Balance Transfer Credit Cards - 0% and Low Rate Offers

Pauline Hatch     

Balance transfers are a powerful tool for getting ahead of debt. A 0% balance transfer offer means you won’t pay any interest on your debt for up to three years, giving you time to clear the balance and breathe easy again. Compare balance transfer credit card offers below or learn more about them.

With a balance transfer credit card, you can move your credit card, store card debt and even personal loans (for some brands) to a new credit card that charges 0% interest on the balance transferred, giving you time to potentially pay down and clear your debt. Some credit providers also allow you to transfer BNPL debt. The most important things you need to know about balance transfers.
  • The 0% period can vary from a few months to years, so there is flexibility to find and apply for the card that works best for you.
  • The balance transfer rate (how much interest you’ll be charged once the introductory period is over) is important because it’s typically high, often over 20%. Your goal could be to pay down your debt before interest kicks in, or look at moving to a new balance transfer again.
  • Be sure to check if any fees apply for transferring your balance, and the annual fee on the card as well.
  • To start a balance transfer, you’ll usually provide details of your existing credit card balance to your new provider during the application process.
  • Click on any balance transfer credit card listed here for an in-depth review of its pros and cons.
Use our visual comparison to quickly and easily see the strongest offers from the big banks, plus many of the smaller providers too. On a desktop, look for the most filled-in circle. On a mobile device, look for the most filled-in bar below the feature. Applying is simple: click the card you like and follow the instructions for online application. After approval, the transfer will be arranged and your debt payment plan can start. If you reach the end of the intro period and still have some debt to pay off, you can consider another 0% balance transfer card to wipe the slate clean.
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The Monthly Scoop: March Balance Transfers Update

Updated 4 March 2023 by Pauline Hatch, chief finance expert.
Recently I was asked about whether interest-free days apply while you have an active balance transfer. It's a topic worth clearing up, since the goal of a balance transfer is to avoid interest.

The answer is sadly simple: some credit card providers will say you won't be eligible for interest-free days if you have a balance transfer.

Other credit card providers will let you use the interest-free days while you have a balance transfer.

If you think you'll need the interest-free days, check the terms of the card or our review before you apply. You don't want to be caught paying interest on new purchases while you're trying to pay off old debt.

Editor’s Pick-of-the-Bunch credit cards for March:

    • The St.George Vertigo has a huge 28 months interest-free on balance transfers offer (but it does have a 1% fee). It's a great low-cost card with its $55 annual fee, giving you more money to put towards your balance transfer.
    • The NAB Low Rate card also comes with a 0% balance transfer deal for 28 months, but has a 2% fee. It has no annual fee the first year, then $59.
    • The Qantas Premier Everyday card has 12 months 0% on balance transfers, plus gives you a chance to earn points on your spending. You can also earn 8000 Qantas Points in the first 4 months.

⭐ BT fees: Some cards don't charge a balance transfer fee, others will charge 1 -3% of the amount being transferred. The fee is added to your total balance.

T&Cs apply for all card offers so check our review and the PDS for details.


What is a balance transfer and how does it work?

Here's how a balance transfer works in 3 steps:

  1. Move credit card, store card or personal loan debt to a new credit card during application (sometimes after)
  2. Pay 0% interest during the promotional period
  3. Make a plan to pay off your debt while there are no interest charges

Balance transfers are a truly life-saving feature. If you're feeling the pinch of a credit card balance you can't get on top of, a balance transfer offers a way out.

Let's look at how it might work with an example.

Let's say Lisa has $5025 remaining on a credit card. Here's what she pays:

  • Minimum monthly payment: $51
  • Interest added at 20.24%: $84.27

As you can see, Lisa isn't paying off her debt anytime soon. Instead, she decides to apply for a card with a 0% balance transfer offer for 18 months.

She fills in the transfer information during the application, and her existing debt is moved to her new card.

Over the next 18 months, Lisa makes a plan to pay off her card in full. With no interest being added, she's able to divide her debt by 18 and pay it off at $280 per month.

Pros and cons of a balance transfer credit card

Pros

  • Get relief from interest charges on your debt
  • Make a plan to pay off your debt before the interest-free period ends
  • A new card may have perks you can use to save money and pay off your debt faster

Cons

  • Any debt left after the interest-free period is charged a high interest rate
  • You may need to pay a 1 - 3% transfer fee (many have no fees)
  • Your credit card limit will determine how much you can transfer

Using balance transfers effectively

Balance transfer offers are a fantastic tool for getting a leg-up on your debt, but there are a few caveats worth mentioning.

