24 Best Credit Cards in Australia: Low Rate, Rewards & Travel

Finding the right credit card in Australia feels overwhelming. Dozens of options. Confusing fees. Rates that seem to change every other month.

We get it. That’s exactly why we put together this guide.

Below, you’ll find the 24 best credit cards in Australia right now — carefully selected across every major category: low rate, rewards, airline, travel, and premium. Whether you’re a first-time applicant or switching from a card that’s no longer working for you, there’s something here for every financial situation.

Want to compare credit cards Australia-wide without the marketing fluff? Keep reading. We’ll cover benefits, ideal users, and key features — so you can make a confident, informed choice.

One quick note before diving in: interest rates, fees, and promotional offers change regularly. Always verify the current terms directly with the card issuer before applying.

How We Selected the 24 Best Credit Cards in Australia

Not all credit cards are created equal. Our selection process considered several key factors:

• Purchase rate: Lower is generally better for everyday use
• Annual fee: Value must justify the cost
• Rewards and perks: Points, cashback, or insurance benefits
• Accessibility: Eligibility requirements and income thresholds
• Reputation: Lender reliability and customer service track record
• Niche value: Does this card do something others don’t?

We’ve grouped the 24 cards into six categories to help you find the right fit faster.

Best Low Rate Credit Cards in Australia

Low rate cards are built for one thing: keeping interest costs down. If you sometimes carry a balance from month to month — even occasionally — these cards can save you a meaningful amount over time. Here are the standout options.

1. Westpac Low Rate Mastercard

The Westpac Low Rate Mastercard is one of the most recognised low-rate options from Australia’s Big Four banks. It’s designed for straightforward everyday use, with a competitive ongoing purchase rate and a modest annual fee.

Westpac periodically offers introductory balance transfer deals, making it attractive for consolidating existing debt. The Mastercard network means wide acceptance across Australia and internationally.

Best for: Existing Westpac customers wanting a no-fuss low-rate card

2. Commonwealth Bank Low Fee Credit Card

CommBank’s Low Fee Credit Card lives up to its name. The annual fee is among the lowest you’ll find from a major bank — making it an easy entry point for cost-conscious cardholders.

It connects seamlessly with the CommBank app, giving real-time transaction visibility and spending insights. For those already banking with CBA, the integration is genuinely useful.

Best for: CBA customers who want minimal fees and simple banking

3. ANZ Low Rate Credit Card Visa

ANZ’s Low Rate Visa is a solid performer. It consistently appears on comparison lists for good reason: a low purchase rate, a straightforward fee structure, and the reliability of one of Australia’s largest banks.

ANZ frequently runs introductory balance transfer promotions. If you want to apply for the ANZ Low Rate credit card, the process is fully online and typically quick to complete.

Best for: Borrowers looking for a trusted bank with transparent pricing

4. NAB Low Rate Card Visa

NAB’s Low Rate Card is another strong Big Four contender. It offers a competitive purchase rate alongside occasional introductory offers for new cardholders. NAB’s mobile banking experience is well-regarded, with card controls and spend tracking built in.

Best for: NAB customers or those who want reliable Big Four support

5. HSBC Low Rate Credit Card

HSBC brings international banking expertise to Australia’s credit card market. Their Low Rate Credit Card targets everyday spenders who want a simple, cost-effective option without the rewards overhead.

HSBC occasionally bundles complimentary benefits with this card, which can add value beyond the headline rate.

Best for: International travellers who bank with HSBC globally

6. ING Orange One Low Rate

ING has built a loyal Australian following through its innovative digital banking model, and the Orange One Low Rate card reflects that philosophy. No physical branch required — everything runs through the ING app.

The card rewards ING customers who actively use their everyday account, which means the more you bank with ING, the more you may benefit. A genuinely fresh take on low-rate credit.

Best for: Digital-first Australians already in the ING ecosystem

7. Bankwest Breeze Mastercard

The Bankwest Breeze Mastercard is a popular choice in Western Australia and increasingly recognised nationally. Its low rate and occasional introductory balance transfer offers make it attractive for anyone looking to manage debt more efficiently.

Best for: WA residents and those wanting a low-maintenance card with good online tools

8. Great Southern Bank Low Rate Credit Card

Great Southern Bank (formerly CUA) operates as a customer-owned institution, which often translates into genuinely competitive rates and lower fees. Their Low Rate Credit Card is worth a look if you prefer banking with a mutual rather than a major bank.

Best for: Members of Great Southern Bank or those exploring customer-owned banking

9. Heritage Bank Visa Gold Low Rate

Heritage Bank is one of Australia’s largest customer-owned banks, with deep roots in Queensland. Their Visa Gold Low Rate card combines a competitive rate with the Gold-tier Visa feature set — including purchase protection in many cases.

