Best Low Rate Credit Cards in Australia

1 - 9 of 115

Name	Finder Score	Purchase rate p.a.	Interest-free period	Balance transfer rate p.a.	Annual fee
Bankwest Breeze Classic Mastercard	Finder score 9 Excellent	Purchase rate p.a. 12.99%	Interest-free period Up to 55 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. 0% for 24 months with 3% balance transfer fee, then 12.99%	Annual fee $49	Go to site More Info Compare	Save with 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 24 months (with a 3% BT fee).
Westpac Lite Card	Finder score 9.5 Excellent	Purchase rate p.a. 9.9%	Interest-free period Up to 45 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. N/A	Annual fee $108	Go to site More Info Compare	Save with 0% foreign transaction fees, a low interest rate on purchases and cashback offers through Westpac Extras.
Westpac Low Rate Card	Finder score 8.9 Great	Purchase rate p.a. 13.74%	Interest-free period Up to 55 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. 0% for 26 months with 2% balance transfer fee, then 21.99%	Annual fee $59	Go to site More Info Compare	Save with a 0% p.a. interest rate on balance transfers for 26 months (with a 2% BT fee). Plus, a low 13.74% p.a. purchase interest rate.
NAB Low Rate Credit Card	Finder score 8.9 Great	Purchase rate p.a. 13.49%	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 site More Info Compare	Get a 0% p.a. interest rate on balance transfers for the first 24 months (with a 3% BT fee).
Bankwest Breeze Platinum Mastercard	Finder score 9 Excellent	Purchase rate p.a. 12.99%	Interest-free period Up to 55 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. 0% for 24 months with 3% balance transfer fee, then 12.99%	Annual fee $59	Go to site More Info Compare	Get 0% p.a. interest on balance transfers for 24 months (with a 3% BT fee). Plus 0% foreign fees and complimentary overseas travel insurance.
ANZ Low Rate - Credit Back Offer	Finder score 8.9 Great	Purchase rate p.a. 13.74%	Interest-free period Up to 55 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. 21.99%	Annual fee $58	Go to site More 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 - Cashback Offer	Finder score 9 Excellent	Purchase rate p.a. 13.99%	Interest-free period Up to 55 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. 6.99% for 12 months with 0% balance transfer fee, then 21.99%	Annual fee $55	Go to site More Info Compare	Get up to $500 cashback at eligible supermarkets and petrol stations in the first 180 days. Plus, a low interest rate for purchases.
Westpac Low Rate Card - Cashback Offer	Finder score 9 Excellent	Purchase rate p.a. 13.74%	Interest-free period Up to 55 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. N/A	Annual fee $59	Go to site More Info Compare	A no-frills card offering up to $350 cashback: $50 each month you make at least $1,000 of eligible purchases for the first 7 months.
St.George Vertigo Card	Finder score 8.8 Great	Purchase rate p.a. 13.99%	Interest-free period Up to 55 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. 0% for 24 months with 1% balance transfer fee, then 21.99%	Annual fee $55	Go to site More Info Compare	Get a 0% p.a. interest rate on balance transfers for 24 months (with a one-time 1% balance transfer fee).

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Best low rate credit card offers for November 2024

These credit cards are the best low rate offers on the market based on their Finder Scores:

The G&C Mutual Bank Low Rate Visa Credit Card has a Finder Score of 9.9.
The Community First Low Rate Credit Card has a Finder Score of 9.7.
The Easy Street Easy Low Rate Visa credit card has a Finder Score of 9.7.
The Community First Low Rate Blue credit card has a Finder Score of 9.7.
The National Seniors Credit Card has a Finder Score of 9.7.

The Illawarra Credit Union Low Rate Credit Card won the Finder Award for the top low rate credit card in 2024.

Updated in November 2024 by Finder's money editor, Richard Whitten.