❌You may pay interest on new purchases: most balance transfer credit cards won’t offer interest free days on your other spending. That means if you use the card to buy groceries or a coffee, you’re going to pay the card’s purchase rate on that transaction immediately.

You may want to consider having one low interest rate card for everyday spending, and one for paying down your balance on a balance transfer card. Or, close your old credit card account until you’re on top of your debt.

❌A transfer isn't a debt-storage facility: A balance transfer card isn’t a get-out-of-jail-free card, either. You’ll still have to pay minimums each statement period, and you’ll need a plan for paying down your debt long term.

If you have a leftover balance at the end of the introductory period, you can consider applying for another balance transfer card to give you time to pay it off – but be warned, applying for too many cards too quickly can hurt your credit score, making it harder to get a new card.

How to compare and choose a balance transfer card

It might feel a bit overwhelming to wade through so many balance transfer cards. Here are the main factors to look at.

✔ The length of the interest-free period. 

You might need to do some calculation to figure out the best length for you, based on your current debt. Divide your debt by the number of months to work out if you can realistically make the monthly payments and be debt-free at the end of the interest-free period.

✔ Any balance transfer fees that apply. 

Many card providers don't charge a transfer fee, but some may charge 1-3% of the amount being transferred. The fee is added to your transfer to be paid off with the rest of your debt. You'll need to weigh up if the fee is still worth it when compared to the annual fee and any other money-saving perks on the card, such as cashback.

✔ The annual fee.

Generally, the more fancy the card, the higher the annual fee. High fees are money you can't use to repay your debt. So, decide whether other extras on the card are worth the annual fee, and if not, choose a more basic card with a lower fee.

✔ The balance transfer limit.

It's likely there will be a cap on the amount you can transfer from your existing credit card or personal loan. It's usually expressed as a percentage of your approved credit limit: for instance, if you’re approved for a $10,000 credit limit with a balance transfer limit of 90%, you may transfer up to $9,000 as a balance transfer.

✔ The revert rate.

The 'revert rate' is the interest rate you'll be charged on any leftover debt once the interest-free period is over. It's usually based on the cash advance rate, which is higher than the normal everyday purchase rate. If you think you might have a balance remaining at the end of the intro period, the card’s revert rate is important. The higher the rate, the more you’ll pay in interest.

What about cards with a combination of 0% on balance transfers and new purchases?

Some cards will come with a combination offer that waives interest on a balance transfer and new purchases for a limited period. Of course, that presents a dilemma: should you use both at the same time?

It’s entirely up to you whether you use both offers or just one of them. You might choose to use the interest-free period on purchases to buy a new fridge and pay it off over the next 12 months. Or, you might set up a repayment plan that pays off your balance transfer in full before you use the interest-free purchases.

It's ok if you decide to use both offers, just remember that eventually the interest-free period will close and you don't want to end up with more debt than when you started. Make a plan to pay off the balance transfer, and limit what you spend on everyday items so you're debt-free once the interest kicks back in.

How do you organise a balance transfer?

Luckily, your new provider will do most of the legwork when you request a balance transfer. However, you’ll need to take the first steps so your new credit card does the job you want it to do: help you get ahead of your debt.

1. Compare all the balance transfer cards and their offers.

Use CreditCard.com.au to compare your options, using the toggles to order them by provider, purchase rate, balance transfer revert rate, annual fee and the summary of your potential savings.

Pay close attention to the card’s balance transfer rate and revert rate, how long the introductory period lasts, and whether there’s a limit placed on the amount transferred. Be sure to take into account the card’s annual fees, and check whether there is a balance transfer fee.

If you plan on keeping the card in the long run, it’s a good idea to compare other factors, such as the card’s purchase rate, and the various features on offer.

2. Confirm the amount owing on your existing card

Before you apply, double-check the amount you want to transfer to the new balance transfer card, especially if you are transferring a number of balances from different cards or lenders. Depending on the card you choose, you may be limited in the amount you can transfer. Transfer limits are usually expressed as a percentage of your approved credit limit, for example, 80% or 90%.

3. Submit your application

When you’re ready to apply, simply click through to the card provider’s website to begin your application. Online applications usually take around 10 minutes to complete. You’ll be asked to provide details about your income, assets, debts and other relevant information.

4. Request the balance transfer

The process for requesting a balance transfer can vary. Some providers ask you to provide details of the transfer when you apply for the card, while others allow you to request the transfer after your application has been approved. For those balance transfer requests, you typically have a limited time to apply, either using a paper application or online banking.

