Best Credit Cards for International Students With Part-Time Jobs in Australia
Best Credit Cards for International Students With Part-Time Jobs in Australia
International students with part-time jobs may qualify for a credit card in Australia, but approval depends on more than having a salary.
Australian lenders usually assess:
- Your student visa and remaining visa period
- Your Australian taxable income
- Rent and living expenses
- Existing debts and buy-now-pay-later accounts
- Australian credit history
- Your ability to make repayments
CommBank explicitly lists the Student visa subclass 500 among the visa types that may qualify for a credit card, provided the applicant has work rights, proof of income, and more than six months remaining on the visa.
Best Student Credit Cards in Australia at a Glance
- CommBank Low Fee Credit Card: Best overall for international students
- ANZ First Credit Card: Best low-fee alternative
- CommBank Low Rate Credit Card: Best for a lower purchase interest rate
- CommBank Interest-Free Low Fee Card: Best low-limit digital option
- Westpac Choice Debit Mastercard: Best fallback before credit approval
Best Credit Cards for International Students With Part-Time Jobs in Australia
1. CommBank Low Fee Credit Card — Best Overall
The CommBank Low Fee card is one of the most realistic options because CommBank specifically accepts eligible subclass 500 student visa holders.
Main Benefits
- Minimum credit limit of $500
- Up to 55 interest-free days on purchases
- $0 monthly fee when spending at least $300 during the statement period
- Otherwise, a $3 monthly fee
- Purchase security and extended warranty insurance
- Digital-card and mobile-wallet access
The standard purchase interest rate is currently 20.99% per year, and international transaction fees apply.
Eligibility
You generally need to:
- Be at least 18
- Live at an Australian address
- Have legal work rights
- Provide payslips, bank statements, or other income evidence
- Have more than six months remaining on an eligible visa
- Meet CommBank’s affordability and credit-assessment requirements
A part-time job can help, but approval and the credit limit are not guaranteed.
Best for: Students who pay the full balance monthly and can spend at least $300 to avoid the monthly fee.
2. ANZ First Credit Card — Best Low-Fee Alternative
The ANZ First card is designed as an entry-level credit card and has the lowest annual fee among ANZ credit cards.
Main Benefits
- $30 annual fee
- Minimum credit limit of $1,000
- Up to 55 interest-free days on eligible purchases
- Purchase protection and extended warranty insurance
- Up to three additional cardholders without an extra card fee
- Mobile-wallet compatibility
Temporary residents may apply when they have more than 12 months remaining on their visa. ANZ also requires details of income, expenses, assets, liabilities, and proof of identity.
ANZ states that having limited Australian credit history is not automatically disqualifying. Employment history, expenses, assets, and liabilities are also considered. A credit check will still be completed.
Best for: Students with more than one year remaining on their visa and stable part-time income.
3. CommBank Low Rate Credit Card — Best Lower-Interest Option
Students who may occasionally need more time to repay a purchase should prioritize a lower interest rate rather than rewards.
The CommBank Low Rate card currently offers:
- A personalised purchase rate between 10.99% and 15.99% per year
- $6 monthly fee
- Minimum credit limit of $500
- Up to 55 interest-free days
- Purchase security and extended warranty insurance
The rate offered depends partly on the applicant’s credit risk and financial profile. International transaction fees apply, and travel insurance is not included.
Even a lower-rate card can become expensive. Paying the complete statement balance remains the safest strategy.
Best for: Eligible students who value a lower purchase rate more than a lower card fee.
4. CommBank Interest-Free Low Fee Card — Best Digital Option
This card uses a fixed monthly-fee model instead of charging purchase interest.
Main Features
- 0% purchase interest
- Monthly fee listed as $10 or $0, depending on the applicable conditions
- Credit limit between $400 and $1,500
- No late-payment fees
- Minimum monthly repayments of up to $40
- Digital card only
- Cash advances blocked, with limited exceptions
Its low maximum limit may reduce the risk of building a large balance. However, paying a $10 fee every month could cost $120 annually, so it may not be cheaper than a normal credit card for students who always repay promptly.
Best for: Students who want a capped digital credit facility and predictable costs.
5. Westpac Choice Debit Mastercard — Best Starter Alternative
A debit card is not a credit card, but it is often the better starting option for newly arrived students who have not yet established sufficient Australian income or credit history.
The Westpac Choice account offers:
- $0 monthly account fee for full-time tertiary students or customers under 41
- Debit Mastercard
- Instant digital card
- PayID and mobile-wallet payments
- No Westpac withdrawal fee at Westpac and selected partner ATMs
Westpac states that international students may open the account and typically need a passport for identification.
Best for: New students who need an everyday Australian bank account while building income and financial history.
Does a Part-Time Job Guarantee Approval?
No. A lender must assess whether you can afford the requested credit limit after paying rent, food, tuition-related expenses, transport, insurance, and other commitments.
Student visa holders can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session, with different rules for certain research students and scheduled course breaks. Students should verify their individual conditions through VEVO.
Useful income evidence can include:
- Recent payslips
- An employment contract
- Australian bank statements showing salary deposits
- Employer details
- Scholarship documents
- Records of rent and essential expenses
A short employment history or highly irregular shifts may reduce the limit offered.
Important Visa Restrictions
Not every Australian credit-card provider accepts student visas.
NAB requires regular income and accepts only specified temporary visas, but its current eligibility information explicitly lists student visas among the visa categories that are not accepted for NAB credit cards.
Westpac accepts only specified temporary visas and may require at least one year remaining before visa expiry. Students should confirm that subclass 500 is accepted before applying.
Avoid applying repeatedly to several lenders. Australian credit reports record credit applications, repayment history, and existing credit products, and multiple applications can affect how lenders assess risk.
How to Improve Your Approval Chances
Before applying:
- Receive your salary into an Australian bank account for several months.
- Choose the lowest practical credit limit.
- Reduce buy-now-pay-later balances.
- Avoid overdrafts and missed payments.
- Prepare accurate income and expense figures.
- Check that enough time remains on your visa.
- Apply for only one suitable card.
- Set up automatic full-balance repayments after approval.
Moneysmart recommends paying the balance in full each month where possible, because paying only the minimum increases the interest cost and extends the repayment period.
Final Verdict
The CommBank Low Fee Credit Card is the best overall option for many international students with part-time jobs because subclass 500 is explicitly listed as potentially eligible and the minimum credit limit is only $500.
The ANZ First Credit Card is a strong alternative for students with more than 12 months remaining on their visas. Students concerned about interest should compare the CommBank Low Rate card, while those wanting a capped digital facility may consider the Interest-Free Low Fee card.
Students who are not yet eligible should use a debit card, establish stable salary deposits, and reconsider a low-limit credit card after several months.
Official and Further Sources
- CommBank – Credit Cards for Visa Holders
- CommBank – Credit Card Application Requirements
- CommBank – Compare Credit Cards
- ANZ – ANZ First Credit Card
- Westpac – International Student Bank Account
- NAB – Credit Card Eligibility
- Australian Home Affairs – Student Visa Subclass 500
- Moneysmart – Credit Cards
- Moneysmart – Credit Scores and Reports