Best for: Heritage members or Queensland residents seeking a trusted regional lender

10. Newcastle Permanent Value+ Credit Card

Newcastle Permanent’s Value+ card delivers exactly what the name promises: genuine value. As a customer-owned institution with a strong Hunter Valley presence, Newcastle Permanent tends to keep rates and fees competitive to attract and retain members.

Best for: NSW residents or those wanting a member-focused banking experience

Best Rewards Credit Cards in Australia

Rewards cards are ideal when you pay your balance in full each month. Used right, they can generate significant value — points, cashback, or exclusive perks — just from everyday spending.

11. Virgin Money Velocity Flyer Credit Card

The Virgin Money Velocity Flyer is one of the most popular rewards cards in Australia for good reason. It earns Velocity Frequent Flyer points on every eligible purchase, with bonus earn rates at select partners.

Velocity points can be redeemed for Virgin Australia flights, upgrades, hotel stays, and more. If you fly Virgin even occasionally, this card amplifies the value of every dollar you spend.

Best for: Virgin Australia loyalists and frequent domestic travellers

12. Coles Rewards Mastercard

The Coles Rewards Mastercard is purpose-built for Australian households who shop regularly at Coles supermarkets. Every dollar spent earns flybuys points — with accelerated earning in-store at Coles, Coles Express, and partner brands.

flybuys points can be converted to Velocity Frequent Flyer points or redeemed directly for Coles discounts. For families with a significant weekly grocery bill, the accumulation can be surprisingly fast.

Best for: Coles shoppers, families, and flybuys members

13. Bank of Queensland (BOQ) Platinum Rewards Credit Card

BOQ’s Platinum Rewards card offers a points-earning structure with Platinum-tier perks, including complimentary travel insurance and purchase protection. It appeals to Queenslanders loyal to BOQ and those who want rewards without committing to a premium annual fee.

Best for: BOQ customers wanting rewards and Platinum benefits in one card

14. Bendigo Bank Bendigo Bright Credit Card

Bendigo Bank occupies a unique space in Australian banking — customer-owned, community-focused, and increasingly competitive on features. The Bendigo Bright Credit Card offers a transparent, low-fee approach that appeals to those tired of complex rewards structures.

It’s a straightforward card with a competitive rate and solid digital banking support. Not flashy. Just reliable.

Best for: Bendigo Bank customers and regional Australians who value community banking

Best Airline Credit Cards in Australia

Airline cards earn frequent flyer points at accelerated rates — making them the go-to choice for anyone who flies regularly and wants to use spending to fund future travel.

15. American Express Qantas Ultimate Card

This is the premium Qantas Points earner. Full stop. The Amex Qantas Ultimate Card offers one of the highest earn rates on eligible purchases of any card in Australia, along with complimentary Qantas Club lounge access, complimentary travel insurance, and substantial sign-up bonus points for new cardholders (subject to eligibility).

The annual fee is significant — but for frequent Qantas flyers who put substantial spend through the card, the value proposition is strong. This is not a card to leave in your wallet unused.

Best for: Frequent Qantas travellers, business spenders, points maximisers

16. Qantas Money Qantas Money Platinum

The Qantas Money Platinum card is managed directly through Qantas’s own financial services arm, giving cardholders tight integration with their Qantas Frequent Flyer account. Points earn on everyday purchases, and the card includes travel benefits suited to regular Qantas passengers.

If you want your banking and frequent flyer loyalty under one roof, this is a logical choice.

Best for: Qantas loyalists who want direct program integration

Best Travel Credit Cards in Australia (No Foreign Transaction Fees)

International travellers need cards that won’t erode savings through foreign transaction fees. These two stand out as the best travel credit card with no foreign transaction fee options for Australians.

17. Latitude Financial 28 Degrees Global Platinum Mastercard

The 28 Degrees card has been a traveller favourite for years — and for good reason. It charges no foreign transaction fees on international purchases, making it genuinely cost-effective for overseas use.

It’s widely accepted globally through the Mastercard network, and the Global Platinum tier includes some additional perks. If you travel internationally even once a year, this card can pay for itself quickly.

Best for: International travellers, online shoppers buying from overseas retailers

18. Kogan Money Black Card

The Kogan Money Black Card has emerged as a strong contender for Australians who want to earn rewards while avoiding foreign transaction fees. It earns Kogan credits on eligible purchases — useful for shoppers within the Kogan ecosystem — and carries no international transaction surcharge.

Our Kogan Money Black Card section consistently attracts readers who are frequent Kogan shoppers or want a rewards-travel hybrid card.

Best for: Kogan shoppers, online deal-seekers, and cost-conscious travellers

Best Premium & Platinum Credit Cards in Australia

Premium cards come with higher annual fees but typically offset this with substantial benefits: complimentary travel insurance, airport lounge access, concierge services, and elevated rewards earning.