Number crunching the Finder Score

9+ Excellent - These cards offer the lowest ongoing purchase rates, high number of interest free days, and competitive introductory and ongoing annual fees.
7+ Great - Reasonable ongoing purchase rates and fees, with the potential for additional perks.
5+ Satisfactory - Low interest rates, but watch out for above average ongoing fees.
Less than 5 – Basic - These are generally cards with low interest rates, however could charge high ongoing fees.

Tell me more about the low rate credit card score

Finding the perfect low rate card is about more than just the rate (although that is the most important thing).

That's why we created the Finder Score. It's an easy, data-driven way to judge credit cards at a glance.

Every month, our insights team analyses over 300 credit cards.
We assess ten features for each card, rating each feature.
Then these ratings are combined via a weighted methodology to create a simple score out of 10.

We give different scores for different categories. So a card might get a 9 in the low rate category but an 8 in the balance transfer category.

The Finder Score is designed by our insights and editorial team. We score credit cards objectively. Commercial partnerships don't affect the scores at all.

Remember that Finder Score is just one factor to consider. Look at other aspects like fees, features, benefits and risks to make sure a product is suitable for you. Double-check details that matter to you before applying or buying.

Low rate credit cards - score weightings

Feature	Definition	Assessment	Weight
Purchase Rate	Interest rate on new purchases	Lower rates score higher	70%
Interest Free Days	Number of days with no interest charged on new purchases	Higher number of days score higher	10%
First-Year Fee	Annual fee charged in the first year of ownership	Lower fees score higher. $0 fee receives the maximum points	10%
Ongoing Annual Fee	Annual fee charged from the second year onwards	Lower fees score higher. $0 fee receives the maximum points	10%

The lowest interest credit card on Finder in November 2024

The lowest credit card interest rate new or existing customers could apply for is 7.49% p.a. on the G&C Mutual Bank Low Rate Visa Card.

But credit card interest rates are variable, which means they can change regularly. So the lowest interest rate card can vary depending on when you're comparing cards. You can click on the "Purchase rate" column of our comparison table to order the credit cards based on their current interest rates.

Tip: When you're comparing low rate credit cards, keep in mind that most of these cards don't offer perks like rewards or complimentary insurance. So the best card for you might have a different low interest rate and offer value in other ways.

Best low rate credit cards: St.George Vertigo

St.George Vertigo Card

0% Balance Transfer Offer
$55 Annual fee
13.99% Purchase rate

Go to site

Ends on 30 April 2025

Pros & cons

Balance transfer rate of 0% p.a. for the first 24 months
A low ongoing annual fee
Shopping cashbacks through ShopBack
Competitive purchase interest rate of 13.99% p.a.
Additional cardholder at no extra cost

A one-time 1% balance transfer fee applies
Balance transfer rate reverts to 21.99% p.a. at the end of the introductory period
No rewards program, travel perks and insurance covers

Why we like it

The St.George Vertigo card has one of the longest balance transfer offers on the market, plus a low annual fee and a low purchase rate. This is a card that is designed for helping people deal with mounting credit card debt.

This card has a Finder Score of 9.86 in the balance transfer category.

Best low rate credit cards: American Express Low Rate

American Express Low Rate Credit Card

Low Rate & No Annual Fee
$0 Annual fee
10.99% Purchase rate

Read review

Pros & cons

Low 10.99% p.a. interest rate for purchases
Ongoing $0 annual fee
Up to 4 additional cardholders
Complimentary card purchase cover and card refund cover

$30 late payment fee if you miss your minimum repayment
3% foreign currency conversion fee
No rewards program

Why we like it

There is no annual fee for this card at all.

The cards also has a low purchase rate and comes with complimentary card purchase cover.

Best low rate credit cards: Westpac Lite

Westpac Lite Card

0% Foreign Transaction Fees
$108 Annual fee
9.9% Purchase rate

Go to site

Pros & cons

0% foreign transaction fees
$0 fee for missed payments
Low purchase interest rate of 9.9% p.a.
1 additional cardholder at no extra cost

Only offers up to 45 days interest-free on purchases as opposed to other cards that offer up to 55 days
No rewards points or complimentary insurances

Why we like it

The 9.9% p.a. variable interest rate on purchases is much lower than the average standard credit card interest rate in Australia (currently 20.16% p.a.)
This card charges 0% on foreign transaction fees, which can help you save around 2-3% compared to cards that charge a foreign transaction fee.
Mobile payments through Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay.