5. Activate the card and confirm the transfer

Once you’ve been approved for your new card, you’ll need to activate it (the instructions will come with it), and then confirm the transfer has been made. After you’ve checked there are no new transactions pending on your old card, you can close that account if you don’t plan on using it anymore.

What fees should I expect to pay on a balance transfer?

The first thing to consider when comparing balance transfer offers, is any fees you might have to pay. Doing this should make it easier for you to work out how much the offer could save you overall, and whether you could save more with a different card.

One of the most important fees to look out for is the balance transfer fee. Not all balance transfer cards charge balance transfer fees, so if it’s not obvious, check the fine print to make sure. A balance transfer fee may be charged as a flat rate, but it’s more commonly charged as a percentage of the amount you're transferring.

So, if you were to transfer $5,000 with a balance transfer fee of 2%, your fee would come to $100, and you would have a total of $5,100 to pay back overall. It’s worth mentioning the promotional rate of interest may not apply to your balance transfer fee, and it might be charged at the revert rate. Check with the card provider if you’re unsure.

How many debts can I transfer to my new card?

The number of balances you can transfer onto a new balance transfer card varies, so it’s (always!) a good idea to read the small print before you apply. If you can’t find a conclusive answer, call the provider to check.

You may find some providers allow for the transfer of a number of balances, while other providers only allow one transfer. You may also want to check where you can transfer balances from. Providers don’t usually transfer balances from other credit cards within their network, but you should be able to transfer from other providers’ credit cards, and in some cases, from store cards, personal loans and other forms of credit.

At the time of writing, these providers allow you to transfer personal loans to a balance transfer credit card:

Can I transfer my debt to the same bank as my old card?

You may find you can’t transfer a balance from one card provider to another, especially if they’re within the same financial group.

Balance transfers credit cards for existing customers:

American Express No balance transfers from other American Express accounts.
ANZ No balance transfers from other ANZ accounts.
Bank of Melbourne No balance transfers from BankSA, St.George or Bank of Melbourne credit cards as all of these banks are under the Westpac Banking Corporation. Balance transfers from Westpac are permitted.
BankSA No balance transfers from BankSA, St.George or Bank of Melbourne credit cards as all of these banks are under the Westpac Banking Corporation. Balance transfers from Westpac are permitted.
Bankwest No balance transfers from other Bankwest accounts. While Bankwest is a division of CommBank, you can still request a balance transfer from a CommBank credit card to Bankwest.
BOQ No balance transfers from other BOQ credit cards.
Citi No balance transfers from a Citi credit card. Can transfer personal loans, conditions apply.
Commonwealth Bank No balance transfers from other CommBank accounts. Balance transfers between CommBank and Bankwest are permitted.
Coles No balance transfers from other Coles credit cards. Can transfer personal loans, conditions apply.
Jetstar No balance transfers from other accounts issued by Jetstar Mastercard, Macquarie or Card Services.
Latitude Financial Services No balance transfers from other Latitude accounts or its associated entities, including Gem Visa, 28 Degrees Platinum Mastercard, GO Mastercard and Latitude Infinity.
Macquarie Bank No balance transfers from other accounts issued by Macquarie Bank. This includes other Macquarie and Card Services accounts.
Myer No balance transfers from Macquarie Bank or Card Services accounts.
NAB No balance transfers from other NAB accounts.
St.George No balance transfers from BankSA, St.George or Bank of Melbourne credit cards as all of these banks are under the Westpac Banking Corporation. Balance transfers from Westpac are permitted.
Suncorp Bank No balance transfers from other Suncorp Bank accounts or Citigroup accounts, including Citi, IMB and Virgin Money.
Virgin Money No balance transfers from other Virgin Money credit cards. Can transfer personal loans, conditions apply.
Westpac No balance transfers from other Westpac accounts. Balance transfers from BankSA, St.George or Bank of Melbourne credit cards are permitted.
Woolworths No balance transfers from other Woolworths credit cards, Macquarie or Card Services accounts.

Do I have to cancel my old card?

You can choose whether you keep the old card or cancel it. Remember you may have to pay an annual fee. If you think you might be tempted to spend on the old card, you may be better off closing the account to focus on paying the balance transfer debt.

Can I make new purchases on my balance transfer card?

Yes, you can, but you’ll likely pay interest on those purchases right away. You can spend up to your credit limit, but having a balance transfer means you won’t get any interest free days on your purchases.

Credit card interest is usually calculated daily, which means you’ll be racking up interest from the moment you make a transaction on the card. If paying down debt is your goal, you may need a low interest rate card to make everyday purchases on, or forego using a credit card until your balance is cleared.

