Best Credit Cards for Students in Australia

Updated on: 2021-10-16 - 5 mins read
Best Credit Cards for Students in AustraliaBest Credit CardsStudents in AustraliaIndians in Australia
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A credit card is a valuable apparatus for students. Opening a college student credit card is pragmatic way to initiate raising credit quickly while taking privilege of rewards and special financing offers. It might seem oppressing to apply for a credit card, but it’s never too early to start building good credit. Here we have compiled few credit cards with their offers and best deals:

1. Bankwest BreezeClassic MasterCard

Bankwest BreezeClassic MasterCard provides several mechanisms to scrimp credit card costs. Ongoing purchase rate ranked in the best 20%. The eligibility criteria to apply for this card is:

  • Be over 18 years old.
  • Good credit and have not applied for multiple credit cards recently.
  • Permanent resident of Australia.
  • Minimum income of $15,000 p.a.
bankwest-breeze-classic-master-card
Annual Fee:
$0 annual fee for the first year,
$49 p.a. thereafter
Rewards: Additional Features:
  • N/A
  • Purchase Rate 0% p.a. for 15 months then 9.90% p.a.
  • Cash advance rate 21.99% p.a.
  • Interest-free period is for Up to 55 days on purchases.
  • Foreign currency conversion fee is 2.95%.
Pros: Cons:
  • Up to 55 days interest free purchases.
  • Add up to 3 additional cardholders at no extra cost.
  • No rewards and insurances.

2. Bendigo Low Rate First Credit Card

Bendigo Low Rate First Credit Card is solely for the customers aged between 18-25 years. This card also comes with a low interest rate on purchases and also gives interest free purchases for a specific time period. To apply for this card, one must be aged between 18-25 years, should be permanent residents of Australia. Temporary residents having 188, 457 or 489 visas. People who have applied for permanent residency and have at least 12 months remaining on the visa.

bendigo-low-rate-first-credit-card
Annual Fee: $29
Rewards: Additional Features:
  • N/A
  • Purchase rate is 11.99% p.a
  • Interest-free period for Up to 55 days on purchases.
  • Balance transfer rate is 0% p.a. for 6 months.
  • Cash advance rate is 13.99% p.a.
  • Foreign currency conversion fee is 3% .
Pros: Cons:
  • Low intrest rate on purchases.
  • Interest free purchases for up to 55 days.
  • Interest is calculated from the date of statement and not from date of purchase.
  • No rewards.
  • Only for the people aged 18-25 years.

3. Westpac Low-Rate Card

Westpac Low-Rate Card bring forth a low interest rate on purchases but before that it also proffers interest free purchases. This card is designed for customers who want a low rate on purchases, no rewards, and a flexible credit limit. There is minimum income requirement of $30,000. To apply for this card, one must be 18 years of age or above and should be a permanent resident of Australia.

westpac-low-rate-credit-card
Annual Fee:
$0 for first year then $ 59.
Rewards: Additional Features:
  • N/A
  • Balance transfer rate 0% p.a. for 28 months with 1% balance transfer fee.
  • Balance transfer revert rate Cash Advance Rate (21.49% p.a.).
  • Purchase rate is 13.74% p.a
  • Interest-free period is for Up to 55 days on purchases.
  • Minimum credit limit is $500 and maximum credit limit is $25000.
  • Foreign currency conversion fee 3%.
Pros: Cons:
  • 0% p.a. for up to 28 months on balance transfers.
  • Free additional cardholder.
  • You can't transfer loan balances - up to 3 credit card or store card balances only.
  • Balance transfer offer is available to new customers only.

4. Kogan Money Black Credit Card

Beside no annual fee Kogan Money Black Credit Card Kogan Money Black Cardalso serve benefit and the user can earn Kogan rewards points. Eligibility criteria to apply for Kogan Money Black Credit Card is:

  • Be over 18 years old.
  • Permanent resident.
  • Minimum income requirement of $35000 p.a.
  • Not for temporary resident.
kogan-money-black-credit-card
Annual Fee: $0
Rewards: Additional Features:
  • 2 rewards point per $ on Kogan exclusive brands, 1 reward point per $ on other eligible purchases.
  • Balance Transfer Rate is 0% p.a. for 12 months and then 21.74% p.a.
Pros: Cons:
  • Uncapped rewards points.
  • No annual fee.
  • Purchase Rate: 20.99% p.a. (variable).
  • Cash Advance Rate: 21.74% p.a. (variable).

5. Bankwest Zero Mastercard

Bankwest Zero Mastercard is an uncomplicated, no extravagance credit card for everyday card user. Up to 55 interest free days on purchases having plenty of time to make repayments, with no annual fee. Eligibility criteria to apply for this card is:

  • Be over 18 years of age.
  • Resident or citizen of Australia.
  • Temporary resident who holds an Australian issued Temporary Work(skilled) Visa(subclass 457) are eligible.
bankwest-zero-master-card
Annual Fee: $0
Rewards: Additional Features:
  • N/A
  • Balance transfer rate 0% p.a. for 26 months with 2% balance transfer fee.
  • Balance Transfer Revert Rate is (14.99%).
  • Purchase rate is 14.99% p.a., and Cash advance rate is 21.99% p.a.
  • Minimum credit limit is $1,000.
  • Foreign currency conversion fee is 2.95%.
Pros: Cons:
  • 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 26 months.
  • 55 days interest free purchases.
  • $25 late repayment fee.
  • Charges a 2.95% foreign transaction fee.