19. HSBC Platinum Credit Card

HSBC’s Platinum card is a compelling mid-tier premium option. It typically includes complimentary travel insurance for cardholders and their families, plus access to HSBC’s global privileges network — a meaningful perk for Australians who travel internationally or have family abroad.

Best for: Frequent international travellers with a global lifestyle

20. St.George Vertigo Visa

The St.George Vertigo Visa is a low-rate card with broad appeal. It offers a competitive purchase rate and has historically included strong introductory balance transfer offers for new customers.

Note: St.George is part of the Westpac Group, so the underlying infrastructure and customer service standards reflect that relationship.

Best for: NSW and national customers wanting a reliable, no-frills low-rate Visa

21. Bank of Melbourne Vertigo Visa

Functionally similar to the St.George Vertigo Visa, the Bank of Melbourne version carries the same core features tailored for Victorian customers. Bank of Melbourne is the trusted regional brand for Westpac Group in Victoria.

Best for: Victorian residents who prefer a local banking identity

22. BankSA Vertigo Visa

Completing the Vertigo Visa trio, BankSA serves South Australian customers under the Westpac Group umbrella. The card offers the same competitive rate and feature set as its St.George and Bank of Melbourne counterparts, simply delivered under the BankSA brand.

Best for: South Australian residents loyal to BankSA

Best Alternative & Specialty Credit Cards in Australia

Not every card fits neatly into traditional categories. These two offer something genuinely different for specific types of spenders.

23. Citi Bank CitiClear Credit Card

The CitiClear card from Citibank (now part of National Australia Bank in Australia) is built around simplicity and low cost. A competitive ongoing purchase rate with minimal fuss makes it attractive for straightforward spenders who don’t want the complexity of rewards programs.

Citi’s technology platform is well-regarded, and the CitiClear is a clean, reliable product for those who value simplicity.

Best for: Minimalists and those who want low rates without rewards complexity

24. humm humm90 Platinum Mastercard

The humm90 Platinum Mastercard is genuinely different. Rather than a traditional interest-accruing credit card, humm90 is built around an extended interest-free period — up to 90 days on purchases — giving cardholders flexibility to spread costs without accruing interest in the short term.

It sits at the intersection of traditional credit and buy now, pay later thinking. The Platinum Mastercard branding means wide acceptance, while the humm buy now pay later card model appeals to those who want structured repayment flexibility.

Best for: Cash-flow-conscious spenders who plan purchases in advance

Quick Comparison: 24 Best Credit Cards at a Glance

How to Choose the Right Card for You

There’s no single “best” credit card — it depends entirely on how you use credit. Here’s a simple framework:

• If you sometimes carry a balance: Prioritise the lowest purchase rate. Don’t let rewards tempt you into paying more interest than you earn in points.
• If you pay in full every month: A rewards or airline card adds genuine value at no extra cost.
• If you travel internationally: A no-foreign-transaction-fee card like the 28 Degrees or Kogan Black is practically mandatory.
• If you fly Qantas regularly: The Amex Qantas Ultimate offers the highest point earn rates, but the fee must be justified by your spending.
• If you shop at Coles: The Coles Rewards Mastercard turns your regular grocery shop into flybuys accumulation.
• If you want flexibility: The humm90 Platinum’s extended interest-free period suits those who want short-term cash flow management.

Also worth factoring in: credit card balance transfer Australia offers can provide relief if you’re managing existing debt. Several cards on this list — including the ANZ Low Rate, Westpac Low Rate, and Bankwest Breeze — have historically offered competitive introductory balance transfer rates. Always confirm current promotions before applying.

Tips Before You Apply

A few practical points to keep in mind:

• Each credit card application creates an inquiry on your credit file. Apply selectively, not impulsively.
• Meet minimum income requirements before applying — most cards list these clearly on their websites.
• Introductory offers (bonus points, 0% balance transfers) have expiry dates and conditions. Read the fine print.
• Annual fees may be waived in the first year — but confirm what happens in year two.
• Most applications can be completed online in 10–15 minutes. Most low rate credit card Australia options allow you to apply online immediately.

The Bottom Line

There are 24 credit cards listed here for a reason: Australians have different financial lives, spending habits, and priorities. The right card for your neighbour isn’t necessarily right for you.

If you carry a balance, low rate is king. If you pay in full monthly and travel on Qantas, the Amex Qantas Ultimate is hard to beat. If you shop at Coles and want flybuys, the Coles Rewards Mastercard pays dividends. And if you travel internationally and hate foreign fees, the 28 Degrees has been a traveller staple for years.

Take five minutes to match your spending profile to the right category above. The best credit card in Australia is the one you’ll actually use well — and that won’t cost you more in fees and interest than it gives back in value.