Common Mistakes with Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Balance transfer offers can be a lifesaver, but you’ll need to be aware of some easy mistakes to make after you’ve completed the transfer.

Mistake #1. Thinking that 0% interest means no payments

Even with a 0% p.a. balance transfer offer, you’ll need to make minimum repayments on the card each statement period. If you want to pay off your transferred balance within the introductory period, it’s a good idea to set up a repayment plan, where you pay off as much as you can afford each month.

Mistake #2. Only paying minimum repayments

Making only the minimum repayments on any credit card isn’t a recommended practice because it will massively bump up the amount you owe long term. Check your credit card statement - it tells you how long it’ll take to pay off your debt making only the minimum repayments. By only paying the minimum, you’ll stay in debt far longer and pay a lot more in interest, even with a balance transfer offer.

Mistake #3. Making new purchases on your card

This applies to both your new card and your old card. When you have a balance transfer offer, you should focus on paying your transferred balance off within the introductory period. If you start spending on either card, you have even more to pay off month-to-month.

Worse still, any repayments on your new card automatically go towards paying off the balance with the highest interest first. That means if you’re spending on your balance transfer card, any payments you make might be paying off your new balance while the transferred balance remains untouched.

Note: even if the credit card says it offers interest free days, those won’t apply if you have a balance transfer. When you’ve paid the balance transfer, your interest free days will kick in.

Mistake #4. Not cancelling your old card

When you transfer a balance from an old card, it can be tempting to spend. After all, now you’ve got a credit card with $0 balance and a full credit limit available to you. If you’re going to be tempted to spend, consider closing your old card, and focusing on paying down your balance transfer.

Is it a good idea to do a balance transfer?

If you’re struggling to pay down existing debt, a balance transfer can help you save money on your interest repayments. It's important to look at your repayments each month and work out what you can afford to pay down on your debt to find a balance transfer credit card that works for you and your circumstances.

Used well, a balance transfer offer can help you get on top of money you owe on your credit card.

Are balance transfers bad for your credit?

Applying for a balance transfer credit card won’t affect your score any more than a regular application. It’ll show up as a standard hard enquiry on your credit file, and may lower your score as is normal for loan and credit card applications.

How many times can you do a balance transfer on a credit card?

Each credit card application puts a hard enquiry on your credit file, so doing too many in a short period of time is detrimental. If you haven't paid off your balance at the end of the period, you can consider doing another balance transfer. As long as you meet the application requirements and can make the repayments, it's a good time to start comparing.

Pauline Hatch

Pauline Hatch is a personal finance expert at Creditcard.com.au with 8 years of finance writing under her belt. She loves turning complex money concepts into simple, practical actions so you can win financially. You can ask Pauline any questions by submitting a comment below and get a personal reply.

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1,013 questions (showing the latest 10 Q&As)

Matt

Matt

6 March 2024
Can I use one balance transfer credit card multiple times to pay off multiple credit cards?
    Pauline - CreditCard.com.au

    Pauline

    12 March 2024
    Hi Matt, it depends on the card. Some cards will only give you the interest-free balance transfer promotion if you organise all your transfers during the application. Others will let you do them anytime throughout the interest-free period. It should say in the terms of the card, or you could call the bank directly to check first. Thanks Matt!
Maryanne

Maryanne

11 February 2024
hi i have 2 cards i would like transfer balances totalling to $22k to a new card, can i transfer the total amount into one card and what card is best for me?
    Pauline - CreditCard.com.au

    Pauline

    23 February 2024
    Hi Maryanne, $22k is quite a lot to transfer to a credit card. Remember that most banks only allow you to transfer 80% to 95% of the credit limit, so you'd need an even higher credit limit to transfer it all over. You might want to either look at more than one balance transfer card (keeping in mind you don't want multiple applications to be rejected and hurt your credit score) or consolidating your debt into a personal loan instead, which might be a safer option. It might be worth talking to a financial advisor to find the best option.
Mark

Mark

8 January 2024
Can I transfer council rates, hum and super with virgin 24 months card Also latitude and GE
    Pauline - CreditCard.com.au

    Pauline

    9 January 2024
    Hi Mark! Usually you can only transfer credit card debt, personal loans or BNPL debt (Virgin is one of the brands that allows these transfers). I've asked Virgin before about what can be transferred and was told the institution you're transferring from must have a BPAY number. So, it's probably worth checking your accounts for a BPAY facility and asking Virgin directly if they'll allow each one. I hope that helps!
Barbara Biddle

