Credit Cards For Temporary Residents

If you are a temporary resident of Australia, you may be eligible to apply for a credit card. Compare some of your options here.

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Andrew Boyd avatar
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Updated 11 Dec 2024   |   Rates updated regularly

Comparing of 7 credit cards for temporary residents

Temporary resident

Yes

Balance transfer

28 months at 0% p.a.

Purchase rate

13.74% p.a. ongoing

Annual fee

$0.00 for 1st year

Details

  • Enjoy 0% p.a. for 28 months on balance transfers with a 1% balance transfer fee. Reverts to variable cash advance rate of 21.49% p.a.
  • Low 13.74% p.a. interest rate on purchases.
  • $0 first year annual card fee ($59 p.a. thereafter).

Pros & cons

Pros
  • 0% p.a. for up to 28 months on balance transfers.
  • Low 13.74% p.a. interest rate on purchases.
  • $0 first year annual card fee ($59 p.a. thereafter).
Cons
  • Balance transfer reverts to cash advance rate of 21.49% p.a. after 28 months.
  • You won't earn rewards with this card.
NAB Low Rate Credit Card

On NAB's website

Temporary resident

Yes

Balance transfer

28 months at 0% p.a.

Purchase rate

13.49% p.a. ongoing

Annual fee

$0.00 for 1st year

Details

  • Experience 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 28 months with a 2% balance transfer fee. Reverting to a variable cash advance rate of 21.74% p.a. after the promotional period.
  • Initial $0 annual card fee for the first year ($59 p.a. thereafter).
  • Receive a response within 60 seconds.

Pros & cons

Pros
  • 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 28 months.
  • A variable purchase rate of 13.49% p.a.
  • The waived annual fee for the first year.
  • Additional credit card is free.
Cons
  • There is a 2% balance transfer fee.
  • No rewards program for this card.
  • No insurance coverage.
Apply by 30 April 2025
St.George Vertigo Visa Credit Card

On St.George's website

Temporary resident

Yes

Balance transfer

24 months at 0% p.a.

Purchase rate

13.99% p.a. ongoing

Annual fee

$55.00 p.a. ongoing

Details

  • Get a 0% interest rate on balance transfers for 24 months with a 1% transfer fee. After that, the rate changes to 21.99% p.a. for cash advances.
  • Start with a credit limit as low as $500, helping you keep your spending in check.
  • Add 1 additional cardholder at no extra cost.

Pros & cons

Pros
  • Get a limited edition exclusive rainbow design card.
  • A 13.99% p.a. variable rate keeps interest costs lower on purchases.
  • Low annual fee of $55 p.a.
  • Offers fraud monitoring, secure online shopping, and a Fraud Money Back Guarantee.
  • Works with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
Cons
  • Note that the balance transfer rate reverts to 21.99% p.a. after 24 months.
  • The 1% balance transfer fee is low but it can add up with large transfers
  • No rewards program which is typical for a basic card.
ANZ Platinum Credit Card

On ANZ's website

Temporary resident

Yes

Balance transfer

N/A

Purchase rate

20.99% p.a. ongoing

Annual fee

$0.00 for 1st year

Details

  • Receive $300 cashback upon spending $1,500 on eligible purchases within the initial 3 months after approval. Terms and Conditions apply.
  • Enjoy up to 55 days interest-free on purchases by paying your account in full each month.
  • No annual fee for the first year. Subsequently, a standard annual fee of $87 p.a. applies.

Pros & cons

Pros
  • Earn a $300 cashback when you meet the spend criteria.
  • $0 annual fee in the first year, $87 p.a. thereafter (terms and conditions apply).
  • Comes with Personal Concierge service,
  • Complimentary insurance covers include international travel insurance, purchase protection insurance, and extended warranty insurance.
Cons
  • There is no rewards program on this card.
  • No balance transfer offer.
HSBC Platinum Credit Card

On HSBC's website

Temporary resident

Yes

Balance transfer

12 months at 0% p.a.

Purchase rate

19.99% p.a. ongoing

Annual fee

$0.00 for 1st year

Details

  • 0% p.a. balance transfer offer for 12 months, with a 2% transfer fee.
  • No annual fee for the first year, then $149 p.a. after that.
  • Earn 1.5 Reward Plus points per $1 spent on eligible purchases.
  • Redeem your points into cashback or various e-gift cards from Bunnings, Coles, Woolworths, Amazon, JB Hi-Fi, Uber, and more.

Pros & cons

Pros
  • The complimentary LoungeKey membership gives you access to 2 airport lounge passes every year.
  • Check out the exclusive dining and shopping discounts from time to time.
  • Includes complimentary travel insurance with Rental Vehicle Excess Insurance in Australia and Transit Accident Insurance.
  • Plus Extended Warranty and Purchase Protection insurance.
  • Additional cardholders at no extra cost.
  • Offers points transfer options with partners like Asia Miles, KrisFlyer, and Velocity Frequent Flyer.
  • Get a minimum credit limit of $6,000.
  • This card accepts Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Cons
  • High overseas transaction fee at 3%.
  • The balance transfer rate reverts to 21.99% p.a. after 12 months.
  • A cap of 10,000 points per statement period, or 120,000 points annually.
ANZ Low Rate Credit Card

On ANZ's website

Temporary resident

Yes

Balance transfer

28 months at 0% p.a.

