Other types of prepaid cards in Australia include reloadable prepaid cards, gift cards, travel cards and prepaid cards for kids.
| Type | Description | Reloadable | Card cost | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Prepaid Visa or Mastercard cards  | Designed to use in Australia. Pre-load funds and use anywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted (online or in person). | Yes | $0 - $10 | Australia Post, banks, online |
Gift cards  | You can load up a set amount of money and spend it in store or online. Limited to specific stores and may expire. | No | $0 | Online and in-store at Coles, Woolworths and other major retailers |
Travel money cards  | Designed to use overseas. Pre-load foreign currency / currencies and use it like a debit card to make purchases or withdraw cash. | Yes | $0 - $5 | Online at the Qantas Money website |
Kids cards  | Pocket money management for parents and kids. No cash withdrawals but designed to make purchases wherever cards are accepted. | Yes | Fees for card and monthly membership fees | Online with ZAAP or Spriggy |
Every prepaid card is different, but some popular features and benefits include:
"If you enjoy online shopping but worry about your details being exposed, a prepaid credit card could come in handy. If you only ever use the prepaid card to buy online and your details are ever compromised, you'll know that it's just the prepaid card number out there and not your everyday debit or credit card!"
While there are debit cards and bank accounts designed especially for teenagers and some for younger children, you could also consider a prepaid card to help a teenager learn how to manage their money on plastic by limiting the temptation to overspend.
"Prepaid gift cards make a convenient gift. But they can expire, and have limits on where you spend them. They're not a cash substitute. Prepaid debit cards like the ones you can get from Australia Post are a great way to limit your spending. And you can shop online without exposing your main accounts. But a debit card linked to a bank account is more flexible and convenient. A credit card lets you build up good credit and offers more security features and protections."
Some prepaid cards such as gift cards have a fixed amount of money to use. Meanwhile, travel cards and other reloadable cards allow you to top up your balance.
Most reloadable prepaid cards are Mastercard or Visa cards that can be used in Australia and worldwide. Some places may not accept prepaid cards, such as hotels or ATMs. It's a good idea to have a back-up payment option with you (e.g. a credit card, debit card or cash).
Prepaid cards may have fees, including purchasing or set-up, loading and currency conversion fees. Other fees and costs could be for inactivity, card replacement, cancellation, declined transactions and ATM withdrawals.
Most prepaid travel cards in Australia support up to 10 international currencies. This may include USD, GBP, EUR, NZD and more. When you spend in a local currency supported by and loaded on your card, you can avoid foreign currency conversion fees.
Prepaid cards usually have a maximum amount of money you can carry on the card at a time. Check these details before you apply to make sure these limits don't restrict the way you use the card.
If you want to reward your spending, consider using a frequent flyer travel card such as the Qantas Pay.
Remember that every prepaid card is different. Checking individual details now will help you make a more informed decision when choosing the right option for you.
Here is a list of some of the most common prepaid, reloadable cards, including some travel cards and cards you can use for everyday spending.
| Provider and card | Type | Reloadable | Minimum and maximum load (AUD) | Issue fee | Where to get it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia Post Travel Platinum Mastercard | Mastercard | Yes | $100 – $100,000 (or foreign currency equivalent) | $0 | Order online or in selected Post Offices |
| Australia Post Everyday Mastercard | Mastercard | Yes | $20 – $25,000 (or foreign currency equivalent) | $7.95 | Order online or in selected Post Offices |
| CommBank Travel Money Card | Mastercard | Yes | $1 – $100,000 | $0 | Order online |
| Cash Passport Platinum Mastercard | Mastercard | Yes | $100 – $100,000 | $0 | Order online |
| Qantas Pay | Mastercard | Yes | $50 – $20,000 | $0 | Order online |
| Travelex Money Card | Mastercard | Yes | – | Order online | |
| Westpac Worldwide Wallet | Mastercard | Yes | Maximum available balance of $50,000 | $0 | Online or in-branch |
| Response | |
|---|---|
| Yes | 48.56% |
| No | 47.77% |
| Unsure | 3.67% |
You can buy or order most prepaid credit cards online, or at participating retailers and bank branches.
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