Aussies getting on top of their credit card balances
While Money Smart statistics show that Australians owe a combined total of $33 billion on credit cards, the latest findings from the Reserve Bank of Australia indicate that credit card balances are down.
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Over April credit and charge card spending dropped significantly by $2.8 billion to $23.6 billion, compared with the previous month. This brings the average account balance down to $3,192 from $3,214 in March. Additionally, account balances accruing interest have fallen 4.6% from $2,190 in April last year to $2,090.
While Australians are being financially savvy when it comes to their credit cards and getting on top of their balances, they are also swiping more with the stats showing spending in April was 6.8% higher than the same time last year.
Australians are also increasing their credit card limits, with the average credit card limit jumping up by 0.2% from $9012 to $9030, over the 12 months to April.
Here are Money Smart’s tips for paying off your credit card balance sooner:
1. Stop adding more debt to your credit card
2. Pay more than the minimum repayment - even an extra $50 per month will make a big difference
3. Set up a direct debit to pay a fixed amount off your credit card balance each payday
4. If you have more than one card, pay off the one with the highest interest rate first or tackle the one with the smallest debt first
Credit card comparisons on Mozo - last updated 27 April 2024
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Apply By 28 May 2024
American Express Qantas Ultimate Card
Receive 60,000 Bonus Qantas Rewards Points when you apply online by 28 May 2024, are approved, and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Available for New American Express Card Members only.
Purchase rate
23.99% p.a.Balance transfer rate
No current offerAnnual fee
$450Rewards program
Qantas Frequent FlyerCompareCompareQantas Ultimate Card
Receive 60,000 Bonus Qantas Rewards Points when you apply online by 28 May 2024, are approved, and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Available for New American Express Card Members only.
- Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Annual fee
- $450
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- -
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Intro fee
- -
- Foreign exchange margin
- 3.00%
- Annual card fee
- $450
- Late payment fee
- $30.00
- Cash advance fee
- 2%, min $2.50
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the American Express Qantas Ultimate Card
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American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card
Enjoy $0 Annual Card Fee (usually $195) in the first year when you apply online and are approved. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only. Offer subject to change without notice.
Purchase rate
23.99% p.a.Balance transfer rate
No current offerAnnual fee
$195 $0 in the first yearRewards program
Membership RewardsCompareComparePlatinum Edge Credit Card
Enjoy $0 Annual Card Fee (usually $195) in the first year when you apply online and are approved. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only. Offer subject to change without notice.
- Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Annual fee
- $195 $0 in the first year
- Rewards program
- Membership Rewards
- Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- -
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- 55
- Intro fee
- 0.0
- Foreign exchange margin
- 3.00%
- Annual card fee
- $195 $0 in the first year
- Late payment fee
- $30.00
- Cash advance fee
- 2%, min $2.50
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card
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American Express Explorer® Credit Card
Receive 50,000 bonus membership rewards points when you apply online, are approved, and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases on your new card within the first 3 months (T&Cs apply). New Card Members only. Complimentary domestic & international Travel Insurance (T&Cs apply). Up to 55 days interest free on purchases. $395 annual fee.
Purchase rate
23.99% p.a.Balance transfer rate
No current offerAnnual fee
$395Rewards program
Membership RewardsCompareCompareExplorer® Credit Card
Receive 50,000 bonus membership rewards points when you apply online, are approved, and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases on your new card within the first 3 months (T&Cs apply). New Card Members only. Complimentary domestic & international Travel Insurance (T&Cs apply). Up to 55 days interest free on purchases. $395 annual fee.
- Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Annual fee
- $395
- Rewards program
- Membership Rewards
- Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- -
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- 55
- Intro fee
- -
- Foreign exchange margin
- 3.00%
- Annual card fee
- $395
- Late payment fee
- $30.00
- Cash advance fee
- 2%, min $2.50
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the American Express Explorer® Credit Card
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Apply By 15 May 2024
American Express Velocity Platinum Card
Earn 100,000 bonus Velocity Points when you apply online by 15 May 2024, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Velocity Platinum Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
Purchase rate
23.99% p.a.Balance transfer rate
No current offerAnnual fee
$375Rewards program
Velocity Frequent FlyerCompareCompareVelocity Platinum Card
Earn 100,000 bonus Velocity Points when you apply online by 15 May 2024, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Velocity Platinum Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
- Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Annual fee
- $375
- Rewards program
- Velocity Frequent Flyer
- Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- -
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- 55
- Intro fee
- -
- Foreign exchange margin
- 3.00%
- Annual card fee
- $375
- Late payment fee
- $30.00
- Cash advance fee
- 2%, min $2.50
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the American Express Velocity Platinum Card
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NAB Low Rate Card - Balance Transfer Offer
Spend with confidence with a low 13.49% p.a. variable purchase rate and 0% p.a. interest on balance transfers for the first 28 months (T&Cs apply). 2% balance transfer fee applies. There’s also up to 55 interest free days on purchases to help you manage your budget better when you make minimum repayments. Minimum credit limit $1,000. No annual fee for the first year (usually $59).
Purchase rate
13.49% p.a.Balance transfer rate
0% p.a. for 28 months and then 21.74% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)Annual fee
$59 $0 in the first yearRewards program
-CompareCompareLow Rate Card - Balance Transfer Offer
Spend with confidence with a low 13.49% p.a. variable purchase rate and 0% p.a. interest on balance transfers for the first 28 months (T&Cs apply). 2% balance transfer fee applies. There’s also up to 55 interest free days on purchases to help you manage your budget better when you make minimum repayments. Minimum credit limit $1,000. No annual fee for the first year (usually $59).
- Purchase rate
- 13.49% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 28 months and then 21.74% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)
- Annual fee
- $59 $0 in the first year
- Rewards program
- -
- Purchase rate
- 13.49% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- -
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 28 months and then 21.74% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)
- Cash advance
- 21.74% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 55
- Intro fee
- 0.0
- Foreign exchange margin
- 3.00%
- Annual card fee
- $59 $0 in the first year
- Late payment fee
- $15.00
- Cash advance fee
- 3%, Min $3
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the NAB Low Rate Card - Balance Transfer Offer
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