Purchase rate

13.74% p.a. ongoing

Annual fee

$0.00 for 1st year

Details

  • Enjoy 0% p.a. for 28 months on balance transfers with a 3% balance transfer fee (then reverts to 21.99% p.a.) Terms and Conditions apply.
  • First-year annual fee waived ($58 subsequently).
  • Continuous low rate of 13.74% p.a. on purchases.
  • Enjoy up to 55 days interest-free on purchases by settling your account completely each month.

Pros & cons

Pros
  • Enjoy 0% p.a. on balance transfers up to 28 months.
  • $0 annual fee for the first year ($58 p.a. thereafter).
  • Take advantage of the low purchase interest rate of 13.74% p.a.
  • Add up to 3 additional cardholders at no extra cost.
Cons
  • No purchase or travel insurance included.
  • No rewards program.

Temporary resident

Yes

Balance transfer

N/A

Purchase rate

6 months at 0% p.a.

Annual fee

$131.40 p.a. ongoing

Details

  • Use the interest-free payment options at numerous stores.
  • Immediate 6 months interest-free for purchases totaling $250 and above.
  • Rather than an annual fee, Latitude Gem Visa imposes a monthly fee equating to $131.40 annually.

Pros & cons

Pros
  • 0% for 6 months on everyday purchases amounting to $250 and over.
  • The 0% on interest-free payment plans.
  • Up to 55 days interest free on everyday purchases.
Cons
  • The standard cash advance rate of 29.99% p.a.
  • 3% foreign exchange fee.
  • The late payment fee is $45.

If you’re in Australia on a work or study transfer or a temporary resident hoping to apply for permanent residence, there are several benefits to having an Australian credit card:

Avoid exposure to currency fluctuations

Using an overseas-issued credit card for Australian purchases means your card issuer will convert the amounts into your card’s currency, exposing you to potentially unfavourable exchange rates and fees. Matching the currency of your purchases with the currency of your payments avoids these risks.

Avoid foreign transaction fees

Purchases made in Australian dollars on a foreign credit card are treated as overseas transactions, often incurring a fee (commonly 3%). Using an Australian-issued card for local transactions avoids these fees.

Simplify monthly repayments

Paying off an Australian credit card is straightforward with an Australian bank account. In contrast, repaying a foreign credit card involves complex international transfers and additional fees.

Build a credit score in Australia

Establishing a good credit history in Australia is beneficial for renting, signing up with utility providers, or applying for loans. Using and managing an Australian credit card responsibly helps build your credit score.

Australian banks that accept temporary residents

The Big Four banks (ANZ, Commonwealth, NAB, and Westpac), along with American Express and some other banks, issue credit cards to holders of the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482). These cards offer various interest rates, rewards programs, frequent flyer points, benefits, and annual fees.

Eligible visa types for credit cards

The Department of Home Affairs lists all visa types, detailing their eligibility for credit cards. Commonly accepted visas include:

  • Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (TSS) (subclass 482)
  • Other temporary work visas (subclasses 400, 403, 408)
  • Business, talent, skilled, investor, and employer nomination visas
  • Temporary Work (International Relations) Visa (subclass 403)
  • Temporary graduate visas (subclasses 476, 485)
  • Refugee and humanitarian visas
  • Resident return visas (subclasses 155, 157)

Required documentation

To apply for a credit card, you will need:

  • Photocopy of the personal details page of your foreign passport
  • Photocopy of your Australian visa page for VEVO verification
  • Photocopy of your foreign birth certificate or citizenship certificate
  • Photocopy of your foreign driver’s licence (if not providing an Australian licence)
  • Current Australian address and previous overseas address
  • Employer and income details

Documents in languages other than English may need certified translation.

Passing the 100-point check

Australia's compulsory personal identification system requires documents proving identity and residence. A foreign passport typically scores 70 points, and additional documents like an Australian driver's licence add points.

Minimum income requirement

Temporary residents may need to demonstrate a higher income level due to limited access to overseas credit history. The TSS visa's minimum income threshold is currently $53,900, which should qualify for many credit cards.

Help choosing a credit card for temporary residents

Navigate your temporary stay with confidence - find the ideal credit card tailored for temporary residents.

  • Alternatives

Supplementary card

Family members on certain visas can apply for their own credit cards or be supplementary cardholders on the primary visa holder’s account. can make purchases and cash advances but cannot change the credit limit or use rewards points.

The primary cardholder is responsible for all debts on the account, regardless of which card was used.

    As seen on

    Media - The Sydney Morning Herald
    Media - Yahoo Finance
    Media - News.com.au
    Media - Daily Mail Australia
    Media - Australian Fintech
    Media - Dynamic Business