Who are low rate credit cards best suited to?

Low interest credit cards suit people who make purchases that they won't be able to pay off in full during the interest-free period. These cards also suit those who want to minimise interest charges and don't care about the perks and benefits that come with more premium cards, such as rewards programs or complimentary travel insurance.

🗓 What is the interest-free period?

This is the maximum number of days where interest is not charged on new purchases. For example, if your credit card offers 55 interest-free days and you make a purchase on the first day of your statement period, you'll have 55 days to pay it back before you're charged interest. If you make that purchase on day 15 of your statement period, you'll have 40 interest-free days, and so on.

This only applies if you pay the amount required by the provider by the due date listed on your statement. See Finder's guide to interest-free days for full details.

Tip: There are also cards that offer a 0% purchase interest rate for an introductory period, which is basically the lowest rate you can get (even if it's only for a limited time).

These cards are ideal if you have large purchases, like a holiday, wedding or renovation coming up. They allow you to pay no interest during that period and can give you the breathing room you need as long as you're making the minimum repayment.

Pros and cons of low rate credit cards

Pros

Savings. These cards can be a cheaper option as you pay less interest on purchases, which will help you save money and avoid falling into unmanageable debt.
Low fees. Many low interest rate credit cards also have lower annual fees, which will also help you save.
Promotional offers. Low interest rate credit cards sometimes offer 0% promotions on purchases and/or balance transfers, allowing you to avoid interest altogether for an introductory period.

Cons

Less competitive rewards. If a low rate credit card offers a rewards program, it usually has a lower earn rate and smaller bonus points offer than more expensive cards.
Fewer extra features. Lower rates generally mean fewer extra features, unlike platinum cards which often come with insurance covers and concierge services.
Revert rates. If your card offers 0% interest on purchases for a promotional period, it will revert to a higher purchase rate that could be up to 26.99% p.a.

How to compare low rate credit cards

With so many competitive low interest rate credit cards on the market, here are some of the features that can help you narrow down your options:

Interest rates

Credit cards have different types of interest rates, including ongoing low rates and promotional offers. So here are the key factors to look at:

Promotional interest rates. If you're looking at cards that offer an introductory 0% interest rate, the promotional period typically ranges from 6 to 12 months (or more) for purchases and up to 26 months for balance transfers. After that, a standard interest rate applies to any unpaid balance, as well as new purchases. So it’s wise to know when this rate applies and aim to repay your debt beforehand.
Standard interest rates. On a low rate card, purchase interest rates are typically between around 8% p.a. and 15% p.a. If you want a credit card for long-term use, one with an ongoing low interest rate could be a better fit than a card with 0% for a promotional period and a higher rate after that.
Cash advance rates. The interest rate for cash advances is usually higher than the rate applied to purchases and can be as high as 29.99% p.a. This rate is charged for transactions such as ATM cash withdrawals, foreign currency purchases and gambling. It may also apply after an introductory 0% balance transfer period ends. Cash advances also aren't eligible for interest-free days.

Fees and charges

These credit card costs can also have an impact on how much value you get – and how much you can potentially save compared to other cards.

Annual fee. Low rate credit card annual fees typically range from $30 to $199, but there are also some cards that offer $0 annual fee for the first year or for life. In general, platinum low rate cards will have higher annual fees than a no-frills card from the same issuer. Make sure the annual fee cost doesn't outweigh the value you get from the low interest rate.
International transaction fees. If you use your card for foreign currency or overseas purchases (including online), you will usually be charged a foreign transaction fee of around 2-3.5%. But certain credit cards are more tailored to international use and offer 0% foreign transactions fees.
Minimum repayments. Each statement period, you’re required to make a minimum repayment. This is usually a percentage of the total amount owing, ranging from 2% to 10%. If you don’t pay this, you’ll usually be charged a late payment fee. To lower your interest payments and avoid ongoing debt, try to pay as much as you can before the statement due date.
Balance transfer fee. Some balance transfer cards charge a one-time fee worth around 1-3% of the balance you transfer. Even when you get an introductory 0% interest rate, this adds to the cost and may change the amount that you save through an offer.

