Credit cards
Understand how credit cards work
Credit cards are easy to get and easy to use. They let you carry
less cash and buy things over the phone or online. But keep track
of your spending and make sure you can pay off what you owe.
How do credit cards work?
Credit cards allow you to borrow money up to a certain limit as
long as you make regular minimum repayments. Most credit cards have
an annual fee.
Credit card interest rates explained
Credit cards tend to have higher interest rates than other forms
of credit, and the rate can vary depending on what features the
card offers. You are charged interest on all
outstanding transactions if you don't pay your full balance each
month.
If you have a credit card without an interest-free period, you pay interest
either from the day you make a purchase or from the day your
monthly statement is issued.
Unless you use a card that is interest-free and fee-free, buying
items with a credit card will always cost you more than if you pay
with cash.
Credit card minimum repayments
If you make only the minimum repayment on your credit card each
month, you will pay more in interest and it will take longer to pay
off your balance. Your monthly statement must give you information
about how long it will take to pay off the entire balance by making
minimum repayments.
Find out how much you can save by paying more than the minimum
repayments.
Credit card calculator
Stopping unsolicited credit card offers
By law, credit card issuers cannot send you invitations to
increase your credit limit without first getting your agreement.
This applies to both new and existing credit cards.
Even if you do agree to receive credit limit increase
invitations, you can change your mind at any time by contacting
your card issuer and asking them to stop sending credit offers.
Whether you decide to opt in or out of receiving credit offers,
you can ask your card issuer for an increase to your credit limit
at any time.
You could also end up spending more than you can repay if you
get a higher credit limit than you need.
Dual network cards (credit and
debit)
Some credit cards can also be linked to your deposit accounts
and used as a debit card.
If you want to pay by debit
you should insert your card into the EFTPOS machine at the checkout and select
'SAV' or 'CHQ'.
If you want to pay by credit you can either tap
or wave your card over the payment terminal (if you have a
contactless card) or you can insert your card into the EFTPOS
machine and select 'CR'.
If you use your card on a contactless terminal (PayPass or
payWave) you will always be paying by credit.
Find out more about contactless cards.
Using your credit card PIN
You must enter a PIN to authorise transactions on credit card
and debit card purchases when you buy a
product at a point of sale. Your signature is no longer accepted as
authorisation for point-of-sale purchase.
This only applies to transactions where you're physically
present at the point of sale in Australia, and if the card you're
using has an embedded smart chip. You'll continue to sign when
using chip-less cards with a magnetic strip at the back (such as
some pre-paid cards and gift cards).
This doesn't apply to online shopping, telephone purchases or
contactless
card transactions such as Visa's payWave and MasterCard's
PayPass where you wave your card or tap and go.
Using a credit card overseas
Be aware that your PIN might not work when you use your credit
card overseas. Depending on the overseas merchant, you may need to
use a signature to authorise purchases.
Problems with your credit card PIN
Forgot your credit card PIN?
If you forget your PIN, contact your bank or card issuer to
organise a new one. Your PIN should be difficult to guess and not
associated with any known information about you.
Using a credit card with a disability
If you have problems remembering a PIN or have a disability that
makes signing your credit card difficult, contact your card issuer
to discuss your options.
If you have questions about the security of using a PIN, speak
to your card issuer.
See unauthorised and
mistaken transactions if you have purchases on your card that
you cannot account for.
How to choose a credit
card
See how to choose a credit card
for tips on how to decide which credit card is right for you.
Credit card
management
See smart ways to use your
credit card for tips on how to make your credit card work
better for you and avoid costly fees and interest. You can also
find out how to pay off
multiple credit cards.
If you're worried about spending too much, a debit card might
suit you better.
Remember to check your credit card statements carefully to make
sure you are being charged correctly. Contact your credit provider
immediately if you find any transactions you didn't make. See unauthorised and
mistaken transactions for more details.
Shop around for a credit card that's right for
you, and remember to check the fine print.
Related links
Last updated: 18 Jun 2018
