To get a credit card in Australia, you generally need to be 18 or over, live here, have a regular income you can prove and pass the lender’s credit check. The catch is that the bank also has to be satisfied you could pay off your whole credit limit within three years, so your income and existing debts matter as much as your credit score.

Here’s how it works, step by step, and how to give yourself the best shot at a “yes”.

Who can get a credit card in Australia?

Every lender sets its own rules, but the basics at the big banks look like this:

• Age: you need to be at least 18.
• Residency: usually an Australian citizen or permanent resident with an Australian address. Some banks accept certain visa holders, but the rules differ. CommBank asks for an eligible visa with more than 6 months left, while Westpac asks for at least one year.
• Income: a regular income you can prove. Westpac, for example, asks for verifiable Australian taxable income for at least 3 months, and the minimum amount depends on the card.
• Credit history: you’ll need to pass a credit check, so keeping up with bills and loan repayments helps.

If you’re self-employed, expect to show a bit more paperwork. We’ve covered that in our guide to applying for a credit card when you’re self-employed.

What do banks check before saying yes?

Since 1 January 2019, ASIC has required lenders to assess whether you could repay your whole credit limit within three years. That’s why your income, your expenses and your other debts all count.

Here’s the simple maths behind it, using an example interest rate of 20% p.a.:

Credit limit	Approx. monthly repayment to clear it in 3 years
$2,000	~$74
$6,000	~$223
$10,000	~$372

As a rough guide, repaying a full credit limit in equal monthly amounts over 3 years (36 months), at an example rate of 20% p.a. with no fees, works out to about $74 a month for a $2,000 limit, $223 a month for a $6,000 limit and $372 a month for a $10,000 limit.

So if your budget can comfortably cover about $223 a month on top of everything else, a $6,000 limit is more likely to stack up. Banks use their own calculations, so treat this as a rough guide rather than a pass mark.

They’ll also look at your credit report. Here’s what’s on it:

What	Detail	Source
Free copy of your report	Every 3 months	Moneysmart
Credit score range	0 to 1,000 or 1,200	Moneysmart
Repayment history shown	Last 2 years	Moneysmart
Defaults stay listed	5 years (7 for a clearout)	Moneysmart
Limit you can repay	Within 3 years	ASIC
Minimum age to apply	18	CommBank, Westpac

Sources: Moneysmart, Credit scores and credit reports; ASIC media release 18-257MR; CommBank and Westpac eligibility pages. Correct as at 4 October 2026.

You can get a free credit report every 3 months. Scores range from 0 to 1,000 or 1,200 depending on the agency, repayment history covers the last 2 years and defaults generally stay for 5 years (7 for a clearout). The graphic also recaps the minimum application age of 18 and the 3-year repayment test.

What documents do you need?

If you’re…	You’ll usually need
Anyone applying	Photo ID (driver’s licence or passport), your address, details of your current debts and a mobile number for verification codes
Employed (PAYG)	Recent payslips or bank statements showing your salary
A casual worker	Around three months of payslips or bank statements
Self-employed	Recent tax return or Notice of Assessment (CommBank, for example, wants at least 12 months of trading)

Every bank’s list is a little different, so check the “what you need” page for the card you’re applying for.

How long does it take to get a credit card?

It depends on the lender and on how straightforward your application is. If everything checks out, some online applications get a decision quickly. If the bank needs to see more documents, you might get a conditional approval first, and the final “yes” comes once you’ve sent them through.

The fastest way to speed things up? Have your ID, payslips and debt details ready before you start.

How can you boost your chances of approval?

• Check your credit report first. It’s free every 3 months from the credit reporting agencies, and it’s worth fixing any mistakes before a bank sees them.
• Ask for a sensible limit. A lower limit is easier to justify under the 3-year test, and you don’t have to take the full amount offered.
• Pay down other debts, or close cards you no longer use, before applying.
• Pick a card that fits. A first card doesn’t need to be a premium rewards card. A no annual fee card or a student card is often a better place to start.

“Getting approved isn’t really about having a perfect credit score. It’s about showing the bank you can comfortably handle the limit you’re asking for. Ask for what you need, not the biggest number on offer, and you’ll make life easier for yourself and the bank.”

Pauline Hatch, credit card expert at CreditCard.com.au

What if your application is declined?

Don’t panic, and don’t rush off to apply somewhere else straight away. Moneysmart suggests you:

1. Ask the lender why. They have to tell you if your credit report was the reason.
2. Get a free copy of your credit report and check it for errors.
3. Wait at least a few months before applying again, and use that time to pay down debts and build a small savings buffer.

You can read more in Moneysmart’s guide to choosing a credit card.

Frequently asked questions

Final tips

• Start with your credit report so there are no surprises.
• Apply for one card, chosen carefully, rather than several.
• Keep the limit realistic. It’s easier to get approved, and easier to pay off.
• Understand the interest. Our guides on how credit card interest is calculated and how interest-free days work are worth a read before your first statement lands.
• Compare first. If a sign-up deal matters to you, check the current introductory offers (check each card page for the latest offer).

General advice only: this article is general information and doesn’t take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the Target Market Determination (TMD), the terms and conditions and the product disclosure documents before applying for any credit card. Eligibility rules are set by each lender and can change. Details are based on information from ASIC, Moneysmart, CommBank and Westpac. Card details are correct as at 4 October 2026 and can change.