Additional features

Credit cards with low interest rates generally come with fewer perks than costly cards, but here are some of the extra features you might want to consider:

Cashback. Some low rate cards also come with cashback offers, although you’ll usually need to meet a certain spend requirement to get the money back. If the spend requirements fit with your budget and you can afford to pay it off, this can be another way to get extra value from your card.
Complimentary insurance. Some low rate cards offer you complimentary travel insurance and purchase cover. These features can help you save on buying insurance policies, but make sure you check out the eligibility requirements, inclusions and exclusions of the cover before you apply.

If you often carry over a balance from one month to the next, a low interest credit card could help you save on interest charges. While there is no "best" low rate care, the mix of credit cards available in Australia means you can compare credit card offers and features to help find a card that you want.

Frequently asked questions

The cheapest card will depend on how you use it. If you pay off your balance every month, a $0 annual fee credit card would likely be the cheapest option.
If you regularly carry a balance from month to month, the cheapest credit card will have a low interest rate and a modest annual fee (less than $100). There aren't many cards on the market that offer both a $0 annual fee and a low rate, but using the table above you can find what you consider to be a cheap credit card.
There is no one "best" low interest rate credit card in Australia. With so many cards on the market, a card's individual features have an impact on how well it suits your circumstances. So the card that's right for you may not be right for someone else. Comparing low interest rate credit cards based on the features you're looking for will help you find a card for your individual needs.
Credit card interest rates are usually advertised by the annual rate that applies to the account, shown as "per annum" or p.a. However, interest on your account balance is typically calculated daily and then charged monthly on the statement due date. This means that for every day that you don't make a payment, the interest charges will build up (or compound).
If you want to learn more about credit card interest in detail, you can check out Finder's comprehensive guide to interest rates.
This depends on the credit card and any applicable balance transfer offers. If the card allows balance transfers, it may come with a 0% interest rate for a promotional period before reverting to a standard rate.
Some low interest rate cards apply the standard purchase rate to balance transfers after the introductory period while others apply the cash advance rate, which can be as high as 29.99% p.a. The average standard credit card interest rate is currently 20.16% according to Finder analysis of Reserve Bank of Australia data.
There isn't a single "cheapest" credit card option because everyone uses credit cards differently. There are other costs to consider beyond the purchase rate, such as annual fees and interest rates for cash advances or balance transfers. On the flip side, some people might find cards with high rates and fees "cheap" because of all the complimentary extras.
When you're looking to find a credit card, consider all of the potential costs based on how you plan to use the account. That way, you'll be able to find one with rates and fees that are affordable for you.
Most frequent flyer and rewards credit cards have higher interest rates and fees than low rate cards. But there is a small selection of low rate credit cards that offer points on eligible spending, including the Coles Low Rate Mastercard and Queensland Country Bank Visa My Rewards Credit Card. These cards typically earn fewer points per $1 spent, so it's important to consider whether rewards or a low rate will offer you more value before choosing a card.

Why you can trust Finder's credit card experts

Obsessed with offers - You want the lowest rates, lowest fees, lowest spend possible, right? We want that for you too, so we're tracking all the current offers in one place.

Save yourself some time. Why spend 100s of hours researching credit cards and tracking the latest offers? We've done the hard yards, so you can quickly sort through the options and get the card you need.

No BS. We'll explain how credit card interest works and how you can spend less – and we'll always explain it all in plain English.

Thank you for your feedback!