Barbara Biddle

27 December 2023
How to I apply for a balance transfer to St George Vertigo credit card
    Pauline - CreditCard.com.au

    Pauline

    4 January 2024
    Hi Barbara, when you apply for the St.George Vertigo Credit Card, you can put in your balance transfer request upon application. Please note that applications and requests are subject to review and approval and you can only request up to 80% of your approved credit limit.
S Khan

S Khan

27 August 2023
I have a personal loan of 4K and a credit card loan of 7K, I want to transfer both balances on a single credit card for at least 24 months 0 P.a. Which credit provider would be best to go to in terms of BT.
    Pauline - CreditCard.com.au

    Pauline

    30 August 2023
    A balance transfer is a great choice. You’ll need to find credit card providers that accept personal loans, as not all will. We’ve been told by NAB that its group of cards accept personal loans, but please double check with the provider before you apply for anything. NAB cards include Bank of Queensland, Coles, Virgin Money and Citi. When you’re choosing a card, look for one with a BT promotion that gives you enough time to pay off your debt, and doesn’t have a big annual fee that’s going to eat into your repayment efforts. Good luck!
JennY

JennY

3 August 2023
What information is required when doing a bank transfer.... eg how many pay slips? what other info?
    Pauline - CreditCard.com.au

    Pauline

    7 August 2023
    Hi Jenny, usually, you make the balance transfer request when you apply for a new credit card. To do this, you'll need to provide the following information (along with the other information the bank requests): - the amount of balance you want to transfer - account name and number for the balance to be transferred from - account expiration date - and some loan issuer details You can refer to the article we've written about important information on balance transfers that may be helpful to you.
Martin

Martin

3 August 2023
What no annual fee-free credit card is available to me? Australian citizen with foreign income source.
    Pauline - CreditCard.com.au

    Pauline

    3 August 2023
    Hi Martin, this is the first time I’ve received a question like this! It might be best to consult with a financial planner or a tax agent. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help!
Janet

Janet

14 July 2023
Can you balance transfer a loan and a credit card?
John Newnham

John Newnham

3 July 2023
There are a few advertisements for 36 months but I cant find them. 28, 30 32 months but the 36 months?
    Pauline - CreditCard.com.au

    Pauline

    4 July 2023
    Hi John, I understand what you mean. You may be referring to the Citi Clear card with zero interest on balance transfers for 36 months offer. Unfortunately, we’re currently not partnered with Citi. You can go to their official website page to apply or alternatively, check out some of the other balance transfer offer cards listed above for options.
Faiq

Faiq

1 July 2023
Hi, I am looking for a Balance transfer credit card from my American Express card. Looking to transfer balance of about AUD 100,000. Which credit card options are available.
    Pauline - CreditCard.com.au

    Pauline

    4 July 2023
    Hi Faiq, the first thing you'd need to consider is the credit limit of any card you apply for. Most banks will let you transfer 80 or 90% of the total credit limit - so you would need to be sure you could get a credit limit of at least $120,000 to do a balance transfer at 80% of the credit limit. You may need to split it across a couple of cards instead but check your credit score before applying for multiple cards. Another possibility you could potentially investigate is using a personal loan. The interest may be higher than 0% p.a but you may have your repayments set for the life of the loan. You may need to get in touch with the credit card provider before applying to see what your chances are of getting approved at a larger credit limit. I hope that helps Faiq!
David

David

29 June 2023
Hi Pauline, I have a 24500 dollars limit on my Nab card, balance is at 21000 and currently paying almost 400 a month in interest. I’m looking at a balance transfer with a 32 months of free interest to pay off the debt. I have had a look at Nab transfer to a 0% interest but apparently you can’t transfer with the same bank What will you suggest for me to do. Thanks David
Anna

Anna

26 June 2023
Hello Is it possible to do a credit card balance transfer between 2 countries/$ values? Thanks
    Pauline - CreditCard.com.au

    Pauline

    26 June 2023
    Hi Anna, unfortunately, you can only do balance transfers between cards from Australia. The specifics, including the eligibility and terms, can vary between financial institutions and countries. If you’re interested in exploring balance transfer options, it would be best to consult with your credit card provider or financial institution directly. They’ll be able to provide you with accurate information on whether balance transfers between different countries and currency values are possible and what options might be available to you.
Will corrie

Will corrie

19 June 2023
Hi what credit card is best to be accepted on as it's my first one
    Pauline - CreditCard.com.au

    Pauline

    20 June 2023
    Hi Will, since you've mentioned it’ll be your first card, you can check our guide and some of the cards for first timers. The best card for you will be the one that suits your needs the most. Try to avoid cards with high interest rates and high fees. Best of luck! :)
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