Virtual credit cards

Apply, get approved and start shopping on the same day with a virtual credit card – compare your options and see how they work.

Compare virtual credit cards Australia

Product Purchase rate p.a. Interest-free days Balance transfer rate p.a. Annual fee
Bankwest Breeze Classic Mastercard image
12.99%
Up to 55 days on purchases
0% for 24 months with 3% balance transfer fee, then 12.99%
$49
Save with 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 24 months (with a 3% BT fee).
More Info
Bankwest Breeze Platinum Mastercard image
12.99%
Up to 55 days on purchases
0% for 24 months with 3% balance transfer fee, then 12.99%
$59
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.
More Info
Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard image
27.99%
Up to 55 days on purchases
$96
Choose between a $0 monthly fee for 12 months or an $8 monthly fee and $300 in bonus Latitude Rewards if you spend $1,000 or more in the first 3 months.
More Info
MONEYME Freestyle Virtual Card image
23.74%
Up to 55 days on purchases
$0
A virtual, instant-use card that offers up to 55 days interest-free and the ability to transfer money to your bank account.
More Info
Westpac Flex Card image
0%
-
$0
Offers a $1,000 credit limit, 0% foreign transaction fees and $0 monthly fee when you pay the previous month's balance in full.
More Info
Latitude GO Mastercard image
27.99%
Up to 55 days on purchases
$131.40
Get 0% interest on everyday purchases of $250 or more and a choice of long-term interest-free payment plans.
More Info
Wizitcard image
0%
-
$0
Offers an instant, virtual credit card with 0% interest on purchases and a monthly fee instead.
More Info
Bendigo Bank Qantas Platinum Credit Card image
19.99%
Up to 55 days on purchases
21.99%
$149
Offers Qantas Points per $1 spent, international travel insurance and extended warranty on purchases.
More Info
loading

Key takeaways

  • Virtual credit cards are digital-only alternatives to a physical card
  • All Mastercard and Visa cards in Australia are issued as both physical and digital cards, but you can also get a virtual-only card if you like
  • Virtual credit cards can be issued and used immediately after being approved, but they're not accepted everywhere

Are virtual credit cards available in Australia?

Yes you can get a virtual credit in Australia. Any credit card that is stored virtually in an app or online account, like a Visa or Mastercard, is technically a type of virtual credit card, including cards stored in Apple Pay, Google Pay and other mobile wallets. But you can apply for a specific virtual credit card only, if you wish.

There are 3 main types of virtual credit cards you can get in Australia, each with different features, benefits and options:

  1. Instant virtual credit cards, for personal use
  2. Instant business and corporate virtual credit cards, for business use
  3. Mobile wallet cards – an existing Visa, Amex or Mastercard, added to your smartphone wallet

How do you get a virtual credit card?

Applying for a virtual credit card is basically the same as applying for any regular card. Depending on the virtual credit card, you might notice a few differences to other applications, especially if it's an "instant" virtual credit card. This is because the card issuer needs enough details to very quickly (almost instantly) verify that someone is eligible to be approved.

For example, with the MONEYME Freestyle Virtual Card, you'll need to upload bank statements as part of the application. And with the Westpac Flex Card, you need to log in to your bank account during the application. Once you've been approved for a virtual card, you can usually start spending right away.

Or, you might be applying for a standard credit card that happens to offer mobile wallet functionality. All the Big 4 banks and many smaller banks offer the ability to add your credit card to your smartphone wallet.

What credit card can I use immediately after approval?

When you're approved for a virtual credit card, you can start using them as soon as you're approved.

Usually, you'll get a digital copy of the card number, expiry date and CVV that you can use to pay online or over the phone. You can also shop in-person at any store that accepts contactless payments by adding the card to a mobile wallet. Some accounts also come with a plastic credit card, but a few cards are totally digital.

Which bank or credit card gives you a virtual card?

In Australia, if you're approved for a Visa, Mastercard or Amex, it's likely that you'll be approved for and issued a digital and physical card at the same time. The physical card will be posted to you in the mail, and the digital card can be added instantly to your wallet right away.

Bankwest, Bendigo Bank and Westpac are among the banks that offer virtual credit cards you can start using once you're approved. Here are some more details on different instant, virtual credit cards you can get in Australia, including whether they are virtual-only or send you a physical card as well.

