Newcomer credit cards in Australia: getting your first card with no credit history
You can get a credit card in Australia with no Australian credit history. Banks assess your visa status, income, and identity documents — not just a score — so low-rate cards like CommBank Low Rate and ANZ Low Rate are realistic first cards. Expect a modest limit at first; it grows as your file builds.
How do newcomers get a first credit card with no Australian credit history?
Start with the bank where your pay or savings land. Having income paid into a Commonwealth Bank or ANZ account does not guarantee approval, but it gives the bank data to assess. Most banks also run migrant banking services that let you open an account before you arrive, so you start from day one instead of week six.
Banks do not require an existing credit score to consider an application. They require proof of identity (the 100-point check, covered below), proof of income, and usually a valid visa with enough time remaining. ANZ, for example, accepts temporary residents with more than 12 months remaining on their visa for the ANZ Low Rate card.
If a mainstream bank declines you, consider a low-rate card designed for straightforward borrowing, then reapply after 6–12 months of on-time payments. Comparison sites such as money.com.au list cards considered easier to get approved for, and both cards below appear on those lists.
Which beginner credit cards are worth comparing?
These are the low-rate cards most often recommended as first cards. Fees and rates change, so confirm the current figures on the bank's own page before applying.
| Card | Annual fee | Purchase rate | Interest-free period | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CommBank Low Rate | $6/month ($72/year) | 10.99%–15.99% p.a. | Up to 55 days | Minimum limit $500; 3.5% international transaction fee |
| ANZ Low Rate | $58/year | 13.74% p.a. | Up to 55 days | Minimum limit $1,000; temporary residents eligible with 12+ months on visa |
| NAB Low Rate | $99/year | 13.99% p.a. | Up to 55 days | Minimum limit $1,000; check nab.com.au for current offers |
| Westpac Low Rate | $84/year | 13.74% p.a. | Up to 55 days | Minimum limit $500; check westpac.com.au for current offers |
What "annual fee" means in practice: CommBank charges its fee monthly ($6 per month) rather than once a year. ANZ charges $58 per year. Compare the fee against the purchase rate — if you always pay your balance in full before the due date, you pay no purchase interest at all, so the annual fee is the number that actually costs you.
What is the 100-point ID check?
Australia verifies identity with a 100-point system, and you will meet it when opening accounts or applying for credit. The standard values (used by the Australian Border Force guidelines, though banks' tables vary slightly):
- Passport (current): 70 points
- Australian driver licence: 40 points
- Medicare card: 25 points
- Bank statement or utility bill: 25 points
A common newcomer combination is a foreign passport (70) plus any 25–30 point secondary documents to clear 100. If you have only just arrived and lack a Medicare card or utility bills, your passport plus a bank statement from your home bank or visa grant letter often works — ask the bank which combination it accepts, because point tables differ between institutions.
How does Australia's credit reporting system work?
Australia has three credit reporting bodies: Equifax, Experian, and illion. Lenders may check any combination of the three, and your file is built from scratch once Australian accounts start reporting.
- Equifax scores from 0 to 1,200: Below average 0–459, Average 460–660, Good 661–734, Very good 735–852, Excellent 853–1,200.
- Experian scores from 0 to 1,000.
- illion scores from 0 to 1,000.
Since comprehensive credit reporting, positive behaviour is reported too — on-time repayments, credit limits, and account age all build your file, not just defaults. That means a newcomer who gets one low-rate card and pays it in full every month starts building a positive record immediately.
Each bureau must give you one free copy of your credit report every three months. Checking your own report is a soft enquiry and never lowers your score; only lenders' "hard" enquiries when you apply for credit can, and the effect is small and temporary.
What fees and traps should newcomers avoid?
- Annual fee: charged even if you never use the card. CommBank's $6/month applies regardless of spending; ANZ's $58 applies yearly.
- Foreign transaction fees: CommBank charges 3.5% on overseas or foreign-currency purchases. If you shop a lot on overseas websites, a card with a low foreign transaction fee may save more than a low purchase rate.
- Cash advances: interest usually accrues immediately at a higher rate (around 21–22% p.a.), plus a cash advance fee. Never use a credit card at an ATM unless it is an emergency.
- Interest-free period conditions: "up to 55 days interest-free" only applies if you pay the full closing balance by the due date. Carry a balance and interest accrues from the purchase date.
- Late payment fees: CommBank charges $20 for a missed minimum payment, and the missed payment is reported to the bureaus.
Frequently asked questions
I just landed in Australia and have no credit score — can I still get a credit card?
Yes. An empty file is not a bad file. Banks assess income, visa status, and identity. Low-rate cards like CommBank Low Rate and ANZ Low Rate accept applicants with thin or no files, though the limit will be modest. Many newcomers are approved on income and a valid visa alone.
Do I need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident?
Not necessarily. ANZ accepts temporary residents with more than 12 months remaining on their visa for its Low Rate card. Other banks have similar policies for work and student visa holders, but criteria vary — check each card's eligibility page before applying.
Will a debit card or bank account build my credit?
No. Only credit accounts — credit cards, personal loans, some post-paid phone plans — are reported to the bureaus. A transaction account is invisible to the credit system, which is why getting one card early matters.
How long until I have a usable credit score?
Once your first credit account starts reporting, most newcomers see a generated score within a few months, and 12–18 months of on-time payments typically moves it into the "good" range. Paying in full, keeping balances well below the limit, and avoiding multiple applications in a short period all speed things up.
Does checking my own credit report lower my score?
No. Your own checks are soft enquiries and never affect the score. Only applications for credit (hard enquiries) have an effect, and it is small and temporary.
Sources
- CommBank Low Rate credit card: https://www.commbank.com.au/credit-cards/low-rate.html
- CommBank credit card fees and charges: https://www.commbank.com.au/credit-cards/card-fees-charges.html
- ANZ Low Rate credit card: https://www.anz.com.au/personal/credit-cards/low-interest-rate-card/
- ABF 100 points of identification guidelines: https://www.abf.gov.au/licensing-subsite/files/100-points-identification-guidelines.pdf
- Equifax Australia — credit score basics: https://www.equifax.com.au/personal/what-credit-score
- Mozo — credit score ranges across bureaus: https://www.mozo.com.au/credit-cards/guides/credit-history-and-credit-ratings