How long does it take to get a credit card?

When will I get my new credit card?

What happens after I've applied for a credit card?

After you submit your credit card application, the credit card issuer assesses your credit history, income, debts and recent spending to determine if you can get a card and how much you can spend (your credit limit).

If you're lucky, you'll get approved within minutes. If your situation is more complicated it take hours or a couple of days.

What happens after I get approved for a credit card?

The real waiting time comes for the card itself. In Australia banks and card companies send out credit cards by post. Between 5 and 7 business days is the common delivery time, but you could wait up to 10.

The welcome pack may arrive before the card and contains information about the bank, the credit card and its terms and conditions of use.

How to activate your credit card

Depending on the issuer, you may be able to activate your credit card online, via app, over the phone or in person at a bank branch.

Information about card activation will also be included in your welcome pack and usually takes just a few minutes to complete.

Remember to sign your card

The signature panel on your credit card gives you the legal authority to use it and protects you against unauthorised transactions if it’s lost, stolen or compromised. Make sure you sign it when you first activate the card.

Add your card to your smartphone and use it immediately

Luckily, you don't have to wait 2 weeks for Australia Post to give you your card.

You can add a virtual version of most credit cards to your phone by:

• Google Pay
• Apply Pay
• Samsung Pay
• Your bank or card provider's app

It's very easy to set your card. Once you've logged into the app you can either take a photo of your card or enter the card details manually. Then you just need to confirm your identity via text.

"Before I got rejected for a credit card I knew I was in trouble. I got a text message within hours saying the it would take a few more days. Then I got rejected. When I re-applied as a joint applicant with my wife we got approved in under an hour. The cards took a week to arrive but we had them on our phones as soon as we got approved."

Richard Whitten

Money Editor

Frequently asked questions

• Do credit card applications take longer for temporary visa holders?

  It won't necessarily take longer for temporary visa holders, but the lender may take longer to assess the application. This is because credit card providers must follow Australia's responsible lending requirements to ensure people can reasonably afford and manage the card. Lenders will also consider the applicant's visa details and may ask for financial information from overseas.

• If I start to apply online for my credit card can I go back later to finish it?

  Most banks do have a feature to save an application and complete it at a later date. Just check first to see how long they will store your application and make a note of any reference number you may need to provide to resume your application later.

• What is my credit card application number? Where can I find it?

  Credit card issuers usually assign you an application number when you apply for a credit card online, and will be shown on the application page. It may also be emailed to you once you have submitted your details.

• If I ordered an additional card will that need to be activated too?

  Yes, all cards issued will need to be activated before they can be used. This is done to verify that they were delivered to the correct person. Additional cards typically arrive within the same time frames as the primary card, but may be sent separately.

• Can I pick up my new credit card at the branch?

  This will depend on the bank you are getting the card through. Some prefer to mail it as a way of confirming your physical address.

• It’s been more than 10 business days and my card hasn’t arrived. What should I do?

  If you haven’t received your card in the specified time frame, call the issuer. A representative will review your account details and provide you with information on the status of the card and when you should receive it.

• I only make purchases online with my credit card, do I still have to sign it?

  Yes, an unsigned credit card is not considered valid. Plus, you want to be protected in the event of theft.

