passport or Medicare card for ID.
• Employment and income. Most credit card applications ask for your main occupation, type of employment and your employer's contact number.
• Bills and expenses. Credit providers want to know about your existing debts and regular expenses.

What if I'm not eligible?

If you're not eligible for a credit card or your application is declined, you're better off focusing on fixing any problems before applying again. Here are 5 tips to help improve your finances:

1. Make repayments on time for existing debts.
2. Wait at least 6 months before applying again to reduce the risk of a lower credit score.
3. Make a budget so you can stay on track with your spending and savings.
4. Check your credit score regularly to see the impact of your changes. This will also give you a sense of when you will be eligible for a card.
5. Ask for help when you need it by speaking to your current bank if you're struggling with repayments, or if you want to know what credit options they can offer you.

There are many other ways to improve your credit score, including avoiding buy now pay later, fixing errors in your credit report and lowering the limits on any existing cards.

Other types of credit you could consider

Emergencies and big-ticket items are 2 of the biggest reasons Australians get a credit card, Finder analysis shows. If your reasons are similar but you're worried about approval, these alternatives usually offer simple applications.

Secured personal loans

Secured personal loans are tied to an asset, such as a car, home or term deposit account. This "security" can give you a better chance of approval. Just keep in mind that personal loans usually offer a fixed amount of credit you pay off over time (e.g. 3-5 years).

Buy now pay later

While not exactly credit, buy now pay later (BNPL) lets you pay off a purchase in instalments, usually with an account fee.

BNPL accounts (including Afterpay) don't typically check your credit score when you apply, making them easy to get and use if you're planning to pay for big-ticket items. Just check that the purchase has a BNPL option before opening an account.

Pay on demand apps

Pay on demand or pay advance apps let you access your wages early, for a fee. Some of these apps offer funding within 60 seconds of approval, making them as fast (or faster) than a credit card. But they are more suited to short-term goals.

Frequently asked questions

• What credit score do I need to get a credit card?

  You need a good credit score (usually between 500 to 734, or higher) to apply for a credit card in Australia. When you get your credit score, you should also see where it ranks compared to others. As long as it is listed as "good", "very good" or "excellent", you will meet this eligibility requirement.

• Can I get a credit card without a credit check?

  In Australia, you can only apply for a credit card if you agree to a credit check. There are also no guaranteed approval credit cards available. But you can improve your chances of being approved by making sure you meet the eligibility requirements and including as much information as possible on your application.

• What if I have bad credit?

  If you have bad credit history, you won't be eligible to get a credit card until your credit score improves. Finder's guide to bad credit credit cards has steps you can take to build up good credit history and increase your chances of approval.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Richard Whitten as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Sarah Megginson

Head of editorial

As an authority on all things personal finance, Sarah Megginson is passionate about helping you save money and make money. She is an editor and money expert with 20 years’ experience and an extensive background in property and finance journalism. Sarah holds ASIC RG146-compliant Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification, and she's a regular media commentator, appearing weekly on TV (Sunrise, Channel 7 news, Nine news), radio (KIIS FM, Triple M, 3AW, 2GB, 6PR) and in digital and print media. See full bio

Sarah's expertise

Sarah has written 192 Finder guides across topics including:

• Home loans
• Personal finance
• Budgeting and money-saving tips
• Managing the cost of living