Best Credit Cards for International Students in Australia 2026

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The best credit cards for international students in Australia in 2026 are generally not premium rewards cards. For most students, the better choice is a simple card with a low minimum credit limit, affordable fees and eligibility rules that accept certain temporary visa holders.

International students can obtain credit cards in Australia, but approval depends on income, visa validity, expenses and repayment capacity. Being enrolled at an Australian university does not guarantee acceptance.

This guide compares realistic options for eligible students and explains what to check before submitting an application.

Can International Students Get Credit Cards in Australia?

Yes. Some Australian banks accept applicants holding temporary visas, including student visa subclass 500.

CommBank specifically lists subclass 500 among its potentially eligible visa categories. Applicants generally need:

More than six months remaining on an eligible visa.
The legal right to work in Australia.
Proof of income.
An Australian residential address.
The ability to meet the bank’s credit assessment.

ANZ may accept non-permanent residents with more than 12 months remaining on their visas. Westpac may also consider acceptable temporary visas with at least one year remaining, but generally requires three months of verifiable Australian taxable income.

Best Credit Cards for International Students in Australia

1. CommBank Low Fee Credit Card

Best overall for eligible student visa holders

The CommBank Low Fee Credit Card is one of the most accessible mainstream options because CommBank publishes clear eligibility information for subclass 500 visa holders.

Main features include:

A$500 minimum credit limit.
A$3 monthly fee.
A$0 monthly fee when spending at least A$300 in the statement period.
20.99% p.a. purchase interest rate.
Up to 55 interest-free days on eligible purchases.
A$0 additional cardholder fee.
Digital card and mobile wallet access.

The card charges a 3.5% international transaction fee, meaning it is better suited to purchases processed in Australian dollars than overseas or foreign-currency spending.

Best for: Students with regular part-time income who intend to pay the full statement balance each month.

Main drawback: The purchase rate is high when a balance is carried beyond the interest-free period.

2. ANZ First Credit Card

Best traditional first credit card

ANZ First is designed as a straightforward entry-level card without an expensive rewards program.

Its main features include:

A$30 annual fee.
A$1,000 minimum credit limit.
Up to 55 interest-free days on eligible purchases.
Purchase protection and extended warranty insurance, subject to conditions.
Mobile wallet compatibility.
No rewards program fee.

ANZ’s general credit-card requirements allow applications from non-permanent residents with more than 12 months remaining on their visas. Applicants should also prepare two recent payslips and details of income, assets, liabilities and regular living expenses.

Best for: Students who have stable employment and can qualify for at least a A$1,000 limit.

Main drawback: ANZ charges a 3.5% overseas transaction fee, and approval still depends on its credit assessment.

3. Westpac Low Fee Credit Card

Best for students earning at least A$30,000

The Westpac Low Fee Credit Card has a low starting credit limit, but its minimum income condition may exclude students who only work limited hours.

Current features include:

A$0 card fee during the first year.
A$30 ongoing annual fee.
Ongoing annual fee waived after A$5,000 of eligible yearly spending.
A$500 minimum credit limit.
A$30,000 minimum annual income.
20.99% p.a. purchase interest rate.
Up to 55 interest-free days.
3% foreign transaction fee.

Westpac generally requires applicants to have regular Australian taxable income that can be verified for at least three months. Eligible temporary visa holders may also need one year or more remaining before visa expiry.

Best for: International students with established part-time employment and predictable yearly spending.

Main drawback: The A$30,000 minimum income requirement will be difficult for some students to meet.

4. CommBank Interest-Free Low Fee Credit Card

Best interest-free option

This CommBank product does not charge purchase interest. Instead, it uses a fixed monthly fee.

Key features include:

0% p.a. interest.
A$10 monthly fee for limits up to A$1,500.
No late payment fee.
No international transaction fee.
Digital-only card.
Minimum repayments generally starting at A$40.
Monthly fee waived when the previous statement was paid in full and no new transactions were made during the current statement period.

The lack of international transaction fees could be useful for students paying foreign websites or travelling outside Australia.

However, using the card every month could cost A$120 per year. A student who always repays purchases immediately may pay less with a traditional low-fee card.

Best for: Students who prefer predictable monthly charges and want to avoid interest calculations.

Main drawback: The monthly fee can be expensive for light users.

5. Westpac Lite Credit Card

Best low-rate card for overseas purchases

Westpac Lite may suit students who occasionally carry a balance or regularly make foreign transactions.

Main features include:

9.9% p.a. variable purchase rate.
A$9 monthly fee, equivalent to A$108 yearly.
A$1,000 minimum credit limit.
Up to 45 interest-free days.
No foreign transaction fees.

Its purchase rate is considerably lower than many basic cards, but the fixed monthly fee means it may not be worthwhile for students who rarely use credit.

Applicants must still satisfy Westpac’s visa, income and credit requirements.

Best for: Eligible students who make overseas purchases or may occasionally carry a balance.

Main drawback: The monthly fee applies even when the student does not receive enough value from the card.

Quick Comparison

Lowest minimum credit limit

CommBank Low Fee: A$500.
Westpac Low Fee: A$500.
ANZ First: A$1,000.
Westpac Lite: A$1,000.
CommBank Interest-Free Low Fee: limits up to A$1,500.

Best by student profile

Best overall: CommBank Low Fee.
Best first card: ANZ First.
Best with established income: Westpac Low Fee.
Best without interest: CommBank Interest-Free Low Fee.
Best for foreign transactions: Westpac Lite.

What Documents Will You Need?

Banks may request:

Passport.
Student visa details.
Australian residential address.
Recent payslips.
Australian bank statements.
Employment information.
Details of rent and living expenses.
Information about existing credit cards, personal loans or Buy Now Pay Later accounts.

Providing complete and accurate information can reduce delays, but it does not guarantee approval.

How to Improve Your Approval Chances

Build a stable income record

Wait until you have several payslips and consistent salary deposits. A newly started job may not provide enough evidence for some lenders.

Request a low limit

A lower credit limit reduces the amount you can borrow and may better match a student budget.

Apply for only one card

Every formal credit application can be added to your credit report. Applying several times within a short period may harm your credit score.

Pay the full balance

Interest-free days generally depend on paying the required statement balance by the due date. Paying only the minimum can lead to significant interest costs.

Avoid cash advances

Cash withdrawals and cash-equivalent transactions may attract immediate interest and additional fees.

Should Students Choose Rewards Credit Cards?

Premium rewards cards are usually not the best starting point because they often have:

Higher annual fees.
Higher minimum credit limits.
Large spending requirements.
Additional rewards-program fees.
Benefits that require significant spending to justify their cost.

MoneySmart advises comparing the value of rewards against the higher fees and rates attached to the card.

A low-fee card is normally more practical until your income and Australian credit history become established.

Final Verdict

The CommBank Low Fee Credit Card is the strongest overall option for eligible international students because student visa subclass 500 is specifically listed, the minimum limit is A$500 and the monthly fee can be avoided.

ANZ First is a solid alternative for students with more than 12 months remaining on their visas. Westpac Low Fee may suit higher-earning students, while CommBank Interest-Free Low Fee and Westpac Lite offer alternatives for students prioritising predictable costs or foreign transactions.

Always confirm your exact visa eligibility and review the current key facts sheet before applying. Credit-card offers, fees and approval rules can change.

Best Credit Cards for International Students in Australia 2026

Can International Students Get Credit Cards in Australia?