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

Written by

Richard Whitten

Editor

Richard Whitten is a money editor at Finder, and has been covering home loans, property and personal finance for 6+ years. He has written for Yahoo Finance, Money Magazine and Homely; and has appeared on various radio shows nationwide. He holds a Certificate IV in mortgage broking and finance (RG 206), a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification and a Tier 2 General Advice Deposit Products (RG 146) certification. See full bio

Richard's expertise

Richard has written 554 Finder guides across topics including:

Home loans
Property
Personal finance
Money-saving tips

More resources on Finder

More guides on Finder

Credit card instalment plans: Split your bills, ease your wallet, and keep the fun rolling
How you can manage repayments and get a low or 0% interest offer with a credit card that offers instalment plans.
Cash advances interest rates and fees
A credit card cash advance is when you withdraw money or get a “cash equivalent” like gift cards – and it typically attracts high rates and fees.
How the interest-free period on a credit card saves you money
Most credit cards offer interest-free days on purchases – here's how they actually work.

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68 Responses

RhysNovember 19, 2015

Do you no anyone that will help people on disability pensioner with below average credit score to get a low limit credit card with below average credit score to rebuild my credit rating and give me a second chance

Finder

JonathanNovember 20, 2015Finder

Hi Rhys,

Thanks for your inquiry!

You can compare low income credit cards which have lower requirements than higher tier credit cards. Before applying for any card, be sure to check the minimum income requirements and other eligibility criteria and relevant product disclosure statements, and terms, and conditions of the credit card.

Cheers,
Jonathan

ShaniAugust 5, 2015

I have an existing credit card with a balance of 9000.I am looking to transfer to a new card which has 0% on balance transfers and a low interest rate with 55 days interest free. I can pay the balance off in about 12 months or less

Finder

JonathanAugust 6, 2015Finder

Hi Shani,

Thanks for your inquiry!

Please refer to our guide on how much banks allow you to balance transfer to their credit cards. It is a key point to note that no interest-free days will be awarded when you have an outstanding balance, so until your balance transfer debt has been fully cleared you will be unable to utilize this feature.

You may like to compare balance transfer credit cards and see your options on available from offers on low or 0% introductory interest rates. Select ‘Go to Site’ to head over to their website to apply. Please ensure to read through the relevant product disclosure statement and terms and conditions to ensure that you got everything covered before you apply for the card.

Cheers,
Jonathan

MajellaJuly 26, 2015

Is there a low rate credit card for pensioners?

Finder

JonathanJuly 27, 2015Finder

Hi Majella, thanks for your inquiry!

Credit card eligibility for pensioners depends on whether you meet the application requirements. Generally the bank/ lender will request a specific minimum income per year. If your primary form of income is through Centrelink/ pension benefits, contacting the bank before completing the application process to determine whether Centrelink qualifies as a form of income would be ideal.

Cheers,

Jonathan

JennaJune 29, 2015

I am traveling overseas for 12 months in Oct this year to the USA. I have loan approval for money I really don’t need the full amount of (or the stupidly high interest rate) someone suggested I get a low interest credit card to take with me or emergencies and small purchases?

Can you suggest a low interest rate card I can use whilst overseas?

Finder

SallyJune 29, 2015Finder

Hi Jenna,

Thanks for your question.

You may want to consider a card with no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and no currency conversion fees.

You can view your options on our no annual fee credit cards with no foreign transaction fees comparison page.

I hope this has helped answer your question.

Thanks,
Sally

jlbJune 5, 2015

I want a low interest credit card for purchase of sewing machine
I won’t be able to pay back in full for the first few months
however I endeavour to pay off as quick as possible after 6 months.
What are some options please

Finder

sally.mcmullen@hiveempire.comJune 5, 2015Finder

Hi Jlb,

Thank you for your question.

If you think you will have difficulty paying off your credit card each month, a low-interest rate credit card may be of value to you.

You can select the “Go to Site” button of your preferred credit card to proceed with your application. You can also contact the provider if you have specific questions. A gentle reminder, please ensure to read through the relevant product disclosure statement and terms and conditions to ensure that you got everything covered before you apply.

I hope this has answered your question.

Thanks,
Sally

Best low interest rate credit cards