6. Heritage Bank Gold Low-Rate Credit Card

Heritage Bank Gold Low-Rate Credit Card provides low-rate purchase rate and cash advance rate with $0 annual fee. Although the card does not offer any interest free days on purchases, but it gives 0%mp.a. for 12 months. To be eligible for this card one must be over 18 years of age and should be a resident or citizen of Australia.

heritage-bank-gold-low-rate-credit-card
Annual Fee: $0
Rewards: Additional Features:
  • N/A
  • Min credit limit is $1,000.
  • Cash advance rate and purchase rate is 10.8% p.a.
  • Foreign currency conversion fee 3%
Pros: Cons:
  • 0% p.a. for 12 months on balance transfers.
  • Low interest rate of 10.8% p.a. on purchases and cash advances.
  • $0 annual fee.
  • No interest-free days on purchases.
  • Charges a 3% foreign transaction fee.

7. ANZ First Credit Card

ANZ First Credit Card is contrived for first time credit card users with low annual fees of $30 credit back to your new credit card. It endeavours 0% interest rate on purchases. ANZ’s Fraud Money Back guarantee covering any fraudulent losses. The eligibility criteria to apply for this card is: i). Be over 18 years old, ii). Permanent Australian resident or non-permanent resident with more than 9 months remaining on your Visa.

anz-first-credit-card
Annual Fee: $30
Rewards: Additional Features:
  • N/A
  • Minimum monthly repayment 2% of the closing balance.
  • Late payment fee $20.
  • Interest-free period Up to 55 days on purchases
  • Cash advance rate is 20.24% p.a.
  • Purchase rate is 0% p.a. for 12 months, then reverts to 20.24% p.a.
  • Minimum credit limit is $1,000.
  • Foreign currency conversion fee is 3%.
Pros: Cons:
  • Low minimum credit limit of $1,000.
  • $30 credit back to your account.
  • Up to 3 free additional cardholders.
  • 0% p.a. for 12 months on purchases.
  • High purchase and cash advance rate.
  • No rewards program.

8. Latitude Infinity Rewards Visa Card

Latitude infinity rewards visa offers rewards points to cardholders for their everyday spend, which can be redeemed for gadgets or gifts. It has an annual fee of $69 p.a. The eligibility criteria to apply for this card is:

  • Be over 18 years of age.
  • Be an Australian or permanent resident.
latitude-infinity-rewards-visa
Annual Fee: $69
Rewards: Additional Features:
  • 1 point per $1 spent on eligible purchases.
  • Purchase Rate is 20.69% p.a. and Cash Advance Rate is 20.69% p.a.
  • Cash Advance Fee is 3%.
  • Interest Free Period of up to 55 days.
Pros: Cons:
  • Earn 1 Latitude Infinity Rewards Point per $1 spent.
  • Reward points do not expire.
  • 3% International Transaction Fees.

9. Comm Bank Awards Card

CommBank Awards Card offers one award point per $1 spent. With a credit limit of $500 and annual fee of $59 p.a., earn up to 50,000 points a year. To be eligible for this card you must be legally allowed to work in Australia. If you are not a permanent resident or citizen, you will need to provide your visa details and proof of income. You must be 18 years of age to apply.

comm-bank-awards-credit-card
Annual Fee: $59
Rewards: Additional Features:
  • 1 rewards points per $ spent.
  • Rewards points cap 50,000.
  • Minimum monthly repayment is 2% of the closing balance.
  • Late payment fee is $20.
  • Foreign currency conversion fee is 3% .
  • Cash advance fee is 3%.
  • Additional cardholder fee is $10.
  • Balance transfer rate is 5.99% p.a. for 5 months.
Pros: Cons:
  • Earn 1 Awards point per $1 spent on everyday purchases.
  • Minimum credit limit of $500.
  • Up to 55 days interest free on purchases.
  • Points are capped at 50,000 per year.

As an international student in Australia, sending money back home to India is a common need. Therefore, it's crucial to have a credit card that suits your student lifestyle and offers convenient and affordable options to send money to India. When choosing a credit card, look for one that offers low or no foreign transaction fees and competitive exchange rates for converting AUD to INR. Some credit cards also partner with money transfer services, making sending money to India from Australia (AUD to INR) directly from your card easier. Other factors to consider when choosing a credit card include rewards programs, cashback options, and interest rates. By choosing the right credit card, you can enjoy the benefits of student life in Australia and ensure that your financial transactions in India are secure and cost-effective.