How to apply for a credit card

Taking out your first credit card can be a milestone in your financial life. A credit card could help you manage your cash flow and give you added perks like frequent flyer points, cashback rewards or even complimentary travel insurance. That said, credit cards can be risky and can come at a high cost if not managed responsibly. It’s important to choose your credit card wisely and make sure you can make your required repayments, while paying down your balance to avoid high interest charges. If you’re unsure if you can manage a credit card, it may be wise to stick to a debit card.

How do you apply for a credit card?

You can generally apply for a credit card online, in person at a branch or over the phone. To apply successfully, you will need to meet the credit card provider’s eligibility criteria and provide them with information to show you can make the repayments. Generally speaking, there will be a number of key steps when it comes to applying for a credit card. These details will be covered in detail in this article, but in brief, the steps you’ll need to take in the credit card application process are:

Compare your credit card options

See what’s on the market that might be suitable for you, taking into consideration the interest rate of the card, and any upfront or annual fees that may apply. When comparing credit cards, it pays to think about the kind of card that might be suitable for you – for instance, if you do not plan on using your card for everyday spending or for making necessary purchases, then it might not be worth your while to take out a rewards card, as you may not be able to make use of the features and perks, and may end up paying hefty fees. For your first credit card, a more basic card with a low purchase rate and fewer features may be suitable.

Check the card’s eligibility requirements

Credit cards in Australia will commonly have basic eligibility requirements like age and residency status, while some will have more specific requirements related to income or credit history. Credit card companies are bound by responsible lending laws and must check that you will be able to afford to afford your repayments – under the current laws, a lender must check that you will be able to repay your whole credit card limit within three years. For this reason, many credit card lenders will prefer applicants to be employed with a regular income.

Gather your financial information

When applying for a credit card, you’ll need to supply ID documents and generally also information about your employment. When applying for a credit card, you are likely to be asked to supply copies of your three most recent payslips, and potentially also copies of recent bank statements. The credit card provider will also want to know details about any assets you have, as well as any debts – for example, if you are paying off a car loan, a credit card provider will need to know this information.

Complete and submit your credit card application

This can typically be done online or over the phone, once you have gathered the necessary documentation to apply. Many providers offer ‘instant’ approval if you apply for a credit card online. Usually, this means you will get a response within 60 seconds of submitting your application. This is not guaranteed approval. Instead, your application will usually be conditionally approved subject to your information being verified.

After you’ve applied for a credit card, the provider will then assess your application and will usually conduct a credit check. If you are approved, you will usually receive your card within five to seven business days. You can then activate your card and use it.

Am I eligible to get a credit card?

To get a credit card, you will typically need to:

• be 18 years old or over
• be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or hold an eligible visa
• have a good credit history
• meet any minimum income requirements specified

It’s a good idea to check your credit score before you apply for a credit card. You can check your credit score for free with Canstar. Make sure you have checked carefully if you meet the eligibility criteria before applying for a credit card, as a declined application could damage your credit score.

How can I get a credit card if I am under 18?

You will only be eligible for a credit card if you are 18 years old or over. As an alternative, you may be able to become an additional cardholder, such as on a parent or guardian’s credit card. You will typically need to be at least 16 years old.

As an additional cardholder, you will get your own credit card with your name on it. However, it will be under the same account as the original cardholder and they will be responsible for the transactions made.

What are the income requirements for a credit card?

While there are no set-in-stone income requirements for a credit card, it’s generally safe to say that credit card companies will look more favourably on your application if you have regular employment and a salary. You may find that it is more difficult to get approved if you are self-employed, although if you can prove you have regular income, it’s certainly possible. If you are young and just starting out in your career, you may find that a credit card provider is willing to offer you a more basic or no-frills card, as some cards that com with higher limits or certain rewards programs may be reserved for people with higher incomes.

What details do you need to provide to get a credit card?

Credit card providers will ask you to provide information to prove your identity and establish your creditworthiness. You will typically need to provide the following details:

• An Australian driver licence number (if you have one)
• Employment and income information, such as payslips or bank statements
• Details of your existing liabilities (debts), such as personal loans and buy now pay later services
• Details of your expenses, such as rent, food, bills, transport, childcare and education
• Details of your assets, such as savings or a car or home you own

If you are an existing customer, some of your information may already be on file.

What credit score do you need for a credit card?

Most credit card companies will not publicly disclose the credit score they require to approve you for a card, although it’s likely that they will check your credit report while reviewing your application. Generally speaking, in Australia, your credit score will be a number between 0 and 1,000-1,200, depending on the credit agency. Equifax, one of the major credit reporting agencies in Australia, assigns you a score out of 1200, and anything above 661 is considered to be a ‘good’ score. If you want to find out where you stand, you can check your credit score for free with Canstar.

How do I choose my first credit card?

When choosing your first credit card:

1.  Consider your spending habits and whether you are realistically able to pay off your credit card each month.
2. Choose the type of card that suits what you believe your spending and repayment habits will be, There are a few different types of credit cards, such as:
   • Low fee cards – this may suit you if you think you can pay your credit card balance off in full each month (and can therefore avoid interest charges) and want to save on fees.
   • 0% interest cards – some cards may offer 0% interest as an introductory offer for a period of time, or even as an ongoing rate, but those with no ongoing interest are likely to charge a monthly fee as a trade-off.
   • Low rate cards – this may suit you if you don’t think you will pay your balance off in full every month as it will reduce the amount of interest you pay on purchases. Some providers also offer interest-free credit cards, but you may be charged fees.
   • Balance transfer cards – if you’re trying to pay off credit card debt, some providers will allow you to move the balance of an existing credit card to a new card with a temporary low (or even 0%) interest rate as an introductory offer
   • Virtual cards – some lenders offer digital versions of physical cards, which are accessible on smartphones and have unique fraud protection features like unique card numbers, expiry dates and CVV codes for each purchase
   • Rewards and frequent flyer – this may suit you if you think you will pay your balance off in full each month and want to earn rewards or frequent flyer points. You may also get other perks like complimentary insurances. Rewards and frequent flyer credit cards typically have higher interest rates and annual fees than other credit cards, so you’ll need to work out if the benefits outweigh this.
3. Compare individual credit card products. Canstar compares credit cards based on factors such as:
   • the interest rate
   • the number of interest-free days on offer
   • the annual or monthly fee
   • the benefits and rewards on offer
4. Choose a credit card that most closely fits your needs, and apply.

As with any financial decision, it’s important to research the options thoroughly, read all important documentation, such as the Target Market Determination (TMD) and the Key Facts Sheet (KFS), compare your options and weigh up your needs against the pros and cons of the products you are considering.

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