Compare credit cards with 60-second approval

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Name	Purchase rate p.a.	Bonus points	Points per $ spent	Interest-free period	Balance transfer rate p.a.	Annual fee
Westpac Lite Card	Purchase rate p.a. 9.9%	Bonus points N/A	Points per $ spent N/A	Interest-free period Up to 45 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. N/A	Annual fee $108	Go to siteMore info Compare	Save with 0% foreign transaction fees, a low interest rate on purchases and cashback offers through Westpac Extras.
Qantas American Express Ultimate Card Finder Award Qantas Frequent Flyer	Purchase rate p.a. 23.99%	Bonus points 50,000	Points per $ spent 1.25	Interest-free period Up to 44 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. N/A	Annual fee $450	Go to siteMore info Compare	Get a yearly $450 Travel Credit and 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months.
NAB Low Rate Credit Card	Purchase rate p.a. 13.49%	Bonus points N/A	Points per $ spent N/A	Interest-free period Up to 55 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. 0% for 24 months with 3% balance transfer fee, then 21.74%	Annual fee $59	Go to siteMore info Compare	Get a 0% p.a. interest rate on balance transfers for the first 24 months (with a 3% BT fee).
ANZ Low Rate - Credit Back Offer	Purchase rate p.a. 13.74%	Bonus points N/A	Points per $ spent N/A	Interest-free period Up to 55 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. 21.99%	Annual fee $58	Go to siteMore info Compare	Get $250 back on your card when you spend $1,500 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months.
St.George Vertigo Card Finder Award	Purchase rate p.a. 13.99%	Bonus points N/A	Points per $ spent N/A	Interest-free period Up to 55 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. 0% for 24 months with 2% balance transfer fee, then 21.99%	Annual fee $55	Go to siteMore info Compare	Get a 0% p.a. interest rate on balance transfers for 24 months (with a one-time 2% balance transfer fee).
Westpac Low Rate Card	Purchase rate p.a. 13.74%	Bonus points N/A	Points per $ spent N/A	Interest-free period Up to 55 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. 0% for 24 months with 2% balance transfer fee, then 21.99%	Annual fee $59	Go to siteMore info Compare	Save with a 0% p.a. interest rate on balance transfers for 24 months (with a 2% BT fee). Plus, a low 13.74% p.a. purchase interest rate.
NAB Rewards Platinum Card NAB Rewards	Purchase rate p.a. 20.99%	Bonus points 100,000	Points per $ spent 1	Interest-free period Up to 44 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. 0% for 12 months with 3% balance transfer fee, then 21.74%	Annual fee $195	Go to siteMore info Compare	Get up to 100,000 bonus NAB Rewards Points (worth $480 in eGift cards): 80,000 points when you spend $1,000 in the first 60 days and 20,000 after 12 months.
ANZ Platinum Credit Card	Purchase rate p.a. 20.99%	Bonus points N/A	Points per $ spent N/A	Interest-free period Up to 55 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. 21.99% with 3% balance transfer fee	Annual fee $0 first year ($87 after)	Go to siteMore info Compare	Get $100 back on your card when you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months and a $0 first-year annual fee. Plus, complimentary overseas travel insurance.
American Express Explorer Credit Card Membership Rewards	Purchase rate p.a. 23.99%	Bonus points 100,000	Points per $ spent 2	Interest-free period Up to 55 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. N/A	Annual fee $395	Go to siteMore info Compare	Limited time offer: Get 100,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months. Ends 08 April 2025.
Westpac Altitude Platinum Card Westpac Altitude Rewards	Purchase rate p.a. 20.99%	Bonus points 120,000	Points per $ spent 1	Interest-free period Up to 45 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. N/A	Annual fee $99 first year ($175 after)	Go to siteMore info Compare	Up to 120,000 bonus Altitude Points (90,000 points in year 1 when you spend $3,000 in the first 90 days & 30,000 points after the first spend in year 2).

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Written by

Amy Bradney-George

Journalist

Amy is an experienced journalist with over 16 years of experience, contributing to major publications like Money Magazine, The Sydney Morning Herald, and ABC News Australia. Specialising in personal finance, she frequently appeared in media outlets and on radio. Amy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Drama from Griffith University and earned RG146 certifications in Tier 1 Generic Knowledge and Tier 2 General Advice Deposit Products, ensuring her expertise is grounded in current financial regulations. Amy was Finder's Senior Writer for Credit Cards from 2016 to 2024. See full bio

Amy's expertise

Amy has written 549 Finder guides across topics including:

• Credit cards
• Frequent flyer
• Credit score
• BNPL
• Money management
• Sustainability