Bank or brandCard typeDetails
Bankwest credit cardsVirtual and physical cardsBankwest credit cards can be set up through the bank's app. You can then use the card number and other details to make payments or link it to a mobile wallet.
Bendigo Bank credit cardsVirtual and physical cardsBendigo Bank personal credit cards can be set up virtually through the bank's app, then linked to Apple Pay immediately.
Latitude credit cardsVirtual and physical cardsLatitude credit cards can be set up virtually through the Latitude app, then linked to your Apple or Android mobile wallet so you can use it before you get the physical card.
MONEYME Freestyle Virtual CardVirtual card onlyThis completely virtual credit card is stored on the MONEYME App and can be used with Apple Pay or Google Pay, anywhere Mastercard is accepted (both online and offline).
Westpac Flex CardVirtual and physical cardA no interest, flat fee credit card that offers a virtual card you can start using once your application is approved.
WizitcardVirtual card onlyA completely virtual credit card that charges no interest, with a flat monthly fee instead. You can start using it once your application is approved, anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
💡 Tip: Mobile payments made up 39% of debit card transactions in December 2024, and around 33% of credit and charge card transactions. So if you want to make virtual payments most of the time, it's worth comparing app store reviews as well as credit card features, rates and fees to help you can choose a card.

What are mobile wallet cards?

When you add a card to Apple Pay, Google Pay or another mobile wallet, it creates a virtual "copy" of your credit card that you can use to make payments from the app. Mobile or digital wallets typically create a virtual account number that's used for payments, instead of using the numbers printed on your plastic credit card. This feature – along with thumbprint or other ID authentication – helps keep the account safe.

Ellis Connolly, RBA head of payments policy's headshot

"Over the past 15 years, there has been a striking shift from paying by cash to cards... These days, transactions mainly just involve tapping a card or a mobile device that securely stores card details."

Example: A virtual account number in Google Pay

In the Google Pay smartphone app, you'll see an image of your card without the numbers, along with some encrypted details of your virtual account number that's used when you tap to pay at the checkout.

What's a virtual account number?

💡 Tip (for Apple Pay): If you need to replace a credit card that's been added to Apple Pay, the app will automatically update the details. This can happen before the physical credit card arrives in the mail, although you would still need to activate the card to start using it.

What about business and corporate virtual credit cards?

The first virtual credit cards to be widely used in Australia were for business and corporate use. These accounts give businesses a way to manage finances without issuing lots of traditional credit cards to employees.

Some business virtual cards (including expense management cards) also let you generate virtual card and account details for payments, either for single-use or ongoing spending that could be restricted to certain types of transactions. These features mean virtual cards can give you more flexibility and a greater level of financial transparency compared to traditional business and corporate credit cards.

Pros and cons of virtual credit cards in Australia

Pros

  • Instant access. Some virtual cards can be used as soon as your application is approved, or when you're waiting for a new plastic card in the mail.
  • Data encryption. All virtual card apps and digital wallets encrypt your personal and financial data to help keep it safe.
  • Mobile payments. With a virtual credit card, you can leave your house with nothing more than your smartphone or device. And you can shop online in just a few taps.
  • Plastic-free. A totally virtual credit card means you'll save on plastic (and credit card plastic is hard to recycle in Australia).

Cons

  • Relies on technology working. You won't be able to use your virtual card if your phone battery goes flat or if you don't have an internet connection.
  • May not be accepted when you're travelling. Hotel bookings that require a credit card at check-in won't typically accept a virtual card. And if you're travelling to places where contactless payments aren't available, or don't have mobile roaming, you won't be able to use the card.
  • Potential debt. Getting a virtual card more quickly than a plastic credit card could mean you spend less time thinking about how you'll manage your money and repayments.

Frequently asked questions

Amy Bradney-George's headshot
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 550 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Credit cards
  • Frequent flyer
  • Credit score
  • BNPL
  • Money management
  • Sustainability
Sarah Megginson's headshot
Co-written by

Personal finance expert + media spokesperson

With over 20 years of experience in property, finance and investment journalism, Sarah is a trusted expert whose insights regularly appear across television, radio, and print media, including Sunrise, ABC News, and Yahoo! Finance. She has previously served as managing editor for Your Investment Property and Australian Broker, and her expert advice has been shared over 2,500 times in 2023-2024 alone. Sarah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification, which complies with ASIC standards. See full bio

Sarah's expertise
Sarah has written 198 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Home loans
  • Personal finance
  • Budgeting and money-saving tips
  • Managing the cost of living

Ask a question

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms Of Service and Finder Group Privacy & Cookies Policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

More guides on Finder

Go to site
Get matched with the right card for you